Monday 26 April 2010

one ultra collie, there's only one ultra collie! (highland fling 2010)


my own personal story doesn't matter. i want charlie to have the limelight he desrerves.

he was the first ever dog 'flinger' (a 53 mile race along the West Highland Way for those who dont know it) and this year makes it three in a row..a triple crown for the boy. an amazing achievement by any standards. no other dog measures up to that.

as right as rain at the end as he was at the start. walk for a minute and a stick was placed at your feet by yours sincerely. thanks to lots of the competitors that joined in with his game.

his indomitable spirit is to be beholden and the reason why he enters so many hearts so quickly (even after he'd rolled in some badger 'stuff' and was smelling slightly ripe as a result!)

a four-legged inspiration. more importantly, the best running companion i could wish for.

he runs with a smile, a joie de vivre that i can only aspire towards

it made me so happy and so emotional to hear the piper pipe us both in and to cross the finish line with a true champ of champions.

he's a fling legend and god willing there just might be another fling left in us both

ps a huge thanks to murdo, ellen and everyone involved in the fling..the helpers who are so kind, all the cheery supporters at the checkpoints and the finish, all the friendly participants that you get chatting to along the way and the faster ones that pass with encouraging words. its brutal yes but without doubt for me and the boy its the best event in the world. thank you so much for making us feel so welcome and elated at the finish line every time we come. we really appreciate it. we'll hopefully be back for a final fling next year.
thank you!

18 comments:

kate said...

just lovely :)

well done charlie. i'm even more disappointed that i missed you now. i had no idea you were such a fling hero! i'll do it again if you do....

4 Winds said...

Impressive stuff. Respect to you both!

Julie said...

Hi Ultra Collie,
I have been waiting for this race report:) Oh, just so you know you had me flipping tearing up over the whole Charlie companion thing:) Way to go and get me all emotional!! Congrats to you and Charlie!! I love the pictures:) I have total respect for anyone who even attempts to do an Ultra race! Way to finish it...both of you...running with smiles on your faces:) I love it!

ForwardMotion said...

well done both of you, i'm sure i saw you guys out there. wonder if charlie would like to swap legs??

Unknown said...

Well done, both of you! :)

ultra collie said...

kate - you can borrow him for the whw race if youve enough flapjack and pasties for him ;-)

4winds/julie/leslyh/mialena - thanks a lot

Hayfella said...

Good boy, Charlie! Hope you weren't slowed down too much by the biped on the other end of the lead. It was lovely of you to anoint yourself with Eau de Badger so you smelled nice for the finish. You're a star.

sbrt said...

Sounds like Charlie chose himself a good pacer.

Well done to you both

Nick said...

What a fantastic result for Charlie and his attachment ;-) You are stars.

ultra collie said...

nick/hf/sbrt - he probably did an extra 10m when unattached whereas i just did the official 53 :-)

Andrew said...

Well done both. Top performance.

Debs M-C said...

Bet Charlie wasn't moping about complaining about DOMS and fatigue on Sunday like the rest of us :-) Well done guys.

ultra collie said...

andrew - thanks

debbie - thanks. just read murdos race report..great result for you! you must take a worthy title of mrs sonic now! great stuff

Woldsman Dan said...

Great running Charlie, I think its time you ditched your human though - holding you back ;¬)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ultra collie said...

de-its like being in a three legged race for him having me to contend with

PART TIME RUNNER said...

Brilliant you inspire Dot and I to keep running together. And you have me thinking it's about time she did an event.

ultra collie said...

dot would love it