Hill of Tarvit
5th June 2012: Diagnosed with mastocytosis and told that I would never run again.
5th June 2013: Race number four since diagnosis.
Photo by Peter M Bracegirdle
Before the Hill of Tarvit I hadn't quite had the courage to push myself into the red zone before the final 800m. Pushing myself means mast cell degranulation. Mast cell degranulation means narrowing of the airways, itching (skin & eyes), leaky cells (swelling and lowered blood pressure) and stomach cramps. If there was a night to test myself it had to be a year to the day since the 'specialist' (not my current consultant) informed me that running would be dangerous and make my condition worse.
I was extremely careful in the lead up, restricting all high histamine foods and keeping my fluid intake high. Two hours before the race I stopped eating (small snacks of slow release carbs all day!) and took only sips of water. This was a big change from previous races where I had given myself a sugar boost before the event [N.B. Our Super Coach, Ron Morrison, now advocates only using sports drinks to replace glycogen after running not before & we're not allowed them at training].
I arrived early and jogged down to the start. I began heading up the hill at the beginning of the course before deciding that I'd rather not know how long it was! I jogged off to find somewhere quiet to warm up but the adrenaline was building. Ideally I want to keep the adrenaline for the race itself as it dampens the effects of mast cell degranulation. Back down to the start, lined up and off...
Setting off steadily so as not to shock the mast cells (it's like baby sitting a toddler!) I was overtaken by dozens of men and four women. I doggedly stuck to my plan and plodded up the hill. At the top I realised that overtaking people was going to be tricky: I weaved my way along the narrow path trying not to panic.
I used the descents to make up time and was in second within a mile or so. I could see Kirsty ahead of me and concentrated on gradually closing the gap. She was running well so this proved quite tough. I was within reach by the time we got into Tarvit Estate and the collections of supporters began shouting encouragement to us. Turning into the woods before the hill itself I struggled to adjust to the light change and tripped on a tree root. The adrenaline took the pain but it was a bit of a shock nonetheless! Towards the top of the hill I was back on Kirsty's tail and her supporters at the top told her this... I overtook on the kamikaze descent. It's too steep to let go, so it just hurts as you thud down it.
I was going faster than I thought as I struggled to regain control at the stile (which has a piece of trip wire an inch above it). From then on - basically the halfway point - Kirsty and I got into a battle for the lead each pulling ahead for short stretches and neither able to break the other. As we left Tarvit Estate I began to wonder if I'd blown it. I was firmly in the red zone and a glance at my fingers showed that the mast cells were causing my cells to leak from my blood into the surrounding tissues. This knowledge actually worked to spur me on. The thing is, I like Kirsty and it's much easier to chase someone down when you don't know them. I don't however like mastocytosis and I wasn't about to let it beat me...
Still had sausage fingers several hours later!
On the final uphill stretch I realised that my body had calmed down and I had a little more speed in me. Just before the summit I took the lead and closed the gap on Craig Morris (one of Fife AC's speedy juniors). Every time I came up to his shoulder he pushed on and it took some time before I could pass him as we were back on the narrow path. At this point I realised I could actually win - a year since my diagnosis - and felt a bit tearful. The finish completely suited me as it was downhill. My stomach was cramping but I didn't care. Crossing the line in first was just awesome! Kirsty followed eight seconds later. When I pulled up I could really feel my stomach cramps and my skin was itching but again, I just didn't care.
Fighting it out with Kirsty had pushed me to run faster than my 2011 time. I was very, very happy and, on a high, I kept picking up a selection of victims to go for a warm down (one after the other), to the amusement of Frank. It was great to catch up with Hilary who is running so well in the hills at the moment. She had decided to enjoy the evening rather than go flat out - and enjoy it she did (still fast though) - which, until I crossed the line, I certainly didn't. It really, really hurt. I had run half the race in the red zone (with my Epipen tucked in my shorts and another at the finish) and not gone into anaphylactic shock. Now I just need to learn to push myself in training too! Racing is a calculated risk for me and when I'm training I seem to favour caution. Still I guess it's better to race well and train badly than the other way around :)
One of the big changes I've made - and which I'm certain allowed me to run faster than 2011 when I was fitter - is not just adding weights but doing regular personal training with Alex Duthie (Pure Gym, Dundee and Fairmont St Andrews). He's a great motivator but doesn't push me too far (and is quick to mix the routine up if I'm really struggling). He's also a nice person so I'm happy to endorse him!
Pushing myself so hard in the race and the heavy mast cell degranulation did make for a pretty awful night once the endorphins and adrenaline had worn off but it's an exchange I'd gladly make again.
My skin was actually this colour in the evening (the red spots are cutaneous manifestations of mastocytosis)
I'm raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, please donate if you can: My Sponsorship Page
Post race recovery:
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