As I left Katrina and the girls I met Davie's wife who said she feels she knows me from my blog! Davie set off with me and Ian soon joined us but Ian stopped for a visit to the public toilet and I didn't see him until the end.

Davie and myself ran nice and steady and we soon caught up with a female runner - Gail. She ran with us all the way into Rowardennan. I had arranged with Katrina to have more meeting points and so on this section I saw them twice which was great as I could take some grapes and then water without having to carry it all the way.

I good solid section into Rowardennan completed in 1hr 23mins - a couple of minutes ahead of the schedule for that bit. So I was now 16mins ahead of my 10hrs 15mins goal. I was still a bit concerned though whether I was going to be able to hold it but time would tell.

I stopped for 5mins and had decided to sit down and get a rest. I ate some pasta which was a struggle to get down. I have decided not to bother with pasta from now on. I drank a smoothie and took some grapes to eat on the way.

Section 4 - Rowardennan to Inversnaid
7.20miles in 1hr 11mins 48secs - 9.58 pace
Overall - 34.08miles in 5hrs 44mins 56secs

As we came into Rowardennan I'd asked Davie how long he was planning to stop for. He said 5mins so when I took off after 5mins I was expecting to see him. But I didn't so I spent time thinking about 'Where Davie?' Behind or in front? I decided it didn't really matter and I would find out in due course.

After 15mins or so I saw Brian McI in front with another runner so I caught them and we ran together for a bit. Brian seemed to be going well and was working on the strategy of getting ahead of his target pace and holding on. I knew I was running at sub 10hr pace but it all depended on whether I could hold on.

At the first hill Brian and his friend stopped to walk but I carried on running for a bit. Then I started walking. After a couple of minutes I could hear that they were running again so decided to run as well. I thought I'd run up the hill for as long as they did!! Well they kept running, so I did as well. I settled into an easy pace with short strides and just kept going and ran the whole hill. It really surprised me as I'd never ran this hill before in a race. I went past a couple more runners and was ahead of Brian and others.

I went past a number of walkers and caught up with another couple of runners. I ran into Inversnaid in 1hr 11mins which was 13mins ahead of schedule and I was now 29mins ahead of my 10hr 15min aim. I've never ran this section as quick as that but was still feeling good so hoped it would continue!

I gave in my number and asked for my drop bag but they couldn't find it. They had all the bags laid out in order and #75 wasn't there. They looked in the car and couldn't find it! So after 30secs I just carried on. It did worry me a bit because it meant I would have nothing to eat until Beinglas. I wasn't sure what happened. I suspect that I may have put my bag in the wrong car! Ellen - if you read this - I put it in the car by where we were talking. Was that the car for Inversnaid? Anyway it meant for the 3hrs from Rowardennan to Beinglas I only had a handful of grapes.

Section 5 - Inversnaid to Beinglas Farm
7.03miles in 1hr 31mins 32secs - 13.01 pace
Overall - 41.11miles in 7hrs 17mins 05secs

After I left Inversnaid I saw one runner ahead and there were 2 behind so I worked on trying to catch the guy ahead and keep ahead of the guys behind.

This is tough section in that you are starting to get tired but the terrain is so hard to get any pace on. There is a lot of climbing up and down over rocks and tree branches which all add to the soreness in your legs.

I kept my position and then saw a guy ahead running in a kilt. At Rowardennan my girls had told me that the guy in the kilt was running really well so I was a bit surprised to see him. Anyway I caught him and went past. A few minutes later I slipped on a rock and fell off the path. I caught hold of the grassy bank and had to climb back up! I looked down at my left knee and saw blood pouring down my leg! I felt all right so assumed it was a small cut so carried on. The guy in the kilt asked was I okay which was good of him.

I continued to work as hard as I could on the difficult terrain and wasn't being caught and saw the guy ahead every now and then. About 45mins from Beinglas I started to struggle a bit. I was wanting something to eat and didn't have anything. My tactic of not carrying much is fine as long as you do meet you back-up but for various reasons I missed getting food at Drymen and Inversnaid and I was starting to feel the effects of that. I decided to try and hang in there until Beinglas and hope I would feel better with some food.

I got a text from Jo saying they were on their way to Beinglas but I was a bit concerned I'd miss them again so I ran when I was almost there and was so pleased to hear they were there waiting for me!

