Combustion

BOOOOOM! Well.....nearly....!

I don't know if it's early taperitis, hormones or just a whole heap of mad stuff all going a bit bonkers at the same time, but maaaaaaan, it's getting increasingly stressful day by day, and keeping that spark from setting off the fuse is becoming a touch and go experience!

Not just a drip of blood -
actual cut right down

The irrational tears have started.  Thinking about the prize giving on 22nd June (I'll WILL be there collecting the first of my goblets for achieving something crazy and amazing); thinking about some of the superstars who'll be completing the race for their first, second, tenth or anything in between; reading blogs from those who've been there, done it, whether running or supporting (sometimes the crew blogs are the hardest...these guys selflessly sacrificing so much time and effort to help a friend achieve their dream); thinking about those who've had to withdraw from the race due to illness and injury; from stressing about running to much, too little, about not getting enough sleep, about not getting injured (at which point I promptly fell), about getting ill, about lists, planning and preparation; about work.......and well, about pretty much everything really!

However, the big miles are all done, it's all to play for now.  With just 3 weeks left to get through! Eeek!

And I've had some pretty good training runs (aside from the Glen Turret one where I fell!).  Last weekend we were up in Plockton for the Bealach Beag cycle sportive.  A weekend of mixed emotion as Clark's dodgy back has been bad so he decided not to risk racing.  Gutting for him as the training had been looking good, and the conditions on race day were as near perfect as we've ever seen in the 6 or so years we've gone up for the event.  On the plus side, dinner at the Plockton Inn (twice!) was to die for, and it was a great escape from a stressful week, with some great company, and the chance to see my eldest brother and some friends do well in the event.

Glenelg - from the ferry deck

On the Sunday I had decided I wanted to run from Plockton to Kylerhea on Skye, hop across on the Glenelg Ferry and run to Sheil Bridge.  Luckily I had uber support crew in Clark and Cori who pretty much bimbled around after me - with Cori running a couple of sections and Clark getting to see the sea eagle at Kylerhea (I missed it!!).

Climbing 1,000ft from Glenelg

It was a road run, with an epic amount of climbing and some challenging descent, but boy, the views are worth it! And after a drizzly start it fair heated up...good training for the potential race day heat...we've not had that many days of hot weather to prepare!

Looking down towards Sheil Bridge

St Andrews Beach

After a rest on Monday (a wee bit DOMS from tarmac ankles) I managed a couple of mid-week runs (busy week at work!) - one of which, after a late night of fancy dress, pub golf shenanigans with my marketing colleagues out along the Old Course golf course and back along the beach!

Bluebells, blue skies and hills in the distance

Today, with a hot hot hot forecast, and the scaling back of the long runs (the big miles are banked....no time for heroics!) Cori and I headed out to one of my favourite training grounds - Loch Ard Forest near Aberfoyle. 

(Thankfully) it was overcast for a large chunk of the run, but really humid (and I ran out of water....), but I can feel my skin tingling from the tan tonight, even having run with sun screen - gotta love a runners tan!

Rounded off a good day, with some beers (alcohol free!) in the sunshine in the garden...and then it all begins again tomorrow.....low miles again and hopefully some more sunshine!  

Life definitely feels less stressful when you've done some pounding on the trails!  Getting the balance of this over the next 3 weeks is going to be 'fun'...all these months of soooo many miles, so many hours out there training, and now it's time to nurture, compose, contain....rest, strengthen and BELIEVE!

Chasing the tail....

Me & Kirsty Burnett in FW 12/05/14

I ran home from work tonight, listening to the last podcast interview I did.  It's always interesting hearing it almost as other people would, and, in a self-reflective way, gives you a chance to read into the words you use, the tone of voice etc....or maybe I'm just too analytically critical of myself.......It did however help me gauge where I am, where I was, and feel good, calm and strong about where I am and where I have to go...(and yes, that'll be Milngavie to Fort William, before anyone smart says it!)

I didn't think I'd been that busy, but my weekly blogging plan has slipped again...and now there's a lot of things I should talk about......I'll try and be brief, but regular readers will know I'm not always very good at that!

So, the day after the Fling, I went and got some new shoes...dipping my toe in 'the dark side' and getting some Hoka Rapa Nui.  I sought advice, spending time at Run & Become, trying a variety of styles with Mrs Stott watching me run up and down the street outside the shop to see what looked best.  I took my scabby old shoes with me, and the evidence all confirmed I'm rolling in quite a lot on the right side.  The Hoka should keep me more stable.....  I would have gone for the Stinson Evo Trail....but they were white (?!?), for a trail shoe.....why, oh, why....

I've run in them about 6 times now, and it's still a test and learn.  As with anything, you need to take time to leg your body adjust to the change, and having rolled around for a long time, that's what my body is used to and accepting (ish).  So more stability and a different platform means all those muscles, from the feet right up to the head, are all impacted in a different way...Hmmmm....

