Thanks all, had a great run last thursday did my milngavie to drymen 12.3 mile leg in 1:55 so was well chuffed!! since had a bit of an upset though....playing with my kids on saturday I bent down and have strained my hamstring (NOT GOOD!!) I don't think it's too bad, was in a lot of pain sunday but getting easier as week going on, doing the usual RICE and some gentle stretching. I missed my 8 miler yesterday due to this but am hoping with another couple of rest days I might make a short slow run on thursday before my 10k race on Sunday (am not planning on any pb's here!) I am a bit worried about the WHW hills. Mark I know I am doing the flattest leg but there are a couple of killers just before Drymen!! Any advice? Anyone done this 2 weeks before a biggie and managed? panic setting in now.

Hey Robyn,

I am running the fling, my strategy is always the same as Bratto's.

Since im doing the full thing ill walk the hills (most ultra runners do this) no shame it doing that as the whw is very hilly. What leg are you doing? If the first one then youll be fine, no hills at all more or less.

Just go more slowly!  If you're at a speed where you can talk you should be able to pace yourself for the full leg.  I reckon on being about 30 to 40% slower on really rough/hilly terrain compared to flat roads so if think of it in those kinds of time it might help to make sure you get the right speed for the full leg. You can always speed up towards the end if you have undercooked the speed but if it's the other way round it can get a bit unpleasant! 

Wow, sounds exciting! I wouldn't worry too much as you have already done the distance although the West Highland Way is famously hilly so maybe you should enjoy the practice run, and also get out and run a few hilly trail routes over the next couple of weeks.

Hi all,

I was drafted in to a relay team running the Highland Fling race over the West Highland Way on 28th April, I am standing in for someone who has had to pull out. I only have two weeks to go, with holidays and short notice my preparation has been limited and I am getting nervous....I have half experience and managed a 10 mile run on Sat but I am used to road running/races. I am due to go and cover my 12.3 mile leg tomorrow to learn the route/practice (there are some tarmac areas but we are talking highland wilderness mostly) I was looking for any advice on how to adapt my running on this terrain? how to cope with what I anticipate will be a hard/hilly course and as ever what should I be eating/drinking to get the best out of myself for this? Any comments will help.....thanks