Let the wind blow high....let the wind blow low....

Keep your eyes on the prize.....

I've just finished my 3rd podcast interview as part of the newbies who are being tracked for this year's WHW race, and oooooooh, it's exciting!  

In general, things are going pretty well, and it's a fairly positive experience talking things through with JK, and thinking that people might be listening and interested in how I'm getting on.

HOWEVER...there's also not actually that much time until the race, the clock is ticking seemingly ever faster, and as you continue plotting things into the diary (and on the wall chart in my case), it makes you realise how precious time is for getting that quality training in!  Hence, keeping the eyes on the prize!

Pre run? (Saturday).  Almost colour
co-ordinated aside from that pesky
Fling t-shirt!

This weekend just passed was the last of the Highland Fling training weekends (of which I went to 2).  I took a shocking lack of pictures, so this blog will be peppered with those stolen from others (Keith Ainslie mostly!)

Another great weekend, hosted by Kirsty at By The Way in Tyndrum, and organised by Johnny Fling.  And the interesting addition of a 'happy bus' for those of us who wanted to run Drymen to Tyndrum, thus ticking off the last 34 miles of the Fling route.  I say 'happy', but actually I'm not that clever on buses, so sat right up front to avoid too much desire to vomit my hearty breakfast back up!  On the plus side, it meant I got to listen to Noanie and Sharon's entertaining banter for most of the journey!

The weather was pretty decent, and a few miles after we set off, jackets were peeled off, and not back on until Bein Glas.  A few of us had agreed to run together...although we did lose a couple of folk early on (something to do with the excitement of running with Sharon I think.....;-)).  But for the rest of the day, there was a core group of myself, Emma, Stevie, and mostly Johnny, Katie, Minty and Julie and Alan R on and off (the latter a little too quick in the final stretch)).

It was destined to be, and was, a BIG day out.  For me, key was a reminder of the Inversnaid to Bein Glas section...a part I love, but haven't been on since last Fling I don't think...and was a stark reminder of how much you really have to pay attention on that section...and the perils of getting stuck behind groups of walkers struggling to clamber down the steep sections!

The bit I found most challenging was the stretch up from Falls of Falloch to Bogle Glen...and not due to killer cows (there were only a few out) or cow poo (it wasn't too deep).  I was quite tired at this point, and the wind was pretty fierce (why is there never a tailwind on the tough bits???)! Once we got up into the forest above Crianlarich I started to get a second/third/fourth wind and the latter stages felt ok....

Food and drink wise....I don't think I started early enough as I was a wee bit queasy after the bus, and I don't think the High 5 drink I was testing was that nice...(Keith pointed out the obvious to me later on...why hadn't I chucked it and filled the bottle with water...duuuuuh!).  At BG I had a nice medley of mature cheese, rice pudding, crisps and gel and I think once that kicked in it was the business!  I wore my SJ pack...and I'm still not 100% convinced I can access food well enough with both big bottles in it, so I'm going to look to change at least one for a soft bottle on my next long run, as I'm mostly too lazy to bother taking the pack off to go into the back.  I do like having 2 drink options on hand though, as I had flat coke in one bottle. 

Emma, Stevie and I finished together...just in time for the last dregs of Johnny Fling's mum's soup (which was awesome, and has kept us going those last few miles), and a quick shower before the talk on tapering and race prep from Team GB ultra athletes Sharon and Debbie.

Post run stretching (practice what you preach)

I hit bed pretty early after the yummy pasta bake and puddings (I had fruit before anyone accuses me of being a scoffer!).....as I said, it was a big day out with big tough miles...and there was the promise of another run, and some metafit (WTF?) on Sunday morning!

I headed out intending to do 6...and did 9 instead as once I got going, things seemed pretty comfortable...and I was enjoying the chat with Carol Martin and David Meldrum who were heading out to BoO.  On the return leg, I tried to push myself to run further up the inclines than I normally would before walking.

And then, there was metafit....not sure if my sides hurt today from the laughing, the metafit (all 10 minutes of it I lasted) or the running...but it was a good end to a great weekend!  Not sure Kirsty's grass will ever be the same again though!

Pre-metafit snacking, caught by Keith

So, 3 weeks til the Fling, a couple of weeks to recover afterwards, then 3 weeks more training, and then it will be taper time before the big day!

