In this blog post, Des shares how he transitioned from chasing personal bests and comparing himself to others, to discovering a deeper 'Why'—a purpose that fuels his passion for running and adventure. His story is a testament to the power of finding joy in the process, embracing the unknown, and using running as a tool for personal growth.
Galloway hills, 45 miles and 5200 meters of ascent, are some of the most brutal terrain of any hills I know in the UK. No GPS allowed, and you must complete the event as a team of four….what an awesome concept.
In Episode 3 of the sprint series where Paul and James are exploring Confidence and Belief how we think is critical. Especially how we then channel that thinking. In this 13 minute blast Paul argues you can choose in which voices and messages you believe in. He tells us it is normal to have internal conversations and reminds listeners the voice we hear the most, BY A LONG WAY, is our very own.
The science of running (and other sports) is more complex than many people realise. It’s not just a case of lacing up your trainers and putting one foot in front of the other. The female body is not simply a smaller version of our male counterparts. Oh, and how the hell do we train in and around the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause anyway?
This article will outline some of the golden nuggets found in Roar by Dr. Stacy Sims.
Here’s Arjit sharing an inspiring story of an event he created.
“During the event I learnt that there is more to running than just follow the training plan or to get out of the bed and go for a run. I learnt to respect people’s time and personal limitations. Many times an assigned person didn’t turn up to the slot and I had to get out to fill the gap - twice during the week in the middle of the night. Instant reaction was to get frustrated though a perspective shift would suggest that it’s a slot for someone and it’s an event for me. “
I headed to Portugal a week after my icy Deas-Ghnàth in January.
I had a few commitments, some included running, some just normal life stuff and I wanted to really spend time with family and friends, for once.
My plans for the rest of the time were loose, but one thing I knew for sure: I wanted to go to the Fishermen’s Trail. I wasn’t sure if I would feel up to doing the whole thing or just a short section, you know, like a normal person.
This epic race started in Chamonix, France, with 2369 runners attempting to traverse 106 miles around the Mont Blanc massif, passing through Italy, Switzerland and then back to Chamonix via multiple high alpine passes, totalling approximately 9,700 meters of ascent and 9,700 meters of descent.
The UTMB is considered to be one of the most difficult and gruelling non-stop mountain trail races in the world.
A collaboration between Ali Hall and Paul Giblin
Paul Giblin is the brains and inspiration behind Pyllon. As someone who shies away from the limelight, he can be a bit of an enigma. Much like the native Scottish red squirrel, he is happiest in nature, avoiding the masses and without drawing attention to himself.
I’m hoping this short Q&A session will highlight the fun, sensitive, goofy and human side of our friend and community founder.
Are you ready?
So many things I’d do if I didn’t run! Where do I start?
I’d do more with music. I got into music from a very young age. Started collecting vinyl when I was still in school and DJ’d all through my 20’s. I still do quite a bit now, but I just don’t have the time to be focused enough. There’s still a Mercury Music Prize in me yet - might just have to wait a few more years 😀
I’d likely bag a few more big mountain peaks. Again - ultra running takes over and hasn’t left me enough time to do more. I had intentions of doing more paragliding when I lived in Chamonix but I was either running or recovering.
I have really enjoyed training Mya (my dog), and we hope to do some IGP trials with her. But much like running it requires a lot of time, so I’m not pushing it too much and I am making plenty of mistakes along the way. Learning a lot, but realising I don’t even know the full scale of what I don’t know! :D There are lots of parallels to coaching runners, to be honest - if there is enough drive, then it's a guidance, teaching, and confidence-building role.
I’d shoot more photos and videos. I’d draw and paint more. The creative stuff I really love and miss when life takes over.
There’s maybe 10 other things I’d love to do more of, but I’d never sleep or do anything well if I took those on too.
Quirky? I’m not sure. I don’t like to change things much when I’m out running. I’ll rarely stop to take a top off if it’s too hot or change my shoes unless they are causing me serious pain. So, I might be in some discomfort overall, but I accept it and forget that I maybe can reduce the discomfort with a change. Is that quirky?
I also like to run barefoot the day before a race on the dirt I’ll be running. I’ve done it for years. I know there’s no benefit, but I guess it’s a ritual, and rituals have the capacity to calm nerves.
