The 220 mile Race Across Scotland Ultramarathon
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- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2025
- 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.
Amazing mate! What a journey. A heartfelt thanks for taking us along with you. You are super human!
Absolutely outstanding mate! Sub 80 hours is some real top drawer stuff. Well done. To get through those last 50 miles really took some doing. But you got it done !! I honestly feel like I've been on a tour of your running journey and what a privilege. To only find your channel the other week, really has been an eye opener. Take it easy mate and thanks for sharing.
Wow, 220 Miles is nuts! Congratulations 👏
Epic. Just epic.
Outstanding Ross, 15th place with an injury shows you are really coming on now. The mental toughness you showed here will serve you well in the spine race. Cant wait for the video.
Well done again.
Love it. What Goggins misses out after the cookie jar is the pub. Where friends sink beer, joke and manage life through laughter. ❤
Very true there mate
Brilliant effort. I am running it this year.
Love to know your sleep pattern in the race 🙏
Well done ross,when the going gets tough,the tough get going 👏👏👏👍
Absolutely brilliant and well done to you sir! Thank you for your video, it has inspired me to give this a go.
What an effort!! well done buddy. Finished with a massive smile aswell!!
🔥🔥🔥🔥 nice work!! Very impressive. Sub 80 hours, crushed it
Cool video. DNF’d RAS in 2019, watching this and reading about peoples experiences over the last couple of weeks has been inspiring. Might have another crack, thanks for sharing 👍
Amazing, never forget this is an awesome achievement!! Super proud to call you a mate 🫶🏽
Cheers my man ❤
Awesome mate brilliant 🙌🏼
Incredible 💪👏👏👏 I signed up for next year 😂🫢🤔😬🙈
Well done fella! That was a great video. Fantastic achievement just to finish when you were injured miles out never mind breaking the 80 hours! Walking this over two weeks was hard enough - I was well into my cookie jar (and possibly the other half’s jar as well!) by the end! This is off the scale endurance. Totally in awe of what you have done here. 👏
Thank you - really appreciate this 👍🏻
Inspiring 👍🏻 I’m doing RAS next year 😬 just wondering what waterproof jacket you wore?? Thx
Thanks for sharing! Care to share what you typically eat during the ultras?
I’m probably not the best to ask for advice cos I probably don’t eat enough. Basically anything calorific which doesn’t take much chewing and goes down without much effort. Soup, noodles, pasta, that sort of thing. On the trail I tend to take a sandwich bag full of nuts, raisins, midget gems and jelly beans.
Sounds like you had the dreaded shin splints.
Thanks for this video mate - a great personal journey - one question - about the song at the end of the video, it is high on you by survivor ? but whose singing this version ? thanks a lot mate - best from Vietnam :)
For those like myself that would just scrape in the 100hr cutoff (or not finish), do you have any advice?
Look after your feet as much as possible. Change socks whenever you can, especially if Conditions are wet. Also just take things one checkpoint at a time and don’t rest/sleep for too long in case your body starts to seize up.
Thanks for that.
When you say, don’t sleep to long. What’s to long in your opinion?
I didn’t have any more than hour sleep at a time but to be fair that was largely down to the fact I found it difficult to relax enough to actually fall asleep as well as the fact I was trying to break 80hrs. I reckon anything from 60-90mins will be enough to see you for a good few hours on the trail.
Inspiring 👍🏻 I’m doing RAS next year 😬 just wondering what waterproof jacket you wore?? Thx
Inspiring 👍🏻 I’m doing RAS next year 😬 just wondering what waterproof jacket you wore?? Thx
Thanks very much. The waterproof I used was the Montane Men’s Minimus Stretch Ultra Waterproof Jacket. Great for summer wet weather.