The 220 mile Race Across Scotland Ultramarathon

RE-PUBLISHED IN 16:9 ASPECT RATIO Never in any of my previous ultras have I felt so depleted during those torturous final few miles of the 2023 Race Across Scotland. While I had ran fairly solidly throughout the first 170 miles, the growing pains in my shins were becoming increasingly worrying. Every step was a grimace to the extent I considered calling it a day. As I left the final checkpoint, my emotions were all over the place. I felt broken and was not relishing the prospect of hobbling the final 21 miles, effectively using my walking poles as crutches. All going well, the plan from the start was to complete the race in under 80 hours, but by CP12, in my mind it was no longer a realistic goal, so I reverted to trying to beat my previous time of 84 ½ hrs - in fact I just wanted to finish in under 100 hours. As I meandered the country roads on approach to the A1 crossing, there was only 10km to go. Despite my snail pace, I seemed to be fairly solidly in 13th place, with an estimated finish time of 81 hrs. Then out of nowhere, two runners zoomed past me like they were on a Park Run. I won't lie - I was fuming. How could I let this happen? Who else was catching? At that moment something was triggered in my mind. The pain in my shins no longer mattered - I couldn't let anyone else pass me so close to the finish. I've no idea where it came from but I just picked up the poles and ran like my life depended on it - I'd deal with the pain later. The Race Across Scotland is an incredible adventure and will test anyone to their physical and mental limits. There are so many highs and lows, both literally and metaphorically. For me, I couldn't do it without my amazing support crew, who I rely on for more than they'll ever understand. This also extends to the GB Ultras Team, marshalls and volunteers who have this fantastic ability to make every runner feel like they're the most important person in the race. It's weird how something which at times makes you feel so miserable and desperate, is also the same thing which makes you feel more alive and free than anything else on the planet.