tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65284372287464056012024-02-20T18:01:41.712-08:00Because I CanAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-20009462662465262232020-02-01T08:50:00.000-08:002020-02-01T08:50:17.962-08:00U.T.....OMG!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been almost 18 months since I last wrote a blog...and almost as long since I felt like writing one. A lot has changed and life has moved on. Stepping into a new year and finding another challenge to keep me honest has also led me back to feeling the need to write some stuff down!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2019 I had myself a wee sabbatical from running 'events' and broadened my horizons by undertaking a 12 month (200 hour) yoga teacher training course at the wonderful <a href="https://merchantcityyoga.com/" target="_blank">Merchant City Yoga</a> in Glasgow. Finding a whole new world of insight and understanding about the world of yoga, and what's going on in my head under the honest, sometimes scary, passionate teaching of Judi and Rose-ann. I had planned to blog that whole experience, wrote a couple of posts and then got side-tracked and didn't. Maybe this year I'll back-fill some of that story more and share some of what and how I learnt, and how I can apply it to my everyday world of getting through this thing called life. Safe to say it gave me more than I ever imagined and I'm now loving teaching a few classes every month, helping others to understand some of the benefits yoga can bring to them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I digress....back to the present day....and why the urge to resurrect the blog?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've a new adventure to tackle....I'm scared, excited...and in denial...all at the same time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>I had a plan</u> (I love a plan for many things in life..and get frustrated with myself and others when it needs to change for whatever reason...my adoption curve to change is not always that speedy...). The 2020 plan was to return to ultra running, while keeping a strong grip on the yoga practices I had integrated into my life. Yes, there would be a bit less yoga as the 'pressure' of completing the teacher training had eased...but I saw no reason why the running couldn't slot back in, now that I also almost had a grip on this commuting malarkey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I entered the event that is closest to my heart, the West Highland Way race. 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William. An event I've completed 3 times before, and I was delighted to get picked through the ballot and offered a place on the entry list of 300 lucky souls. I also entered (and succeeded in the ballot) the Highland Fling, as the perfect training 'race' in the lead up to WHW.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the back-burner was an entry into the complex ballot process for <a href="https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/20/utmb%3Csup%3E%C2%AE%3C-sup%3E.html" target="_blank">UTMB</a>. Notoriously hard to get through and *usually* takes about 3 years to be offered a place. I had put in the ballot in 2019 (mostly just because I actually had enough points to enter), knowing the odds were heavily weighted on rejection...which was the outcome. I *expected* the same fate in 2020, and my heart was focused on WHW, with a view to potentially being lucky enough to be offered a UTMB place in 2021....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best laid plans..... a message flashed up on my phone during a meeting at 09:05 on 9th January from John Munro..."Who's a lucky girl then?".....fuck, fuck, fuck...what does that mean?? My heart stopped and my stomach flipped. Knowing John's usual levels of sarcasm I feared 'the worst'...that I'd actually got a place.... Quick dash out of the meeting and my fear was confirmed with a 'Oui' from UTMB!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o0-nRHMmRwxgEot35tIKN282tHp3zQDAHBFG0hO7QBDFIciDhsQZ0LR4QjC_Uu_0UYl74eumXHZCmWOVkvMgAQGKqaMaz2GUrDzg0L3fwNRuqPJp7Zm8B1EsyIu6Sy7hv7MkOAR3ehpR/s1600/fuckity-fuck-fuck-fuck-beth-scannell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o0-nRHMmRwxgEot35tIKN282tHp3zQDAHBFG0hO7QBDFIciDhsQZ0LR4QjC_Uu_0UYl74eumXHZCmWOVkvMgAQGKqaMaz2GUrDzg0L3fwNRuqPJp7Zm8B1EsyIu6Sy7hv7MkOAR3ehpR/s320/fuckity-fuck-fuck-fuck-beth-scannell.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">170km.....10,000+ meters of ascent....2,300 runners....and a 46.5 hour time limit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That WAS NOT THE PLAN!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not doing it."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Some things are just meant."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not doing it."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"You've got the time for the training. Best you have a glass of wine and a big think."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not doing it."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"It's just whether you want to commit. U might not get in again."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not doing it."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>"Sometimes the adventures you weren't expecting are the best ones."</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm not doing it."</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"There's no midgies in Chamonix."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Where do I sign??"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But seriously. WT-fuckity-fuck-fuck-fuck??!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the guilt! I'd already paid for my WHW place, taking that cherished spot on the start list and denying someone else the chance. I definitely couldn't do them both (read previous blogs for any doubt of how long it takes me to recover!). The only potential was if I could reach a decision fast enough then Ian (WHW Race Director) could *maybe* still offer my place to someone else given they were working through waiting list places. I had to make a decision and fast!<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't want anyone to think I was turning my back on WHW. I've said to many many people if I could only run one event for the rest of my days I would pick WHW race. It means a lot to me and has shaped so many things in my life. Meeting great people and pushing myself to limits I never knew existed. But I didn't want that place to go to waste. And I was a little (a lot) scared about telling Ian....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few close confidants knew my predicament. Everyone without fail said I had to give UTMB a chance. With 8 months to get to the start line in the best shape of my life, I have just about enough time. If I can commit. Committing my head as much, if not more so, than my body. I knew I had to take the chance.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">Look</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">If you had</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">One shot</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">Or one opportunity</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">To seize everything you ever wanted</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">In one moment</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">Would you capture it</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white;">Or just let it slip?</span></i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">This opportunity comes once in a lifetime</span></span></i><br />
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<span jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Who knew Eminem could continue to be such an inspiration?! (there's a reason this song is on regular repeat on my Gym playlist!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made the call (well, sent the email to Ian). I paid my money to UTMB. I felt sick. With excitement. With fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've gone from the shock phase to the denial phase in the change curve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm skipping through to the uncertainty (I'm a worrier about everything in life!), confusion and acceptance stages at a rapid pace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Challenge accepted. Training commenced (more on this another day)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>It won't be easy. </u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>And that's just the way I like it.</u></b></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-23540726670094949672018-08-15T04:04:00.003-07:002018-08-15T04:04:53.433-07:00Sabbaticals & Studying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've already mentioned to a few people and putting it out there in public will help support my in my choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2019 I'm having a sabbatical. From 'racing'. Not from training, just 'racing'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A number of things have changed in the last year, and things are set to change further. Now is as good a time as any to shake a few things up, and to try exploring some avenues that are opening up as a result of having to make some fundamental changes in the way life works right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The internet is full of 'inspiring' quotes about change and I could fill this blog full of romantic notions of finding the 'real me' and blah blah. It's not really about that. More a time to take a chance, to learn something new, whilst also focusing on overcoming some of the training/body/emotional challenges that I've had over the last year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On top of the already written about challenges, compounding in some of the recent WHW race 'issues', my 'day job' is changing location, and I'll need to commute to Glasgow city center several times a week, compared to my current 10 minute easy drive each way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An exciting change for the business, and a clear marker in the long term future. But a total pain in the b*lls (if I had any) for fitting the life balance around it! And that life is important. To me, and my mental and physical well-being. I've found the process of consultation, decision making and change very tiring and stressful, and it's made me question a lot of things about what I'm doing and where I want to be, and whether I'm taking steps to achieve any of those things. The re-location is making a lot of people much happier, much better off, and giving them all that time that I am going to lose. I can see how excited they are, and that compounds some of how challenging it could be. I'm also losing a couple of really good people from my team - those who know exactly what they are doing, are great sounding boards and generally damn good people. Yes, I've recruited new people, who will be great...that will take time.... and fresh blood can bring new ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You can't keep overloading without something having to give. And as a guest on a podcast I was listening to this week said..."I just had to sit down"....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just so happens some of my sitting down might be like the above image. I've signed up to do a 12 month (part time) yoga teacher training course at Merchant City Yoga in Glasgow. You can change many things in life, changing yourself is one of them. I'll be starting a separate blog about my maybe yogi journey and I won't be giving up the running completely - running to train, for physical and mental well-being, to decompress and to continue to enjoy the hills!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next up I have what's becoming an annual August trip to Chamonix - this year running the new 'wee' race, the <a href="https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/511/mcc.html" target="_blank">MCC</a> and I'm looking forward to 40km and 2,300m of happy trails, before a week of watching the big boys and girls do the 'main events'. I've also got the <a href="http://www.skylinescotland.com/ring-of-steall-skyrace/" target="_blank">Ring of Steall</a> in September to challenge my mountain trail skills.</span><br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-5116375248097895592018-07-05T04:04:00.003-07:002018-07-05T04:04:31.536-07:00R E S P E C T (and '3 is the magic number')<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCsYpm4XXDZ0Uaq0tLX8Cow7D_t3OvdfVhIV5l5H3Qp_noGLskSfOuuNIN123sFXkgjxJKDtMYGgkq0CxggPCxX8jl71FnWRuk2x68hb_fme0arJkqX5utSzk0DGeRe_8QwKj6_8YJ9NZ/s1600/36630724_10218022940183983_8358356208872062976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCsYpm4XXDZ0Uaq0tLX8Cow7D_t3OvdfVhIV5l5H3Qp_noGLskSfOuuNIN123sFXkgjxJKDtMYGgkq0CxggPCxX8jl71FnWRuk2x68hb_fme0arJkqX5utSzk0DGeRe_8QwKj6_8YJ9NZ/s320/36630724_10218022940183983_8358356208872062976_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's start with the positives! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Goblet!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm now the proud owner of 3 West Highland Way Race goblets. Out of something like 237 starters, I was one of the 198 who finished this year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only 1,298 people have officially completed the WHW Race (since 1985 on the official results), and only 209 have done it 3+ times. So whatever I say later, I am still rightly proud deep down of my achievements, and I will run again.....(I'll leave this open to interpretation of whether I mean run WHW race again, given I said on many occasions 'never again')!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descent from JBH</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Charity!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've raised a staggering amount - over £2,600 (with £1k coming from funds matched by my employer Edrington-Beam Suntory) for Brake, the road safety charity. To read more about it please click <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spiritoftheboy" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a huge motivation for my eventual completion of the race. I ran under number 17, in memory of Gregor being only 17, and had my sister-in-law support run with me from Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe (although when I say run.....). That's us pictured above at BoO, with our personalised vests which were very generously designed and donated by David Murdoch from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Forth-Valley-Promotions-191035968213826/" target="_blank">Forth Valley Promotions</a></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Crew!</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZM1Q3AlpQflVl7rmrXroUcnE69U0biG3MP2oQeN2rMueCfREuP8UTW8iNB4mW2rJLY0kT5Wm5tG8aXThQun5n1PDXYpUw-wgXxcsTabw7vRyOjeauLJEVKxtnUe5vWsTHod6rsTKeFEB/s1600/36569502_10218010424111089_1151623926267248640_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZM1Q3AlpQflVl7rmrXroUcnE69U0biG3MP2oQeN2rMueCfREuP8UTW8iNB4mW2rJLY0kT5Wm5tG8aXThQun5n1PDXYpUw-wgXxcsTabw7vRyOjeauLJEVKxtnUe5vWsTHod6rsTKeFEB/s320/36569502_10218010424111089_1151623926267248640_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen and John (photo credit Clark Hamilton)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's no secret that crew are one of the most important factors in your race, and once again they played a massive role in my completion. Clark once again in charge of support vehicle, food and kit; John in charge of ass kicking; Helen responsible for hand holding and emotional support; and this year, Adrienne as mentioned above taking a support runner shift. John deserves special mention for picking up an 'extra shift' when everything was going even more pear-shaped at Auchtertyre, so he ground out an extra 10 miles more than planned to get me to BoO! This is one of those selfless gifts that you can never say thanks enough to someone.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa0fZvvjCMIyRjer30ZDmm89zZZIOStXdryvM74hqWeI5x0ki99pdMO1L5xYnisNgE0faOGJHiC2UFFxiZqtQv3X3nG-DfGVvgKBcIVqgDrBpAzkKJysfdyGffMDn6gD0ZsT9U3-K9TV7/s1600/JBH+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa0fZvvjCMIyRjer30ZDmm89zZZIOStXdryvM74hqWeI5x0ki99pdMO1L5xYnisNgE0faOGJHiC2UFFxiZqtQv3X3nG-DfGVvgKBcIVqgDrBpAzkKJysfdyGffMDn6gD0ZsT9U3-K9TV7/s320/JBH+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only runner to have a sit down at<br /> Jelly Baby Hill apparently! Bowmore for <br />Murdo the Magnificent!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Family!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It should go without saying that the organisation and family feel of the WHW make it what it is. It's a special event in many ways and rightly holds a very strong hold on my, and many peoples, hearts and souls. The commitment of all the race committee, volunteers and everyone involved in any way is just exceptional. I lost count of the number of people who offered words of support and amazement throughout the weekend, and also before and after the event!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSsOPidXMbEed6eUF0vNSb31o8TsuVb_QIkUvXXTkDeQuQDGOxLkvj7nfLoFguF1NrNDB_Y9x6adOambOu3gkxWd7Exam8CQlJIjZB2hYofeKt_7dk47JmY4FX1X9gL6khM9uW7KF7xCa/s1600/lundavra+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSsOPidXMbEed6eUF0vNSb31o8TsuVb_QIkUvXXTkDeQuQDGOxLkvj7nfLoFguF1NrNDB_Y9x6adOambOu3gkxWd7Exam8CQlJIjZB2hYofeKt_7dk47JmY4FX1X9gL6khM9uW7KF7xCa/s320/lundavra+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 miles to go photobooth! Photo credit Heather (I think)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's also worthy of huge mention to Nicola Stuart in particular, who picked me up (along with Claire Allan and Chuck and probably some others I blinded with my torch) when I fell (more on this below), and also sacrificed some of her progress stopping to help, and then walk with me when I puked at about mile 45....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>However......</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were mistakes.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Respect!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A threefold issue here - respect for the race, for the crew and for myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I did the training and (mostly) followed the plan, I don't think I gave it the full focus it deserved this year for a number of reasons. The short version is around bereavement and work, meaning I had 'excuses' to not sort out my diet, my head was quite often not in the right place, and this resulted in me standing on the start line the best part of a stone heavier than when I last ran it in 2015. There is no hiding place when you are trying to run 95 miles and almost 15k ft of ascent (not to mention the descents!), and this year I just couldn't get the fear factor high enough to get everything aligned. In previous years, I've gone on 'the wagon', lost weight and given up caffeine. None of this happened. So that's not giving the race the respect it deserves...which also ties into not being respectful to the crew.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoaQ0cBGh608wqsMZPwHoajIsdeF8JKj-JX5C0KWju9AJBl10chrYpjFWU5RFe6KD5QizP3H2ed7jwBFhfoozGhy3OqqyJiq2L91MlDYawMd0Q5OKpZKjn0VBm9z0X2uyfCgB_JdLLtlM/s1600/helen+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="960" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoaQ0cBGh608wqsMZPwHoajIsdeF8JKj-JX5C0KWju9AJBl10chrYpjFWU5RFe6KD5QizP3H2ed7jwBFhfoozGhy3OqqyJiq2L91MlDYawMd0Q5OKpZKjn0VBm9z0X2uyfCgB_JdLLtlM/s320/helen+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles hiding the pain. I was on verge of DNF here. Photo<br />credit Lorna Maclean.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't execute anything that looked remotely like a race 'plan' on the day. And I'd been full of procrastination and not actually really written much of a plan before-hand...on the basis I was going to pack light, and not be a diva....and the crew know me, and the race well enough to know what I should need/do. None of the crew were expecting to be supporting me for a finish time closer to 30 hours, and when it all started going wrong for me, that plays with my head, making it another chip in the armour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Respect for myself... this year could have been the perfect year for a PB. The weather was a bit on the warm side (but hey, with all that hot yoga I must be able to handle the heat, no?), but all the markers were there for a good run. Dry trail, clear skies, very few midgies.... All the points mentioned above, I feel I didn't give myself the respect and best chance to execute well.... have I 'missed my go'?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cwuTzR3mSr2WCdelTFl5URzcFVELVQt8xzSBi8iKqot4PaHM4Y7n3XXpmemCaHuZaOYQtcHMJMHA96WYpbZdrIFZd_EKcHAd3AFS7Cuias2dtMPPZiKlx2Ewok95bqaQq6_sFDT5TGMG/s1600/DSC09192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cwuTzR3mSr2WCdelTFl5URzcFVELVQt8xzSBi8iKqot4PaHM4Y7n3XXpmemCaHuZaOYQtcHMJMHA96WYpbZdrIFZd_EKcHAd3AFS7Cuias2dtMPPZiKlx2Ewok95bqaQq6_sFDT5TGMG/s320/DSC09192.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into Balmaha (14 miles post-fall)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Fall!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five miles in and I throw myself at the mercy of the trail (while thinking 'this terrain is tricky in the dark at 2am in the morning, take it easy'). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It hurt. A lot! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The photo doesn't do it justice, and now almost 2 weeks later my right knee is scabby, bruised and doesn't bend. It took almost a week after the race for me to weight bear on it. Left knee and both feet are also bruised.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiYBHuYRqYm6sEwmF4F9pFaIFQVolvhkwX8sIpg7ic3CCQlSSMtQO38iz_bB_BHcN_PyuEQP2J2v-ogQqdCiOG-6nrffqd7BKTtsfywhfNyhuh7S_kwtQxXsgBTUl6eE2YmsmZJNer_6F/s1600/knee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiYBHuYRqYm6sEwmF4F9pFaIFQVolvhkwX8sIpg7ic3CCQlSSMtQO38iz_bB_BHcN_PyuEQP2J2v-ogQqdCiOG-6nrffqd7BKTtsfywhfNyhuh7S_kwtQxXsgBTUl6eE2YmsmZJNer_6F/s200/knee.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nicola, Claire and Chuck picked me up and asked if I was ok to carry on. I think my reply was 'I just have to'. Partly because I'm a stubborn bugger, and moreso because I knew the sponsorship was reliant on a finish. And how was I going to explain to Adrienne that she wasn't getting a run in honor of her boy?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The adrenaline gave me a kick and I tried to run along with Nicola and Claire for a while, zoning into their 'Love Island' chat to distract me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The sickness!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can hear John Munro reading this now and going 'you were only bloody sick once woman, quit bleating on about it...'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcIpFwjI320JWiUmk7bjGYpruS90URLiPQyxCDfkuiWOEQw2eTS0IKw2Q0YV4S7af0ag3hliRtj9lcQlsbuCDPBGFigdh3DIp9P_PuqUXvdHVl0TFsqzXd6CsGzY2Z2YbBeuUfjGZ_8xc/s1600/dario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcIpFwjI320JWiUmk7bjGYpruS90URLiPQyxCDfkuiWOEQw2eTS0IKw2Q0YV4S7af0ag3hliRtj9lcQlsbuCDPBGFigdh3DIp9P_PuqUXvdHVl0TFsqzXd6CsGzY2Z2YbBeuUfjGZ_8xc/s320/dario.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first EVER mid-race puke! On the roller coaster before Auchtertyre. I'd been feeling grim for a while and there had been a lot more walking than running. I was already WAY behind any schedule (even based on my previous completion times) and everytime I tried to push on, my body was shutting down. I'd felt 'better' after a Mars Bar and 'pint' of Fanta at Inversnaid, and managed a wee lip-wet of The Macallan when visiting Dario's post, followed by some Red Bull and various snacks at Beinglas, but nothing was giving me enough of a boost. I'd been fuelling not too bad, and taking plenty of fluids, but something just wasn't working. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tiredness, nausea and heat(stroke?) resulted in a wee (not even a tactical) puke just as Nicola caught up with me again (apologies to the walkers I was just passing), and she very generously walked me up and down most of the roller-coaster, chatting away to distract me, until we reached the final descent and I told her to carry on without me, for fear of her losing any more time due to my pathetic state!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the rest of the race, I moaned (a lot) about being sick/feeling sick, whilst trying to shovel milkshakes (thanks John!), Mugshots, fruit pastilles, licorice allsorts and everything else in. The toast and tea at Kinlochleven was lush! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of it didn't result in any great performance improvements, and I went through several spells of 'balance issues' where I would mostly just keel over (mostly to the right) and end up sitting in the heather. No idea what the cause of this was. My ascending on the Devil's Staircase was appalling....I redeemed myself a little on the KLL climb (and then across Lairig had something of a brief resurrection and passed quite a few people along with what felt like a 4 mile 'sprint' finish down the fire road! Maybe the wee snifter of Glengoyne John gave me there was the reason!). Mostly anything involving up was an issue, which isn't ideal given the terrain ha ha!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having just looked at the splits though, I still managed to gain places at most checkpoints.. and you can see the benefits of my performance when I have a support runner!</span><br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 229px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2616; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="74"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2759; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="78"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2730; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="77"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 55pt;" width="74"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 58pt;" width="78"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall Position</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 58pt;" width="77"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Section Position</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Balmaha</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">191</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">191</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rowardennan</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">183</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">172</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beinglas</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">183</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">180</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Auchtertyre</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">181</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">174</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bridge of Orchy</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">177</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">167</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glencoe</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">175</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">167</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kinlochleven</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">169</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">166</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lundavra</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">161</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">126</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="14" style="height: 11.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl65" height="14" style="height: 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fort William</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">152</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">106</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Aftermath!</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje25rtoKOMPn7Px63p_IEvEHXFLPXCePF4agPGp9TAlcn7vXv2CK6AzRd6v4di3pNjiraoecpgajCTU-emRrUzllPtgUN8MAWlr__zWizRt_YzGJyULHjZ02GTNs-Cn83Ll-wMFUSlGGUD/s1600/DSC09209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje25rtoKOMPn7Px63p_IEvEHXFLPXCePF4agPGp9TAlcn7vXv2CK6AzRd6v4di3pNjiraoecpgajCTU-emRrUzllPtgUN8MAWlr__zWizRt_YzGJyULHjZ02GTNs-Cn83Ll-wMFUSlGGUD/s320/DSC09209.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it's all said and done, I go back to the start of this blog - I got the goblet, I raised the money, I'm still here. John said something to me afterwards (well, one of the many things along with confirming most of my opinion that I f*cked up a tad) that 'you're a real veteran of WHW now you've had a sh&tty one'. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HnjIpTcZ86PUFGFgxE4SCSRXy9BCch4dzBSvxwVz7AWg0Fykn4tEOD1gqIc0RIccTRcc-TlX9SiGi03p_ZUGYO-ewHToZ3TM6PPAiTvw3pfJ9_zvLaWLvTD93hUg7KI7og_DWv7mhNUZ/s1600/finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HnjIpTcZ86PUFGFgxE4SCSRXy9BCch4dzBSvxwVz7AWg0Fykn4tEOD1gqIc0RIccTRcc-TlX9SiGi03p_ZUGYO-ewHToZ3TM6PPAiTvw3pfJ9_zvLaWLvTD93hUg7KI7og_DWv7mhNUZ/s320/finish.jpg" width="286" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_931y3CKGzrMFPy3_n8eDuCNmYRdzPwAwDsLAm_sqRvnhoPDhpNkyaLbfvFsksiq-L94c9FJ9s8XYFCfQHjcxfZYlNKjptyPTFbBalaK4Nh4MxxZMdUWxtziqxmG6ofFTO1P94uMMAuvV/s1600/36591864_10218018470472243_8433309366781739008_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_931y3CKGzrMFPy3_n8eDuCNmYRdzPwAwDsLAm_sqRvnhoPDhpNkyaLbfvFsksiq-L94c9FJ9s8XYFCfQHjcxfZYlNKjptyPTFbBalaK4Nh4MxxZMdUWxtziqxmG6ofFTO1P94uMMAuvV/s320/36591864_10218018470472243_8433309366781739008_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="247" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am still disappointed with myself, but it's not just about feeling sorry for the race day, it's about the choices that could have been made in the months before. I've never had to combat some of the emotional challenges I've faced in that period though, so sometimes you just cannot tell how things will pan out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgqk1xeNEL3GSo3SmdF1Y0PMNffN_Gx_dAu_ab9i6zPUbEFDYFtHqPC3uYKOyu8sfNdJAZAgoVn3hXZ9ux-lHvVvltIEaY6NgZmGP0OLRFX4iU21frwRZP11eK22beob8T1UhTR7Gzv_/s1600/splits+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgqk1xeNEL3GSo3SmdF1Y0PMNffN_Gx_dAu_ab9i6zPUbEFDYFtHqPC3uYKOyu8sfNdJAZAgoVn3hXZ9ux-lHvVvltIEaY6NgZmGP0OLRFX4iU21frwRZP11eK22beob8T1UhTR7Gzv_/s320/splits+-+Copy.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYEedH_1ujRmpDIQeIbJE2Lozja6pp_2vJfARh8fncvDvFX1GAW_ru6lnebwmlj2RLB9ANpf58jjLyQ6vnemSWzVzmflbjNvgj9zb7RGwdAl6PszFJDlBnu0Ly3Orl5V2ns9eU50BH2VN/s1600/finish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYEedH_1ujRmpDIQeIbJE2Lozja6pp_2vJfARh8fncvDvFX1GAW_ru6lnebwmlj2RLB9ANpf58jjLyQ6vnemSWzVzmflbjNvgj9zb7RGwdAl6PszFJDlBnu0Ly3Orl5V2ns9eU50BH2VN/s320/finish2.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-38596490025262731782017-10-20T07:11:00.002-07:002017-10-20T07:11:38.124-07:00Time Warp!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4Vx8-OnIqwD9Sypix3OCipO8lEVujMGfu1qXDr5vA-COaYY3E1NdB2lPA7W02pEmJp1f8EnwX6H7MiChzupdYQUDRAv3qL2VOIQIAHPqs9lrTyAAkYxcw7ojTrH5OWI9sS_0oHNtoyP1/s1600/tumblr_n5wn4pLDlu1slkam9o2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4Vx8-OnIqwD9Sypix3OCipO8lEVujMGfu1qXDr5vA-COaYY3E1NdB2lPA7W02pEmJp1f8EnwX6H7MiChzupdYQUDRAv3qL2VOIQIAHPqs9lrTyAAkYxcw7ojTrH5OWI9sS_0oHNtoyP1/s400/tumblr_n5wn4pLDlu1slkam9o2_500.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s just a jump to the left……..and then a step to
riiiiiiiight….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s now 7 weeks since race day and I’ve run about 20 miles.
