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West Highland Way
23rd June 2007

Mike Mason is making this his fourth outing in as many years for this race.

Best time: 27 Hr 57 min 26 sec (Previous races: 2004,2005,2006)

Essentially the object is simple, you start at Milngavie Railway Station (7miles north of Glasgow) at 1am on 23rd June & run/jog/walk to Fort William Leisure Centre by noon on the 24th June, 35 hours to cover 153km (95 miles) including 4499m (14760ft) of ascent (OS software).
Along the way you pass through checkpoints within time limits. In order to participate you must have your own motorised backup, consisting of at least two people, one of which must be capable of covering the last two sections with you (or find you) if assistance is required or during the hours of darkness.
Jez Bragg(15:44:50) & Kate Jenkins (17:37:4 Cool

hold the course records

You can track Mikes' progress here, but also on hi ssub-web site here

http://www.benfleetrunningclub.com/mm.htm

The official website for the event is

http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 900 Location: Hockley

Cheers Karl...wow my own blog.....unaccustomed as I am to writing on the forum..........................................

Not long to go. Ernie and I set out next Friday morning early. We have a brief sleep in Milngavie hotel. Race starts at 01.00hrs on Saturday morning. Will pick up a Scottish support runner in Kingshouse - John Thompson who has kindly agreed to put up with my grizzling. Ernie has his Whisperlite stove in action and promised gourmet meals - he will hunt wild animals en route. We then stay over for Prize giving on Sunday (hopefully I flaming make it) and drive back on Monday.

Training plans had been going well until the dog bite/sun burn/knee bursitis and ITB issue that hit last Tuesday. After physio with Gemma at Benfleet Physio got green light last night. So will do a few light runs...luckily in taper anyway.

The reason that I have not been at the Club much this year has been that my training changed based on previous years and through me out of the Tues/Thurs cadence....oh and because I don't like Godfrey! But hope to be back before the Mont Blanc Ultra in August.

Ernie and I will keep you posted on developments. I am looking forward to wearing the Benfleet vest in Scotland along with 'Benfleet - the caring Club - my arse' emblazoned across my.............................arse.

Ernie also checking out various song medleys to give me payback for his GUCR success.....

Check out the WHW site and of course their Forum to see what is going on including race reports from previous races...hoping for a cool couple of nights and day and an absence of midges!

http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 514 Location: Hockley, GORC.

Good luck to both of you.
When you have done this, does it mean you will be at the club more? (I need to get biscuits if so!!)

mArKw · Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 247 Location: Benfleet

jacklarge · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 239 Location: Rayleigh, Essex

MM1,

All the best for 'the High Road'. I see you as a top 'Tour De France' rider against my meager Duathlon entrant standard (it's a cycling metaphor, sorry). As such I expect you to do the 'caring club... my arse' proud.

Obviously I'd be happy to offer you a single malt in honor of your success at the next Club social (if you get a PB I'll even throw in a ginger biscuit).

Cheers,

John.
_________________
"As the days go by, we face the increasing inevitability that we are alone in a godless, uninhabited, hostile and meaningless universe. Still, you've got to laugh, haven't you?"

- Holly, ships computer, Red Dwarf

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 900 Location: Hockley

MM2 - Back before Mont Blanc Ultra in August. Get the biscuits in. But as I have dropped 10 pounds in last few months to hone an even perter arse please ensure low fat!

Mark - the picture scared me. Have spent 2 Island hopping holidays in Scotland in past years with Andy Stewart swirling his kilt on CD - the novelty lasts after 10 seconds....

John - who are you calling a ginger? And having used a turbo for recovery after knee problem how do you put up with the saddle?

Karl - hello.....

rgds
Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

Pammie · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 284

Good luck to you
_________________
I'll put something interesting here when i've thought of something, in the meantime heres some music.

jacklarge · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 239 Location: Rayleigh, Essex

Pat M · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Canvey Island

Good luck, Mike, Ernie. Beat the course record and I'll get the cakes in. lol.

Up the rebels!!!

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 900 Location: Hockley

Cheers Pat and thanks Pammie to an earlier note...

this is indeed a 'caring club - my arse...'

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

spokey42 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 38

MM1

Please keep doing the WHW every year, Mike. If that's what keeps you away from the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then we are all supporting you.

PS Could you bring me back some shortbread in one of those nice tartan tins? I hate shortbread, but the tins are good for screws. Thanks. Godfrey

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: Rayleigh

spokey42, you keep the tin - I will eat the shortbread...

C'mon MM1 - people are relying on you now !!

(selfish bastrd)

Karl C · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: Rayleigh

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 540 Location: Basildon

Go for it boys!

bounce

Stevie · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 402 Location: Benfleet

Mike - Your a crazy fool, all the best with this one compress

Ernie · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Hockley GORC

Well there have been concerns as to whether Mike was going to start this race due to knee injury but it looks like he is going to give it he's best shot.

A PB is still on the cards and on the weather front its going to be WET,WET,WET and even more WET.

IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS.

I'll be updating Karl during the race so hopefully he will be posting the updates.

Mike Mason · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 900 Location: Hockley

Thanks for cheering me up all. Well the last 3 weeks have been a disaster. A taper that didn't really involve running - just physio, knee taping, icing and rest. If I ever find that flaming dog he is dead! One thing after another. Managed to develop a heel blister walking to London office yesterday .....aaggh!

Will meet up with Ernie tonight for last pow wow and then we are on road o6.oohrs on Friday morning. Race starts at 01.00hrs saturday morning. Forecast to be cool and wet which I don't mind...and may keep the midges away. Ernie is going to make cordon bleu meals en route and see encouraging songs.

Gear and food spread all over floor at home - last minute pack as always.

Keep you posted and ensure that this great 'Caring club - my arse' gets the maximum publicity. Even if it is from being known as a whingeing, swearing git.....

rgds

Mike
_________________
'sometimes I am running so fast it appears that rocks and trees are standing still......' 'I may be slow, but you are ugly and I can train harder.' '90% is mental, the other half is physical'it's going to get a lot worse, before it gets worse'.

runningman · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 119 Location: my office

GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!MM with race and with the Aussie !

mikemoreton · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 514 Location: Hockley, GORC.

Good Luck MM1 !!!

Bring back the biscuits!!

(I Love shortbread)

Pat M · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 215 Location: Canvey Island

I love shortbread too, and long bread as long as it's sweet. I do envy you, Mike, Ernie. Not for the running but where you're going. I love the drive through Glenn Coe to Fort William, and for some reason it seems even better coming out. Hope you've brought your camera and take lots of pics. All the best from the best.
Pat. x. lol.

Steffan · Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 540 Location: Basildon

Go Mike, thats great running.
Keep it up and remember theres biscuits at the finish line!
bounce