Highland Fling Ultra, 2014

SAM MURPHY, 48, RYE

‘If ever I’ve “earned” a race T-shirt, it is this one. The Highland Fling (through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland, was my first (and still only!) ultramarathon event. Training didn’t ever really get off the ground and I almost withdrew from the race, but I eventually decided to go ahead. That was not the best decision I have ever made. Fifty-three miles of challenging terrain isn’t something you can coast through unprepared. From around 30 miles in, I suffered – badly. I fact, I almost pulled out a number of times, I got lost, I cried, I berated myself and at the finish I felt humbled and broken. Days later, though, I realised I’d learned two valuable lessons. One: I’d survived it, despite the odds, which made me tough. Two: running challenges deserve respect. I’ve never gone into another race so unprepared.’