I’ve had lots of great moments. It would be easy to list a bunch of race wins and solid performances. And they’ve been awesome. But actually, it’s been about running with people. Sharing some trails or doing a race with a great crew and feeling part of a team - on a mission together. You’ve worked super hard to achieve something, and there are people around you who know and care as much as you do.
When I think back to the End2End trail, for example - whilst it was obviously a real slog at over 2,000KM, there were so many small, wonderful moments across the four weeks. Conversations and laughs, meeting strangers in a field who had come out to run with me for an hour, friends turning up, kind words, smiles, and shared meals. That’s the stuff that really matters.
There is a lot of heartache, too, but I guess those become standout moments too. That’s where you are presented with choices. How will you deal with a setback, and what trail will it lead you down in life?
I’m not sure to be honest. For about 14 - 15 years now. I think I always under-estimate, so this could be way off!
Same as lots of people really - in the gym! I became very conscious of my health and general lack of fitness. I started warming up on a treadmill and it grew from there. Very quickly!
I guess running across the UK was an achievement. I loved running the Outer Hebrides years ago. My Dad came out to rescue me in the second half; it was just him and me at the finish. Those times I’ll never feel again. I actually did a few YouTube videos of it before vlogging was big. I’m sure they’re awful compared to today’s standards. I can’t bring myself to watch them as I miss my Dad so much, and it’s easier not to think about it. I’m glad I did that. And I’m really glad and grateful for the Pyllon Endeavour and XP events that we have done. I’ve met so many cool people and made a few friends that I’m lucky to still have.
They say dogs reflect their owners, right? So, I’m a little Belgian Malinois. Pretty determined, keen to be outside, can get super-focused on stuff, and be quite wary of new things and new people.
I take a long time to get to know other people and to trust their intentions I guess - but when I do, I just want to help and be there for them. I can’t run as fast or bite as hard, but I’m fairly nimble on any terrain!
In all honesty, I’m not half the athlete of a Malinois. But it’s okay to have role models, right?
Ooof. I really struggle with giving a single favourite anything! It has to be something that swells some emotion in me if I’m looking to push hard. I'm a huge fan of electronic music, so I’d normally go there. But it depends on where I’m running and the mood of the place.
Running in a forest has a very different feel to a tempo session on a cycle path. Something with a minimal syncopated beat for hard sessions and something organic that takes you on a journey over a beautiful trail through a forest. Techno to jazz and everything in between kinda covers the spectrum of the music I like.
A massive thanks to Paul for being a good sport and humouring my silly questions. If you are interested in working with Paul and allowing him to help you achieve your dreams, contact us here.
by Ali Hall
Rachel storming in to take first place
Usually, what happens in a portaloo stays in a portaloo. But not today, because Grant Macdonald shares all with us. Aren’t we lucky!
Stretching over the second half of the West Highland Way, the Devil of the Highlands is one of Scotland’s most popular ultra races. At 42 miles and 6500 feet of elevation, the route winds from Tyndrum to Fort William through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery.
Known for his community-focused, charitable, fun, friendly, and inclusive races, John Duncan heads up the team behind the Devil of the Highlands and its better-known sister race, the Highland Fling.
With promises of an epic finish line of multi-coloured banners, carnival-style flags, cheering crowds, and beer, what other enticement do athletes need to sign up to dance with the devil?
Pyllon had six athletes start the DOTH race, and five athletes finish; we’ll come onto Grant’s mishaps shortly.
I invite you to read along and follow the journey of four of our athletes, including Rachel Normand, the gold medalist.
Llinos all smiles and high spirits
Iain Quimby
With a history in Muay Thai, Glasgow lad Iain is made of tough stuff. When COVID-19 struck and closed his beloved local gym, Iain had to adapt. Running became the new passion. He hadn’t run further than 5 miles before, and suddenly, he found himself running further and faster and merging himself into the trail and ultra community.
Seeing him in action, It’s hard to believe that Iain was once a 19-stone, bass-playing party animal, out of puff just from tying his shoelaces!
When his children came along Iain realised something had to change. Becoming a father encouraged Iain to think about his health and do something about his diet and overall well-being. He is now the bar manager of a vegan pub in the West End of Glasgow, so some of you may be his clients without even realising it.