Interesting….. I haven’t actually felt much like running
which is weirder than a weird thing, and in all honesty haven’t done a whole
heap of anything else. My body is
telling me a thing or two. And I’m
listening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Physically nothing was ‘broken’ by the race. The fatigue was pretty immense and I think
it’s still lingering. I took the rest of
the week after Chamonix to potter around, a few days up on the Moray Coast with
Clark having some #vanlife. And then
back to work. This was good and bad in
equal measure and allowed me to process some more thoughts about the race as I
relived my tale through the questions and congratulations from colleagues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I stopped saying so many bad words and allowed myself some
more realisation and kudos for what I had achieved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve allowed myself to be harsh about the frustrating race weather,
but accepting that I’d trained a lot in rain and bog, so actually this could
have been a blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve allowed myself to acknowledge the points I may have
quit, and then to respect myself for carrying on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve allowed myself to stop saying never again, and started
adjusting the longer term plans with ‘what ifs’ and ‘maybe I could’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve watched friends who ran at Chamonix continue to train,
some to race, and I’ve tempered my self-doubting by accepting I don’t need or
want to train yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I’ve done an increasing handful of yoga classes, and
noticed the impact of these on the post-race me, and appreciated the signs this
has given me about how my recovery is going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also treated myself to a yoga weekend retreat with Heat
Fitness which was heavenly, and I hope to be able to do something similar again
next year. I was inspired to stop eating
so much crap, and managed to detox with no caffeine, booze, added sugar and
lots of healthy veggie meals all weekend (thanks Jules!). Some of these things I am trying to keep
going!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This week was going to be the week I gave myself a boot up
the ass……I so now however have man-flu.
And had another work trip. I’ve been
away every week of the last 7. That’s
the job, and it’s great to be getting out to see customers and do what I do,
but the travelling does impact on health and time and general ability to eat
well, sleep well and not get stressed. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and I stepped on the scales. Pahahahahahaha.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is what it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hopefully by the weekend, the snotters and exploding brain
will be gone, and I’ll get some fresh air, some exercise and back on
track! With 2 potential races lined up
for next year, it’s time to get this show on the road!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-45965722843113685082017-09-10T11:26:00.001-07:002017-09-10T11:26:51.926-07:00"There will be weather"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iO0NvdDa9EScOSs-rajIOtPCkUl4sPa0T3AKPwoQugixBxT-HpmpuN-CljL0rTLGAzE2qALZirUNKxcX-45LcGk5xnFcou7QItyjfjI0Wc3X2UQN2VvhcpR-icIesUjE5VUL7FLErpke/s1600/cham8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iO0NvdDa9EScOSs-rajIOtPCkUl4sPa0T3AKPwoQugixBxT-HpmpuN-CljL0rTLGAzE2qALZirUNKxcX-45LcGk5xnFcou7QItyjfjI0Wc3X2UQN2VvhcpR-icIesUjE5VUL7FLErpke/s320/cham8.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been a long time coming this write up, and I'm hugely proud and thankful to be in the position for it to be a success story. The hard graft has been worth it - it's not just all about the gilet, although essentially that's the physical outcome, along with the aches, pains and glory!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Physically and mentally, this race has been eating away at me for the last 3 years - with a DNF in 2015, and a fail in the ballot in 2016, this was the year I <strike>had</strike> wanted to make it count, and it has eaten into my soul almost every waking hour, especially these last 8 months. Every day had to count - would decisions take me closer to, or further away, from my goal?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Getting through the ballot was just the start - and with CCC having a 50:50 chance, and my prior year ballot rejection meaning a 'double shot', the odds were pretty good. The wait is always nerve-wracking though. And then the work begins - breaking the enormity and timeline into manageable chunks, and getting a realistic, stretching and achievable training plan in place. Being married to a PT helps here, but only when you're actually prepared to listen and do the sessions (and yes, that means the speedwork too!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So to fast forward a bit (those who have read my Fling blog will know that the training worked that far), the summer consisted of a lot of yomping in the Scottish munros, in mostly questionable Scottish weather - some of this was fun (double Ben Lomond's), some less so (Ben More!!), yet each had a role to play in taking me closer to my goal. And little did I know at the time that the inclement conditions would prove more beneficial than ever expected!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The speedwork dialled back a little, and mid-week hills were added,supplemented most weeks by 2 hours of hot yoga (helps with the potential heat acclimatisation, in addition to strength and flexibility), and some strength work in the gym (again following a programme Clark wrote for me, covering upper body/core/lower body as appropriate). One of the hard things to get your head round is the lack of training miles covered - we were out for 6-8 hours some days and covered less than half-marathon in most cases! It's all about the vert!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I pretty much nailed all the training I needed to do. There's always a wee part of you that wants to fit more in, but when you're trying to hold down a full-time job, do some sports massage, sleep, be a little bit sociable, and try not to be an entirely sh!t wife, you can't have utopia all the time! And it certainly required sacrifice, and a lot of early mornings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh,and on top of that, I also managed to fit 6 sessions in the climate chamber at Napier Uni into the plan - increased altitude, heat and humidity across the course of a month, again, trying to mitigate any of the things that might cause me grief on race day!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjrIaXaPdUqvUUj2txe3vg28qxDvHeF20_xxFKCe-UbxJ25cO922n315WalnhiYFYo3MDCtkuPSZIeXwEHE-UpJqwx8nfffo4es8ZauEJ5MQVHjs_cKNR7jvGK7A_8WV0g6wa46quOQET/s1600/cham1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjrIaXaPdUqvUUj2txe3vg28qxDvHeF20_xxFKCe-UbxJ25cO922n315WalnhiYFYo3MDCtkuPSZIeXwEHE-UpJqwx8nfffo4es8ZauEJ5MQVHjs_cKNR7jvGK7A_8WV0g6wa46quOQET/s320/cham1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About a month before the race, I got a tick bite after a weekend run on Ben Ledi. Having got the little bugger out quickly, it was only a concern 2 days later when I'd felt sicky and dizzy, and the puncture wound showed the tell-tale bullseye signs that things weren't right. Seeking a quick bit of advice from WHW medic Sean, I scuttled off to the GP's and got put straight on 2 weeks of antibiotics. Hopefully that did the trick, although still in the final week or so before heading out to Chamonix I was feeling tired and headachy, and I'm hoping that was just taperitis, and the fighting off of all the lurgies everyone around me seemed to have, and not anything lingering. Post-race I'm still feeling like that,and again, hoping it's recovery related and not Lyme's disease brewing! So anyway, that meant tapering was a bit more abrupt than planned, as I also had to fit a work trip to London for 3 days into my final week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so to Chamonix, on the Monday morning Easyjet flight, along with the company of several other runners and supporters - that's one of the great things about this event - a really strong and decent group of folk going over, so you know you'll get good company at every turn. It always seems to take longer than I expect to finally get there - with flight delays, bus transfers etc, it was 'tea time' before Julie and I were meeting Helen and John at our apartment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdyEPYfQde4AoS1TcCvBCVeFN3BZRIfamY47LjBK3Vrbl6K2CgSrxhSxPFJsy8klil_SUABqbcS4RZd2kD-v5BoMzeb-0fmTXb-swH9G2hectcnVjKxh13drWePoBkXqWv2ZtO-_MAE4D/s1600/cham4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdyEPYfQde4AoS1TcCvBCVeFN3BZRIfamY47LjBK3Vrbl6K2CgSrxhSxPFJsy8klil_SUABqbcS4RZd2kD-v5BoMzeb-0fmTXb-swH9G2hectcnVjKxh13drWePoBkXqWv2ZtO-_MAE4D/s400/cham4.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the next couple of days, the plan was to get high (making use of the chair lift passes),and do some touristy stuff (namely for me, to get to Lac Blanc, which we did on Wed)....and to not fall over! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a wee run on the Tuesday with John from Plan d'Aguille to Montroc just to test the legs (which seemed unnecessarily achy), and that was it. Weather was good, and it was nice to be in skort/vest for a change! It was also lovely to catch up with many other friends (Karen, Dod, David, Mel etc), and also get some time with the legendary Bob Allison, who gave me several pieces of great advice (especially regarding the weather), and confidence, which I carried with me on race day. Bob has now completed the full UTMB 5 times, along with many other great achievements, and also summitted Mont Blanc only a week before the race - a true inspiration of not letting 'health issues' stand in your way! What was really hard with the race not being until Friday was to not get sucked into the 'I'll just have another wee beer'.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbwZbGyGcVmozChTH8C8M3f45M0Es21pBU6X8_h1Ieq72UIDl7Ph02pBqb_uojxG7SPFFEIcOtEDhGe4XUv-SeBzoumStNG8FvGLGytbMyTEtbiSbDDuHtstDKWjrAEixLjm-Y1I2nu7a/s1600/cham2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbwZbGyGcVmozChTH8C8M3f45M0Es21pBU6X8_h1Ieq72UIDl7Ph02pBqb_uojxG7SPFFEIcOtEDhGe4XUv-SeBzoumStNG8FvGLGytbMyTEtbiSbDDuHtstDKWjrAEixLjm-Y1I2nu7a/s320/cham2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wednesday was also registration day - well, day 1 of...and I wanted to get through it then to allow for any errors to be corrected on Thursday if necessary! It's a daunting task of making sure you have every item on the compulsory kit list, which you get a random print out demanding you show it (and in the case of jackets, this year they were checked several times!), and only when you succeed are you rewarded with your race number and wrist band! Caroline and I went together - safety in numbers! And Julie came along to see this side of the race organisation!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjUpuyvoY7Bc5gLqhWq7-QTWWQQ2eR6te5UWDfurOMwGNuHzWneBMKAbcHzS4t3BafAeXwRFWSaJxvjuxVq3LPxniG-9_WYF5vh8cV_1C6G_CLd1oKYlY_Vwbg2tBH2c5qKoxNAsnX_ZX/s1600/cham6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjUpuyvoY7Bc5gLqhWq7-QTWWQQ2eR6te5UWDfurOMwGNuHzWneBMKAbcHzS4t3BafAeXwRFWSaJxvjuxVq3LPxniG-9_WYF5vh8cV_1C6G_CLd1oKYlY_Vwbg2tBH2c5qKoxNAsnX_ZX/s320/cham6.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tiring couple of days,and with the weather closing in on Thursday, it was time to entrench on the sofa and try to relax, rest, and stop worrying about sore bits. I have to say, I was proper stressed by this point, and had a couple of wee emotional moments to myself. Partly caused by the increased weather stress and the text from the organisation saying they were potentially going to change the route, then not, and then in the end they did! It was all due to safety, as even with the full compulsory kit, being high up the mountains in a storm is not a clever place to be! I went out to try and watch some of the OCC runners, and it was all a wee bit too much for my nerves, so hid away again and tried to just nap.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF381BDy8Iqz-cEkeq02T0s_CWjGvTw7rKXkNvWsY6gA7NhImTiXwd0Csc0XIjE05klwNbmLC6_FriMbTH8VSiPhHtzJr6xGoVkqoBo8TpxrjZY4s7yr4IN4e8bOzjVdj8CpCqVdNHoB9f/s1600/111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF381BDy8Iqz-cEkeq02T0s_CWjGvTw7rKXkNvWsY6gA7NhImTiXwd0Csc0XIjE05klwNbmLC6_FriMbTH8VSiPhHtzJr6xGoVkqoBo8TpxrjZY4s7yr4IN4e8bOzjVdj8CpCqVdNHoB9f/s320/111.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so,with an early night while my house mates were all still out, it was race day before I knew it! I'd laid all my kit out and tried to creep around without waking anyone. It felt really weird not having a wee 'good luck' or hug to see me off, but it was the wee small hours of the morning, and I was meeting Caroline to share the bus journey to Courmayeur and the pre-race stress! While I was anxious, Caroline was totally calm, aside from worrying about getting cold (something which unfortunately ended her race earlier than hoped). The bus ride was quicker than I remembered, and we soon disembarked in Italy, where we were met with almost clear skies, and the unexpected promise of far nicer weather than we had anticipated. We chilled out in the sports center for about an hour and then headed up to the start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The atmosphere was electric as 9am drew closer (drones and race helicopters flying overhead and the comperes whipping the crowds into a frenzy). By chance Caroline and I were both in the first start pen with the first wave (along with a friend of Caroline's, Ben, who moved way up closer to the front, while we hung nearer the back (this was after all the same start pen as the elite!!)). This proved to be hugely beneficial to me, as I had no 'need to catch up' stress I had felt in 2015, and there were fewer bottle-necks than I'd had in this section in 2015. 'All' I had to do was make up up this first (b*starding) climb without dying and then I'd truly feel like I was on my way, and beating the demons that have haunted me for the last two years. In 2015 I DNF'd at the summit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was the 1300m climb up Tete de la Tranche over the first 10k of the race.....and I nailed it! Taking time to breathe (a wise man (John Munro) had text me before the race with the advice to be 'patient' with the climbs) and step aside when I needed to (not through death, just to get composure and let some of the narky European's through (I really must learn some French/Spanish/Italian!)). It was just over 3 hours of climb, with increasing temperatures, and I felt ecstatic at the top....now it was time for me to really begin the journey! The views here were amazing (I didn't take any photos!), a real privilege to run in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the story would go for most of the day, on climbs I felt pretty strong and in control; on descents, the majority of runners have some sort of kamikaze death wish (especially in the dark, on the technical and exceptionally muddy descents later in the race!). The other sound advice/interpretation of my 'fear' of descending that I'd had pre-race was to 'respect' the mountains. So between patience and respect, those were my mantras for the 25.5 hours! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSzsiptRZsWwBrf5VjpUJulLy8CyTMfjcZNQUbgOkXeCmqK6zN68d4AOQRnbFwgl_UhQBQ0agR6d-TinC3Selh8PcTFenp6Gj0eFeKj1qreLMvcnWgTyfPILy0gqrhvrVmdqXQHY4DiVr/s1600/cham5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSzsiptRZsWwBrf5VjpUJulLy8CyTMfjcZNQUbgOkXeCmqK6zN68d4AOQRnbFwgl_UhQBQ0agR6d-TinC3Selh8PcTFenp6Gj0eFeKj1qreLMvcnWgTyfPILy0gqrhvrVmdqXQHY4DiVr/s320/cham5.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Poles (Leki Micro-carbon) were a god-send, as were my shoes (Altra King MT). Overall my whole kit choice was pretty great. I opted for my Salomon S-Lab skort and vest, X-Bionic arm sleeves, Compressport calf sleeves, DryMax socks, and Runderwear undies. My UltimateDirection jacket was brilliant, and my OMM waterproof trousers certainly stood the test (this was the first time I've run any great distance in them). I took an Icebreaker 260 merino long sleeve which I put on at Champex (more on this shortly), and also carried a Rab down gilet and Salomon long tights (neither of which I wore (long tights were compulsory, gilet was a safety add based on my fear of the impending cold!)). I chose my new UTMB skip visor and Buff headband to give me motivation (always feels weird wearing race kit you haven't 'earned'!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, back to the race....down into Bertone (where last time signified the tears/official withdrawal), passing one guy who had a nasty fall....stay upright, stay upright..... and a smile for the camera (just in case anyone was watching the live feed). I lost about 74 places on the descent LOL. A plethora of coke, coffee, noodle soup, snack bars, biscuits.... very hard to get in and out quickly but I did my best, stocked up my Tailwind and yomped out, swigging the last of my coffee and having a chat with another British guy who was waiting on his mates faffing around. The race numbers all have your name and national flag which makes it easier to strike up a chat, and many of us were also wearing the labels they gave us for our backs with similar flag/name (these should be compulsory!). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9ixTukGE-S5qNHD1DRQw1Mv8nTnkMDj99jxpHPiSpa6CqowEuqRkD5D0oSe2zKeCM_jjT0uteKwuWWB2IAQjq_Kd4qTME6Y28nHeyinuFDwGKghxcL3XLv5iGKmkO4BPZL3X6O6gK6NF/s1600/40545122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9ixTukGE-S5qNHD1DRQw1Mv8nTnkMDj99jxpHPiSpa6CqowEuqRkD5D0oSe2zKeCM_jjT0uteKwuWWB2IAQjq_Kd4qTME6Y28nHeyinuFDwGKghxcL3XLv5iGKmkO4BPZL3X6O6gK6NF/s320/40545122.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next section, again very beautiful, with HUGE mountains, was pretty runable, and by now the crowds had thinned so it was easy just to trot along and mostly pass/be passed with ease. 7km to Refuge Bonatti taking about 1hr 25m and gaining back almost 40 of the lost places. As I made my way up the climb to the checkpoint I hear my name being called out - "Wow, someone has good eye-sight" I was thinking that they were reading my race number, only to realise it was Carrie Craig out supporting! Great to see a friendly face and get some chat (whilst quaffing more coke), before pushing onto the next stage (and blessed with the realisation that the next big climb wasn't actually coming next!). One of the really useful things the race also do is put a huge board up at each checkpoint saying where you are, where next checkpoint is, the cut-offs, profile, distance and ascent/descent. This was great to get your head in place for the next section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About another hour of decent trail through the valley (only 5km) and a drop down into Arnouvaz checkpoint,which was a bit manic, with people shoving a little, like the noodle soup was going to run out! I tried again to get out of here swiftly (and got started on the soup), and the stats show I made up another 46 places (probably people lost in the food fight!). Weather still good, although wind was picking up a little.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2naB-77haLZ_KAdPS1xH-8Je_j1G8LiPBY7hAJVLFk0axjxGG0qS29u-19DnZxpNVqFFVr0sxx81ZUwSfVHy4WcvUogfaUte-2QdnMuj322Xr-xkQF6FAGoI9q9SHKdTjSj-rItW_LZ1/s1600/40543377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2naB-77haLZ_KAdPS1xH-8Je_j1G8LiPBY7hAJVLFk0axjxGG0qS29u-19DnZxpNVqFFVr0sxx81ZUwSfVHy4WcvUogfaUte-2QdnMuj322Xr-xkQF6FAGoI9q9SHKdTjSj-rItW_LZ1/s320/40543377.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so the climb starts, and the clouds start to close in.... We had 14km to the next checkpoint and a massive climb up Grand Col Ferret (about 800m ish). I actually LOVED this climb! The temperature dropped and we got some 'proper Scottish' weather (including hail). All around me,runners were donning waterproofs, thermals and woolly hats.....I went up in skort, vest, arm sleeves...only putting on my thin gloves at the top ("Welcome to Switzerland" announced the cheery marshal, thick in the cloud!!). Later as we approached La Fouley, I was chatting to a girl who said I was 'proper nails' for going across in my vest! I seriously felt fine!! I gained 84 places on the climb, and a further 41 on the drop to La Fouley which was interesting! What I found in a few sections though was guys running the downhills and then walking the flatter runable bits (which I ran!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">La Fouley was another baptism in checkpoints. There had been no views, and rain on/off all the way down so things were getting a bit dreary. It was only 18:15 when I got there, and I'd not been expecting to have to consider a head-torch until at least the next checkpoint. However, it was a melee of people strapping theirs on, so I figured I should follow suit! I also put my waterproof on as the rain was picking up. In all I did a decent job getting through in 14 minutes, and off onto the long tarmac runable section....hadn't expected this at all! Got chatting to another British guy (I'm going to pretend he was called Tom), and chatted about future plans (both considering Cape Wrath in 2020), and the state of skiing at Cairngorm...this really helped pass the time, although I lost him when the climb started again. 'Interesting' section this one, because after long descent down the tarmac (not sure but could've been 10km of the 14km), suddenly a glimpse of Champex-Lac high, high,high above us, giving clear indication of the impending (b!tch (Helen's word!)) of a climb we had to do to reach it! Up, up, up in a wee convoy of bodies...everyone of us with a headtorch adorning our heads, and everyone of us seemingly not wanting to switch theirs on until we REALLY had to near the top, when suddenly BOOM it was dark, too dark to see!! And then a scuttle into the war-zone that is the Champex checkpoint! Holy moly!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, we're 55km in...kind of half-way...and it's like I've stepped into another universe! I've also made up quite a few places (although I think LOTS of folk dropped out here)! A marquee which was who knows how massive, full to bursting with a hugely efficient food service of everything from fruit segments to pasta (big queue though), TV screens announcing your arrival to any crew you might have (who are sectioned into the back until you're there), a Garmin charging team, and probably seating for 400 runners in varying states of competency, and from every nation across the world! You could easily get lost here - I likened it to a refugee camp - and I lost about 40 minutes here (it was hard to find a seat, queue, fight off people skipping the queue etc, and also needed to get long sleeved, warm, dry kit on, charge Garmin, text Clark for some support). What I also didn't appreciate was during my time here that the downpour had dialled up to nuclear, so when I finally started to make my way out, I had to back track to don my waterproof trousers and Marigolds (lifesavers! Properly waterproof!!). We forget how lucky we are with the Scottish races where everyone knows you, you have drop bags with your favourite food, a 'left-overs' table to browse, and the 'support' to kick your ass back out onto the trail quickly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was now onto territory I'd been on before - last August on a recce with Dave Hetherington. I knew the scale of the climb/descent to come although I'd only done it in the daylight/heat! Things started to take much longer now, and in hindsight I probably wasn't fuelling as well as I could for the remainder of the race, or maybe not getting the caffeine balance right. Learning points for the future!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Climb,climb,climb up Bovine where you can see the headtorches way way above your head, probably an hours climb above you. It was properly wet, and getting cold. I could see my breath and feel my throat and lungs burn with the cold. The raspy cough started, and a couple of times I stopped to let a convoy of people pass (I suspect they were pacing behind me, but I didn't need the company). And the mud. Again the poles and shoes were priceless. But I would come to despise the mud over the next 13 hours. Thick, gloopy, and pre-mushed by probably 3,000+ OCC/CCC runners before me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd half thought the checkpoint would be at Bovine,although it wasn't...there was a further stretch and start of descent before the glimmer of music wafted to my ears and the sound of a generator?! I convinced myself I was delusional, however the barn at La Giete appeared, with a chance for a short rest, some 'soup' (no noodles!) before slippy, sloppy, slidey down to Trient. I also made up over 100 places on this section,despite more kami-crazies trying to wipe me out (not sure it was a bonus or curse that I knew how steep some of the drops were on this section!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trient. I'm sure Dave Hertherington told me the race stops here. I should text him? I should just stop? I seriously cannot face any more of that god-awful mud! The portaloo's here were immaculate (time for a luxury pee and wee rest before hitting the 'mess tent'). I dropped my Garmin here to be recharged too, removing that layer of stress (well, changing it slightly as they still weren't any faster!). Less carnage here, more soup/coffee/cheese..and a breakout of the emergency Mrs Tilly's fudge. In reality I didn't know what I needed, and was losing the motivation to find a seat/move/what to do. It has taken FOREVER to get here. People seemed to just be sitting around with no expectation of moving. That's when you get cold though...I don't want to be cold...grab some coffee...move on.... Damn, Garmin hasn't really charged much...wait a couple more minutes and then bite the bullet...outta here....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two minutes out of the checkpoint and the headtorch flutters.....BATTERIES! A wee seat on the tarmac and change the rechargable for 'normals', then march on....try to get away from the girl with her phone app announcing pace/distance/time etc every kilometer....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More up, up, up and headtorches (and actual stars) high, high,high above me. Again a climb I've been on. Just get it done. Cough, cough, yomp, yomp....breathe.....relax....be patient.... and finally a wee glowing pod of a checkpoint comes into sight. I treated myself to a wee nano rest as it had been about 1.5 hours of climb on this stretch with no respite...and little did I expect but another 2 hours to the next checkpoint through the section from hell!! Not sure if the headtorch or my brain was failing here but the nausea was growing. I changed torch but still couldn't get good focus. The mud.....(refer to previous statement about how grueling it was), the gradient, the switchbacks, the dark (when would it end), the technicality of the terrain, the kami-crazies (lost some places again), did I need to eat or drink or have caffeine?.....WHERE THE F^CK IS THE CHECKPOINT?? Vallorcine came into sight and then vanished (this shouldn't have been a surprise), and still I was thinking Dave H was probably right to have ended his race at Trient on a couple of occasions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My head was definitely down here (I don't even need to review the checkpoint video to know I didn't even try and crack a happy face). But with 'only' a half-marathon to go there was no question of pulling the plug here! I tried to force some food in, and a British guy supporting someone else gave me a couple of pep talks, which despite my vacant grunting replies (oh, I may have said something bad about the f&cking mud) I really appreciated. Tried to charge the Garmin a bit (proved to not be enough in the end), and definitely didn't take on enough fuel here before pushing on. Still in full waterproofs and headtorch, and intrigued to know what the next section with the course deviation would bring. I made some more places between here and Col De Montet and suspect this is maybe due to a poor job in the Vallorcine checkpoint.