One of the greatest aspects of my running is the friendships I have made in that time. Training for Inverness was very much a solo effort although the continual help, advice, praise and encouragement from my mate Dave was always there Although only every having the pleasure of running with Dave the once, h
aving him just an email or text away made it feel like I always had help at hand and I don’t honestly think without that I could have cracked Inverness last year. Just as I bagged Inverness I was re-acquainted with my old running buddy Tommy. Tommy and I have known each other for many, years and indeed used to run together but had lost touch years ago. It was upon a chance encounter whilst taking my little girl Ava swimming we bumped into each other and started training together once more. Training with Tommy made running a whole heap more fun, it’s a lot easier running for 2-3 hours and just talking rubbish and having the banter. Tommy and I are very evenly matched pace wise and as such it’s been great to be able to push each other on and talk tactics and plan runs.
It was only about 6 weeks ago when Dave asked whether we would consider running our first ultra, the Speyside Way Ultra - 36.5 miles. TBH running 26 miles is madness but to consider 36.5 seems beyond madness. Tommy and I talked it over and decided we needed to have a crack at one even it if it just confir
med we hated it and never wanted to do another ever again.
We planned our training schedule and set to it, all was going well until a 20 miler along the Union canal about 3 weeks ago. We’d gotten to the turn without any problems and were about at mile 12 when Tommy started complaining of feeling nauseous. We stopped for a bit then set off again hoping it would pass but it was obvious he wasn’t himself. We kept running and walking for a few miles then around mile 16 realised it might make sense if I ran on back to the car and came back for Tommy at a lay-by not far ahead. As it turned out he felt ill for a few days so it was obvious he’d picked up a bug or something. This wasn’t however the ideal preparation for an ultra just weeks away. Fortunately, the last couple of weeks passed without incident and then the big weekend was before us.
Both Tommy and I took half days from work and set off at Fri lunchtime. A couple of hours and some got us to Stonehaven where we stopped off at Dave’s for a welcome cup of tea and biscuit. We pressed on up to Aberdeen and picked up Mike ‘The Machine’ Raffan so called as he just doesn’t know the meaning of pain and will run and run and run. Witnessing him run all 96 miles of the West Highland Way earlier this year just confirmed his unbelievable stamina and strength.
A couple of hours later we arrived in Buckie, a small coastal town on the North, east of Scotland. As we drew into the caravan site the owner was immediately over to guide us to our camp spot. I don’t think any of us understood a single word he said tbh such was his strong accent. Dave and Tommy quickly erected the big 4 man tent which came complete with its own kitchen, gym and Jacuzzi whilst Mike and I had to slum it with a single man tent each. After a bit of head scratching and help I finally got mine put up. Tommy generously offered me his big 2 man inflatable matress of which I was delighted to take. 
Mike had to make do with my £2 brightly coloured Asda one though it was an improvement of what he had, I think.
We made our way up to what looked like the only eatery in town ‘The Fry Inn’, otherwise known as the local chippie. Fish suppers bought (chips and beans in Dave’s case) we drove to the harbour front where I scared the bejejus out of the lads as they thought I was going to nose dive the car into the water. We sat and scoffed our food before heading back to the campsite. We sat outside for a few hours, enjoying a coffee before heading to our respective beds about 
10pm. Got to say the mattress made for a comfy sleep only broken by the noise of the local neds spilling out of the disco about 2am.
As is usual with me when I have something planned early the next day, I kept waking every half an hour from about 3am onwards. Eventually as I lay toasty and comfortable I knew the agreed time to get up (6am) wasn’t long away. Eventually I heard the first zip, seconds later Tommy unzipped my tent and peered in. Fortunately despite the forecasted torrential rain it was bone dry meaning it was easy to take the tents down and get packed up.
We drove the ½ mile to the registration point in the local school. As we got out of the car Tommy said he felt right out of his depth such was the obviously talented runners around us. We made our way inside the school, registered then got ready. A few minutes later we were on the bus about to be driven 36.5 miles away so we could run back. The route itself starts in Ballindalloch, heading north through Knockando, Aberlour, Craigellachie, Fochabers & Tugnet (Spey Bay) before heading east back towards Buckie (thanks to Jonathan for that bit). The journey seemed to take forever which only mentally added to the enormous task that lay in front. We eventually arrived in Ballondalloch and spilled from the bus. A piper played which really helped to ad
d to the atmosphere. After 'lightening' our load we all gathered for the brief, most of which none of us could hear properly other than the bloke on the bike being the doctor. We hoped we wouldn’t require his services.
A few mins later we were lined up and ready to go. Dave went to find Jonathan just as the crowd started to move forward; we were off!!