“Running has changed my life, it's a regular part of my routine structuring my week and life now. When I run I feel relaxed, sometimes I run and work out all the thoughts in my head and other times my mind is almost completely thoughtless, almost meditative when running, each day is purposeful.” - Iain Quimby
The weather conditions didn’t deter Iain’s focus
Grant Macdonald
Meet Grant from the Pyllon coaching team. Did you happen to catch his amazing downhill tips on Instagram? If so, you may recall the golden advice of aeroplane arms for downhill running. Grant always brings a smile to everyone’s face. It's hard to believe that he only started running later in life, as a means of improving his health. But don’t let his later start fool you, especially since he's already donned a GB vest in 24-hour racing! He's faced some challenges in recent years and he still manages to find humor in tough situations. That's just the kind of guy he is.
"Two significant life changes have meant racing has taken a bit of a back seat for me in the last couple of years. Joining the Pyllon coaching team, and becoming a dad have meant racing has just felt less of a priority. Life has become 50% dealing with tears, tantrums and toilet issues. Being a dad has had its challenges as well.” - Grant Macdonald
Grant attributes his poor race outcome to his new hair cut - what do you think?
Rachel Normand
La Sportiva athlete, Rachel Normand, is lucky enough to live spitting distance from the Pentland Hills in Edinburgh. Both Rachel and her husband are keen runners and mountain lovers. I’m not sure if it’s common to be jealous of a baby, but for all those who follow Rachel’s Instagram account, you may turn green at the incredible adventures their one-year-old daughter, Jane, has already experienced with her outdoor-loving parents.
Rachel discovered running while living in London, but it wasn’t until she moved to Scotland in 2017 that she found her home in the hills.
“I love the sense of freedom you get from running on trails, and that during a run I forget to worry about all the things that usually occupy my mind.” - Rachel Normand
Rachel engaging a positive mindset
Llinos Proctor
Living on the doorstep of Bridge of Orchy, Llinos is in the enviable position of having the WHW as her local trail. With a conservation background, she now manages woodland and combines her love of nature, wildlife, and mountains with her creative side as a printmaker; she has some wonderful pieces of Scottish wildlife and landscapes.
It’s not everyone who can claim to have four peacocks! But yep, you guessed it, Llinos can.
Llinos describes herself as a talkative, scaredy cat. But for someone who has run the full WHWR and now the DOTH, I’d suggest she doesn’t let her fears hold her back.
Postnatal depression led Llinos to running, and the therapeutic benefits have kept her returning to the trails regularly to ensure she is a more patient person with her family.
“I feel calm when I run, it quiets my mind, helps me put things in perspective and connects me to my landscape.” - Llinos Proctor
When the going gets tough, Llinos keeps going
According to Iain, the route of the DOTH is one of the most scenic in the world, and who are we to disagree with him? With hopes for a top 20 finish but recognising that just finishing is an achievement, he was understandably blown away with a top 5 finish and 1st in his category.
His stand-out moment is his final push from Lundavra to the finish line. He used the downhill to keep pressing to the end and went as fast as his legs would carry him, and as spectators will testify, he came into the finish as if he was in a 400-meter race, not a 42-miler!
“I loved this race, it was well organized, great atmosphere, organisers, marshalls and competitors were 10/10 all round.” - Iain
Massive good luck to Iain for the 2024 WHWR ballot.
Despite having not raced the DOTH before, Rachel is familiar with the route and recce’d several sections in the lead-up. In Rachel’s mind, the DOTH was to be a marker of her fitness post-pregnancy.
“Winning the race was a dream come true. I ran easy for the first half and didn't get too carried away with racing. I ran up the Devil's Staircase which I'd done in training but didn't know I'd be able to do after twenty miles of racing!” - Rachel
Feeling strong running through Kinlochleven gave Rachel a confidence surge and encouraged her to keep her place all the way to the finish, where the pride of having her husband and daughter cheering her on as she crossed the finish line, beamed from her face.
Even winners recognise areas of improvement. A few learning points for Rachel include moving through aid stations quicker and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in tough times.
Llinos went beyond her potential
Well, it would be rude not to dance with the devil, given the route passes her house, and with the offer of a babysitter for the day, Llinos was buoyed to be racing her first DOTH. Not only did she show up and run hard, but she finished an hour under the time she was aiming for.
