Today I just want to say a massive CONGRATULATIONS to Tom and his pal Ivor, who yesterday completed The Highland Fling: a 53-mile “ultra” race along the first half of the West Highland Way. The race starts in Milngavie, and passes through Drymen and Balmaha, before traversing the East shore of Loch Lomond, moving up through Crianlarich, and finishing at the By The Way hostel in Tyndrum (a familiar landmark to anyone who knows the West Highlands). It took me three and a half days to walk that distance . . . they were hoping to cover it in less than eleven hours.
Tom and Ivor have been training for this epic undertaking for months now, running long stretches of the Way every weekend, in all weathers. It was Tom’s first “ultra” run, and also the first time that he has been involved with a race where I could literally walk out of the front door to cheer him on, which in itself was quite exciting. There was a small supporting crowd outside our house at the crack of dawn, complete with a fiddler who played strathspeys and hornpipes as the runners went by.
The weather was kind and the going was good. Taking it slowly, and consuming large quantities of gels, energy drinks and malt loaf as they went, they did really well. Tom completed the race in 9 hours 45 minutes, and Ivor in 10 hours 30 minutes, both of which are terrific times. And after a few beers, a fish supper, and a good night’s sleep, they are both in remarkably good shape.
Congratulations, Tom and Ivor!
i’m thinking that Ivor’s left foot must be recuperating in a bag of ice. No idea about the packet suspended from the ear, though.
perhaps Tom’s feet fared better because they were clothed in socks hand-knit by Kate? it’s possible that hand-knit socks might be the magic no-blister solution for all long distance runners.
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It is a matter of considerable regret to me that malt loaf is not available in the US. Perhaps if it was, I too would be able to run that far.
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Holy smokes! That is so impressive. And I’m sure the hand knit socks are a strong talisman for runner magic.
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And Bruce too, looks like he was there to cheer them on :) Congrats to the runners!
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Well done lads! Much faster than me – I took 13:20 to do my 52.4 miler 7 years ago. The WHW is on my ‘must do before I get too old to run’ list :-)
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Congratulations Tom and Ivor! It sounds like a lovely race to do.
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Congratulations Tom and Ivor! What a great achievement and how fun to be able to cheer the team on right outside your front door and with a fiddler too! well done :-)
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Well done, guys! I can hardly fathom running that far. I’m in awe.
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congratulations tom and ivor! well done!! i bet those beers and fish dinner tasted spectacular! we have a beautiful (difficult!) 50 mile (though i think it’s now 55) ultra trail race every november here where we live, in the santa barbara back country. my husband is an ultra runner too, you can see a bit of what it’s the course is like here :
http://loritimesfive.blogspot.com/2011/11/running-mountains.html
just in case you might like to run in california!
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Please give Tom and Ivor a resounding high 5! Totally amazing feat that is twice the marathon, and their times were terrific. My son-in-law competes in the Iron Man races here in the states and it is not
comparable as they swim 4 miles, ride their bikes 112 miles and then run the full marathon.His times are very similar as well. What fantastic athletes these gents are!
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Well done to Tom and Ivor. Love from Anne and Malcolm in sunny Majorca x
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congrats to both, and to all. but what fresh hell is malt loaf? is it related to HAGGIS?
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Sadly not . . .
http://www.soreen.com/products/original-malt-loaf/
I think you need to try some!
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Congratulations Lads! Love the socks, Tom. Could they be hand knitted?
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of course!
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Huge accomplishment! Congrats to both of them!
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Quite an accomplishment! And is Bruce wearing Tom’s “Buff”?
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Yes, hearty congratulations to Tom and Ivor. A great support team makes all the difference too. Loved the Instagram update too.
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Well done them – and you!
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Congratulations Tom and Ivor!
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My goodness–what a feat! Having attempted running with little success I am in awe of their endurance. Congratulations to them both!
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Congrats on a great accomplishment! Bruce looks like he earned a treat!
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Well done, all!
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Amazing feat. Congrats to both. Did Bruce run too, or did he just show up for the photos?
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Congratulations and Slainte !!!!
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That’s really a long way to run!! and finish!!!!!! Congratulations to both Tom and Ivor.
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That is just amazing….dedication and concentration (two things you and Tom have in common!). Congratulations to both runners.
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Fabulous achievements and times, congratulations to them both and also to the very important support crew without whom they could not manage!!
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Amazing well down to Tom and Ivor! I had running friends from portobello participating yesterday too, Kathy and Graham who finished around the same time as Ivor. Btw, is Tom an HBTer then?
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yes, indeed! he joined HBT when we moved to Edinburgh many moons ago
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That is amazing! Congratulations :)
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Fantastic – I bet Bruce was miffed he couldn’t run with them.
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Wow, that is absolutely amazing! Congratulations to Ivor and Tom. Terrific times!
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Amazing! Seeing goals set and then masterfully accomplished is inspiring. Congrats Tom and Ivor!
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Wonderful job guys and what an exciting goal to have met and conquered! I have to post this link to a friends design here which was inspired by walking the in the Lock Lomond region: http://polkadotsheep.com/shop/product/loch-lomond-pattern-pdf-3124.cfm
It is always such a pleasure to visit Scotland with you Kate!
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Ok, you need to explain the bag on Ivor’s foot and the little package on his head. Where’s your editorial sense woman?
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these things are all part of Ivor’s mystery
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Tom and Ivor ~ what a fantastic accomplishment!!!
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That just proves my theory that people in handknitted socks can outrun any man wearing a carrier bag….
Congratulations to the pair of them :)
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Congratulations. Way to go!
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Congratulations Tom & Ivor ! Amazing accomplishment !! (( I secretly dream to be a runner, but will remain just a walker…. plodding along the ridge and wooded paths with my dog while knitting))
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Congrats! Sounds like a fun race!
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Amazing Feat!
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As I head out on my measly 12 mile run (ok, winds are 34mph right now and I do have a marathon next weekend), I will think of the WHW Fling and hope we can run it someday. Congrats and hope that they can enjoy the well deserved day off. Are those blue striped socks something you made for Tom? Not sure what Malt loaf is but if makes me faster, I will eat it. Happy running and knitting!
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