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the Col carpark, and checkpoint, and start of the climb,it was time to start peeling some kit off in various stages. Partly I was too hot...and it wasn't actually raining anymore...and it was daylight so didn't need the torch.....and also, when I'd visualised my race finish, it didn't comprise of pictures of me in full waterproofs, thermals and covered in mud from the waist down! Simple motivations!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I appear to have lost a load of places on the climb to Flegere on this deviation route. The initial climb was 'ok', however I slowly realised we hadn't gained enough height to be above Flegere when they started to drop us down what proved one of the most technical sections of the whole race (one of my fellow competitors referred to it as being punished for something we hadn't done, and I'm minded to agree!). My fueling fail was catching up on me, and my sense of humor had gone AWOL. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaINsxwcULe9yR1TUdWuAC4XtD-zZsBh90sgS08JRrn5se3bxNKB2D3liUono2-xqZLyTcuTY5kCx9G5dxSDB-AAQBG9nsMheD5Du0TdZVWO_u14x9ZRSw8DHoC2ePiHJej4RVhIJ6rUVi/s1600/112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaINsxwcULe9yR1TUdWuAC4XtD-zZsBh90sgS08JRrn5se3bxNKB2D3liUono2-xqZLyTcuTY5kCx9G5dxSDB-AAQBG9nsMheD5Du0TdZVWO_u14x9ZRSw8DHoC2ePiHJej4RVhIJ6rUVi/s320/112.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We reached the low point of the descent (and of my race) at a sign-post which said 1hr 40m to Flegere. I tried to calculate the cut-offs. I knew this was a hiking sign, and that 'usually' I can half the time and be at the destination. In my exhausted state it was going to be a challenge. I knew where I was - I'd been on this path with Helen earlier in the year - I knew it was going to be a big ask. I should also have text Clark/Helen at this point as I knew I was taking longer than I should have. I just couldn't face taking my phone out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Others were sitting around having snacks at the side of the path....didn't they realise the enormity of this?!? There were almost tears. I almost quit. REALITY CHECK!!! There was no way I was going to give up without a fight - I'd push on and then fight my cause at the checkpoint if I needed to. I couldn't just give up less than 15km to the finish!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We climbed, relentless, painful and slow. When we emerged from the trees, there was a string of zombies shuffling into the cloud towards the checkpoint. Keep. On. Moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More bodies sprawled in the tent. I grabbed some coke and asked the lead marshal how long we had to get to the finish....'Ah....not good.....maybe hour and half.....'. BOOM, no problem I said, I can do it in less than that. And with a toss of my coke into the dirt I was off. Girl on a mission. In hindsight, I suspect he was a little mean with his answer, as it took me about 1hr 20m to get to the finish from here, and I was well (ish) within the cut-offs! Nevertheless, it pushed me on, and I got the job done. It's a quad breaking descent, and La Floria seems to be way further than it should be. My stomach was crying out for food, and I only had a few nibbles left, which weren't appealing, but had to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-3U_gE0IY1qIDx6uYltuoO-L8_1BmIAc8iLFZpPGc05s9OdegXT-Fmx6aV_N8IR-Q7moZmk00_htVbxzmF4MsfdNb_o-x1sYN4IU8TV45D5liAIKb4riYIbSwfCTGzyRzz36DbJXjrwA/s1600/114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-3U_gE0IY1qIDx6uYltuoO-L8_1BmIAc8iLFZpPGc05s9OdegXT-Fmx6aV_N8IR-Q7moZmk00_htVbxzmF4MsfdNb_o-x1sYN4IU8TV45D5liAIKb4riYIbSwfCTGzyRzz36DbJXjrwA/s320/114.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last wee bit of trail and I hear Helen yelling at me - woohooo!! I've made it (almost!). I think I asked if she was there as they thought I'd got lost...... We set off along the tarmac to the town. I needed to walk a few bits. My lungs were burning and my heart racing (too much caffeine? or the knowledge I was on the brink?). The course finish is special in that you get a decent lap around the town...coming in along the river, and then along the main street, passing the crowds of supporters, and those out just enjoying their breakfasts. I like to think that being a bit slower than I'd maybe hoped meant more chance for supporters....hahahaha....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Helen took a wee short-cut to notify the troops I was alive, and to get my flag ready. It was awesome to see everyone's smiley faces to lift me...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijscnYzxhtQk236GJ1lG5Q6UNLmSt30sA7mSg2AJKRiNRa-gPf-eNRhcEMdwpam5wTKx-90BqedSH7J1m_lAZ13m_NRriG6gyHqI_6lWFweGn2qoO32lLsv4-FHm50ljSvySnw9qETFRL/s1600/113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="714" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijscnYzxhtQk236GJ1lG5Q6UNLmSt30sA7mSg2AJKRiNRa-gPf-eNRhcEMdwpam5wTKx-90BqedSH7J1m_lAZ13m_NRriG6gyHqI_6lWFweGn2qoO32lLsv4-FHm50ljSvySnw9qETFRL/s320/113.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the crowds. WOW, just WOW! I've been one of the crowd, but never the other side, and I can safely say, I never had a race finish like it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took the time to enjoy (one of Bob's pieces of advice was to lap it up, make sure you get some clear space, and to enjoy it). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I did! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I waved my Saltire with pride, with the emotion of the 25.5 hours I'd been running for, with the emotion of the last 3 years, of the support I knew I was getting from home, and because I'D DONE IT!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Link to video of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amanda.hamilton.1460/videos/10214603243300849/" target="_blank">The finish!</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the way - it's bloody hard to hold your flag up when your arms are so sore!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished 1,484 of 2,155 starters. With 413 DNFs there were 1,742 finishers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">It doesn't really matter what position. My aim was a finish, and that's what I did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The race was won by Hayden Hawks in 10hrs 24m. I'm astounded by how people can cover it so fast!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said a lot of bad words at the end to pretty much everyone who asked (and probably some who didn't). It was horrendous and I really had to dig deep. I really struggled with the technical descents in the dark in the mud (even though the weather being 'Scottish' was probably a bonus!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NEVER. AGAIN.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpg0qEtMkIZxCqJvX758TykSRQhZIqRzR1XkorP4UGIpX6Rcphr2X-Dcfatr4ogHK79JvYGfKoLtBW9Fv9iX7YE_wKkta3qaYCy3miwFwLo3jdRP0eI7aKy55ndQD2BnWrJXhFO6b7U6t/s1600/112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpg0qEtMkIZxCqJvX758TykSRQhZIqRzR1XkorP4UGIpX6Rcphr2X-Dcfatr4ogHK79JvYGfKoLtBW9Fv9iX7YE_wKkta3qaYCy3miwFwLo3jdRP0eI7aKy55ndQD2BnWrJXhFO6b7U6t/s320/112.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the light of the next day, the world changes (and not just because the sun came out!). It's not all just about what happens on race day. It's a cliche but it's a journey. You get back what you put in. For me a HUGE part of this is about the training, the discipline and the focus on getting the result. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So it's not just about those 25.5 hours or the gilet. It's the hundreds of hours, the thousands of feet climbing, the cross-training, the marginal gains so many elements of your life can contribute. And wrapped up in that, all the races on the way over the years that contribute to the 'points' needed to even enter the ballot. I feel blessed to have been able to earn my points with Scottish races that very firmly hold tight onto my heart-strings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's about offsetting the stress of life, something that can be owned and to a certain extent controlled. My decisions, choices and trade offs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEhJySxONtty-foPljGY46_kKkk20QluYBVUDQGnY6Keb53FG8xtah923Dc38UtzfXf6qX1aNAd0es9cse-AW8oJ92mZ8kSPQAXQL16xNoJCSowzrclUdPftGpXASdOuKzwrHSOeiiqJN/s1600/21192567_10214559251561083_8878523620805290353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEhJySxONtty-foPljGY46_kKkk20QluYBVUDQGnY6Keb53FG8xtah923Dc38UtzfXf6qX1aNAd0es9cse-AW8oJ92mZ8kSPQAXQL16xNoJCSowzrclUdPftGpXASdOuKzwrHSOeiiqJN/s320/21192567_10214559251561083_8878523620805290353_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And around that the support network. A husband who understands what it means and what it needs, who is prepared to accept those trade-offs and what some of the decisions mean. The friends who 'get it' (including those who will help you take your manky shoes and socks of death off post-race (thanks John!),listen to you gibber nonsense, and check you don't keel over in the shower (thanks Helen!)), and those who don't 100% understand, yet are interested enough to ask why/how/what and praise the progress they can see you are making.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm fitter and stronger than I think I've ever been, and hope/plan to sustain that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So....never again.....until the next time......#Chamonix20XX......let's make some plans!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(note...I think I'm still in a state of shock, and definitely still in recovery....I reserve the right to be emotional, sleepy, confused.....just like normal ;-))</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-50578613215317165232017-05-01T00:27:00.001-07:002017-05-01T00:27:17.928-07:00Secret Weapons<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEflenm5ZI-v7mWdUF6QaJolwvmmMmVtbzhSlqqNdfIIt78zHdQyxBYnhXMam8LAMKGu6SD2lhpj4PKiVTZKsKxgKyLcJUgwxyMnoTljQXh-NxRocEr3PDtkodejhBpN0Oyv3CL9DtoB04/s1600/rowardennan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEflenm5ZI-v7mWdUF6QaJolwvmmMmVtbzhSlqqNdfIIt78zHdQyxBYnhXMam8LAMKGu6SD2lhpj4PKiVTZKsKxgKyLcJUgwxyMnoTljQXh-NxRocEr3PDtkodejhBpN0Oyv3CL9DtoB04/s320/rowardennan2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Rowardennan (Photo by Alan Robertson)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday was my 5th year of participating in the 53 mile ultra The Highland Fling (Ding Ding), and the way things had been going was shaping up to be a good one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Training had been going well, and was consistent. I'd been more disciplined in doing the speed sessions as well as the longer/hillier (more enjoyable!) stuff. Improvements were being made. I was, am, lighter, stronger and fitter than I have been for a long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With all that came some pressure, and 53 miles is a long way to try and set split times and goals for. I tried not to let that get to me too much, and gave myself a challenging, hopefully achievable target PB of 11hrs 30m (my previous best was 11:38 and last year I was 11:48 (worst time 12:06)). I also had the added bonus of it being a long time after the Fling until the CCC, so I could afford the efforts to push hard, without having to worry about speed of recovery for the next race!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fling is a well oiled machine, with everything slick and organised, right from entry, all communications and then the amazement of race day (with well over 200 volunteers on hand, ably led by Johnny Fling and Noanie). And an amazing goody bag - t-shirt, buff, prosseco, car sticker, medal. AND free post race food with everything from the amazing tomato soup, to baked tatties and ice cream (oh...and beer!). There's really nothing to fault.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As it turned out, I had a great, if not spectacular day, and knocked the ball out of the park. Finishing with a sub-11 finish that I would never have dreamed possible!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thinking about it during, and after, I've put together a wee list of my #secretweapons for yesterday's success!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW0Z1cB-gqqGn_PbEHQHRVxqEiOWkdMC_Y_qeoQjLhO6UzbzlnZ_aTi4Sm-EUX0sl_U654-0PMi7GEXoDaZ5DQNJgYrveLogRL0GTClD5WD8DhZcwwmjHsWQ2fqGXGrAMEgJyqfBxXSMc/s1600/dry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW0Z1cB-gqqGn_PbEHQHRVxqEiOWkdMC_Y_qeoQjLhO6UzbzlnZ_aTi4Sm-EUX0sl_U654-0PMi7GEXoDaZ5DQNJgYrveLogRL0GTClD5WD8DhZcwwmjHsWQ2fqGXGrAMEgJyqfBxXSMc/s320/dry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drymen Hill (photo by Michael Martin)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>1. Start slow</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is always a tricky one, given the first 12 miles to Drymen is fairly 'easy'. Looking at my previous times I was usually between 2hr 5m and 2hr 10m. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This means an average pace of 10:30min/miles which is actually fairly swift for me over longer distances. it's hard to not get caught up in the pace of others, and a couple of times I consciously took a step down in pace. I was well aware that several around me were breathing hard, while I felt fairly relaxed and calm. It's worth the slow start so later on you can make up time and pass people - that alone gives you strength in the final stages. I don't know if anyone will publish the split times over the next few days and show the position at each, but I'm confident I went from pretty far back to gain many places for my finish position.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also love eaves-dropping into the conversations on this stretch and hearing little snippets of people's lives and expectations (especially those who were looking for a close to cut off 15 hours as they sped past me!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>2. Carol Martin</u></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdz5zMr0gxisYnz_DmcSwXsPaGjIlJXktfviINb0tNMUWrJNvuJNi2sUdzPZPhmv3bBCCGvRqgqNwHOMJcWXNZ6ZKV7k9zn55qbA-54Q_j_z_6XVKMCQUe29deWckg7dnQtGHWfMyA1uC/s1600/rowardennan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdz5zMr0gxisYnz_DmcSwXsPaGjIlJXktfviINb0tNMUWrJNvuJNi2sUdzPZPhmv3bBCCGvRqgqNwHOMJcWXNZ6ZKV7k9zn55qbA-54Q_j_z_6XVKMCQUe29deWckg7dnQtGHWfMyA1uC/s320/rowardennan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowardennan drop bag scoff <br />(Photo by Sandra Beattie)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carol is an awesome runner with a great history of completing epic events. Her pacing is brilliant and she's really strong on the hills. We paired up at Drymen (along with Sharon), and I hoped to try and hang on for a while, gaining from some of her experience, pacing, and great company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carol is making a comeback from major injury, and was down-playing her aims for the day. I fully expected her to finish ahead of me, as usual. We were together until the climb after Rowardennan (having lost Sharon at Balmaha), at which point I had a wee burst of something that saw me pull away from Carol, Lucy and Donald (looking resplendent in his new 'naked' tank top!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFBHnTtYRrLQYBQvBt_c4Ike4mq7MO9m_mLxJ06AyFj7fMgqOGllJlob3eFAsl-no8ry5xeOyOwW-sNQKZ_ZFPU-r-z9EDv_RT45tbcbt8pCus5h9gP8zPdyyzwOOnM2uByfQtvbcuisr/s1600/donald.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFBHnTtYRrLQYBQvBt_c4Ike4mq7MO9m_mLxJ06AyFj7fMgqOGllJlob3eFAsl-no8ry5xeOyOwW-sNQKZ_ZFPU-r-z9EDv_RT45tbcbt8pCus5h9gP8zPdyyzwOOnM2uByfQtvbcuisr/s320/donald.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monument Photos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>3. Food</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mini Mars Bars, Haribo and Chedds Nibbles were the order of the day (the latter two come in small easy to swallow pieces!), supported by rice pudding, custard, a couple of SIS gels, coke, Red Bull (Beinglas) and Starbucks Espresso Shot (Inversnaid). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, and a wee snifter of Macallan, shared with Dario at the most beautiful part of the route. I used Tailwind throughout (diluting it more as the day went on), and managed to keep eating and drinking regularly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>4. Marshals and support</u></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgCcp6mqfKa4YuWUxyN_GXVkyczoDYBt-f7mcWm0ZfLA_Gd69SQwimo363oDDIqn7vb73GdQ9rBX7Bx_t6QQh7sm9HDDsR8FfjYv5xb9XYXWxY2xL1P-PfNXYvkDiXxZqNHOWyos5WUqo/s1600/mars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgCcp6mqfKa4YuWUxyN_GXVkyczoDYBt-f7mcWm0ZfLA_Gd69SQwimo363oDDIqn7vb73GdQ9rBX7Bx_t6QQh7sm9HDDsR8FfjYv5xb9XYXWxY2xL1P-PfNXYvkDiXxZqNHOWyos5WUqo/s320/mars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beinglas Marshals (Photo by Ally Thomson)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kind words and a helping hand go a long way. Having someone at the checkpoints who knows what it's like and instinctively takes your bottles to fill them, opens your drop bag and stuffs things into your pack, opens your cans/packets and feeds you stuff makes all the difference when you're starting to lose real thought. Sometimes it's too easy to not know what you want and just leave it and move on, resulting in flagging energy which is hard to resolve. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These folk make the race - Caroline Strain, a friend who was at Inversnaid with the Wee County team, and the girl at Beinglas (who's name I don't know) in particular made a big difference in getting me swiftly on my way. I tried hard to not fanny around at the check-points this year - even sacrificing on several planned 'hugs' along the way (sorry Helen in particular!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>5. Kit choices</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I chose my kit well, and packed relatively light (for me!), ensuring I had the mandatory phone and bivvy bag (step up from the required foil blanket). Just as well, given Stan was doing kit checks on the killer stairs after Sallochy, and I hear there were some disqualifications! Quite right too - these items are not listed for a joke and could save lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't over-dress on the start line as it was already fairly mild (and the day did warm up quite a lot), and even having taken my arms sleeves off after Balmaha, I didn't struggle with the conditions, even during a few showers of rain. The only improvement I could have made was more liberal application of BodyGlide and vaseline....there were a few sore bits in the shower on Saturday night and still today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>6. Following a training plan - it works! Who knew?!</u></b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtK0qKgbmPGeuGu8KbyHLIh5XedHzlrI_mL_zMuKUM8A61snGPD5xWhEUg2rzhbO8dgjwrTf9AGq1DVZcobljsQf6nfPfFU-3F40ZWFM1-lRaCJMKGhJWIBXdyo0Pzr8kY5UimbqDs1Pz/s1600/IMG_4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtK0qKgbmPGeuGu8KbyHLIh5XedHzlrI_mL_zMuKUM8A61snGPD5xWhEUg2rzhbO8dgjwrTf9AGq1DVZcobljsQf6nfPfFU-3F40ZWFM1-lRaCJMKGhJWIBXdyo0Pzr8kY5UimbqDs1Pz/s320/IMG_4035.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conic (by Monument Photos)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being married to a personal trainer has it's benefits....only if you actually listen, and follow the advice. This year, I've been following the plan more diligently, including doing the evil speed-work sessions. These hurt...and they're meant to. They make you tougher, as well as faster, and that strength and suffering (all those times around the Carse in Bridge of Allan) played through yesterday, especially in my final 3 miles, when a random supporter said 'well done lass, you could get sub-11 if you're lucky'. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sub-11?!?!? WT-actual-F?!? While I knew I'd been ahead of target at previous checkpoints, I honesty wasn't looking at my cumulative time, and I'd only occasionally checked that my average pace was in line with getting to 11:30. With 37 minutes to go at that point I knew it would be close. Yes, it's relatively flat for those last 3 miles, however, when you've just done 50 hilly miles and 7,000 ft of climb, and you were suffering with knee pain and the start of cramps coming through 'the roller-coaster', it was always going to hurt. Channeling how I feel in my speed sessions and knowing 'how' to suffer really helped me hit this new target - WOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>7. Cross-training</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've blogged already this year about the hot yoga and the strength training. I've probably bored anyone who would listen, and most of my sports massage clients telling them of the benefits that yoga has made, and combined with my early in the year gym sessions, I've gained muscle, and toned up. I need to find more time to get myself into the gym more often now! I can actually see muscles in my arms for a change!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've also been getting a decent sports massage every 4 weeks without fail - eradicating any early signs of trauma and keeping the muscles fully functioning and relaxed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>8. Making life choices</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now we're getting to the really hard bit. The things that make people think you're a bit weird..... Early to bed, early to rise....making sacrifices to fit training into my life, and turning down nights out (bailing on a work night that included some actual work last week in order to go to bed, while everyone else completed the tasks, and enjoyed some lovely cocktails and food). Cutting back on alcohol, snacking and cakes, and trying to be more organised with food choices. I love food, I love cocktails and prosecco and all bubbles...and cheese. Food is my nemesis (today I'm making up for it!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>9. Self-belief</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's no easy way to get this, and it's a trait most of the time I don't posses. Yesterday something clicked and I thought it was in my grasp - the 11:30 more than what actually happened! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As fortune falls, the same work event above that I bailed on the evening part, we had a motivational speaker - Stuart McInally who plays rugby for Scotland. He uses a quote from Roosevelt in his session - The Man in the Arena, and I found this quite poignant, and due to the recency it stuck in my head throughout the day (well, that and Justin Bieber 'you should go and love yourself', for god only knows what reason!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also needed a big dose of swear words and telling myself to 'F-ing get on with it' when I thought my knee was caving in on the roller-coaster!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>10. Amazing husband</u></b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfLOypYb5fx1JdtPQ-MTYT4OFHQF-dAm-jEeFheb17qafCKIJwzwQW_r8VWDoN22_3PyMJvRm3PjikTTQ_N7r3pxY7SjONFhl_z48-xokT33XLu9JSGM6cTgYEWcF2Y9PbrxBrxB1ag1U/s1600/IMG_4038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfLOypYb5fx1JdtPQ-MTYT4OFHQF-dAm-jEeFheb17qafCKIJwzwQW_r8VWDoN22_3PyMJvRm3PjikTTQ_N7r3pxY7SjONFhl_z48-xokT33XLu9JSGM6cTgYEWcF2Y9PbrxBrxB1ag1U/s320/IMG_4038.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Stuart McFarlane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of this can happen without support. You have to be disciplined and selfish, and this helps if you have someone who understands, who can pick up the pieces, and who knows how to keep them together, not just on race day, but all year round. I was pleased to be able to give Clark something different to worry about yesterday by running great splits that made him worry when I went through Beinglas that he wouldn't make it to the finish in time. Ha ha - that's not a problem we have very often! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it was his face I was looking for </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and his hand I'm holding below)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as I did my final sprint down the red carpet (and he was as emotional as I was!) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He also writes a decent training plan, and does some kick-ass effective PT (for clients and on himself #incredibleshrinkingman)......if only I had time to do more!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSg4lX8Uee7ha4l4cIkAVBGwhpmstyGfQRFVnv319my-ERBy59f38d0oRRIt4VqsYEDF7rl-8peTj2sZ2htEKAsU_TtJOrbvlQj8g6KRHjcy7M8m7aCZNqy5TSmqOdVTZ6VI9ogM-wqKZ/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSg4lX8Uee7ha4l4cIkAVBGwhpmstyGfQRFVnv319my-ERBy59f38d0oRRIt4VqsYEDF7rl-8peTj2sZ2htEKAsU_TtJOrbvlQj8g6KRHjcy7M8m7aCZNqy5TSmqOdVTZ6VI9ogM-wqKZ/s320/IMG_4034.JPG" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Emotional? (Photo by Stuart McFarlane)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, a grand day out, as always, and this year all the sweeter for the massive PB! The training has paid off and I ran more of the route than I ever have, and the climbs, whilst some/most of them still hurt, were definitely 'easier' than I think they ever have been.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">53.2 miles / 7,000 feet ascent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chip time : 10 hours 56 minutes 06 seconds (12:23 min/miles)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drymen 2:05:47 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rowardennan 5:09:16 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beinglas 8:25:31</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finish position 208/681</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Women 33/189</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">F40 Age Category 12/78</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roll on 2018 when I hope to successfully get through the ballot again, and, with my heart hoping for a WHW place next year too, a different plan for #FlingRace2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Johnny Fling, Noanie and everyone who makes this race so special!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-8239018401896614382017-03-22T09:59:00.000-07:002017-03-22T09:59:32.059-07:00This Girl Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhdsz6t1X-SMRv3KfSw60LqxJa0r5-uIaFu9kmFnMlINCGO1oHvqq8yXy8jHxXpps2mJFciQbNejmWKwUV1_yRd9cyDlADi1tqH0W0ze9kQORjS1k2bktEhQGBFD7cfknpego9FsYnmt6/s1600/this-girl-can-logo-300x298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhdsz6t1X-SMRv3KfSw60LqxJa0r5-uIaFu9kmFnMlINCGO1oHvqq8yXy8jHxXpps2mJFciQbNejmWKwUV1_yRd9cyDlADi1tqH0W0ze9kQORjS1k2bktEhQGBFD7cfknpego9FsYnmt6/s200/this-girl-can-logo-300x298.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There was a bit of buzz recently around the #thisgirlcan
campaign and amongst other debates, whether ‘girl’ was an appropriate term to
use for the target audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally,
the campaign resonated with me (and I prefer the use of the word girl to woman
as the latter makes me feel I should be old and sensible) as a representation
of normal/real people doing what they could, and hopefully caring little about
what other (negative) people might think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That latter point is always the hard bit, with so much perceived social
(and often internalised) pressure around looking a certain way, and the
