First Monster 120km Loch Ness Team Challenge

Wow, this weekend has been pretty full-on… A trip up North to Inverness to compete in the First Monster 120km Loch Ness Team Challenge with a quick stop off in Newcastle to present Go Faster Food to the guys at Nova International and discuss the possibility of putting some gofaster recipes up on the Great North Run website.

The First Monster Challenge is a 120k challenge for teams of four around the shores of Loch Ness in the spectacular Scottish Highlands…and no, around the shores does not mean it is a flat event! Quite the opposite in fact!

Each team member completes one running leg and one cycle leg of the eight-legged event, which I have to say is not an event for “fun-runners” – the terrain is tough and my 16km running leg – the aptly named ‘to-hell-and-back’ – was one of the toughest runs I have done in a long time, starting with a 3km steep climb and then teasing you with another long, steep climb at about the 10km mark, on muddy, rocky terrain. The up-side was the absolutely gorgeous scenery – the sun glistening on the lake with the backdrop of the mountains was enough to cheer any disheartened runner just when the going was getting really tough.  Because of the relay nature of the race, there are points at which you are completely on your own, although, annoyingly,  I was  overtaken on the downhill home run by two very short, fast men (lower centre of gravity, I suppose).   Our team of four came 90^th out of 275 teams which was not a bad achievement considering the age and relative experience of the team members (!) but most certainly behind the rather professional celebrity team comprising Nell McAndrew and Gavin Hastings plus a couple of triathlon champs – Beauty and the Beast.

I really do  take my hat off to the very dedicated and efficient organisers – the First Monster Challenge has to be the friendliest and best organised event I have ever been to; from the intitial detailed briefing the night before to the smooth transportation of competitors and bikes to the various transition points. Each transition point had a copious supply of really very good hot food (porridge in the morning, soup at lunch), bread, fruit and cakes plus water and hot drinks… some even with massage facilities…and all this within the entry fee of £50 per person. Screens were also provided so that you could find out how well (or badly) your team mates were coping and make sure that you were ready for a quick change over.

If you are really mad, you can do the whole thing on your own, that is, a 40km run followed by an 80km bike ride. It’s called the Iron Monster.

By the way, I had the most delicious meal in Inverness at a lovely restaurant called Riva – crab and tiger prawn ravioli on salad of peas and rocket with a chervil dressing. Absolutely yummy!