This race lived up to her enormous expectations, with the high point being the downhill into Fort William and the inclusive, friendly atmosphere from the race organisers and marshals. Although, she’s seen enough midges for one lifetime.
“I managed to follow my race plan from Debbie (easy to BOO, steady to Glencoe, get
uncomfortable after that)” - Llinos
Great advice, ultra runners need to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable.
Grant’s race came to an end almost as soon as it started …
Grant was super excited to be pinning on a number after a fairly decent training block. Talking himself up to Paul on Training Peaks, he was taking the DOTH so seriously he even had a pre race haircut. He says the haircut didn't go well, perhaps an omen of things to come. I’d say he looks pretty dapper though, you can judge for yourself from the pic.
“It was a real highlight to see the joy Pyllon coach, John Connolly, took in Rachel's win.” - Grant
A proud moment for Iain
Coming in off the back of racing Cateran Trail 55, Iain focused on high mileage and practicing descending and tempo runs out on the trails. Maybe Iain’s secret weapon to his success is his dress rehearsal of the full route in abysmal conditions.
Iain speaks of a standout training session that incorporated terrain and elevation specificity of the DOTH. Learning to press hard with fatigued legs takes practice, and practice is what Iain did.
Speaking of specificity, Rachel recognises that the longer hill reps she churned out in training likely contributed to her ability to skip up the Devil’s Staircase during the race. Rachel’s ability to find additional gears mid-race to open up the gap between herself and Meryl and Morgan, who placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively, was fine-tuned in training by executing tempo sections during a long run.
Llinos attributes her successful race to getting out for long, slow runs and building strength and speed through intervals and hill reps.
Are you ready to hear about Grant yet?
What can we say about his race? I think It’s best I hand the mic to Grant himself and don’t change any of his words. I mean, who am I to edit the humour master?
“What with my lack of recent racing I had decided to throw caution to the wind, ditch my usual conservative approach and go out with the lead group to see where it took me. This new confident approach lasted about 30 seconds up the first climb out of Tyndrum. A rush of cold sweats and a rapidly cramping stomach and I was immediately rejigging my plan to ‘where can I evacuate my bowels without 400 unfortunate people witnessing it?’.
No obvious places revealed themselves so I adjusted my pace downwards and planned to hang on to Bridge of Orchy. I acknowledged the sympathetic smiles from the marshals at the road crossing as I waddled uncomfortably down the hill to the portaloos. My relief was matched by the disappointment of hearing almost the entire race field go past me as I sat on the portaloo regretting the previous night's meal choice.
I know this is a safe space to share this level of detail. Runners have all been there. I exited the portaloos and immediately returned realising this incident wasn't quite over. But clearly my race was - certainly in terms of a competitive run. I could shuffle my way uncomfortably to Fort William if I had to. But truth be told I was happy to hand in my dibber and keep my shorts clean for another day.
Thanks to two members of the Pyllon family for saving my day. John Connolly scooped me up and graciously chauffeured me to Fort William, stopping off along the way to support the other Pyllon runners.”
Iain embraces the quad busting descent into Kinlochleven
There was a mixed bag of kit on the course, which is exactly what we would expect, given how individual we all are.
Our athlete’s feet were decked out in Hoka Tecton X, La Sportiva Jackal II Boa, and Inov8 Trailfly G280.
Some top advice from our athletes is to eat every half hour or 45 minutes. If you are worried you may forget, set an alarm reminder to remind you. Nutrition can really make or break your race.
We don’t know what Grant was wearing for his 11k, but thanks to the generosity of Kenny Mcmanus, he had a stash of dry clothes to keep him warm in the aftermath of his, erm, incident.
The moral of the story - don’t forget a warm clothes contingency plan, boys and girls!
First things first, don’t be like Grant. Make sure you plan your pre-race meals carefully!
After that, the advice is fairly unanimous: get out on the trails for training and recce the route if possible so your body is familiar with the ascent and descent profile.
Rachel tells us there is a bus from Fort William to Glencoe, which you must book in advance. There’s also a train from Rannoch Station to Bridge of Orchy if you fancy adding some bog sections that aren’t in the race route. I mean, who would ever turn down bog?