The two guys behind caught me up with about 2miles to go so I worked hard to stay in front of them. I think it helped me mentally having a short term target to hold on to.

I arrived at Beinglas in 1hr 31mins which surprised me as it meant I was a 4mins ahead of schedule for that section and now 34mins ahead of 10hr 15mins. Things were looking good but I needed food!

I drank a smoothie and was hoping for a rice pudding but it wasn't there. But Allybea came to the rescue and gave me one of Ian's muller rice - thanks. I also had a pot of beans and took some grapes for the next leg.

After a few minutes Brian, Davie and a few others all arrived so I now knew where Davie was! A bit of a recurring thought here. George, Ian's support asked me whether I'd checked in. I hadn't as the car was past the wigwams so no doubt the official results will show I arrived after them!

I also changed out of my wet top, had a towel down and put on a dry short sleeved top.

Section 5 - Beinglas Farm to Tydrum
11.95miles in 2hr 22mins 02secs - 11.53 pace
Overall - 53.06miles in 9hrs 44mins 45secs

I set off feeling really good, with a full stomach and knowing I had 12miles to go and enough time to get under 10hrs if things went well. I assumed that Davie, Brian and the rest would have a good stop there so hoped to get a bit distance on them.

This last section is 12miles and so I decided to break it down to 3 mini sections. 3 miles to Derrydaroch, 6miles to Auchtertyre and 3miles to the end.

The 3miles to Derrydaroch passed fine and I ran all the downhills and flat and walked the uphills. Katrina and the girls were at Derrydaroch so I took another smoothie and some grapes.

I saw Allybea as I went under the A82 and headed up onto the path. Last year this section was really hard. I fell on the path and really struggled. I remember walking most of it so I knew that the next couple of miles were determine whether I could break 10hrs. I decided to run for 100 breathes and walk for 50. I got to 100 and just carried on running. I was feeling really good again and kept it going. I walked the top part of the path past the farm not because I needed to but because the path was so muddy that I was concerned I could easily turn over on my ankle.

I could see a runner ahead so set myself the goal of trying to catch me before the road. Once we went through the gate and turned left into the forest above Crianlarich I knew I was going well and a had a really good chance to break 10hrs. With 6miles to go I knew if I could maintain 12min miles I would do with time to spare.

Last year the down hills were really sore as my quads were shot but this year I ran the downhills with no problems. My legs were feeling the effect of over 8hours of running but they weren't sore like last year. I ran as much as I could and when I felt like walking on the up hills I set myself the target of 20 breathes before I walked. Most times this took me half was up the hill.

I then saw the runner ahead and went past him on one of the uphill sections. I remember Ian pointing out the sign which says Crianlarich right whw left is the last hill so worked hard up there and ran relaxed all the way down to the road. Davie's wife was at the road which made me wonder whether he was catching! I decided I had just over 3miles to go and if he caught me now he must be going really well and would deserve it.

As I went past St Fillan's church I did my last video clip and knew I had 47mins to do the last 3miles. For the first time I really knew it was on and it spurred me on. Just before Auchtertyre Katrina was waiting for me at the gate and we walked/jogged into Auchtertyre. I very quickly took off as much as possible, changed into my club vest and set off. My girls reckon I was a bit rude but if you watch the video clip you can decide for yourself!

They also told me that Phil ( a friend of Ian's) was 5mins ahead but I didn't think that was realistic target so just concentrated on trying to finish as fast as possible.

It was a great feeling running strong, knowing that I was going to shatter my best prediction!! With a mile or so to go I felt I could have pushed it even harder but decided to relax and enjoy the moment!

I went past the railway station, over the stream and round the corner to see the crowd at the finish. I tried to look relaxed and maintain good form!!

So I crossed the line in 9hrs 44mins 41secs. I had ran the last section from Beinglas in 2hrs 22mins.

After the race
I was presented with my medal and champagne and spent time chatting with those who had finished. It was good to see Mark Hamilton at the end. Mark hadn't been able to run and was doing a great job as a marshal.

This year Ellen & Murdo had hired a cottage so we were able to get a shower which was great. Silke, Thomas wife cleaned up my knee and put some butterfly stitches on it. Thanks Silke.

We stayed around until about 5.20pm and then set off home.

What a great day. A big thanks to all those involved in the organising and marshalling the event.

A big thanks too to Katrina, Jo, Emma and Hollie for their support during the day. Thanks to for all those who encouraged me along the way.