idealistic views of what ‘athletes’ (or females in general) ‘should’ look like.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hard to dismiss these thoughts about ourselves sometimes,
but who are we (or others) to judge on size, shape or anything else, if that
person has the motivation to get out there and do something…to try, and to
persevere……even when there is often no glory (more often blood, snot and tears),
no prizes and very little chance of ever being a podium finisher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They CAN do it…and they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From that latter point however, and I refer back to James
Stewart quite often….go read his story, or listen to his interviews on WHW or
TalkUltra podcasts, and you’ll hear how ‘an overweight NED from Croy’
(paraphrasing something James may have said on occasion) ended up winning the
iconic Rocky Racoon 100 mile race in the USA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe the unperceivable CAN sometimes become a reality.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I digress, and what I really wanted to write about was
the feeling around ‘can’, and trying new things, different things, or
re-visiting in an effort to improve, to adapt, and to over-come feelings or
niggles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OrHllQRwQIugfhperHPh9Xw7jwhNe0QFccDWUrKtYpQwFmpgFyNiawuetYnz0GOCFhHoyozayISVzEySbwWAumVpLnGSY84PtBRYNB1TDxdV8O7B46OA0k4bZTEOcmO_OLo8YGr17p6t/s1600/the_princess_and_the_pea1-300x300_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OrHllQRwQIugfhperHPh9Xw7jwhNe0QFccDWUrKtYpQwFmpgFyNiawuetYnz0GOCFhHoyozayISVzEySbwWAumVpLnGSY84PtBRYNB1TDxdV8O7B46OA0k4bZTEOcmO_OLo8YGr17p6t/s200/the_princess_and_the_pea1-300x300_medium.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many people get injured, or have weaknesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they ask (the jury of social media)
for advice….sometimes they post, but don’t *really* want advice…inevitably they
get it anyway, and then dispute as a way to deflect what is often viable advice
(to be fair, often can be a lot of tosh too).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve a number of these niggles, from past lives and mis-adventures, and
one of the things I’m trying to focus on this year is to stop avoiding these,
as essentially these could be the pea under the mattress that derails my
potential, and sees me miss my goal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s a lot of ‘can’t’ flying around: ‘I can’t do that, my
XYZ won’t’…and I’ve often been in that camp too…my medial ligament in my right knee
being one target of such comments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
in the mindset that this weakness, caused by historic injury, put me off
certain things in the gym – I avoided squats, lunges and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year that’s not acceptable, and I’m picking
these exercises off, little by little, back to basics with no/low weights, less
depth, fewer reps….and I’m already reaping the benefits and see progress where
once I thought there could be none.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
knee CAN do these, and CAN get stronger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Focusing on a more holistic approach (yes, I’m going to talk
yoga again), and again, stretching and strength, balance and stability that
comes with regular practise, and approaching with a learning mindset (you can’t
expect to just get ‘into’ something new and be a guru, or even be that good at
much of it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is also seeing the
rewards come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no quick fix, and
there’s always more work to be done. It won’t happen at once, there are no
quick fixes, and you have to listen to your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tease it, challenge it positively…and it will
reward you with the gains. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s not just about a relentless focus on that one specific stress
area either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rewards come from training
the rest of the body to function efficiently…core strength, mental capacity,
upper body strength (anyone ever get sore arms after a long run?!), and there
are so many elements we CAN influence and CAN improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good things rarely come by chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us have to work for it (or we all do
at some point…even those more blessed will face a time where they too will have
to adapt and change, to improve, or often just to continue.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So take a look at what you are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you avoiding and hoping weak areas will
pass unnoticed, or go away over time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What can you do to address them now and improve your physical or mental
well-being?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you seek treatment by
way of physio or sports massage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you
try a new class or cross-train?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can a PT
or coach or buddy help you look at things differently?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And where you think you have no time to
train/stretch your body or mind, can you get up earlier, take a lunch break or
can you fit something in between chores or TV in the evenings or weekends?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nothing is beyond you, you CAN and should give it a try!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygNIQ8jWILoXxfZ7cHogFolQbj4pUQLbIU7f4Ev5d9os00Y9UolUDBWmfzUo3J_zW8UHL3bH8JOHSwN01qJvwbVmzGA1iNMLezoodkdKEzgAFw5rHbrpJsYwfne9dZOrI7mObhuREWHYE/s1600/c5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygNIQ8jWILoXxfZ7cHogFolQbj4pUQLbIU7f4Ev5d9os00Y9UolUDBWmfzUo3J_zW8UHL3bH8JOHSwN01qJvwbVmzGA1iNMLezoodkdKEzgAFw5rHbrpJsYwfne9dZOrI7mObhuREWHYE/s320/c5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-64566280259159545202017-02-24T08:11:00.000-08:002017-02-24T08:11:33.211-08:00Being Led Astray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvakgsJjGDNfZmdnMNAXYlvYBW0_6tRgB2wTmxVdoPzqmC1hefeuYzWCAX9aaYubKimkVe32cSVZLMAFm-W5jhs3cQq_XXvlQ031gNYpjqmXy6AX1fj2Uqzx0Vj3ntUVbTAx6844KH4l2d/s1600/astray.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvakgsJjGDNfZmdnMNAXYlvYBW0_6tRgB2wTmxVdoPzqmC1hefeuYzWCAX9aaYubKimkVe32cSVZLMAFm-W5jhs3cQq_XXvlQ031gNYpjqmXy6AX1fj2Uqzx0Vj3ntUVbTAx6844KH4l2d/s200/astray.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a wee Google for quotes about being led astray and the one on the right appealed. Interestingly there were also a few about 'looking for scapegoats'....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, it's been one of those weeks where I've allowed myself to be diverted from the fairly strong focus I have had, with the distraction of a couple of lovely days away on Islay, being immersed in the wonders of Bowmore and Laphroaig malt whiskies....along with some fine food, and rather more sugar and caffeine than an average week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9iBGrMhGRvEB497cLNNqpewj3KnECjFJwGG_-vA9cAtrLtc52BAVCE4bHk9J05H7-q-IfZ7qXlM99L4vGIBhMc4ot7qzyueTGAfg2Lf01nb8-Vw5-iTVsSHk63Kf1KQMs5w59qwTcoZ/s1600/aaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9iBGrMhGRvEB497cLNNqpewj3KnECjFJwGG_-vA9cAtrLtc52BAVCE4bHk9J05H7-q-IfZ7qXlM99L4vGIBhMc4ot7qzyueTGAfg2Lf01nb8-Vw5-iTVsSHk63Kf1KQMs5w59qwTcoZ/s320/aaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">It's always a challenge with these events, and while I managed to resist too much alcohol, the sweeties took a bit of a battering.....'calories on "holiday" don't count'.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And I did manage a couple of short training runs while I was there, much to the amusement of my colleagues (one of these involved going down the wrong track, ending up on a pebble beach in a downpour, and my headtorch packing in....)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFEbCxevtjPS4L4RU5BOqQ7tatxFGemmKGH758yyic2a-IsQCAqSEWoA4FuADcgxV8QXlHqNK-i_zNZVov162fZDMUqSBRV-AIr1TJHa1MDVpVnPigTk7n-wiBYa5o3hWt9QA2jCiWq6/s1600/aaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFEbCxevtjPS4L4RU5BOqQ7tatxFGemmKGH758yyic2a-IsQCAqSEWoA4FuADcgxV8QXlHqNK-i_zNZVov162fZDMUqSBRV-AIr1TJHa1MDVpVnPigTk7n-wiBYa5o3hWt9QA2jCiWq6/s320/aaa.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hopefully I can remedy the indulgences, as, although training has been lighter as it's a semi-taper week, it is RACE week......with Glentress marathon tomorrow! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Last year I ran it in just under 6 hours, and it's a tough old shift (and it was jolly cold, icy etc), with some challenging climbs and descents (1,500m of ascent in total across a 2 lap course). It will be an interesting test tomorrow, although I'm not sure how my pace will compare. I don't want to end up broken or needing several days/week recovery, so I'll be taking that into account as I scamper round the trails optimistically.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm half looking forward to it, and the chance to catch up with friends....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Race report next week!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-59751963595975695622017-02-17T07:00:00.002-08:002017-02-17T07:00:21.895-08:00Go Compare......Don't!
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR6R9-AFtH2jYWM6ODfYoL0An0mMrvLE4I7xqYr7_cq6e1ogP19Etx0bqt43kuv8528ZAQuCYksF56F44qUsGsCd5LkREXnMT9iqy2v88d-W2akaAQE7pvUqQMxBtfmbqMxbdXCBpQVsf/s1600/compare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR6R9-AFtH2jYWM6ODfYoL0An0mMrvLE4I7xqYr7_cq6e1ogP19Etx0bqt43kuv8528ZAQuCYksF56F44qUsGsCd5LkREXnMT9iqy2v88d-W2akaAQE7pvUqQMxBtfmbqMxbdXCBpQVsf/s320/compare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s that time of year where everyone is ramping up their
training and going all out to post on social media about how good (mostly) or
bad it is going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strava links appear on
Facebook in abundance with ‘check out my run which I did while you were sitting
slouched at your desk drinking coffee and trying hard to resist the pile of
sweeties in the snack trough!’ and ‘look at me grinning atop the latest peak I have
summited’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(BTW, I know I’m prone to
posts of a similar nature!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u0NZSFpX9CTxWSkBqXZYpn_IejehJ_eJ4RM12KNDKuoELjcPllYxUBBW3t5FBdE-bFDb_xui4S7Ni-hOyzb8AzFljawIR6sHeCX0FTb2aqPMOAHEBmCXk5U87O20Bsq0So9WfF9tk4IZ/s1600/control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8u0NZSFpX9CTxWSkBqXZYpn_IejehJ_eJ4RM12KNDKuoELjcPllYxUBBW3t5FBdE-bFDb_xui4S7Ni-hOyzb8AzFljawIR6sHeCX0FTb2aqPMOAHEBmCXk5U87O20Bsq0So9WfF9tk4IZ/s200/control.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve probably blogged about this before, maybe often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see a number of people getting caught up in
this again this year with ‘OMG, you’re doing loads more miles/ascent/lifting
than I am’.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Control what you can control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They are not you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will not be running your race for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not live your life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvHJzHNunEw7S6IU_hMi_5qVdNKgyc7lEUxs_5CLH9xeGZTt97YlMZFwc_oppq2nWZJM603Zjn65jDkZPRAnLJI16dyw2qWjsz3NwTdpF_Pkuhn09MaMOMx6KDDU_l36Ja9YdlcpNeEv/s1600/hill2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvHJzHNunEw7S6IU_hMi_5qVdNKgyc7lEUxs_5CLH9xeGZTt97YlMZFwc_oppq2nWZJM603Zjn65jDkZPRAnLJI16dyw2qWjsz3NwTdpF_Pkuhn09MaMOMx6KDDU_l36Ja9YdlcpNeEv/s320/hill2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Killer Hill' (Blackford) <br />
Pic by Clark Hamilton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">They’ll have their own challenges to contend with, and maybe
while you are out at the weekend tearing up the heather, they are working, or
doing night-shifts, or dealing with their respective families and ‘other
commitments’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While you’re getting up at
the crack of dawn, they are still sleeping off their bottle of wine and
fajita-fest from the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
may not have posted for a few weeks as they’ve been sick…but you’ve not noticed
that…you just hone in on their ‘come back’ AMAZING jaunt up Conic Hill, and it
puts the fear right into you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focus on
being a better you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fit what you can, as
best you can, into your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plan and
prepare (training and food)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re
hurt or under-the-weather, think about what else you can do instead of your ‘usual’
(be that 30, 40 or 100 miles a week).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
fight through viruses that will wipe you out for weeks or months.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stay positive and focused! Adapt, change, deliver!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-18853242757945031792017-02-16T05:48:00.001-08:002017-02-16T05:48:52.271-08:00Feeling the Heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcM4uXixXRqw5mfDjREt2CAzky2rdhccTxUSK8P5N-KFVHeysIiuBCTJxhVGPEG2PVvpw0iX9kL8xh22YZ6LizGG2AjnLk8-8KdVlaOoIKA3F0pwYFaU8XDie4cVuYNq7Qs14wbuXuY9_/s1600/feel-the-heat-club-mix_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcM4uXixXRqw5mfDjREt2CAzky2rdhccTxUSK8P5N-KFVHeysIiuBCTJxhVGPEG2PVvpw0iX9kL8xh22YZ6LizGG2AjnLk8-8KdVlaOoIKA3F0pwYFaU8XDie4cVuYNq7Qs14wbuXuY9_/s1600/feel-the-heat-club-mix_large.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As part of my renewed vigour this year, I was keen to ensure
I was putting enough emphasis on training elements that weren’t just all about
running…a long way…slowly.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being married to a PT is a blessing a curse…Clark tells me a
lot of good things (about how to train better and smarter), and I haven’t
always acted on them, despite wholeheartedly agreeing with (most of) them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Doing what I’ve done before, won’t necessarily get me where
I want to go.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So…what can I do differently…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Aside from the obvious focus on eating less crap, drinking
more water…I’m making a conscious effort to get back into Pilates and do
regular hot yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been a fan of
Pilates for many years (still totally missing the guru that is <a href="http://gillwebster.com/" target="_blank">Gill Webster</a>)
and have joined a local class (in Braco Church Hall (man is it cold in there
some weeks)) and gone back to basics with a bunch of middle aged locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knew that the basic moves could ‘hurt’ so
much two days later when you really focus on doing them ‘right’, having been
out of practice for the best part of a year…!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks <a href="http://www.gipilates.com/" target="_blank">Gi</a>, it’s definitely working!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7faTRbPJIQh3fKR-4_wyXEJLFFXRtlZY_UnYm0MKdb9__Rn2ofb4Emv42cOpkx1xGaImkb2ffbrYHWlfNFkltqowagSt5VDWa10CjEPAhUgVgK51laL_U_YLhUY_k4h_n1aa3CwB4hjuF/s1600/heatfitness.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7faTRbPJIQh3fKR-4_wyXEJLFFXRtlZY_UnYm0MKdb9__Rn2ofb4Emv42cOpkx1xGaImkb2ffbrYHWlfNFkltqowagSt5VDWa10CjEPAhUgVgK51laL_U_YLhUY_k4h_n1aa3CwB4hjuF/s1600/heatfitness.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Having previously been a doubter of yoga (did a class with a
load of old ladies years ago and it was proper dull!), at the end of last year
I found some ‘pop up’ hot yoga classes, being run in Bridge of Allan, by Jack
and Jules from <a href="http://heatfitness.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">Heat Fitness</a>, back in the UK after a life in Aus (or something
like that…not my story to tell!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I gave
it a try and loved it…despite being significantly challenged by my lack of
balance (see previous posts about falling over a lot!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skip forward a couple of months, and having found it hard to
make the BofA Friday evening class often enough, Heat finally got their studio
at Springkerse opened, and with a cracking “£20 for 20 days” introductory offer,
it would be rude not to try and make this work!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first time you go into ‘the box’ (actually a fairly big
room), the heat is immense (38-40 degrees celcius) and you wonder how you will
ever be able to do anything useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
do get used to it after a few minutes, and start to get all the benefits it
brings – for me in particular the appeal was around driving increased length
and flexibility into my muscles, to offset all the pounding the running brings,
and the potential to help prevent injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are a number of other benefits quoted (see the website for more!),
and the more I attend (trying to commit to the 0630 class at least once a week),
the more I feel these develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combined
with my other training, things are definitely starting to take shape!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few observations:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s not all skinny hippy-types doing yoga,
there’s a broad cross-section of society – men, women, national athletes to the
other extremes, and everything in between…and don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll
be ‘better’ at it than some more generously proportioned or “old” people….(and don’t
be put off by the svelte, skinny people!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Listening is key – there are few demo’s, part of
the training is to focus on the dialogue and move accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a couple of moves I’m still
struggling with where to fixate my gaze (and consistently ignore Jules request
to stare forwards at my outstretched fingers…but I know she’s right and that’s
what I should do….)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s sweaty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first class, I looked around as a river of perspiration cascade off
my head whilst doing ‘Standing Bow’ (or something similar), wondering if
everyone else had the same going on….turns out they did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Two towels are best…one for your mat and one
to mop your brow!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s a great workout – the calorie burn is good
(yes, I’ve been wearing my Garmin), and there’s definitely significant strength
gains to be made....and DOMS to be felt a couple of days later!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There’s no chanting, or funny ‘ommmmmmm’ noises
(hurrah!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You’re allowed to hydrate during the class (a
couple of folk have asked!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t moisturise your hands/feet the night
before….this makes grabbing your feet/ankles during some of the balancing
postures a bigger challenge than it already is!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When you’ve tried it, you’ll want to do it
again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve recommended to several
people and most of them are now devoted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It takes a while to stop sweating afterwards…even
post-shower…..cue me driving to work in a vest in the middle of winter so I can
get dressed and do make up at the office sweat free!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;">100% feel great afterwards…and now miss it when I’ve
not been!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only it were closer, and I had
more hours in the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So hopefully you'll get the idea that I'm quite enjoying this new element to my training, and it's something I hope to continue throughout the year. I'm sure the heat adaptation will do me good for the sunnier climes of Chamonix later in the year!</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-46914794585119381222017-02-03T13:20:00.000-08:002017-02-03T13:20:18.931-08:00Oooops, I did it again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfy4jhkpmSoV30spCwPd_Kvwvm9n4m9SNiAhMuyAGCbppIv7I5MknwUmI7TLnDDC-WmwLPMFGZBkJwG1uwhHUgYe28MLsl7vDr3pkIFN2tbvSJ39WJrRtEsn2mfCoKHnrMSZj2PmYnIVC/s1600/mr-bump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfy4jhkpmSoV30spCwPd_Kvwvm9n4m9SNiAhMuyAGCbppIv7I5MknwUmI7TLnDDC-WmwLPMFGZBkJwG1uwhHUgYe28MLsl7vDr3pkIFN2tbvSJ39WJrRtEsn2mfCoKHnrMSZj2PmYnIVC/s320/mr-bump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ah well, maybe that's the falling out of the way for the year?! I certainly hope so!</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eKxnNbvoFkgU37x3zuPEboC1EYe2nsa4hebePm0JOKD-G1-J31UjUrb_iTaYLIEegNhkn3GM5piKB02I-cahXS_B21LDt9vjXIWuQGethLEx-WMFB8xjXxpzg3mOXyNXW2wrWnV89Fta/s1600/knees3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eKxnNbvoFkgU37x3zuPEboC1EYe2nsa4hebePm0JOKD-G1-J31UjUrb_iTaYLIEegNhkn3GM5piKB02I-cahXS_B21LDt9vjXIWuQGethLEx-WMFB8xjXxpzg3mOXyNXW2wrWnV89Fta/s320/knees3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by John Kynaston / WHW Race Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It was the annual West Highland Way race January training weekend last weekend, and always a great opportunity to catch up with a big group of lovely people, run on the best trail in Scotland, and have a good scoff at the Oak Tree Inn, who are not averse to hosting a bunch of sweaty ultra runners in various states of joy, despair, sobriety and drunkenness!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My plan was to join on the Saturday and do a 20 mile out and back. The 'full' run is 30 miles to Inversnaid and back, but I've not done that distance in January for a few years, and felt that 20 would be plenty for this weekend. I was going to be running with Carol, which meant good company for the day, and an opportunity to explore 'the low road' which I hadn't yet been on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was also mostly planning to take the van, and stay over, if the run went well, and the lure of chat and a wee glass of wine got the better of me....</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIltqVAgi-nStTCFHMI_5r-XQwhTT3vZYCoRyUQOqF23HhL_jBBr2Sp47xcSKhdrskbyuKQBumDKoaf5KdmBXeRcH4XsU_TWCgBxUMhqlHHNwl3oQC-hBqZPoV5xQKWDXVuJBoF1q9g9p/s1600/knees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIltqVAgi-nStTCFHMI_5r-XQwhTT3vZYCoRyUQOqF23HhL_jBBr2Sp47xcSKhdrskbyuKQBumDKoaf5KdmBXeRcH4XsU_TWCgBxUMhqlHHNwl3oQC-hBqZPoV5xQKWDXVuJBoF1q9g9p/s320/knees.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have pretty knees at the best of times</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">However......this happened.....(I do wish I'd picked that bit of skin off my left knee before the pic.....)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After a lovely 11 miles out to cover most of the low road - which is lovely, and has some interesting steps and climbs on it, and is much more in keeping with the true feel of the further lochside path....covered mainly with Carol, and chats with others, including Lorna and Kirsteen, who had run Rowardennan to Millarochy to join us...we ventured on the return, and just shy of Rowardennan....BOOM....down I went!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'd had a few stumbles earlier in the day, so it shouldn't have come as much surprise. And boy, did this one sting!!</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both knees, both thighs, both forearms (somehow my brain told my body to not put my hands out to save me)....and luckily not my face (Carol's first question! Mine was 'have I smashed my Garmin??'). Carol was a great first responder and made sure I didn't get up too soon, and that nothing was hanging off.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk10crlI7FNxK8MSLom8mLXjd_I58uCRMqx6aKURbpKSjfIMTF5q3as5_r2hXQ-hhf3nH1uLUB-ZCNE7rTQyrt_ovjCuFOih3I-zT_HRx2Mi8rq0e8gk5HoPZLOb4VEnq6z5vRw6XmYiwx/s1600/knees1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk10crlI7FNxK8MSLom8mLXjd_I58uCRMqx6aKURbpKSjfIMTF5q3as5_r2hXQ-hhf3nH1uLUB-ZCNE7rTQyrt_ovjCuFOih3I-zT_HRx2Mi8rq0e8gk5HoPZLOb4VEnq6z5vRw6XmYiwx/s320/knees1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I managed to get up (with Carol using her unbroken collarbone side to help me), I had a rush of blurred vision and nausea and needed support to walk along a short while to a big rock, where we could administer some paracetamol and get some big gloves (by this point I was proper Baltic!). Carol phoned Lorna to come rescue me, and I felt ok-ish to start walking for a few minutes, and then an adrenaline fuelled shuffle. Come Sallochy, and Lorna wasn't quite there, so I opted to push on (feeling super guilty for wasting Lorna's time (however she managed to rescue someone else later, so not a totally lost cause)).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Made it back, to complete 22 lovely miles! And straight into the Oak Tree for a seat by the fire, and big cup of coffee (thanks Julie, I owe you one!), and then remembered my emergency £10 and got some soup, while Laura (first aider) checked out the bleeding knees (another ruined pair of XBionic tights :-(). Decided I wasn't dying, nor did I need antiseptic scrubbing! After a shower (thanks Helen), and the challenge of getting into my skinny jeans(!) Sean also checked me out when he got back from sweeping, and we decided, other than having had my second set of painkillers too soon, I was ok to drive home (I was still feeling a bit puggled and needing a rest with my feet up!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh0V7vB5YKrgYVqtg5N_EZfm3DBB3NbyJ8Zn8wj3KVJkWGY9RrhYjQOawpMqMOUnMzB26do6khyphenhyphenIOX4Q7t3XtPU7ydrdQBkS9gfEnV1kTfvS0jaHe2G4IVikCONxH1rHhLrxoYQtICCRp/s1600/knees2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh0V7vB5YKrgYVqtg5N_EZfm3DBB3NbyJ8Zn8wj3KVJkWGY9RrhYjQOawpMqMOUnMzB26do6khyphenhyphenIOX4Q7t3XtPU7ydrdQBkS9gfEnV1kTfvS0jaHe2G4IVikCONxH1rHhLrxoYQtICCRp/s320/knees2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 days of rest...Sunday and Monday suffering extremely pounding head (we think there was some concussion), Tuesday a little more 'normal', so back to some training on Wednesday with hot yoga before work (postures involving kneeling were a bit of a challenge) and a short, flat run after work...decided there is not material damage, and with arnica pills, massaging with arnica lotion, and taking care, I will focus on getting on with it. There's nothing else for it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thinking about my gait on today's run, I think I have a bit of a roll out on my right foot, probably from the historic medial ligament damage, weak adductors, tight IT, probably some glute issues.....aaaah, plenty to work on then! Plenty of time to make progress, and I've treated myself to some shiny new Hoka Speedgoats...just in case!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">More another day..... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-35097266115197473362017-01-26T12:19:00.003-08:002017-01-26T12:19:26.688-08:00Embracing the power of positivity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcrsW6JsHd50CawoiKS4hTYGp3tnch0B7_0tzcBZx-Di5VYg8bFn6QBTz-6Uq0yxg_NqJT9kdLIoOJgwIBffXVb7Scsai3dsj4gIPtiDWMEGZpG4vNJVu5_VYsonKJFOSW0Tf-QVod0FZ/s1600/budda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcrsW6JsHd50CawoiKS4hTYGp3tnch0B7_0tzcBZx-Di5VYg8bFn6QBTz-6Uq0yxg_NqJT9kdLIoOJgwIBffXVb7Scsai3dsj4gIPtiDWMEGZpG4vNJVu5_VYsonKJFOSW0Tf-QVod0FZ/s320/budda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been an exciting start to the year, with that all important CCC place secured for August. Having this goal now confirmed has set the cogs firmly in motion and now it's all about that journey, being focused on how I will achieve it, staying positive and surrounding myself with as many positive people as I can! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes, there was the lurgy, the 'bad' run at Arrochar, and yes, there are some ongoing injuries and imbalances to address, but a wise man posted on social media last night about busting through those 'limits', and that's exactly where my head is at! Constantly working on how to train whilst not compromising health or weak points, and building the strength to overcome! Be that through training, or better nutrition decisions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've kick started the year with similar gusto to last year - Garmin records a similar activity and run count (slightly higher mileage this year) and a shift from several Versaclimber sessions into Hot Yoga and Pilates...along with slightly more strength and conditioning sessions in the gym! Taking action on the points I knew I needed to address....I do still need to start building those Versaclimber sessions back in.....somewhere!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">There's plenty more to blog about, when time permits.....I've a whole heap to say about last weekend's fabulous 'Glee Club' Feshiebridge weekender and my first jaunt on the Burma Road, my journey with hot yoga, and the joys of back to basics with pilates. Not to mention some deadlift, chest press and squat PBs! And some weight loss to boot!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">For now - happy days, happy training, early alarm calls and a 'just get the f*** on with it' positive attitude! Do what's right to get you where you want to be!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And here's some happy photos...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSJPO67brUVMNHrM-e0DnBFbDDl9qYqikFVoIe22KAM0sEUtOqTDXaxhaFoUhpIh4qzexqAcxCuUAYb2oUnqRdLUM7oUAWgHQ7d2At87VJiNsJDzKjPlYDX0aItLIccSxSFadiPiZuYDU/s1600/Feshie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSJPO67brUVMNHrM-e0DnBFbDDl9qYqikFVoIe22KAM0sEUtOqTDXaxhaFoUhpIh4qzexqAcxCuUAYb2oUnqRdLUM7oUAWgHQ7d2At87VJiNsJDzKjPlYDX0aItLIccSxSFadiPiZuYDU/s320/Feshie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol, Lorna, Dawn, Me<br />