These public transport options should help you figure out logistics for a recce.
Both Rannoch Moor and Lairigmor are long, tough sections. If you like listening to music or podcasts during a run, this is where your headphones may come in handy.
We are each unique beings, so it stands to reason that our sources of inspiration vary.
Often, we seek inspiration in places of resonance and relatability. At the moment, new mum Rachel is inspired by other women who have recently had babies. Watching their return to running long distances gives Rachel the confidence that she will also return to full fitness. Hopefully, her confidence will have soared with this stunning performance at DOTH in the bank.
Llinos wants to be a shining example to her kids as she sets herself up as a muse for them and showcases the importance of leading a healthy, active, and adventurous lifestyle.
As for Iain, the support from his family helps get him out the door in the first place, and watching everyone within the Scottish ultra scene doing epic things and smashing their own goals keeps him out there striving to be better himself.
Rachel’s look of disbelief for a race well won
Thanks to Rachel, Llinos, Grant, and Iain for sharing their experiences with us. A special mention to Grant for using his misfortune as a giggle opportunity, let’s hope you don’t need to befriend the portaloos at the Ochils 50 miler.
Another thanks goes to Graham Milne and Alan Brown for some of the images included.
You can see the results of the 2023 Devil of the Highlands here. Entry is not yet open for 2024; keep an eye on the website for more details.
Thank you for reading. We have a team of experienced and enthusiastic coaches waiting to help you on your ultra journey. Contact us to find out more.
by Ali Hall
Whether you have your sights on the 50-mile or the 100-mile race, the Montane Lakeland Races are not for the faint-hearted. With a notoriously high dropout rate (up to 50%), Lakeland is not just a test of physical strength and fitness but also of mental fortitude and the ability to endure the pain cave.
With close to 2,500 racers congregating around the festival-like hub in Coniston, it’s hard to believe that the debut race, 16 years ago, featured a lonely 60 runners. The success and growth of this race is testimony to the exceptional organisation and fun, festival-style vibe.
Six Pyllon athletes started Lakeland, and six Pyllon athletes finished, all with smiles on their faces, memories in their souls, and stories on their tongues.
Let’s take a quick sneak peek at what they have to say.
Lakeland flag
Gillian McGale
Gillian started running in 2012, infact, she can remember the exact date! Motivated to make a difference in society following the loss of her first husband to suicide, a decade earlier, Gillian found solace in raising money for SAMH through her early running endeavours. Her plan to store her trainers back in the cupboard never quite happened.
Having completed WHWR in 2022 Gillian is no stranger to putting in the graft. She is as planned and prepared as they come, and that may be her trump card; you know what they say: “fail to prepare, prepare to fail,” and let’s be honest, Gillian is absolutely no failure!
Gillian taking a moments comtemplation
Chiara Franzosi
Chiara started running as a means to connect with nature and find a moment's peace before commuting to her job in Milan. Upon making the courageous move to Edinburgh eight years ago, knowing no one and with little grasp of English, she found a social connection through running. As the running distances increased, so did Chiara’s passion for the running scene, and she built her life around running and the outdoors.
Chiara is no stranger to a race podium, although of late, she finds herself drawn to personal adventures in the Scottish mountains, accompanied by her K9 soulmate, Miles, and good friends.
“Running takes me to incredible places and introduces me to inspiring people.” - Chiara
Ross Beveridge
Ross started running 11 years ago while on his honeymoon. His wife jokes that he’s been running away ever since they got married! In reference to his running habit.
Ross combines his love of dogs and the outdoors in his dog walking business in East Lothian. To Ross, running means freedom. It makes him more relaxed and able to deal with the stresses of everyday life. He completed Lakeland 50 in 2021 and was all set to tackle the 100 in 2022 but the small matter of foot break two weeks before race day put an end to that. So this year was a long time coming for Ross.
“There’s rarely a day that passes that I’m not doing it, thinking about it, talking about it, reading about it or watching it.” - Ross
Ally Kerr
If you followed our WHWR stories, you might remember Ally as “tall and bald with sparrow legs” - his wife's and friends’ words, not mine. Quietly determined, focused, and with a dry wit, Ally didn’t have massive expectations of his performance at Lakeland, given he was coming into the race on WHWR legs. Sometimes low expectations yield epic results.