Lots of prep and planning still to do, but feeling like it's all progressing ok (fingers and toes all crossed!).  And by race day everything will be 100% ready - no doubt, no question!! 

Sharon demonstrates how it 'should' be done

Out and Back and Back to Back

View from Sherrifmuir today

It's been a pretty good week this week...training has pretty much gone according to plan without too many distractions.

That's not to say I'm not feeling it...that's 2 fairly hard weeks back to back, with D33 last week (albeit with less actual training sessions), and I've just skipped over 50 miles for the week with a cracking sunny sunday morning run. 

Factoring in a return to the gym this week (squats and lunges to build on the power in the legs, coupled with chest, back and arms work), a return to pilates (where has my deep core and rotational strength gone?), some foam roller action, and 2 mid-week runs, it's fair to say the legs (and body) are feeling it this week....and hey, it feels GOOD!!

An unusually high number of out and backs over the last 9 days...D33, both mid-week runs, and the back-to-backs this weekend....out and back.....not my favourite...but maybe it's good for the mental strength??

Yesterday there were demons to try and slay....Drymen to Sallochy and back....I've never had a particularly great time doing that previously.  Last year I ran it with Jo Rae and wore new shoes (WTF was I thinking?) and ripped my feet to sheds.... Later in the year I ran it (to Rowardennan and back) with Noanie (and later joined by Johnny Fling) and it was a killer....I took the opportunity to bail as JF's car was nearer than mine.  Maybe my mistake is choosing machines to run with (wonderful people though they are!!)

With a lot of climb (Conic twice) and lots of undulation, it was always going to be a toughie but that was why I wanted to do it! And because the course profile on Garmin amuses me...

Moody Millarochy (by Clark)

Originally I'd planned just to go it alone, but luckily Viki W (and then Clark and Cori Dog) decided to join me.  The day dawned cold and windy, with a bit of drizzle but then we had the joys of sleet on Conic, heat (a little too much) for quite a while...and generally just an unpredictable mix of everything!

Lots of runners, some familiar faces out (including an unexpected 'drop bag' style pause at Balmaha when we bumped into Helen Munro) and we made pretty swift progress in the early miles...maybe actually a wee bit fast given the climbing to come! The chat was flowing (which on the way back it wasn't really!), and it was great to catch up with Viki's training and thoughts for the Fling and WHW...many of which are similar to mine!  

Clark, as usual was skipping up all the hills (including running up Conic both ways!) but was supportive of our slowing efforts to keep up (especially on the return!)

Ultra runners 'we walk the hills'

As we climbed Conic on the return, I was feeling a wee bit nauseous...I think I probably hadn't drunk enough in the earlier stages when it was hot.  This feeling didn't really abate in the final 6 miles, but I kept trying to eat and drink as we counted down the miles!  Thoughts of some cold, fizzy lucozade and an ice lolly motivated me onwards!

Fuel for the day had been a chia charge banana flapjack - I think this worked pretty well, with it's wee salt flakes to offset the sweetness; some gels (a mix of Gu and SIS), a small handful of pretzels and a wee square of Mrs Tilly's when I was feeling low.  I wore my UD SJ pack, and had more success with the bottles (filling one half full of coke and one with nuun), but could've benefited from taking a spare nuun tablet for when I needed to top up at Millarochy on the way back.  

Anyway, a good run, good company, time on feet and some epic climbing.  I think I do a fair bit of ascent on average, but the thought of having to do yesterday's run 'another 3 times' in June puts a bit of perspective on things!  And I guess only really about 9/10 real weeks of training left before the tapering begins?!?  But there's no point in being ready now!

Today rounded off the week with another back-to-back - a solo, hilly road run under sunshine and blue skies with only the podcasts for company.  Felt like I could have kept going for ages today....and that's got to be a sign of positive gains in fitness! Happy me, happy Sunday!

Run to the hills.....aye, right.....

Collage by Stuart McFarlane

D33...#doepicshit

Well, what can we say about the D33.....hmmm.....in all honesty, the people, the atmosphere and the sunshine made the race....the route, well, it's a bit on the flat, straight and not very scenic side for me....but that's what it says on the tin, so can't complain really!

