Ben Nevis

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Ben Nevis

1996

Conditions very hot (70's), no wind, no cloud, cool on top, fabulous views. Kevin's 1st, my 10th, Dad's 20th.

Should not be running at all with my ruptured knee but what the hell! I went out just to get up and down in one piece and to enjoy it. The weather was a big help because it made sure I couldn't go blasting off from the start. The heat and lack of fitness forced me to relax and plod at a comfortable pace.

The uphill to the Red Burn was hellish hot work but I was comfortable in pace, long drink stops were taken at every opportunity. Frank Cation and Matt Ogston were at the Red Burn shouting us on. The second half of the climb was great. It was hard but I was loving it. I passed crowds of bodies without getting out of puff. I was taking plenty of time to have a good look about. It was a stunning view. My summit time was 1hr 27mins; slow but acceptable. The tricky bit was going to be the descent and trying not to damage my knee.

I managed to choose a steady constant pace without overstretching. Kevin had long since passed me and I knew he was going to be close to the 2hr mark. I was a bit worried that I hadn't seen Dad at all because I knew he wouldn't enjoy the heat and he hadn't been well a few weeks ago. I felt fine until halfway down the Green Wall then started to feel tired legs. A long drink and soak in the burn at the bottom of the wall was magic. Trying to run again was a struggle and took a few minutes before I got going again at a steady pace. I was picking off a few bodies on the descent and my my knee felt okay so far. Then at the lower zig zags I nearly finished myself off; I was going to lower myself down a ten foot step when I slipped off the edge. Somehow I managed to land on my foot instead of my head and only bashed my bum, elbow and thumbnail on the way.

The heat of the lower slopes was draining and it was hard work concentrating on keeping the pace steady for the road finish. Pete Baxter and Elspeth Scott shouted 'there's only one Manny Gorman, there's only two Manny Gorman's'. At Auchintee Farm Lesley and bump and Margaret Turnbull shouted from the roadside. Hard going on the road and picked off a few places. Shared an ice cream with Billy Brooks Senior on the way into the park. Had my usual sprint finish picking one more place. Legs seemed to have survived - great. Really enjoyed the whole thing.

Dad was disappointed with his 2hr 51min time but at least he got finished. Only one to go for his 21st. Kevin had a great run but just missed the 2hrs by 2mins. I finished in 2hrs 13mins.