As someone who has endured uncertainty through a significant career change, Ally embraces new challenges. A 2017 completion of the Mourne Marathon led him to stumble upon the Highland Fling, and that was it, hooked. As it is for many of us, Ally describes running as his happy place.
“I can feel a sense of connection with the environment when out on the trails. Running is definitely when I am most present and I enjoy the meditative aspect a long run can bring.” - Ally
Lynsey Parker
Lynsey has now been running for more than half her life. Starting on the road with the usual 10ks, she has built her distance and passion up to completing the WHWR and other challenging ultras. The world of ultras has shown Lynsey that anything is possible. Although perhaps the opposite of Gillian, Lynsey describes her race strategy as “winging it” and seeks a little more order for the future. But hey, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
Lynsey balances a stressful job as a social worker with raising her children and still finds time and space to train for ultras. Those who have met Lynsey can feel the passion for running emanating from her. When asked why she runs, Lynsey gave an answer that many will resonate with.
“Running makes me feel alive, not merely existing.” - Lynsey
Stuart looking fresh after 100 miles
A shout out to Pyllon athlete Stuart McNeish, who claimed his buckle for completing Lakeland 100 and wanted to share his experiences, but life took over, and time escaped him.
Gillian’s meticulous organisation paid off. Not only did she recce the full route in advance, but she had a card of her timings, and arriving at each checkpoint ahead of time kept her calm and motivated to press on. Gripping onto each pole, she put her head down and trudged up every hill threatening to steal her mojo. Gillian ate Lakeland up for breakfast.
Lakeland winner 2014 Debbie Martin-Consani is Gillian’s coach. In tough times, Gillian’s go-to pep talk to herself is ‘What would Debbie do?’”
Finishing an incredible 45 minutes ahead of her best predicted time, Gillian is still riding the waves of Lakeland.
“I think everyone should get to Coniston once in their running ‘careers!” - Gillian
Chiara on cruise control
Chiara has been battling a hip issue for the last few months. With this spanner in the works, she was forced to reassess her goals for Lakeland and accept that her perception of a perfectly executed race would look very different from what she could achieve had she been fighting fit.
Struggling with pain and discomfort in the first half, she was close to dropping out, but realising she would be cold and miserable sitting in her tent, she opted to be cold and miserable on the move. Once this decision was made, her acceptance of the circumstances pulled her out of her misery, and her discomfort subsided.
Chiara powered up the hills and graciously accepted runners overtaking her on the downs. Time and position were irrelevant for Chiara; her finish was exceptional.
“A test of attrition and resilience, 100% worth it despite the ups and downs in training, proud to have finished strong.” - Chiara
Ross experienced the opposite of Chiara. He ran a textbook race for his first 60 miles, and then the wheels came off when the tendons in his foot wreaked havoc, causing him to walk it in for the remainder of the race.
His disappointment of being a DNS the previous year propelled him forward despite the painful setback. Control the controllables is something we talk regularly about here at Pyllon Ultra, and Ross did just that. He relaxed into his circumstances, reset his goals, and set himself on a mission to chase cut-off times at each checkpoint.
Ross tells us that he isn’t the strongest or quickest of runners, but he has a mental fortitude to rival any athlete. For 19 hours, Ross gutted it out. His determination and courage are his secret weapons.
Ross in his happy place
Having completed Lakeland 50 twice already, Ally was going into his race with the advantage of experience but the disadvantage of WHWR legs. That said, following an efficient and effective recovery period, he was quietly excited at what he might achieve.
Despite some stomach issues and an inability to take in nutrition from mile 33, Ally found himself further along the course at corresponding times than his previous best year, delaying the need for his head torch and giving him a huge motivational boost. In his final descent into Coniston, he revved up the turbo and allowed his strengths to propel him toward the finish. He flew down the hill, overtaking many runners who overtook him on the way up.
Ally claimed a significant PB of 2 hours and 26 minutes!
Lynsey got her place for Lakeland through the second release of places which incurred a small charity donation. She considers this the best £100 she’s spent! She was prepared for the challenge physically and mentally and still reiterated that this was not a normal 50-mile race.
