Overall, it was a fabulous experience.

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How did I do?

Well, I finished.

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Running poles

One thing I have not mentioned so far: running poles. I didn't use them. I tried, in a rather half-arsed way, to train with them but the simple fact of the matter is that they just piss me off. They get tangled, they are a constant distraction, and I feel I get next-to-no benefit from them.

I was very much in the minority.

Downhill running and running on rough ground

I seem to be OK at this. A lot of people were remarkably crap at it. Indeed, I was quite surprised at this. At one stage on Day 2, running down from the Falls of Dornach, I simply ran away from a couple of the blokes who finished in the top four. Of course, they soon caught me up on the flat and went steaming past - my overall speed on the flat is bang average but I was certainly quick down the hills.

There is only one thing I can put this down to - I run downhills almost every day in my training. And I actually made a special effort to run on rough ground on some training runs. I don't mean to be rude about anyone else - it's just the difference almost startled me. My wonderful fellow runners were nothing but kind and accommodating when I overtook them down slopes. More often than not, they stepped out of the way with alacrity, and offered some encouragement.

My point is: it seems to be a weak area for a lot of runners. Whatever you do, spend as much time as you can muster running on rougher stuff. Perhaps put some specific sessions aside to improve your downhill technique. It may pay off more than just about any other form of training.

Fuel

I ate proper food. Like not a single gel. I did a careful calculation on my food requirements, based on my likely times.

I have said 'proper' food but it was worth pointing out that some of it is the kind of ultraprocessed junk one can buy in a Spar though plenty was decent wholefood as well. That caveat aside, I didn't consume a single gel and I didn't use any rehydration powders etc. If I was hungry, I ate food. If I was thirsty, I drank water. And it worked just great.

Aftermath - injuries and illness

Final reflections