I live close to Milngavie which is one end of West Highland Way and WHW FKT made sense, initially North to South direction as it was mentally nicer to run home.
I’ve been lucky enough to run the summer WHW race (classic Scottish ultra footrace) a couple of times before and my learning and experience was so different.
As self supported, I carried my own nutrition and kit.
My nutrition consisted of homemade glucose and a tiny amount of fructose mix drink sachets, glucose only carbohydrate drink sachets, and glucose only gels (all recipes thanks to Moonshine nutrition). I discovered recently that I’m very sensitive to fructose which gives me GI issues and brain fog. Cutting down and stop taking fructose, I was able to feel good on my long run and no more nausea! I also had a cheese and marmite sandwich and a latte and a couple of caffeine pills.
Kit-wise, layering worked well so that I can control body temperature. I had a lot of spare things like 5 pairs of gloves (I used 3 pairs), a spare top layer, buff, battery etc. I like Merino wool clothing like socks in winter. It keeps warm, even wet. I made an insulating envelope with a hand warmer to keep my gels warm and prevent them from freezing. I had micro spikes but managed to divert around the ice so I didn’t use them. The emergency kit included items such as a blizzard blanket, small first aid,an insulating jacket and a power bank (sadly, I packed the wrong cable so I couldn’t recharge my headphone, grrr!).
This big adventure day was not possible without help and support of @peculiar_paul, my coach @donnie_campbell84 , dietitian @carasloss - thank you!