At the "Secret Trig"</td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY28E_x23Z6EWPd2Slsr5C1QVdwWiHLz_0RCDWvyEBvZrEfFj7T3W19lMTU6wy72TtZ4QgTsFqASdn-cBqx4xgSVvEl4ijAF6t467jiClhG37yYUlKgdYoHum8x5zk3RjiqFURBIk66EP/s1600/Sherrup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpY28E_x23Z6EWPd2Slsr5C1QVdwWiHLz_0RCDWvyEBvZrEfFj7T3W19lMTU6wy72TtZ4QgTsFqASdn-cBqx4xgSVvEl4ijAF6t467jiClhG37yYUlKgdYoHum8x5zk3RjiqFURBIk66EP/s320/Sherrup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing in snowy Glen Sherrup</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRczDNhY8kUfIyv9wso6Hc5xRz_3yERk0Qh0fX6mfpy8POK7xPhyphenhyphenVsU3-xr0yKylK1XN69wNrrRQX7iz0AOQnD1VSgATNm954ctUdN-0ajxjzXRrDTsEOWue9kVdgWdYDcCPD92oQjSVL/s1600/Gleea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRczDNhY8kUfIyv9wso6Hc5xRz_3yERk0Qh0fX6mfpy8POK7xPhyphenhyphenVsU3-xr0yKylK1XN69wNrrRQX7iz0AOQnD1VSgATNm954ctUdN-0ajxjzXRrDTsEOWue9kVdgWdYDcCPD92oQjSVL/s320/Gleea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Burma Road, Aviemore <br />
Glee Feshie Weekender</td></tr>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-89691426563993015002017-01-01T03:41:00.000-08:002017-01-01T03:41:07.289-08:00Do run run run.....the Marcothon...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to capture all the random 'poems' I've been writing as I work my way through the Marcothon for 2016...and successfully manage to achieve the running (minimum 3 miles, or 25 minutes every day in December)...and have written some variation of a rhyme each day...with questionable levels of success...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1LAwD8jCFI8BkxUmqmLLemhdfRcppoyCUBWKSMFyPUS0kcHXak0pXmws5hfZ6Z1dDPqWvmi1Rdt9sCcqmm87e4e6ZT7JwVMcDppH-ocbBJ-H6Hr5uqdtVCtxmc1l86xJF5OlIO15ZYtj/s1600/Craigellachie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1LAwD8jCFI8BkxUmqmLLemhdfRcppoyCUBWKSMFyPUS0kcHXak0pXmws5hfZ6Z1dDPqWvmi1Rdt9sCcqmm87e4e6ZT7JwVMcDppH-ocbBJ-H6Hr5uqdtVCtxmc1l86xJF5OlIO15ZYtj/s320/Craigellachie.jpg" width="256" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 1</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Marcothon has just begun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And I've no excuses not to run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">On holiday in Aviemore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So getting it done was not a chore!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With many lovely trails to choose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">After an extra long-lie snooze</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To Craigellachie we did go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Looking for the falcon, which was a no show!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 1 is done, it's in the bag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And now on Facebook we're all quick to brag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Not every day will be such fun?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But we will get all 31 done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3.1 miles at Craigellachie Crags)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 2</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The holiday's over</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But we'd time to spare</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To grab a last gasp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Of fresh highland air</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A quick wee blast on the Speyside Way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Is a lovely start to any day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Thankfully it's starting to rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So going home's not such a pain!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4 miles on Speyside Way)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTt16WZtKDsuFxKmV3JOgiETpXlVzccDT3kPFiFAvGMvBQfslzqkQFWs661FFw8KPe8zkDERtME95oA_fKuqLdUxU70fRZqavpbzITvJjt5HRMMSa0EXReYd6GUmvkoSGJPDFOq0Jq0rU/s1600/chicken-fajitas-horiz-a-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTt16WZtKDsuFxKmV3JOgiETpXlVzccDT3kPFiFAvGMvBQfslzqkQFWs661FFw8KPe8zkDERtME95oA_fKuqLdUxU70fRZqavpbzITvJjt5HRMMSa0EXReYd6GUmvkoSGJPDFOq0Jq0rU/s320/chicken-fajitas-horiz-a-1200.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 3</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 3, and into the hills we went</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up above the cloud, time well spent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Trying to keep steady momentum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To burn off the fajitas in my tum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My knees were sore both up and down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">After falling off my mountain bike like a clown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I never seem to stay upright</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Even when I try with all my might</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I thought of those less fortunate than me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Who haven't discovered the running glee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To clear the mind and free the head</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My motivation to get out of bed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.8 miles Blairdennon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 4</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A hangover run, there's always one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Bu the Marcothon still has to be run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A fresh sunny blast up Killer Hill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Wearing my shorts, so my legs they did chill!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The sun shone brightly in my eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But my legs kept moving, much to my surprise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Now it's time for the sofa, some tea and a nap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And to catch up on last nights tv...I bet it's crap!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another short one for day 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With 1000 ft of climb, well, just a little bit more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another green tick on the Marcothon chart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Getting this off to a pretty good start!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.2 miles at Blackford)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 5</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">These are the hard ones, in the dark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Getting up before the lark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Rewarded though with a nice sunrise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With the hills set on fie before our eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cold and crisp beneath our feet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">No sign of black ice, what a treat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Just a short trip to Braco park</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Me, Cori dog, and hubby Clark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Last day of work, gotta go back tomorrow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So going for a spa day to ease the sorrow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And then it'll be back to the grind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Analysing booze sales at Christmas time!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.4 miles - Braco Castle Loop Short)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWG11ZFHo_6HmgR4T5PU1UlDocwmCrPoqR0WB0vf-_ZAE4h2FwSRV7t0tkNUn2hALIaRLPXJAuYMCsPZWwrRZ-MkMTm3Q5dGBpOpbcl4t5i29xEYB7voTAuh5xS5knKte6zLUHLzXVl-X/s1600/HillRepeats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWG11ZFHo_6HmgR4T5PU1UlDocwmCrPoqR0WB0vf-_ZAE4h2FwSRV7t0tkNUn2hALIaRLPXJAuYMCsPZWwrRZ-MkMTm3Q5dGBpOpbcl4t5i29xEYB7voTAuh5xS5knKte6zLUHLzXVl-X/s200/HillRepeats.jpg" width="150" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 6</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 6 and to another place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I attempted to inject small bursts of pace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ended up confusing Cori dog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And being scared of imaginary people hiding in the fog!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The run was done and time to spare</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Ten minutes to stretch and do press ups off the chair</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The dog has it easy, he's off back to bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And I've got to go into work instead!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.6 miles intervals on Sheriffmuir Road)</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 7</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Managed to leave the dog in bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And went out on my own instead</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tried to keep a steady pace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Working on my fitness base</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A fasted run, it's hard to smile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">When you've nothing left in the last half mile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Into a head wind, up a hill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Why can't you lose fat by popping a pill?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My bad knee buckled on the last bend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Luckily my better knee is on the mend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I stayed upright and carried on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And to Taylor Swift kept singing along!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Home now and the dog's not chuffed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He came downstairs and huffed and puffed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He'll get a run later with his 'dad'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So hopefully he's not too sad!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(5.8 miles - Braco Castle Loop)</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 8</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A lack of sleep, too much awake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Does not a sprightly runner make</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Feeling a bit tired and jaded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The alarm I snoozed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But the ringing never faded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxywm58WbLNgG5D_5rG4U0z919nVitPDWeLH_NL69DoorBGXbZB1nSW6dThqMjvpoDWd4PZuNCvKZ00cM_nT7nwZGSiCDkbCHkq1EYbMKGkt9yIgtc9nEH2pstDJYwPhXteyXFP9NAtr_/s1600/edin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxywm58WbLNgG5D_5rG4U0z919nVitPDWeLH_NL69DoorBGXbZB1nSW6dThqMjvpoDWd4PZuNCvKZ00cM_nT7nwZGSiCDkbCHkq1EYbMKGkt9yIgtc9nEH2pstDJYwPhXteyXFP9NAtr_/s320/edin.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Clark Hamilton Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Shorts, t-shirt - it's warm out there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And I've messed up my 'brand new' hair!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another few miles to the shop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Means the Marcothon we've not stopped!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3.3 miles to Braco)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 9</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With Christmas lights still glistening in my head</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Once again it was time to get out of bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A German bratty in my tum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Meant I'd no excuses not to run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Returning to a familiar trail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up to the Cattle Grid, I would not fail</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The headwind up was pretty tough</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But Cori dog and I are made of stronger stuff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Steady back down, tail wind instead</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My hair like Lois noodles blowing round my head</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A smoothie to make and then work to be done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 9 complete of the Marcothon fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.7 miles Cattle Grid, Sheriffmuir)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D3toWECj53Gz90LOypk0s8qdNSGUYNXfDOpuerMWG_IlTOnBgu7YsWRfzW6pQWR1mm1jeMH44i7zxyomkD4Zk5v9Agddpnumzn9ZERae15SRztJDjfSY1JjMFyPcwDwrrAAblM9WBetj/s1600/10dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6D3toWECj53Gz90LOypk0s8qdNSGUYNXfDOpuerMWG_IlTOnBgu7YsWRfzW6pQWR1mm1jeMH44i7zxyomkD4Zk5v9Agddpnumzn9ZERae15SRztJDjfSY1JjMFyPcwDwrrAAblM9WBetj/s320/10dec.jpg" width="256" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 10</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Was great to get up in the hills</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">For sunshine and some windy thrills</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The wind was blowing with such might</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">At times it was hard to stay upright!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up and along some Ochil tops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Just one other runner did we spot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another 9 miles on the log</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">At least 3 of those were through the bog!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Today the knees were a bit jaded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">On some of the downhills I felt a bit faded</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tomorrow we will need to see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">If the rest of the Marcothon is to be!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(8.8 miles Glen Sherrup)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 11</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2ZFtP6qwrw5ZACspnqjSLaOS5sgLFRyzFiAlmXDc_gfEvDqn3UL2DlnZmf2AfXq1CnwgP8K7Fv-mpn5HsV_g-S3p6WdAcO6amPoODEBB_hWvk8YcQnCGJmz4XUNIfWICSncXfLwQVUz9/s1600/7+dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2ZFtP6qwrw5ZACspnqjSLaOS5sgLFRyzFiAlmXDc_gfEvDqn3UL2DlnZmf2AfXq1CnwgP8K7Fv-mpn5HsV_g-S3p6WdAcO6amPoODEBB_hWvk8YcQnCGJmz4XUNIfWICSncXfLwQVUz9/s320/7+dec.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">An easy run thru the woods today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">After a long-lie, well it is Sunday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We kicked thru leaves and slipped and splashed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It certainly wasn't like a Santa dash!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">More work today, fixing runners</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">This time of year, there seem to be hunners</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Keeping on top of their aches and niggles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And quite often having fits of the giggles!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 11, ticked complete</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And no disasters with my feet</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A third is gone, lots still to do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With many more rhymes needed to get me thru!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3 miles Keir Woods)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 12</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up before 6 and out the door</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To rattle out another 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Feeling the Monday morning love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Think we needed a motivational shove!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Back to a route we've already done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We're not doing the every day new option</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And every corner did Cori dog sniff</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Making Clark grumble 'that dog's just taking the piss...'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Stretch, shower, smoothie and back to the grind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">There's no let up, it's Christmas-time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">At least we've got the running to keep us sane</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Still playing along in the Marcothon game!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.4 miles Castle Loop)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 13</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Today was a day I could easy have said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Let's just roll over and stay here in bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But up we got and out into the fog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Clark, me and Cori dog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">What a fabulous moon we saw</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">That was worth going out the door</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A perfect sky, splattered with stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">No other people, and no pesky cars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A lovely run, the stresses gone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I was even singing one or two songs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And once again it's time for work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With lots to do, no time to shirk!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.7 miles Cattle Grid)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXnoyBT3f_p1Ca-6dLao-n3M1YxW8C7F2xPAqg-Z-qRn3uM9v6vpho6QoUJ5YM_42yPNhhaEtpZV_D05bDxMavPo7MMwAa6tC4G6Lv2KL9d_vjabrcFGzyPzCeaYayn58HMKsDHhiE7YB/s1600/midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXnoyBT3f_p1Ca-6dLao-n3M1YxW8C7F2xPAqg-Z-qRn3uM9v6vpho6QoUJ5YM_42yPNhhaEtpZV_D05bDxMavPo7MMwAa6tC4G6Lv2KL9d_vjabrcFGzyPzCeaYayn58HMKsDHhiE7YB/s320/midnight.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 14/15</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tonight we went for the midnight double</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up Killer Hill to stay out of trouble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Dark and misty, no super moon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">What a pair of crazy loons</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I missed day 14's early start</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A restless sleep and missed alarm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then the quandary of a run to fit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To not end up with a Marcothon quit!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">One rhyme or two, another quest</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To put my brain cells to the test</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Just the one, it's too taxing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's night time, I should be relaxing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.1 and 2.5 Killer Hill)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 16</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 16 and I'm still in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The hunger for dinner did not win</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Today I'd left it pretty late</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And had to pass the miles by counting to eight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">An 8am rise after yesterday's party</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Meant no time to get it done smartly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It prayed on my mind, all through the day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But work has a habit of getting in the way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A basic flat out and back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Keeps the tick list on track</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tomorrow a long run is the plan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Out with Glee Club, led by Stan!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.9 miles Braco)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h_UBc9_7dy6-KvY9vrNeccJ7Z-r9fBx6U-MSsAFKNPGrwpjHv2LAEA2EqO2nxLZikkT-f6gBTs5jMc-XMcJGXSWQkRw11DZaEhbbpCnjoek6tSd5-N1Ze6xd8RRsOSN09oCGrKW1MnGn/s1600/glee+dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h_UBc9_7dy6-KvY9vrNeccJ7Z-r9fBx6U-MSsAFKNPGrwpjHv2LAEA2EqO2nxLZikkT-f6gBTs5jMc-XMcJGXSWQkRw11DZaEhbbpCnjoek6tSd5-N1Ze6xd8RRsOSN09oCGrKW1MnGn/s320/glee+dec.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 17</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Winter miles make summer smiles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And that's just fine with me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I've had a fabby day today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Running around with friends from Glee!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Fifteen miles at a social pace</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Will get us ready next year to race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Around the Braeval three lochs loop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then to the café for cakes, toasties and soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Furthest run for a long time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tonight I might self-medicate with wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Feeling please with how it went</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Focusing on the training has been time well spent!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(15 miles Braeval)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 18</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">No views today just miles of fog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Lucky to keep eyes on Clark and Cori dog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My mission today, on the climbs to keep going</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So my arms kept a-swinging, even when my pace was slowing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">One week from now it's Christmas day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We'll still be running, come what may</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">That's me over 1,500 for the year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I think that's earned me a celebratory beer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">More work today, stacking Famous Grouse</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A bottle should be in every house</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">At least my run is done for the day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So a happy wee smile will help me on my way!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(5.3 miles Blairdennon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 19</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The weeknd DOMS are firmly here</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Along with the Monday morning fear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A week of mayhem lies ahead</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I wish I could just stay in my bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So off we went a simple loop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Dark and damp, a murky gloop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Three miles kept us in the game</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Until tomorrow when we have to do it all again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.9 miles Castle loop)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 20</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofujSnDhM81N2KVv-XDYPV8XhGA74UJKanGSxoItLeP9q49dg5IesNVvxas9RXSKrPMQsTdBs2IrYxcpRq7yVD7ctK72RfNsqTOeyjN-QVEOHwl03AQHg8S5Kw__tE5otpfwj4QkJYkcG/s1600/17dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofujSnDhM81N2KVv-XDYPV8XhGA74UJKanGSxoItLeP9q49dg5IesNVvxas9RXSKrPMQsTdBs2IrYxcpRq7yVD7ctK72RfNsqTOeyjN-QVEOHwl03AQHg8S5Kw__tE5otpfwj4QkJYkcG/s320/17dec.