Saturday morning, early start at the White Corries Ski Centre in Glen Coe, running around for registration and to place all my equipment in three separate vans, but I had only one thing in my mind, I was desperate for the loo and that the loo was closed. Luckily John was there to keep me right!

Finally, with a light drizzle and pushing breeze, I started just one minute behind Jackie. The cycle route goes from the Ski Centre to Taynuilt, 49 miles of fast scenic road, magical if it wasn’t for the spurts of heavy traffic. I thought my up hill cycle technique was OK until John was shouting from the car to change gears. So that’s why my legs were spinning like the clappers for the last 15 miles! I could not understand how Jackie could cycle faster than me going up hill and then me shooting off on the flat and down hill. In all, the cycle section went brill, although, I only just managed to stay in one piece when a speeding tour bus pushed me off the road. We got to Taynuilt and in a respectable time of 2.41 for a non-cyclist who has still not worked out how to play with gears!

Once completed the cycle, we had plenty of time to rest, stock up with food and drink, and to get ready for the canoe section. Very well if you are not in Scotland, you can lie in the sun, socialise with other competitors, use the massage facility provided and help your self with the massive amount of food layed out for you. BUT HERE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. The midges were at their best, they always know how to spoil a party, also they know who to target, don’t they? Well, while I was been eating alive and forgotten about eating and drinking, Jackie managed to keep calm, got changed and had her two bagels (perhaps they like extra meat on their on their pencil)?

Time flew and we were ready to set off for the ten miles up Loch Etive. This was one of the best parts of the race. The sun came out, the water was reasonably calm and the two of us were paddling well in synch according to Maggie Creber, who managed to get into the rescue boat and followed us after, unfortunately, missing out the canoe section due to an injured elbow, a real pity because I think I would have had her this time!!!!!!!! We managed to pass a few single canoes and kept our position in the middle of the field. The last two miles were hard, Jackie was silently tired, although she did say loudly ‘that this would be the last time I do 10 miles in a canoe’. I was feeling it too but found the canoe exhilarating, happy to be out there and to be able to race others who perhaps have more experience than us. I felt a bit of a cheat in the double canoe, so I promised myself to follow John and play this game a lot more.

With the beach in sight Jackie was already making plans for shooting off as soon as possible. As I was in the steering position my knees and my feet were pretty sore and I could have done with a good rest. On hindsight, we should have taken much much longer before heading on the road since we would have had the time for free. However, Jackie was very keen to get going. So, I just managed to hobble from the boat, put on some running gear, go for that pee and off we went. The run through the glorious Glen Etive back to Glen Coe turned out to be the most painful 13 miles I ever attempted in my running life. Giving everything not to walk, I struggled behind Jackie’s overwhelming smiles and newsreader encouragement. I didn’t want to let her down although 13 miles of Jackie Bird bouncing ahead with the cheers of onlookers was hard. As many Boat Racers, LAMMers, HEBers and KIMMers know it takes a special ingredient to run in a team.

Crossing the finish was made even more delightful with the cheers of Maggie, Chris, Ross, John, Gilly, Rachael, and Pat. What a brilliant event, I’ll be there next year and you’ve got to give it a go.

The things a supporter has to do!?

I always forget how knackering supporting is. Rushing around getting them organised while they meander around on planet somewhere. You’ve got to be their, number pinner, shoe finder, pee shield, car driver, roll maker, tea pourer, gear changer, camera man, traffic warden, canoe lifter and pusher, gear sorter, pace maker, and encourager guru man and not only do you have to pick up the pieces when it’s all over but you even have to ask them to marry you into the bargain!