Breaking the route down to checkpoints pulled Lynsey along. The regular checkpoints throughout the race gave Lynsey a morale boost along the way, and despite struggling with food, she managed to devour a quarter of a toastie while climbing out of one checkpoint. A heads up about checkpoints and hills.
Seeing friends, old and new, pop up at various points of the race helped carry her along; although it took her a while to realise it was her boyfriend who was running with her at the end, she thought some random was behind her.
A heads up about checkpoints and hills…
“Whenever there’s a checkpoint, be prepared for a climb” - Lynsey
It will come as no surprise that getting out in the hills is an essential part of training in preparation for Lakeland. All the athletes speak of the importance of this.
But sometimes, our best-made plans need to be tweaked and adapted depending on the limitations of our bodies or available time. Chiara was forced to switch out speed sessions in favour of mountain walking, which she found helped settle her aggravated hip.
Doing what we can, when we can, and being as consistent and honest with ourselves as possible is essential in optimising our training and maximising progress.
Ross was limited by the lack of hills in his training sphere, but he more than made up for this by focusing on gaining fitness, executing long hard tempo sessions, and turning his Training Peaks green.
The kit list for Lakeland is fairly extensive, meaning your pack may be heavier than you are used to. Lynsey suggests getting out for several long runs with your full kit, including poles.
“Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” - Lynsey
Love or loathe them, the benefit of using running poles is tangible; with an elevation of 6300m and 3100m, respectively, for the 100-mile and 50-mile routes, running poles will take the impact off your legs. Just remember to practice with them in advance.
The weather in the lakes is notoriously unpredictable and changeable; expect it to be wet. Montane jackets of various models were given a special mention by our athletes.
Footwear that is comfortable enough to endure the distance and robust enough to tackle the terrain is another must. Personal preference comes into play here.
The Lakeland organisers put on epic aid stations equipped with a mouth-watering spread. From cheese toasties to quiche, athletes don’t go hungry.
Our athletes carried their own choice of gels and hydration with active root, chia charge, and maurten gels being given a special shout-out. Oh, and not to mention crustless jam sandwiches (apparently, crustless bread is 90p cheaper - thanks for the tip Gillian).
Buckle smiles from Lynsey
Sometimes it isn’t specific people who inspire us; rather, it is the spark within the core of many people.
Chiara talks openly about her battle with comparison and the detrimental effect this can have on her mental health. She has learned to be inspired by the passion within individuals instead of specific race times or positions.
Similarly, Ally says that all runners inspire him - just seeing the variety and diversity of runners out there, pushing themselves to better themselves. Ally gives a special mention to Parkrun for exemplifying this.
Lynsey agrees and suggests that anyone getting out and pushing themselves beyond their perceived limitations inspires her. We are all on individual journeys, and each and every one of us is doing remarkable things.
Ally flying his way to an enormous PB
Our athletes are unanimous in their advice to anyone wanting to do either of the Lakeland races - recceing the route is the number one necessity, especially since the races are unmarked.
If you get a place in 2024, be reassured that Lakeland puts on formal recce weekends. Even if you have knowledge of the route, it is still advisable to have access to a GPX file of the route, especially for those tricky night time sections.
Second to route recceing comes the need for a robust waterproof jacket and a tenacious attitude. You will be at war with the elements and your mind! A decent jacket may alleviate the suffering, even just a small amount.
For those looking to tackle Lakeland 50, Gillians says:
“You have to believe that it is achievable and keep moving forward with purpose.”
If you have your sights on Lakeland 100, Ross says:
“The 100 course isn’t just about being physically able to cover the distance. There’s a lot of emphasis on being in the right headspace for it and being able to just stay in the moment. You need to really want to finish. You have the added mental test of the 50 mile runners chasing you down and passing you in the second half of the race so you need to stay in your own lane and not let that get you down.”
A huge well done to all the athletes braving Lakeland this year and the best of luck to everyone in future Lakeland races.
We’ll leave you with the inspiring words running legend Adrian Stott from Runners Are Smilers gifted to Gillian.
“If you want something, you’ll find a way.”
For anyone inspired to try their legs at Lakeland next year, the ballot opens on 1st September, you can find out more about the entry criteria here. Good luck!
Learn more about the history of Montane Lakeland 50 & 100 here.
The official Lakeland images have been used with the kind permission of Marc from Lakeland.
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