First 'real' Hoka run.  13 miles around the hills at Glen Turret

Selfie with Cori Dog at Glen Turret

The first proper run they suited me just fine....once I tightened them better 3 miles in.  Tick.

Glendevon 

The following day, I headed on a mixed trail run from Blackford around the Frandy fishery/Glendevon trail.  Tarmac, trail, grass. A bit more difficult to get strong footing all the time, yet a decent enough performance. Left ball of foot got a bit hot, but maybe sock related? 29 miles in the week post-fling.  Tick.

Maxxium does Tough Mudder, Ginger Grouse Style

This week just passed I had my big weekend back-to-back planned.  And I needed it!  

WHW race nerves seemed to kick in that week, and I was feeling a bit jittery, unplanned and like bad stuff could happen at any moment.  Work was manic too and I was finding it hard to focus - 3 days of conferences in different locations, an amazing black tie dinner at Stirling Castle(heels, I need to wear heels?  And a frock?!).  And I opted out of Tough Mudder, for which I got some stick.....but, having spent probably 2 years building up towards WHW, I just can't take any risks with 6 weeks to go!

Saturday Run: Lorna Maclean, Alan Doig,
Running Gannet, Elspeth Luke, me

 I'd booked to stay at By The Way, Tyndrum for 2 nights in one of the Trekker Huts, and sent a rally call out for some running buddies to join me.
Saturday was an out and back, Tyndrum to Glencoe.  36 miles, 1,200m ascent.  The forecast looked grim....
The forecasters were WRONG!!  Woohoo!
Despite the photo here, looking like we're wrapped up for the elements, within the first half hour, the jackets were all off, never to be seen again!
We had a brief break at the ski centre for snackage, and a good day of running by all. 7.5 hours in the Hoka...a wee glimpse of rubbing on the arch....again, conscious that with the thicker drymax socks, maybe the feet were a bit hot....

Kirsty and I on the descent to KLL

It was great to be staying overnight.  Alan, Gannet, Noanie (who joined us after her run) all went for scoff in the Real Food Cafe and stayed over.  Plans were made, unmade, revised and improved for the Sunday run.

I admit (and I think it showed) that I was more nervous about Sunday.  The miles were big, the hills were big, the legs would be tired...and I was running with Noanie and Kirsty, who are both considerably faster on their feet than me.  Alan D had wimped out (sorry Alan..) due to commitments in the big city that evening, and our "complex" plans not quite hitting his timelines.

A few strides on FW High Street 

Lundavra

It turned out I had nothing to worry about.  We had a fantastic day.  26 miles (once I did a few lengths of FW High Street) from Glencoe to Fort William...the Devils Staircase, KLL climb (about 1,000 meters of total ascent)...tick! Making a 68 mile week.   And I ran much more of it than expected.  And the weather once again was near perfect (only 3 or 4 miles of rain for the descent into FW).  6 hours of great company, great views and a massive boost to how I feel about my training and where I am with less than 6 weeks to go.....

We ran past the WHW finish sign....we ran past the leisure centre, where in 6 weeks we will be 'sprinting' for the finish and slamming our hands onto the timing post.... I don't mind saying I almost shed a wee tear thinking about how that is going to feel.

The original plan was to run for the 2pm bus...but in an inspired move (and better for Noanie's dog since he wouldn't get on the bus!) we called a taxi, Noanie negotiated a good fee, and the guy basically was flexible on when he'd pick us up, called us with a dog friendly pub recommendation, waited while we refuelled with Ginger Grouse and Nachos...and didn't mind me leaving a soggy bum print on his front seat!!

After a quick coffee with John & Helen Munro in Tyndrum as they'd been up running, it was back home, for a mountain of washing, and a smug feeling of joy that everything is on track!

As always, there were some learnings to be had or reminded of:
- hydration, hydration, hydration (especially when it's warmer)
- lubrication!  Body parts which don't see the daylight often need some tlc (knees?!?).  My upper arm got a bit of a rub off the UD pack (which was rammed full, and with both bottles)
- Food - tick!  Especially on Sunday when I consciously ate more!  My staple favourites of rice pudding, gels, cheese, Mrs Tillys (and Kirsty's reece's white choc peanut butter cups!)
- Hoka's need tested more...on a long run, with thinner socks
- talking is very powerful and settling...on Saturday, hearing Lorna and Elspeth share their experiences good and bad was great.  And on Sunday, we talked a lot about our plans, our expectations, our crews....
- having a VERY understanding and supportive husband is a massive bonus!

May is a big month, for the body and the head....it's real, it's happening, and it's just over 5 weeks away.  Control what you can control, and try not to let the monsters mess with your head!