A number of Carnethy members have previously run the Glen Lyon ultra, and I joined that number back on a sunny and hot (by Scottish standards) 3rd of June.
The route is an anticlockwise loop of Loch Lyon, over the hill into Glen Lochay, a loop at the top of Glen Lochay and back over the hill to the start – just over 50km in total, with 1,100m of ascent. Runners can camp semi-wild (there are portable loos!) below the dam at the head of Loch Lyon on the nights before and after the race.
This was my first ultra and would be the longest distance I had ever run by a few km, so I was nervous to say the least. This wasn’t helped by the medical input to the pre-race briefing: “If you’re sick once, that isn’t a worry; if you’re sick twice, that isn’t a worry. Speak to someone if you’re throwing up repeatedly. If you think the heat’s bad now, wait until Glen Lochay where there is zero wind. But don’t over-hydrate! Ibuprofen can kill you. DEAD.”
It was a massive relief to set off, but it quickly became clear that the plan to ‘manage my heart rate’ was pointless: it had been going at 100mph since before that medical briefing, and wasn’t showing any sign of slowing down even if I walked, not helped by the heat.
So…I just decided to keep going and see how things went! There were some lovely chats with fellow runners along the way, the marshals were super nice and encouraging, and I was able to focus on the stunning scenery. The sun quickly put paid to my best-case scenario speed-wise but what with it being my first ultra, I was mainly just keen to finish.
Relaxing about speed turned out to be a good call on this occasion. Two of the fastest ladies dropped out around the halfway point with cramp, and several more runners suffered badly with cramp and sickness. Food-wise, I had gone with a jelly baby/roasted peanut/crystallised ginger/chilli flake/salt crystals combo recommended by Mark Hartree on the Carnethy FB group, which kept me going and gave me enough salt to largely stave off impending cramp at the first twinges.
In the event, I made it to the finish as 4th lady and had a sit down in the lovely cold river. I think enjoyment of the Glen Lyon Ultra probably depends a lot on what you’re into: personally, I was looking jealously up at the hills a lot of the time and wishing that I wasn’t on tracks and road – but it’s a friendly race in a beautiful part of the world, so can make for a lovely day out!
Lucy Ritchie