The first 4-5 miles was all about trying to settle into a even pace, luckily it was flat so it was quite easy to do. Dave being the designated pace setter, lead the way, followed by Tommy with me bringing up the rear. Dave had set up a strict 30
hour mark which by our reckoning would be about 26 miles with 10.5 left to run. At one turn Dave spotted a runner in front who had missed his turning and was now running in the wrong direction. Dave quickly bolted after him to leave Tommy and me to continue on slowly. Dave and said lost runner eventually appeared. To say the guy was grateful to Dave was an understatement. Around this time Tommy was complaining of a spasm in his leg. We walked for a bit then started running again. It was obvious Tommy was in a bit of discomfort but despite his pleas for us to go on ourselves we were determined to stick together. Around this time I had ran in front and at one point 
couldn’t see either Tommy or Dave. They eventually appeared and I discovered Dave had been stung not once but three times by a wasp!!
As we ran through a wooded area Tommy again told us to go ahead and leave him. Dave and I decided it might be better all round as the last thing Tommy wants is someone continually telling him to ‘keep going’ so we all agreed it would be for the best if we went on alone to allow Tommy to run his own race. Dave took the lead and it was obvious he’d picked up the pace a bit. TBH, despite sore, heavy legs I was feeling very energised and still fu
ll of running so did my best to keep up. It was at this time that we started to catch runners up which was mentally a good thing. At last we could hear the sound of the waves crashing in front of us and knew the beach front and last turn for home wasn’t far off. As we got to the turn the marshal shouted we had 2 miles left. We thought we still had about 4 and a half so shouted back a ‘yeah right, I wish’ type reply. For the first time throughout the run Dave checked the Garmin – 2 and a half it showed. Wow, what a lift that gave us, as we turned the corner onto the beach front I said to Dave we should pick it up. I was feeling great at this point and pressed on. Dave informed me we had just run a couple of 8 minute / miles. We neared a small village (Portgordon?) which Dave told me wasn’t Buckie. As we ran we kept pegging back runner, and then, there in the distance was the town of Buckie, Dave glanced at his Garmin – 1 and a half left to go. I quickened the pace and we ran like there was no tomorrow. We must have passed about another 6 runners in this final stretch. As we turned the corner to the right we could see the finish. We both ran
as fast as we could (reckon Dave had more in the tank though) before taking the final turn to the finish – 20 metres left to run. As I crossed the line it felt great, I’d done it. I’d not only done it, I ran it feeling great with probably the quickest 4 miles being the last 4. Our finishing time was 6 hours and 39 minutes. Dave told me we’d run the last 2 at 7 and a half minute pace which is mental when I think about it. We were presented with our medals and met by Mike who by this time was showered and changed. He’d finished in 10th place in a blistering 5 hours and 1 minute – incredible stuff.
We stood waiting to Tommy to finish and don't mind admitting I was a little worried about how he’d be since he wasn’t looking great when we left. A few runners came in then down to the left 
we spotted Tommy. I yelled at him to go for it. He was looking in good form and even managed to pick up the
pace as he sprinted towards the finish. He’d done it – 7 hours and 9 mins, a cracking effort.
He later told me after we had left him he had a bit of cat and mouse thing going on with another runner that had helped spur him on. He was delighted with his run and so he should be.
Shortly after Jonathan came home, he didn't look in great shape, he later told us he'd had problems with both his knee and hip. To get around feeling like that is nothing short of incredible. He did knock off about 20 mins off his PB so he'd done brilliantly.
A shower and a cup of tea later we embarked on the long journey home, all equally tired with our own stories to tell but equally satisfied with our own personal performances. We’d all done what we had to do and did ourselves proud. As Dave said during the run, you could ask a random 1000 people how many have ran a marathon, you’d be lucky to get a handful of people who had. Ask the same 1000 how many have run 36.5 miles and you’d be lucky to get any that have. That for me, pretty much sums up just what we had achieved.
We dropped Mike off in Aberdeen then headed down to Stonehaven and said our goodbyes to Dave. Just north of Dundee, Tommy and I stopped at a McDonalds and enjoyed what tasted like the best meal ever, all completely guilt free too. We arrived in Dunfermline where Tommy was staying with Karen, his girlfriend. After unpacking Tommy’s stuff. I said hello to Karen then headed off on the final part of my journey. I finally arrived home about 10.30pm. After a blether with Tracy and a cup of tea, I headed for a welcome hot bath then bed.
Now then, when’s the Dee 33?
Oh and if you ever come to a tunnel, watch out for giant frogs, Dr Who and maggots. Ask Dave or Tommy, they'll tell you.