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Let's do this again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We've so much to gin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Just a little to lose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To loosen our trews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Cold? it's minus three</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And thick fog, nothing to see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But once we got high</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Crystal clear skies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another short 'fast' one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I think it was fun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Skating along</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With no time for songs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Turkey lunch today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But it's not yet Christmas day?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The end is in sight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Let's not put up a fight!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3 miles Sheriffmuir)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 21/22</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">This week's double had far less appeal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Storm Barbara arrived with a wintery feel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Tired and cold, a fight to stay awake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But with such a good streak, our commitment could not break</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Pondering on a route to give us some shelter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In case the wild storm sent us flying helter skelter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">No trail tonight just quiet lanes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Moving with care to avoid any sprains</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Still in the game, and now off to the city</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">An early morning flight, it ain't going to be pretty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Maybe a chance for day 23 down south</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Depending how much alcohol passes my mouth!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.2 and 2.5 Blackford/Sheriffmuir Mast)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruXPkXj-iF_bcqtQ_oBI1JbOgyVwAqcjqX5iAjsDddZDx0iRLc1hJ9_5ySXEV116Z9seDV4byFVLUEEEfcjbE1RyrylKukhyH2Dqp3-VmO38sQGyaQpaAmBg1tLBr3-TsT_HYA9O8jZmw/s1600/gathering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruXPkXj-iF_bcqtQ_oBI1JbOgyVwAqcjqX5iAjsDddZDx0iRLc1hJ9_5ySXEV116Z9seDV4byFVLUEEEfcjbE1RyrylKukhyH2Dqp3-VmO38sQGyaQpaAmBg1tLBr3-TsT_HYA9O8jZmw/s320/gathering.jpg" width="256" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 23</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Waiting for Barbara to bring her worst</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We managed a run in the 'daylight' first</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The route we chose more swamp than path</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But I've earned a mulled wine and afternoon bath!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With work all done until next week</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Time to sit down, rest, eat and sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Yet promise we did, everyday to run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And we will keep doing the Marcothon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's been a challenge to get this far</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Juggling work and life and visits to the bars...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We're almost there, not far to go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And maybe in this last week a run in the snow?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(2.7 miles Gathering Stone)</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ms7KBp5cjGAwSyp70izdjH6hWV4iyPPL11etZZR63VczXSbTLrAJwdoX7Xn6k4T3y3nOHGb4WtnJW27exWV9N7DV-oq2ZfyCX3vM2_eBNFaQnwS1x6FrFG1iTvL9Ay_XJIUkPQ9ONCpP/s1600/darn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ms7KBp5cjGAwSyp70izdjH6hWV4iyPPL11etZZR63VczXSbTLrAJwdoX7Xn6k4T3y3nOHGb4WtnJW27exWV9N7DV-oq2ZfyCX3vM2_eBNFaQnwS1x6FrFG1iTvL9Ay_XJIUkPQ9ONCpP/s320/darn.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 24</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A bimble round Keir Woods today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With weather ranging from sunshine to grey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A quick dash into Tesco first</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To grab a couple of things, I feared the worst!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The car park empty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And shelves full of plenty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">An easy job done</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then on with the run!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The storm had been</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Her destruction was seen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But for us it was calm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And we came to no harm!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3.1 miles Keir Woods)</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 25</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A merry Christmas to everyone</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But let's not neglect to Marcothon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Yes it's windy, before the sprouts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We've got to stay in this, that's not in doubt!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A blowy yomp up Killer Hill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My head was fuzzy but I wasn't too ill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">To make it to the top but not very fasy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Once again I reached it last</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So that's it done, the Christmas run</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Time to kick back and chill, have fun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another wee glass or two of fizz</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Will make this Christmas day the biz!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.8 miles Killer Hill)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 26</span></strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIglOM-xjO0BJvfcGkDs5F0_dbW4hztM3wlnlCLlnk3cAyodC-j6N1ThMiAmHicYNyU9uf0DIuUOQxyeCo_oIXy2aBejfmrtQMwi2ZLja6W-H_YbyHeSbj64YQCrtnNyXvEM2W0lzW_jbj/s1600/26dec2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIglOM-xjO0BJvfcGkDs5F0_dbW4hztM3wlnlCLlnk3cAyodC-j6N1ThMiAmHicYNyU9uf0DIuUOQxyeCo_oIXy2aBejfmrtQMwi2ZLja6W-H_YbyHeSbj64YQCrtnNyXvEM2W0lzW_jbj/s320/26dec2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Storm Conor's here and plenty of snow</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Up into the Ochils we decided to go</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We headed into the eye of the storm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Climbing up the steep ascents to keep us warm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Stunning views across the tops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We took a couple of photograph stops</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Then about turn and into the hurricane blasts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Meant none of our miles were remotely fast!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We made it back to the car in one piece </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And only burnt off a little of yesterday's feast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My toes still numb and eyeballs sore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But created some memories and that's what life's for!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(5.2 Blairdennon)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcAoK2ISEP4qDq9sjBdoO8NJQDymMZ46dasJR4umKSTU02fH_mcYCU494ee2PDyuBTPjxrqb2_5KesMltQYFRTbQIEABcGKmN_93QcOVZtGehyphenhyphenaOQSzmcMkg8fZx32mn7kb8AwoBT74Fl/s1600/26dec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcAoK2ISEP4qDq9sjBdoO8NJQDymMZ46dasJR4umKSTU02fH_mcYCU494ee2PDyuBTPjxrqb2_5KesMltQYFRTbQIEABcGKmN_93QcOVZtGehyphenhyphenaOQSzmcMkg8fZx32mn7kb8AwoBT74Fl/s320/26dec.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><strong>Day 27</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">If only every run a tailwind there could be</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I'd always be running pretty speedy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With out and back a headwind return</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So extra effort and calories to burn!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A 'tempo run' for me at least</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Burning off the Boxing Day feast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Dry and clear, a little sun</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And feeling ok, it was a decent run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4 miles Sheriffmuir / Mast)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 28</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Back to work for me today</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">So an early three to help me on my way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The boys not impressed by the early start</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Or the uninspired route around Braco Castle park.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(3 miles Castle Loop)</span></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";">Day 29</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's getting close, we're near the end</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The lurgy is brewing, driving me round the bend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Another run up Sheriffmuir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In the dark again, that's for sure!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The sun just glimpsing across the hill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Gives a simple morning thrill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Now smoothie time and off to work</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">There's stuff to do and I must not shirk!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">(4.7 miles Cattle Grid)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBniVjtzI5LCq4KEBsvjXFau-PxIb84MZr5DzhQPM1UmKX4wFEjQ9W2d2Dd13_HSn0RoYXnpUHmazC1CYKjNfIKNPNXZ_KQwRaQh1wL7vCc44Ey9g5QYBO_eTI1onD5npq1lIW9ORsB_S/s1600/day30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBniVjtzI5LCq4KEBsvjXFau-PxIb84MZr5DzhQPM1UmKX4wFEjQ9W2d2Dd13_HSn0RoYXnpUHmazC1CYKjNfIKNPNXZ_KQwRaQh1wL7vCc44Ey9g5QYBO_eTI1onD5npq1lIW9ORsB_S/s320/day30.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Day 30</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today wasn't pretty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm feeling fairly sh!tty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A very short slow one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just the bare minimum</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(2.2 miles on the Sheriffmuir Road)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Day 31</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'd hoped to finish with more of a bang</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNMYr47qhvfU2RRc6KmbgLdVFYQrIu5dGP4vRivKhwn29NiVios9SDXNLGlQ8YgCUBpQarksUOFJZOERnE3jO_68TGOG1788OJsP3tuNiKH5WB86-avRRkFYxkyMiac5ccojfs6uaZo6d/s1600/day31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNMYr47qhvfU2RRc6KmbgLdVFYQrIu5dGP4vRivKhwn29NiVios9SDXNLGlQ8YgCUBpQarksUOFJZOERnE3jO_68TGOG1788OJsP3tuNiKH5WB86-avRRkFYxkyMiac5ccojfs6uaZo6d/s320/day31.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Instead of a whimper before the bells rang</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I lasted the month, more than some</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And now this year's Marcothon is done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I left my lungs and a trail of snot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As in between walks I broke into a slow trot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I watched for the boys, who'd gone way up the hill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As I sat on a rock and popped another flu pill</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Mission accomplished, pat on the back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But much more pride for Clark than that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A year ago, from a hospital bed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">He may never run again they said!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Team Hamilton, we did the task</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The month of December we had a blast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A run of sorts, every day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now it's time to pack 2016 away!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">(3 miles around the bottom at Killer Hill)</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "arial";"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>December total = 128.9miles</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7sN-krtBGUdDTYw4rcUj-i9U06xoXi9drpbCoTQMimiNA5-f9pLcZvo2OSW3MmPkL-sN7m29r3MA3NnH6CKX2FkHu2gXpaRlAtyN5sn6A7szI8uGm0wEiXyuxbHAQxgXsrKOrDMHF6wM/s1600/day32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7sN-krtBGUdDTYw4rcUj-i9U06xoXi9drpbCoTQMimiNA5-f9pLcZvo2OSW3MmPkL-sN7m29r3MA3NnH6CKX2FkHu2gXpaRlAtyN5sn6A7szI8uGm0wEiXyuxbHAQxgXsrKOrDMHF6wM/s320/day32.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016 done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-69232375892490282852016-09-25T05:46:00.000-07:002016-09-25T05:46:02.153-07:00I am
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1272SWr8XWTS94S1hIPw8AJ6pfzGcunSABnUMMmk_u249IYpw55MmwnWLBQ39Rxe3kWX4vYbn_PHhD1RG4r5R_zf2hwY5Ux6GubNYVemZqGdD8S5iuyACwCuXi2oToq8YQCCio_mmv0v/s1600/devil1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1272SWr8XWTS94S1hIPw8AJ6pfzGcunSABnUMMmk_u249IYpw55MmwnWLBQ39Rxe3kWX4vYbn_PHhD1RG4r5R_zf2hwY5Ux6GubNYVemZqGdD8S5iuyACwCuXi2oToq8YQCCio_mmv0v/s320/devil1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am an ultra-runner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It sounds like a confession, at a self-help group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And recently that is how it has made me feel.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I need to stop being apologetic or ‘embarrassed’ to admit it
in ‘public’…that’s the general public, not those in the ultra-family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
always feel normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then who defines
what is normal?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why should it feel this way, or why do I sometimes make
myself feel this way about it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I should feel proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the grand scheme of things, my achievements are minor compared to
some of my friends (see <a href="https://jamesstewart13.com/" target="_blank">James Stewart</a> for starters).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for a 40-something girl, I’ve run a
pretty long way, in a not too bad time, on more than one occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And deep down I am proud.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yet it still sometimes feels weird. Or like it wasn't really me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not writing this post to get loads of people praising my
achievements; it’s more just an offload of being, of feeling, a little bit
beyond ‘normal’.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m part of a great Scottish ultra community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being Scottish and I love to run, to
be able to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a privilege to be
able to run across and around our country and see views first hand that many
will never see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be part of an ever
growing group, the heart of which is full of genuinely awesome people who will
travel far and wide, to sit up mountains, in laybys, and huddle in tents in all
weathers, for a fleeting glimpse of a runner they know, and those they don’t,
to ring cow-bells, rattle stones in tin mugs, to “woo-hoo”, wear fancy dress and take pictures,
to share in those sweaty, muddy, tear-filled moments of success and despair,
with hugs, and words of comfort (or to MTFU).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘Normality’ for so many is different from that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be about fashion, or kids, or music,
movies, books, baking……<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t fit into
their normality (“What did you do at the weekend?” / “Ran 30 miles around the
trails in Glencoe…and wild-camped in the van”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But then they don’t fit into mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not all the time, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I want to be an ultra-runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be a better ultra-runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I need to focus and make some
changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This doesn’t stop me wanting to be a better wife (there is
room for improvement!) or better at my job (where I am good at doubting how and
what I can achieve).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are both
vitally important to sustain a happy and fulfilled life.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe I can make a bigger impact with the desire to be a
better runner though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Again, see James Stewart as an example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> With t</span>he focus and commitment he has put in, the rewards have come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dedication and
following a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making time to deliver
on all the components, and (what seems like) doing this without compromise. (Note, I have no expectations of ever being that successful!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I compromise too often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And make excuses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘One chocolate won’t hurt’, or one slice of pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my blurring into the other view of
normality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes to avoid standing
out.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year has been a slippery slope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed out on securing a place at what I
wanted to be my “A” race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
devastating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More so because, having pinned my
expectations on one goal, I missed out on a chance to enter the WHW again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This turn of events will mean the cycle
continues next year, pinning hopes on one ballot, and sacrificing the
opportunity to enter the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it affected my focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let things
slide and the focus on maintaining my fitness and weight slipped after the
Fling.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted to go to the Alps in good shape, but something ate
away (or I ate to many somethings) and actually this became logic for being
‘ok’ not having a race place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was/am
in no shape to run the CCC this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had a great trip, and saw friends achieve great
success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next year, and the years ahead,
for other races, I want that to be me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(And for UTMB next year to change the finishers gilet to a nicer
design!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is going to need me to stop blurring the boundaries too
often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To build my training plan, and to
add the discipline and respect back into what I put into my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get back to the strength training, the
yoga/pilates, and the cross-training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
stop being ‘embarrassed’ to say why I don’t want another cocktail, another
slice of pizza, or a whole bag of Haribo to myself….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am an ultra-runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And this is what I want to be.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-70276375962891326582016-08-19T09:31:00.002-07:002016-08-19T09:31:58.435-07:00The Devil Came Down to Tyndrum<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jjRyZFeAvDmHra0nFtODrYYCvejkXuHz32NYZdaOOhZYWXOAFe6aBVoR8VseqktpLAVkaR31xf8VVz88JUR_4BcTBV18JYNc6pRH3sbwf4VZGUfT7ju8-a8BOYWjon1fL8YVI_kooB-m/s1600/devil+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jjRyZFeAvDmHra0nFtODrYYCvejkXuHz32NYZdaOOhZYWXOAFe6aBVoR8VseqktpLAVkaR31xf8VVz88JUR_4BcTBV18JYNc6pRH3sbwf4VZGUfT7ju8-a8BOYWjon1fL8YVI_kooB-m/s400/devil+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Devil came down to Tyndrum, he was looking for a soul to steal...</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Devil O' The Highlands was my first ultra...way back in 2012, when, for years it had been on a wee bucket list I had, and I managed to complete it, having over-come being more over-weight, and with a dodgy knee (physio told me I'd never be able to run long distances (at the time suggesting half-marathons were a long distance)).</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I ran it in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (the latter as part of the triple crown) and at that point said I'd no intention of running it again. That was until Johnny Fling took over as Race Director, and changed some of the fundamentals - the need for support crew and the fabulous new finish. Last year I worked as part of the race crew, doing post-event massage. And then a wee spark ignited in my soul and I knew I wanted to have another go!</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was lucky enough to get through the manic online entry (I can't remember how quickly the race sold out, but it was quick!) and after making many loose promises that I'd be lighter, fitter and better trained, found race day cam around all too quickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The short version of the report is that I had a lovely day, running on what is without doubt, some of the most spectacular trail we have in this country. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Position 155 / 256 (9th F40+ not counting older F)</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Time 9hr 13m 13s</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Winner of a fabulous spot prize!</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvslj5OeK-vm99wE6Aj8O9AtLx7ScmzXScbIX4rSy8bknfpt86eQt3NoHnGLraDu7wZZ1CI0E66WGUp_eAr57IqG_GMRFW-43KGpaX3_BtPb0KxhDsHHvg5bhPaF6FIyIuJaC2z_ff3Yo/s1600/devil+line+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvslj5OeK-vm99wE6Aj8O9AtLx7ScmzXScbIX4rSy8bknfpt86eQt3NoHnGLraDu7wZZ1CI0E66WGUp_eAr57IqG_GMRFW-43KGpaX3_BtPb0KxhDsHHvg5bhPaF6FIyIuJaC2z_ff3Yo/s320/devil+line+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clark and I drove up on the Friday night, just in time to cosy up for a good nights sleep. Interestingly someone nearby was having some sort of 'soft rock' garden party so that was our bedtime lullaby...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before long it was alarm time, porridge, coffee, kit....faff...."oh shit, registration shuts in 15 mins".... Hey ho... Made it!</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The rain started just before the race briefing....pretty proper vertical rods... Change of clothes...waterproof on...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Round to the race start...rain off....jacket off.... thank god I did that! Didn't put it back on all day, despite various showers etc. It stayed pretty warm and humid, and the combination of x-bionic kit including arm sleeves which I rolled up/down as needed, was just spot on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The plan was to start slow. The reality was almost that, although some chatting with Lorna Maclean and Andy O Grady was good to distract me and just get things going.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdD3OSDNDPgywls2SraKX2U290kS7vnQMRlLjlfmwrZqiHhikc-qkE8rGYDxSJTEoUfpPsWYehj2puIqNKpTCp_FiPKf-yKZEV8ngSYtMnwnRYhKKscSfHTkQQeLMC5cVmhyphenhyphenQHc0AxZ_r/s1600/DSC_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdD3OSDNDPgywls2SraKX2U290kS7vnQMRlLjlfmwrZqiHhikc-qkE8rGYDxSJTEoUfpPsWYehj2puIqNKpTCp_FiPKf-yKZEV8ngSYtMnwnRYhKKscSfHTkQQeLMC5cVmhyphenhyphenQHc0AxZ_r/s320/DSC_2787.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monument Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Into Bridge of Orchy 1hr 8m and 205th position.</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Feeling pretty good. Some cheery "Hello"'s and a top up of water and tailwind and off...up jelly baby hill (with no Murdo and no jelly babies, since it wasn't WHW race day!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The climb felt pretty fine, but I lost some ground on the descent...perhaps a little cautious (I've seen many people stumble on that bit!), and then I really didn't have any love on the tarmac to Forest Lodge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Across Rannoch Moor I made a concerted effort to try harder to run more than I usually do...and it felt good! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Into Glencoe 3hrs 24m (2hr 16m for the section) and into 193rd (186th for section).</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Super efficient drop bag set up at Glencoe (I managed to pour tailwind all over Sharon Law (oops)), and a bonus surprise of seeing Clark and Cori (they'd run up and down the Devil's Staircase already). I scoffed some of a fruit pot and some rice pudding I think and then off I went again, trying to tuck in with Lorna and John Maclean (who I had just found out were planning to run back to Tyndrum when they finished the race!)</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This next wee section is daft - no need for the path to wind up the slope the way it does, and the trail could do with some repair. Also it's playing on your mind that the staircase is almost upon you. I passed a guy running in what are essentially flip flops here...and later found out it was Mike from Tailwind (doh!). I was trying hard to think of a conversation starter that didn't relate to 'WTF have you got on your feet' as I trotted behind him for a while in my super sized Hoka Speedgoats!</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd hoped to feel a bit stronger on the climb, but it didn't really happen that way. I kept my head focused and just kept pushing on as much as I could, without catching or being caught.