I set off from the Falkirk Wheel at 4.49 pm.
I was well ahead of schedule through the early miles (around 3 hrs 40 pace).
Nicola Duncan was my support crew by bike for the duration.
I took on a drink at 4km, 8km and 12km.
Crossing the aquaduct Nicola had a puncture and I wasn't aware as I thought she was simply walking the bike over the very rough stones. I ran on expecting she would catch up by 16km, our next agreed fueling. Gradually I began to realise that something must have happened. I hoped she had not fallen in the canal!
I ran well until km 25 when I began to struggle with the lack of water and fuel (and worry!). Shortly after this I bonked badly and slowed. Eventually I stopped a passing cyclist and we used her phone to find and then dial Ian Beattie's number. I stopped my watch thinking the attempt was over. Ian was able to reassure me that Nicola was catching fast. Ian had two stop watches running so stopping the watch did not matter.
After the puncture Nicola put in a massive effort to catch me back up but by then the damage was done. I drank water and sports drink too fast, making myself sick and inducing a stitch that stuck around for over 20km, at times restricting my breathing.
At Ratho Basin Rachel Normand joined on foot, which was a big lift but the stitch was still impeding progress. It finally lifted with 1 mile to go and I was able to move up a gear.
Adrian had put up a wee banner to mark the finish, which is by the red buoy. I was very glad to finish and very grateful to the support from Nicola Duncan, Ian and Sandra Beattie, Rachel Normand and Adrian Taritt Stott. The official time is from the stopwatches of Ian Beattie and Adrian Taritt Stott (registered officials) as I stopped my watch and then did not stop it at the end.