This was the second year I've entered the event...last year was a DNS as I went to Madrid with work the 3 days before and wasn't home until late...and made sufficient excuses not to go... This year, I entered again in the Hogmanay frenzy, and then found out I was getting to go to Dublin with work for a couple of days before hand...deja vu...?!

Sitting in Dublin Airport on Friday night with 'delay' flashing on the departures board didn't bode well...I'd already almost talked myself out of running anyway......I'd made no plans, was going to have to drive myself to Aberdeen and back on race day (missing the post-race party!)......and had sampled the late night delights of Dublin bars and a whiskey or two on Thursday night....

I text home to Clark to inform of my DNS intention...to which his reply was something along the lines of 'quit whinging and MTFU'....hmmm.....not the response I'd been expecting!  So, by the time I get home, I've almost convinced myself that actually, given the bigger picture for 2014, the WHW race demands that I have the capacity to run tired, it might actually be a decent 'training' experiment.....and after catching up on the Facebook chat, slightly jealous that everyone else already seemed to be in Aberdeen or Stonehaven, I chuck a random selection of food in a carrier bag, chuck the minimum I think I might need in a drop bag (adhering strictly to the 'Tesco bag with race number written on it' rule), set the alarm for 5:15 and head for bed...still not 100% convinced I'm going!

Photo by Stuart McFarlane

Race briefing

Fast forward to 0845 and I'm in Duthie Park listening to the race briefing in a light drizzle and catching up with friends.

The race started without fuss and we all streamed off along the flat, tarmac path towards Banchory....and that was that...


I chummed David Ross for about the first 10 miles and his patter and pace were good, easing the miles away.  I didn't have a plan...and the best I could come up with was to try and keep at around 10 minute miles and not overdo it ('training run' Clark had reminded me in a last text before I started!).

Conditions were heating up, and the drizzle didn't come to anything.....the goretex jacket I had put on just before the start became totally unnecessary (when will I learn?!). No real issues as the miles passed...hamsrtings felt a bit tight at about 7/8 miles (I guess due to the flat terrain) but this eased off.  After David held back to chat to someone who was dropping out, I caught up and chatted with a nice girl for a while about the Scottish Peaks sailing/hill running (sorry, I forgot to ask her name), but then moved ahead at some point, and on to the turning point (the bonus interest factor of returning runners kept me amused for a couple of miles), to be welcomed by the ever cheery Sandra MacDougall and Johnny Fling.  Had a wee chat to Mr Mike from Out-Run whilst scoffing some pretzels and drinking my fat coke; took off my jacket and then had a wee sprint to catch Minty, thinking I could chum him for a while, only to be told he was burst.   Hmm....bit bored now, so headphones in and some cheesy dance and pop to entertain me back to Duthie.  

Photo by Stuart McFarlane

I was feeling pretty strong most of the way back, and soon started passing runner after runner whilst singing along to my tunes.  Passed the Grim Sweepers and had a quick high-five...and had a wee chuckle as I ran up one of the 'hills' (small blip) to be told by a guy I must be strong to be 'running up the hill'....ha ha ha.....  I stuck in with my pace, and managed to retain the average just under 10 min/mile all the way back, and for the whole race...probably a slight negative split (and there was a slight tail-wind at points).

Photo by Stuart (again)

For me, the strong point was that I finished feeling like I could go on, and hadn't overdone it.  I managed a "comedy" finish...and actually managed that some "nice" photos were taken.

Great goody bag, medal, beer, buffet table and friendly hugs to round off a good day of running.

The drive home was smooth and uneventful...and my legs still worked when I tried to get out of the car!

So...what did I learn:

• don't panic about the weather and over-dress (maybe a light waterproof in my pack would've been a better choice)
• in hotter conditions remember to sudocrem/bodyglide everywhere pre-race!
• remember to 'flatten' the coke I put in the drop bags
• chia flapjack made quite a nice 'second breakfast' in the car journey up...and didn't seem to have any adverse effects (need to try this mid-race)
• not 100% convinced the mango baby brekkie was a good fuel choice
• I ate/drank less than I think I should have....about half litre of nuun...wee bit of coke...maybe 4 gels (still loving GU salted caramel, but interchanged with SIS berry) and a handful of pretzels

Really well organised event, great value for money, and despite the flatness and lack of mud, I'd be fairly inclined to do it again!

Garmin Stats