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZGupAc6QKMmmJmvcR6YJArlvEhy_vfpC_5cJnEZPZzzckVF0Xf5sgP-KrdFO9gVONMEgUDBT_RW-hBWZyffW_MAHsyoGB5GnauWj3JUTNIewC-dmj7ESnidkuAzea_vmVZZiQoSxGu0V/s1600/DSC_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZGupAc6QKMmmJmvcR6YJArlvEhy_vfpC_5cJnEZPZzzckVF0Xf5sgP-KrdFO9gVONMEgUDBT_RW-hBWZyffW_MAHsyoGB5GnauWj3JUTNIewC-dmj7ESnidkuAzea_vmVZZiQoSxGu0V/s320/DSC_3320.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monument Photos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Monument Photos and Fiona/Pauline Rennie were all at the top taking pics - and ooft, were the views stunning! The clag had lifted thankfully and I was blessed to be up there with this all around me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I love the next section round the back of the staircase, until the steep descent into Kinlochleven and the isolation is spectacular. Played leapfrog back and forth with a few people and then it was down down down into KLL.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Into KLL 5hr 51m (173rd), 2hr 27 (section, 160th)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">More super efficient drop bag support from the team of volunteers...and a swap of some custard for a Snickers and some Haribo...ha ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Managed to pretty much miss Clark here. He was parked up along the road a wee bit and by that point I was back in focused race head, so gave him a guilty wave, a thumbs up, and got stuck into the climb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Again, the climb not my best moment, with a bit of a sweat-fest, a strop of finding somewhere to put my wedding ring to keep it safe after wrestling to get my headphones and phone connected and busting the plastic bag everything was safe in from the start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I found the first stretch across Lairig a struggle too, although I think I passed a handful of people with a hike / shuffle strategy. Ate the Snickers and some chocolate coffee beans and that eventually saw a wee burst back into life, and, after passing Dave H just before the 'corner', I got my focus on the awesome hug I was going to get from Angela who was marshalling at Lundavra. And it didn't disappoint!</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Into Lundavra 7hr 41m (159th), 1hr 50m (section, 118th)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My position for that section suggests perhaps I was right to find the struggle across Lairig as I must've been pushing on quite well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Quaffed some luscious cola, said hello to "that famous Norma Bone" and then head screwed on for the final stretch....and the unknown of the 'new' finish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I felt pretty decent along to the top of the fire road and passed some more bodies. Really struggled on the fire road descent though as my quads were burning and my feet and ankles really hurting. Couldn't catch the guy in front, and got passed by a guy flying down the rack (like I normally feel I can!). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Into Braveheart and onto the new final section and I got a wee extra wind for the climb and passed them both!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I loved this new addition to the route. A great improvement on the tarmac section. I could hear the sound of the finish area and got my stride on for the final descent. Pushing into the finish (behind my rough '9 hour' goal) there was a great crowd and plenty of cheering!</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fort William 9hr 13m (155th), 1hr 32m (132nd)</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Huge smiles and all done! Big hug from Johnny Fling and lots of confusion from me as he was asking my sock size and thrust a bag full of gels/race fuel and 6, yes 6! pairs of Injinji socks! Woohooo!! I never win anything!! And then a race goody bag with medal, t-shirt, sticker for the van!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">More hugs from Helen (and some support with holding stuff, directing me to go get food/sit/text the boy (missed me as I was late....)). Ruth Howie brought me a lovely cup of tomato soup and some bread!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The post race marquee is exceptional - a choice of beverages (no soft drinks?), range of soups, hot dishes...for a girl who loves food but has no brain cells left it's a lot of decisions to make!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Getting showered seemed to take me an eternity. Getting clothes on and off is like an unfathomable challenge at that stage! Finally I got organised, dumped my bag in the van, and shuffled back to say some hello's and well dones in the marquee, before heading back down the road (via the Real Food Café for fish, chips and curry sauce of course!) to a sofa coma (missing the post-race party again!), and a restless sleep trying to work off the copious sugar and caffeine I been pumping into my body all day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sunday and Monday I was more sore than I remember being after a race for a LONG time! and my ankles are still a bit tender today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pretty happy with how I did though, and hopefully another notch in my brain of 'get your ass back into regular training and looking after yourself or next year ain't going to get any easier!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Great event and one I highly recommend! Well done Team Devil - once again you were exceptional!</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-34016053679293835872016-07-09T06:28:00.002-07:002016-07-09T06:28:39.159-07:00Great Glen Race Report <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Team BAM</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't deserve to have a good run at the Great Glen Ultra last Saturday.....training, let's just say had been more miss than hit since the Fling at the end of April. The wall planner was filling up with big red crosses instead of green ticks! And what started as a well earned rest and recovery, turned into a busy period at work, where I seemed to be away every week for at least a day, and usually overnight, and inevitably involving early mornings, late nights and over-indulgence (even if just of the coffee and cake variety). </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Gordon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I know I should be stronger and avoid some of these things which are in my control, but sometimes my control button isn't there, and I guess that's when the training 'obsession' slips back into an 'eating' one.<br /><br /> And before I knew it, there was the small matter of pacing my sister-in-law around The Strathearn Marathon mid-June (which I've never got round to blogging about, but did in a successful sub-5 hour time, which she was rightly delighted about for her first every marathon!), and then rest before crewing for John at WHW Race (see previous blog), and then taper/recovery to be in some sort of shape for <a href="http://runyabam.com/great-glen-ultra/ggurace-info/" target="_blank">GGU</a>.<br /><br /> I didn't know much about the route, having only managed to get a training run on the last 38 miles or so from Fort Augustus one sunny weekend at the end of May, and that let me know how tough the climbs in those latter stages were going to be! I'd been told by many that it was 'beautiful' and 'as hard as the WHW' but even that hadn't scared me enough to commit as I should have to the training I would like to be sitting here saying I had done.<br /><br /> So, that aside, and with a sufficient amount of last minute prep (booking campsite on the day) etc I finally packed myself and enough kit and food into Danny (d'Vito) and headed up the A9 to Inverness on Friday afternoon. This, as an unsupported race, was to be a solo trip. There are no support crew or outside assistance allowed in the race, and this would be easier if Clark stayed home (and besides which the forecast was for peeing rain all weekend, which doesn't make for pleasant support duties!)<br /><br /> I got to the campsite about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726396" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">4:30pm</span></span></span> and had some food, and tried to settled down for a couple of hours sleep. My mind was racing, and in one of my toss-and-turns I noticed that Fiona Rennie and Pauline Walker were setting up camp next door (in the peeing rain!). At about 8-ish I got up and decided to have some more food...to ensue I reached the start line fuelled up, and in the hope that my body rid itself of some of the contents before the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726397" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">1am</span></span></span> start time. This is not an easy time to start a race! I understand why it's the case, but it's not easy to get your body into the rhythm that it needs to run in the middle of the night (it's not something I ever practice!)<br /><br /> The buses were due to take us from Inverness sports centre at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726398" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">9:30pm</span></span></span> sharp. Inevitably, someone was late, and he rushed on board at about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726399" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">9:40</span></span></span>, apologising profusely. I had a front seat in the small bus....I get travel sick so being in the front is better, albeit the journey along the twisty roads to Fort William was never going to be great. And it wasn't! I tried to sleep to no avail, and I think the driver successfully hit every pothole in his path!<br /><br /> I think it took about an hour and a half to get to The Moorings Hotel, where we bundled off the bus, were cajoled into getting our drop bags into the correct areas, and then sent off to register, handing in the medical forms in return for our number, and some words of encouragement from Ada and Alice.<br /><br /> Now the wait....<br /><br /> I sat with a bunch of very accomplished runners....Mike Raffan, Jenni RJ, Lorna & John Maclean, Alan Cormack.....and tried to stay calm. My belly was still very full, and my head still spinning from the bus...<br /><br /> We were heckled outside at about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726400" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">12:30pm</span></span></span> and walked across the canal to the start line. It was pretty chilly at this point, and I wondered if starting without a jacket was a wise move. I was wearing my salomon skort and vest (the chaffing from which caused me no end of grief later in the race), my purple WHW ronhill tshirt, xbionic arm sleeves, thin gloves, new drymax socks, Compressport calf sleeves and my speedgoats. I did have a skip cap on but had to change it due to needing to wear a head torch, so just a buff around my head.<br /><br /> Bill conducted the usual style of briefing...don't fall in the canal (it looked bloody cold and deep), don't try to swim the canal if the swing bridge is open at the finish, look out for each other....and I don't remember much else apart from the lame joke....What do you call a man with one foot in the house and one outside the house? Hamish.....<br /><br /> I was really nervous now. And we had about 10 mins to shuffle on the spot, waiting for the start... And then the countdown and we were off.<br /><br /> Whoooosh everyone shoots off up the canal path...slight incline, easily runable, and not really that dark (I turned my torch down to low and was never sure whether it ever got truly dark, or the sun was already coming up). I was conscious I wanted to start conservatively (and my stomach was still full, and achy, and my calves, Achilles and feet seemed unnecessarily sore) so I watched as everyone went ahead...people I would usually run with, and I let them all go. I'm also not used to running so much...what I mean is that the first 6 miles are all flat canal....I'm used to run a bit, walk some hills etc etc<br /><br /> At the end of the canal, I get into rhythm with Donna Leslie, and chum her for a wee while (and through the spooky woods). She was running well, and I was sorry to hear later that day she had dropped out. Getting to checkpoint 1 at about 10 miles, Mike (Adams of BaM) asked how I was doing and I moaned a bit..."slowly slowly catchy monkey" he said, and I kept that mantra certainly for the first half/two-thirds of the race. I topped up my bottles with Tailwind but didn't eat much of the bag contents (left my croissant behind) and carried a wee bag of bits with me to nibble on, including my Ella's baby banana brekkie which as a last minute purchase served me well during a few checkpoints this race (as it has done in the past...I really must try to remember each time what works best!)<br /><br /> I turned off my torch on the next section and settled into a more comfortable rhythm, and a toilet break final making other stuff feel better. As the day lightened I did start to pass people and that improved how I was feeling. The rain got heavier, but I didn't feel cold, so I just kept the same layers on and kept on with moving forwards.<br /><br /> Bill (of BaM) was at checkpoint 2, singing a poor rendition of the Rainbow theme tune...just to keep us amused. Similar story with the bag contents, and a quick transition as it was peeing down. There was a big climb out of the checkpoint (I think I passed comment here, and again after Invergarry, that I thought someone had said the first 30 miles were all flat....clearly I should pay more attention!). We didn't head where I thought the route went here, so that kept me pondering...especially when we appeared at Invergarry and went left and then up another sneaky wee trail I never knew was there....<br /><br /> The section before Fort Augustus was an unexpected lull. I was actually falling asleep on my feet (I was trying to convince myself I was having "micro naps" and they would do me good...as long as I didn't fall in the canal!)....and I was starting to get chaffing where ladies don't want chaffing, and this was not pleasant so early on in the race. The bike marshal guy appeared and we were having a nice we chat...and he asked did I need anything? Just Sudocrem was my answer! And while he didn't manage to magic that, he did find some Vaseline in his first aid bag, so I had an impromptu fumble canal side and that eased the issue for the time being! I think the damage was already too badly done by this stage though!<br /><br /> I arrived into Fort Augustus along with Lois, and was greeted by Ada, Terry and Beardy (Graeme Kelly, who was spectating Katie). Ada skilfully filled my bottled...more Tailwind, and I think I had my Starbucks Espresso Double Shot can (or half of it) here. I knew the climbs were coming. And I was glad!<br /><br /> I left just ahead of Lois, and for the rest of the day we were pretty much in eyesight for most of the time and she looked to be having a brilliant run.<br /><br /> I loved the climb up out of FA, and felt stronger than on the day I had reccied it (it had been way hotter that day). The views from the top are stunning, and the path doesn't relent. I could see Katie Hall way ahead, a vision of purple, and it wouldn't be until just at the Invermoriston checkpoint I would catch her (she flew down the killer descent like a wee mountain goat, while I cursed and thumped!). I kept reminding myself I wasn't as fit as I would've liked and therefore the aim should be to enjoy and get to the end!<br /><br /> At Invermoriston, Helen and John had the tunes going and a no nonsense approach to get you in and out. Hugs administered (I remember telling Helen I was stinking, which I was). Bottles were filled, along with a warning that I wasn't drinking enough. Food was told to be eaten. Rubbish was segregated for recycling. My 'excess' baggage (map, head torch, waterproof trousers) were taken to be sent back to the finish line. And I was politely told to get the feck out of the checkpoint. So I did! Again Lois left with me and we walked for a short while onto the next big climb. I think I was munching a wee bag of 'fish & chips' crisps as I went.<br /><br /> There was a slightly different route than I'd done in my trial taking us up onto the High Route here but it was well signed, as was the whole route...I was surprised (other than the wee bit on the first section into the spooky woods) to hear later that a few folk had got lost. The bit I wasn't looking forward to was after the Troll Bridge, where the climb is just stupid! And it didn't disappoint. However, with a couple of applauding tourists at the top, I had to just keep moving! Eventually the path joins onto the 'low route' and I remember it was getting pretty warm by this stage and I was feeling a bit of another lull. I also caught up with John Maclean (like from Die Hard, only tougher) and Pauline Walker along here, and thought that if I could just try and hang onto their heels for a while that would hopefully pull me along. We ended up in a wee group of 5 or 6 and that really helped keep me moving, and although I wasn't contributing much to the chat, it was a steady pace and good company, and Pauline was good with keeping us thinking it wasn't far to the water station. And soon, we happened upon Angela and Brin, a luxurious oasis of water, face wipes, hugs and jelly babies to help us on our way!<br /><br /> And then as I followed Pauline away from the checkpoint, on came the rain again, fiercely beating down.....I think she paused to put on sleeves or a jacket and I got ahead for a while, with my head down just trying to march on. The shower soon passed, and by the last stretch to Drumnadrochit checkpoint I was roasting again! Pauline, John etc caught me here.<br /><br /> I was desperate for Sudocrem again and none was to be had. So I tipped out my drop bag while Karen OGrady topped up my water and Tailwind. I don't think I ate much. I recall someone trying to lift my crisps, so I had to put him right, and it wasn't until I left the checkpoint I realised I'd not eaten/taken my Ella's baby food pouch and wonder if someone snaffled that while I wasn't looking. I took my wee bag with mini sausage roll, mini scotch egg in it and think I ate them on the trot along the road. By this point, my pack pockets were stuffed with random bits I'd not eaten, including my fruit/nut biscuits which had been working well in training! Don't know why I just didn't feel like eating them.<br /><br /> I tried to hang in with Pauline on the road section. It was hot and flat and seemed to go on forever. Seemed rude to walk this when it was so runable, but we both mentioned looking forward to the turn onto the trail when we could justify a walk! We caught Andy OGrady here and chummed with him for most of the rest of the course. And also passed Helen, who was setting off for her training run. I remember thinking who is this young girl clearly just starting a run, ponytail bobbing along.....and then realised it was Helen!<br /><br /> HUGE climb ensued, and wasn't nice. I think I warned Pauline and Andy that I might start saying some bad words...the REALLY bad ones, and Pauline said 'we'll just say oh deary me'....'hmmm....oh VERY deary me' maybe!! And I did try very hard not to descend into bad language...I may have said a couple of F***s at the top though. Another younger guy joined us on this climb, and for maybe a mile into the more open track that follows. He was chattering away quite the thing (I wasn't in any state to be very responsive), and made me chuckle when he asked Pauline if she'd done many ultra's.... "This is number 87" she says.....tee hee hee....<br /><br /> I was starting to need another toilet stop.....and dreading it, knowing how the chaffing was.....just before the final checkpoint and I could wait no longer and had to dive into the undergrowth. Holy ****, that stung. Actual tears and more pain than, well who knows what, it was just bloody sore! More lube next time!!<br /><br /> Jenni and Fiona were manning this checkpoint (still no Sudocrem or Vaseline) and again, offered support, an extended stay if wanted, but I knew I had to move on. Pauline departed (post beer) with a wave and 'you'll catch me soon enough', and I knew that if I could it would really help, so I pushed on, and caught her and Andy in the hippy cafe woods (through the tunnel designed for midgets!)<br /><br /> This team was to serve us well for the next stretch along the road and up into the final woods, each taking a wee turn with a motivational push, and keeping the train rolling. We were starting to speculate about our finish....if we all crossed the line together, how would BaM decide the order (coin tossing (wouldn't work with 3), sprints and hurdles had been mentioned in the race notes....it's a race, not a hand holding competition!!).<br /><br /> I'm not sure quite where we pulled away from Andy on the long section through the woods, but we lost him somewhere, and had a good 'speed' on at this point ("at the middle of the end" said Pauline). We thought we had less than 4 miles to go, when we happened upon John Munro who was running back to meet Helen, only to be told '4.75 to go and it's all downhill'. Damn! Pauline mentioned she was hoping now to get in under 16.5 hours...and this would mean only about 45mins to get this done. Tougher than it sounds when we'd already run 67miles!<br /><br /> The hardest bit was the steeper descent after the wee loch, and my legs were buckling under me, I knew we were dropping speed and this was impacting Pauline's goal, but she was happy to continue with me, and so I really tried to put everything into it. "We are at the D of End" she said..."D of death" said I...."but with a little d" was her reply. I tried to channel some of her sister Fiona Rennie's strength, and I think that helped me, as it always does!<br /><br /> I also wasn't really sure where the finish was...I knew we finished on the track, but imagined we entered the stadium where I had during the marathon years ago....round the other side from where we actually did. I was imagining lots of tarmac and imagining the pain. My feet were throbbing, I could feel the inside of both heels spongy like they were full of fluid.... Past the SNH building and down the track, into the houses and the rain came on....refreshing I said, and Pauline told it to give us all it had (and it did....!!)....along the golf course, howling gail ensued (with Pauline resorting to some proper bad words!), and still we ran.... To the steps....a little walk up them and regroup Pauline advised...and then onto the canal. We could see Bill waving from the other side, and Ruth Howie with her usual enthusiastic support whoop whopping us along.<br /><br /> Matching stride after stride.... Was the bridge going to swing open?... (No, it had just closed)....... How close to <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726401" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">16:30</span></span></span> were we? (It went)<br /><br /> We darted between the cars and down the lane. I was delighted to see the stadium gate was right there...we turned left, and then right onto the track...whoooooooooosh Pauline was away....there would be no second chances on a photo finish! I gave chase as best I could, and whilst I closed the gap a fair bit, I wouldn't ever have caught her the speed she was going (buoyed by all the cheers of those waiting at the finsh who recognised her distinctive kit and not me!), and she was well deserved to finish ahead of me, as I'd really needed her dragging my ass those last (30?) miles!<br /><br /> Relief, joy, pain.....it was done!!!! 71.7 bloody hard miles, and mostly pretty enjoyable ones! A great race with a mixed bag of terrain. And that Brucey bonus of a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1706726402" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">1am</span></span></span> start to add to the mix! I admit, the tarmac stretches do nothing for me (although they add to the mental and physical challenge!), but the climbs and trails go a long way to make up for it. I also personally will try to avoid the bus journey if I'm doing the race again. People shouldn't underestimate or dismiss this race. Get it into your 'to do' list! I think I was 'lucky' this time that I found a buddy in Pauline and that I am pretty bloody minded to get a job done. I really didn't want a dnf as I felt this was somehow my CCC reprise, being my longest run this year. And while I didn't ever think of dnf'ing, I would've been much slower had things not turned out the way they did.<br /><br /> After some hugs and chat (and scrounging some more Vaseline from Sean!), I went back round to the campsite for a shower and a mugshot and coffee, and then bundled myself in many layers and headed back round to support those finishers still to come in. Although the rain got increasingly worse, a hardy wee bunch of us sat and had a few beverages, cheering right through to the valiant final finisher. By then I was burst....shuffled back round to the van, and tried to sleep it out....with little success (overdosing on caffeine and sugar all day, topped off by prosecco cocktails doesn't make for a restful night!)<br /><br /> The next morning, the race hosts a formal prize giving for all runners (most of whom had stayed) and there was a great crowd. I struggled a little to hear all the commentary (I seriously think I need to get my hearing tested...since I started flying so much again recently it's been really bothering me) and every finisher received a whisky glass and whisky from BaM, to go with buff, tshirt, goody bag etc already received. There were lots of spot prizes, and all the marshals got gifts too...quite rightly so...they have a harder job than the runners I think!<br /><br /> I didn't stay for the pub lunch gathering, as I knew I had a long drive home and a holiday to pack for....next year I'll factor that into my plans....</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Overall a great event....and I'd definitely do it again...it's a challenge I think I could improve at, given some better focus on my training in the lead up, and now knowing what the whole route entails. I think it has given me the boot up I needed though to realise I can't just get through on my stubbornness and past experience...I need to dedicate the time, on training and in the diet!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PW_Slg0FN5swI8PCMx5qu3aGG1zHtYnd5zWda-QjxRI7Yo84zN0nqp-piHskiRJNOUK_jyNE3KlEofyemYiUBe4vdqGe9gcgLB56UUJg08Ena8yh8bQ0A_JeRHYPCpAUkaQ3DHhRyvIs/s1600/morrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PW_Slg0FN5swI8PCMx5qu3aGG1zHtYnd5zWda-QjxRI7Yo84zN0nqp-piHskiRJNOUK_jyNE3KlEofyemYiUBe4vdqGe9gcgLB56UUJg08Ena8yh8bQ0A_JeRHYPCpAUkaQ3DHhRyvIs/s320/morrings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In The Moorings<br />
Photo by Alan Cormack</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the start</td></tr>
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Descent into Invermoriston<br />
Photo by Lois Simpson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6jsh4J8PVlwOeuBoLhhCc5MLlT0BFPydLPeeY6iqg6kHIKjmhOTYWgyKcI_GBk7UxRlvIOrdYa4F3iH3tsoGGKvQyhFWDgtAnXedbbmKrAx50JjpeNL5TzrOEM0WZ5qgL17n5EAboGbD/s1600/final2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6jsh4J8PVlwOeuBoLhhCc5MLlT0BFPydLPeeY6iqg6kHIKjmhOTYWgyKcI_GBk7UxRlvIOrdYa4F3iH3tsoGGKvQyhFWDgtAnXedbbmKrAx50JjpeNL5TzrOEM0WZ5qgL17n5EAboGbD/s320/final2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into the last checkpoint<br />
Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the last checkpoint <br />
Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Team BAM</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Team BAM</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief!<br />
Photo by Team BAM</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Uj2suScsVsKY-uu3ukJgBhDJo8gc9I0NHO4YkYVmIzm14BBuUiwqOqGj2JeeXQGK9izj_6r1cPZWF0aHJbFjO-8DMfSyjD61BavGzn5fHnwuNAReDug8j2iEgU-YFE9-K6KIi3cIPQp/s1600/all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5Uj2suScsVsKY-uu3ukJgBhDJo8gc9I0NHO4YkYVmIzm14BBuUiwqOqGj2JeeXQGK9izj_6r1cPZWF0aHJbFjO-8DMfSyjD61BavGzn5fHnwuNAReDug8j2iEgU-YFE9-K6KIi3cIPQp/s320/all.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Prize Giving<br />
Photo by Team BAM</td></tr>
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-35136067670099067852016-06-27T14:09:00.000-07:002016-06-27T14:13:52.206-07:00Counting Stars<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strong><em>Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><strong><em>Dreaming about the things that we could be</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><strong><em>But, baby, I've been, I've been praying hard</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><strong><em>Said no more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been in a bit of a post-race low. Who'd have known that support crew can feel that way too? This race is immense and it's a big part of my life. I don't think a day goes past that I don't think about having run it, the desire to run it again, or just the motivation to be part of the family for a long time to come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This year, things were different. This year I was support crew, not a name, not a number, not one of the lucky individuals with a racing heart</span>, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">toe-ing the line in Milnavie at 1am on a Saturday in June.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";"><strong><em>I could lie, couldn't I, couldn't I</em></strong></span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">Everything that kills me, makes me feel alive</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The pressure I was feeling was still high however. I had taperitis. Well, an actual head-cold to be fair. With two days to go I was tanking myself full of lemsip and paracetamol and praying for breath and sinuses that didn't feel like someone was drilling through them. As if I wasn't worried enough already about being able to keep up with John, who was aiming for a significant PB, off the back of a cracking amount of training so far this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And I'd forgotten to book the Friday off work....so I spent it interviewing graduates (successfully!)...after having a hectic week which included getting the van back, and spending two days travelling/in Manchester for a training course. Not ideal prep. But I was 'only' crewing....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">So...home from work and some last minute packing, and some dinner...and to bed for a nap! Surprisingly I managed to get a couple of hours decent sleep. It was positively weird getting up at 10pm and knowing that was it in terms of proper bed until Sunday night. There were still kids playing outside!</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">Old, but I'm not that old</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">Young, but I'm not that bold</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">More faffing (Clark and I like a faff) and later than planned we hit the road....with a new arrival time at Milngavie of 12:20.....not great, but hoping John and Helen didn't fret and we arrived in time to hear the race briefing and feel the electric atmosphere building (past the random drunk who was heckling....)...and say hello to a few of the usual suspects, and let John and Helen know we were here and ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">John was fairly subdued. He has Achilles niggles (hence his blog <a href="https://achillesniggle.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>) and was muttering about not making it past Drymen. This was not in my weekend plans!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Without much time to ponder it was time for the countdown and the off! I tried to capture a wee video on my phone before it ran out of memory (</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/amanda.hamilton.1460/videos/10210092415052962/" target="_blank">start video</a>). <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the first time I've been at the start when I've not been running, and it didn't disappoint!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">A few more "Hello's" and back to the van with a plan to go to Balmaha. In my limited wisdom, I made Clark drive us up to Gardabhan (sp) forest car park, and after a minor disagreement we then didn't stay there but headed to Balmaha for a wee hour-ish of shut eye. Again, pleasantly surprised I actually slept.</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">And I I I I I feel something so wrong </span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">by doing the right thing</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the alarm woke us, Helen already had a breakfast stall set up next door, and kindly gave me one of her bacon rolls (I didn't complain!) and we paced about, in the relatively midge-free dawn, watching and waiting. What a bloody fantastic day weather wise. The night temperature had been perfect and the sunrise early. Was I jealous of the runners? you bet your ass I was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">John arrived, and was duly fed, coffee'd, watered and dealt with...not in accordance with his pre-race plan, but I think we coped ok. I was remembering that feeling being the runner...you come into the check-point and expect the crew to be psychic, knowing what you've spent the last 3 miles thinking about having.....and then wondering why things aren't just all magically there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And that was fine. Helen and I then went to the midge-fest of Rowardennan and repeated the process, while Clark took the dog for a stroll and had another nap (I think!). Not sure how happy John was at either checkpoint...but he was still running, and no mention of dropping out, so I took that as a positive!</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">And I I I I I feel something so right</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial";">by doing the wrong thing</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">More nap time for the crew...this time at Tarbert, after a wee porridge pot and some coffee. beautiful spot in the car park overlooking the loch. Head down, zonked out. Who said crewing was hard?? (*note, actually, I did say several times during the day that crewing was much harder than running!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Slightly more fitful sleep...we were getting to the point where times could differ wildly, and didn't want to miss our runner at Bein Glas. And also, it was getting roasty hot! As it turns out, by the time we got to BG, spent some time chatting, enjoying the sunshine, prepping for the midges and howfing all the kit to the checkpoint, our timing was immaculate and John came striding in, we sorted him out and off he went.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FSgYbRAWefDw_10aTpmzqYtqgQmcyAU1twLru9FIflq-qCB1r7oZiCt0aruNlAh7jSUd8irXfmXB-8ZPazIx60Ax3V5gW1cAuU2Ln6WETFREhyphenhyphencsEmJW5Q6WsJs0OZf_Xav9FVhlZwHt/s1600/IMG_2942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FSgYbRAWefDw_10aTpmzqYtqgQmcyAU1twLru9FIflq-qCB1r7oZiCt0aruNlAh7jSUd8irXfmXB-8ZPazIx60Ax3V5gW1cAuU2Ln6WETFREhyphenhyphencsEmJW5Q6WsJs0OZf_Xav9FVhlZwHt/s320/IMG_2942.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Auchtertyre, and some quality time soaking up the sun, and getting some dog-whispering from Sharon (thanks Sharon!). We could see the runners were really starting to suffer here, and the pressure would be on for our support running to keep the momentum going. I started to think about eating to fuel up for my run later....while my cold seemed to be less of an issue (I think being outside helped), I hadn't run since pacing my sis-in-law round her first marathon the week before, and still had the fear that John would be too quick for me, so I couldn't risk being fuel deficient on top of that!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDsUKNx3euRoDcWAIVIuvsi9pyl_V-R0gSR1Aa7i8VlRvzywVT1aUiZqcbhM_ncejtH0aMBQNbGNoFp1W6WfAFWBWJPwq6E8RQRtqX8S6jN_kTr-lNkffui9HHqdFESXNiZyOelUSK6eV/s1600/IMG_2932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDsUKNx3euRoDcWAIVIuvsi9pyl_V-R0gSR1Aa7i8VlRvzywVT1aUiZqcbhM_ncejtH0aMBQNbGNoFp1W6WfAFWBWJPwq6E8RQRtqX8S6jN_kTr-lNkffui9HHqdFESXNiZyOelUSK6eV/s320/IMG_2932.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">And then quickly to Brodies at Tyndrum for ice lollies and some chat and hugs with Loon Dod of Epic Shit Racing fame!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boy, it was hot!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With luck at Bridge of Orchy we got a nice parking spot in the middle of the action, and time for a cuppa and some chat and cheering before John, sporting his 'British Tourist in Benidorm' kit came gliding down the hill!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy87L9Co0Z_mJ9LIU9oo6y3GhOwsZeh7ZaXYc05Xe4RsD1nUowvugvKz3fYPSjwImOmBGSHXdlgYfCtErdsI8y-HxpDobAusWXcNswncz_zPG_ucPJiGBFedL8UFaPNr-dlNO1TgRlImqB/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy87L9Co0Z_mJ9LIU9oo6y3GhOwsZeh7ZaXYc05Xe4RsD1nUowvugvKz3fYPSjwImOmBGSHXdlgYfCtErdsI8y-HxpDobAusWXcNswncz_zPG_ucPJiGBFedL8UFaPNr-dlNO1TgRlImqB/s320/IMG_2940.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">Time to unleash the first support runner....care in the community....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">With two miniatures of malt for Murdo the Magnificent, resplendent on Jelly Baby Hill, off they went to tackle the heat and exposure on the beautiful Rannoch Moor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The benefit of the support runner from crew perspective is that they can often text in updates on progress and 'demands'. So we knew, by the time the got to us at Glencoe (apparently on schedule but it seemed a long time to me) that John needed to replace lost salts and wasn't feeling tip-top. So with a slightly longer stop, and a ceremonial vomit at Glencoe (thing that was before I tried him with non-alcoholic beer), we tried to sort him out, ready for me taking on the final stretch of support running...'just a marathon' to Fort William.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Now, my patter isn't that great...and John is a man of few words...so this was an interesting challenge.....I lost count of how many times I said 'shall I just shut the **** up?'...and I wasn't even talking that much! Most of my motivational patter I stole from John when he crewed me from KLL during my first WHW, so he knew what he needed to know already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">He did some moaning. That section from Glencoe to Ault na Feadh is rubbish. I agree. Silly route and unnecessary hill, albeit the views were exceptional today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And then there's the Devils Staircase. OMG. John shot off like a man possessed. And my heart rate rocketed, my lungs and legs burned and I knew I just had to suck it up. About half way he paused for breath and some water from the stream. I said some swear words, and then we set off again. I think I momentarily lead, and then I passed it back to John....wheezing my way to the top.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMieFJWdH4HpM7i4EcLXwkezcyCcC-3sz69twdojhAIxx494ff_D6I9RYGVTdRViQ64Gb0wFskm1NFpVDRCO5EOFIDFz5DTZWZGTsbf_GF75jP8KgomcypXewdMrctiiA_sNuGVeqq4mYE/s1600/john.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMieFJWdH4HpM7i4EcLXwkezcyCcC-3sz69twdojhAIxx494ff_D6I9RYGVTdRViQ64Gb0wFskm1NFpVDRCO5EOFIDFz5DTZWZGTsbf_GF75jP8KgomcypXewdMrctiiA_sNuGVeqq4mYE/s320/john.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial";">The views were exceptional from the top - in both directions. I suggested to John he take a look. He said some swear words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">And then asked if I had fizzy pop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">F***!!!! Why didn't I pack a can of pop??!! Support runner FAIL!!!</span></div>
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Balls. It took me some time to work out how to recover that one...and in the interim, Mr Grumpy questioned how long it was going to take us to get down...and had I packed a head torch as it was going to get dark.</div>
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Support runner FAIL!!!!</div>
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Options? Just keep trotting on and make runner move his ass faster...(I was ok on the downhills!). And I think we were within the desired split for this section.</div>
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This saw us make good progress, and I was able to text in demands for soup, coffee, ice cream to Helen and Clark, waiting at KLL. Thankfully, they succeeded in every request! And even had ice cream for me too!</div>
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All this wouldn't be the same without some more ceremonial vomit to set us up for the final leg....this slowed our departure from KLL down, but that was ok...the midges weren't nearly as bad as they could've been here, and it was still light. </div>
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With headtorches ready, and fire in our bellies, knowing, barring major incident we were heading for a PB, we were off.</div>
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OMG. John shot up that climb like the possessed man again. Me? Repeat of the Staircase...puff, puff, wheeze, MTFU......</div>
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Still light at the top. Result.</div>
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I love this section across the Lairig (moreso in the daylight) and it had been since I did the race last year that I had been on it (didn't tell John that in case I'd forgotten bits!). We resumed the pattern of me mostly striding ahead, and John following. My chat was crap. I stopped asking him if he needed food, as he'd actually (aside from the puking) been consuming quite well (milkshakes, rice puds, custard etc), and he was guzzling at his bottles pretty well.</div>
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We'd been warned that Jeff of Wilderness Rescue hadn't been able to get to his usual spot, and that was the only downside of this year's race for me, as it has been a great focal point to motivate across the Lairig in the dark - the glow of the torches and the promise of fizzy pop!</div>
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We had a wee lull when John decided to drink the can of Ginger Beer I'd been carrying...and after I felt he'd been walking maybe a little more that necessary, we chivvied back into a trot, finally reaching Jeff and Patricia, and enjoying a wee juice (I think John also had coffee, but declined a dram).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jw2BrEBBqkqNtsbs3iFpYo696tGCxuTwYYN1TqcaNeTtvIexmxeauTHlu0aAyfUexoBux5e16pjjRij_i5N-kTM29KoJFNSFx-_3zCI3plooFVScZ7N-vg2Ksecb7DAWGJE7OKK4PTML/s1600/whw1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jw2BrEBBqkqNtsbs3iFpYo696tGCxuTwYYN1TqcaNeTtvIexmxeauTHlu0aAyfUexoBux5e16pjjRij_i5N-kTM29KoJFNSFx-_3zCI3plooFVScZ7N-vg2Ksecb7DAWGJE7OKK4PTML/s320/whw1.JPG" width="176" /></a>Next stop Lundavra....the promise of the bonfire and some tunes from Gayle (I had a nice wee dance to The Proclaimers). I finally got a phone signal and sent a text for rice pudding and coffee.... We were quicker/closer than expected, and Helen/Clark were still winging their way up the road. I may have said some bad words. John grumbled...and scavenged the table of goodies Gayle had while we waiting for Helen/Clark's arrival...</div>
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7 to go...and a swift march up the hill. I had promises to keep and to try and keep well within that PB. Oh no, a fall! John caught his foot on something (I'm guessing a rock) and hit the deck.</div>
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F***!!! Support crew fail!! Why hadn't I anticipated/seen it?!?!</div>
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Anyway, he seemed ok (at this stage in the game there was nothing else for it) and we walked it out for a minute or so before setting off at a trot/walk until finally reaching the forest...which seemed an eternity away!</div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Every thing that kills me</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Makes me feel alive!</span></em></strong></div>
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And then.....we started picking off bodies...a few zombies in the dark (apologies people we passed, you were all probably moving very well!), and a wee boost with each one....I certainly took the energy from this and was hoping John did too! The steps in the woods went fine, and then we could see the final climb to the fire road...and a few more bodies to pick off (after another heather root induced tumble).</div>
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We were there. I had a wee tear. It was in the bag. I love that feeling....3 ish miles to go and mostly downhill....you can do it.....the goblet is almost in your hands.</div>
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A support runner asked us how far, as her running wobbled a little with the change of gradient and terrain. "You've done it, 3 miles, mostly downhill. You've done it."</div>
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We breathed some big, deep, lung filling breaths. "Ready? Let's do this!"</div>
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And we did....whoooooooooosh......if John was strong up those big climbs, he found something else for this last bit... A 9:45 mile for the first....John:"I think I should ease up a bit".....Me:"Ok". So a 9:33 for the next one (along that drag to Braveheart which seems to never come). </div>
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I started texting Helen to tell her we were coming....Text, text......puff...wheeze....sh**.....was I going to be able to keep up..... Onto the tarmac (maybe I should just let him go)....there's the 30MPH sign (just let him go)......the hedges....the lights of the leisure centre....</div>
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And we're done! With a final mile of 8:50ish John blasted through the finish line and took over two hours off his PB! Fantastic and well deserved result, and another goblet for his collection!</div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">I see this life, like a swinging vine</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Swing my heart across the line</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">In my face is flashing signs</span></em></strong></div>
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<strong><em><span style="color: blue;">Seek it out and ye shall find</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Many more tears over the next 24/36/48 hours...in fact several times this week I've been close, often in public places! Reading the runners blogs and videos brings it all back. From the start, to during the race, right through to the prize giving (seeing Norma receive her first goblet as a finisher aged 64 was a total tear-jerker). I saw friends battle, rejoice and break-down. And saw it from a totally different perspective this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Crewing is bloody hard work. There's pressure and worry and some lack of control. You never know what your runner will want or is thinking or how you might cope if they talk of dropping out. How do you motivate them, or know what might be the right or wrong thing to say? And how do you keep your energy levels right so you are ready to run when it's your stint to support? it was a pleasure to be part of John's race, and experience a side to the race I've not seen before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This race is in my soul. And I'll be back. Targeting 2018 for my next luck of the draw in the ballot, and until then, more crewing, or massaging, or something!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Bloody well done to everyone who got to the start line, and to those who received the cherished goblet. Just over 1,000 all time finishers. A galaxy of stars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">See you next year!</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-74676409046370545482016-05-08T04:34:00.001-07:002016-05-08T04:34:48.613-07:00A race of two halfs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l8S8kskHJo47BawMCDxRQUpbTGFRz3wvAJSd5BZCUljbFJr-ypS9gL79aCJQX-BWQJ9DBW6bbaIWt8LIGObHhdqM-p4tGcjgCwKvZMjEmEZnXcakWOztwHBMe4jE933f-Q1aPkVQupcT/s1600/lyon1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6l8S8kskHJo47BawMCDxRQUpbTGFRz3wvAJSd5BZCUljbFJr-ypS9gL79aCJQX-BWQJ9DBW6bbaIWt8LIGObHhdqM-p4tGcjgCwKvZMjEmEZnXcakWOztwHBMe4jE933f-Q1aPkVQupcT/s320/lyon1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing another race so soon after the Fling isn't necessarily the smartest move, and would go against all standard training and recovery guidelines. I'd heard such good things about the course, from others who had recce'd the route last year, and with this being the first year of this new addition to the BAM stable (<a href="http://www.runyabam.com/">www.runyabam.com</a>), organisers of Glen Ogle, Great Glen and Glenmore, it was too hard to resist as I knew it would be a well-organised and friendly affair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And it certainly didn't disappoint!</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b8I-am70GZf_jYLZNdHRGgbCh7051CbhaIME69DTmz3daFmmNb4h_Rybe1bCTvlnETyFNUIlfH9ija2nJ6qAQfopsH0eVkpRC-yxJpj5mQphRb2PqzwOq5EfVXQqzbPFmN8dVolLc9aY/s1600/lyon9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b8I-am70GZf_jYLZNdHRGgbCh7051CbhaIME69DTmz3daFmmNb4h_Rybe1bCTvlnETyFNUIlfH9ija2nJ6qAQfopsH0eVkpRC-yxJpj5mQphRb2PqzwOq5EfVXQqzbPFmN8dVolLc9aY/s320/lyon9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Chen/Running in Scotland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few people opted to wild camp the night before, and while this was tempting, with a civilised 9:30am start time, I decided to drive across in the morning (even with Google Maps telling me it was a 2 hour drive, given the single track winding road all the way from Killin!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The course is 2 laps. I'd half believed the first lap, which was a highly runnable loop around Loch Lyon was longer (c17/18 miles) but on the day, Garmin clocked it at about 15.5m.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-wJkrW0HOZ7JV6f1xx7rXocwrErPuspleESAG7RcQXY2-wLdNZmEb3n6Iyshr6qLSQ4MMdyunQ05qn2VPdnrS4_qho-n94GWa_GjUZmporapl0o1tVXfIRhEAMVtdHmX6fXcYrMvhIPK/s1600/lyon10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-wJkrW0HOZ7JV6f1xx7rXocwrErPuspleESAG7RcQXY2-wLdNZmEb3n6Iyshr6qLSQ4MMdyunQ05qn2VPdnrS4_qho-n94GWa_GjUZmporapl0o1tVXfIRhEAMVtdHmX6fXcYrMvhIPK/s320/lyon10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Sharon and Jeni (race winner!)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thus, the second, and infinitely more challenging loop, which headed off into the glen, was actually slightly longer. In traditional BAM style, the route was billed as 30 miles, and I clocked in at 31.7m at the finish line! (and thus my pre-race forecast of 6hours was slightly out....only by about 4/5 minutes!)</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m7v45250_B3p_0m_8ocHRF9lgAT3TOxnMP7IyjHXc9V4xkkqWEftUZ2f5BsqnEntnsZq_c5rdgFSt4kfHHb-_XI_ImitaWejmxYQkbxTDsDS2jlvtNF1DRwP2hVwJLp5NH3lnfNuFi4m/s1600/lyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m7v45250_B3p_0m_8ocHRF9lgAT3TOxnMP7IyjHXc9V4xkkqWEftUZ2f5BsqnEntnsZq_c5rdgFSt4kfHHb-_XI_ImitaWejmxYQkbxTDsDS2jlvtNF1DRwP2hVwJLp5NH3lnfNuFi4m/s320/lyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first climb!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once you leave Killin, heading to Bridge of Balgie and beyond, all thoughts of civilisation are gone! There's a clear reason the race control need a satellite phone!! I didn't get signal again until I was back on the road home. A true day of escapism!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once I got through the scary drive across the Ben Lawers road, parking was fine (off road, and as conditions had been dry (and I have a 4x4 so shouldn't worry) no issues with getting a space or sinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwGPO7aJymqWtPu79l_UYR34BRsDSKwk1VIz-PZJGGcc9eJud2y3jKe4anpf-4ywkU2W-sWLV2qsW_V2vEq-t3iT-fiJFyoDMYNXwttWrMnjI2wvp_7Yzlv0ZCWl6Kn6nEwcc1LPo0TK0/s1600/lyon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwGPO7aJymqWtPu79l_UYR34BRsDSKwk1VIz-PZJGGcc9eJud2y3jKe4anpf-4ywkU2W-sWLV2qsW_V2vEq-t3iT-fiJFyoDMYNXwttWrMnjI2wvp_7Yzlv0ZCWl6Kn6nEwcc1LPo0TK0/s320/lyon2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">My nerves were quite high compared to how I had felt for last week's fling. I think the 'fear' of the unknown a key contributor, as I really had no idea what the terrain or course were like. Thankfully there were sufficient porta-loos and wilderness!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlN3tr-9WsOfSsJ2VSJQErmaqdyrD2-MkAHPVNpMoh12NHAqdu8gX7EA7v2wPBOawxzEWiI6jdA4WLeB4LbDlOG6CXp9gRDjdfflcJ9IFjTCybO3MTtMAvW20Hh-lQP86PdJxI85JW9QXo/s1600/lyon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlN3tr-9WsOfSsJ2VSJQErmaqdyrD2-MkAHPVNpMoh12NHAqdu8gX7EA7v2wPBOawxzEWiI6jdA4WLeB4LbDlOG6CXp9gRDjdfflcJ9IFjTCybO3MTtMAvW20Hh-lQP86PdJxI85JW9QXo/s320/lyon3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Another bonus for this race is that there is no big restriction on your drop bags, as you run back (across the dam) and through base camp between loops, so there was the option to change kit (the first lap has several interesting river crossings (at least one of which was thigh deep yesterday!)). Can't wait to see the photos and will edit one in! Inevitably, I didn't change any kit, nor eat half the stuff I had packed when I actually got there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, after a brief briefing....during which Bill asked if we could all swim, given the risk assessment had to include danger of drowning.....we were off. A short tarmac descent and then onto a steady climb up along landrover track and this separated us out pretty quickly. My plan was to just bimble along and see how I felt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40xmxCy3X46d-MU9kVk2729S2LS9ZGv_olhu-r19e_9TO3B_7wD-9lNZ1dV-x2JpZSUMWogfFaNic0jNJ0BLSBbw8N8aeK91sPev94jBDILeS-TZfGZL0Qj5FIg1NLk05nCpL1M_hjrhC/s1600/lyon4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40xmxCy3X46d-MU9kVk2729S2LS9ZGv_olhu-r19e_9TO3B_7wD-9lNZ1dV-x2JpZSUMWogfFaNic0jNJ0BLSBbw8N8aeK91sPev94jBDILeS-TZfGZL0Qj5FIg1NLk05nCpL1M_hjrhC/s320/lyon4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doesn't do the views justice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The trail around Loch Lyon is highly runnable and I was making decent progress. As it transpired, we also had a beneficial tail wind most of the way out! Thus the return back towards the dam was somewhat more challenging, into the wind!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The weather was fairly settled and warm, and within a couple of miles, I'd rolled the sleeves down, and several people were peeling off layers! I'd pretty much worn the same as last week, aside from swapping shorts for skort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was conscious of not trying to push on too much and risk burn out or injury. There were quite a few of us there who had run the Fling the week before, so not alone in being one to take a risk. My body felt ok, not too niggly and not overly tired. I hadn't done any real training in the week (just an easy hungover couple of miles on Thursday morning in London).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJU-ptjkyoBSy5JOZGomsQhU3vfYDpcPgzInM4sZCS2g4ZsHF9eyvZm4E0FYDpTgc771A45QQG5a7szMyekiGLVgtlwsvOoYGNMJXWR2dda1hSc6RtGJ0WvqpxaMhXhC_HDBWEKg0uMJE/s1600/lyon11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJU-ptjkyoBSy5JOZGomsQhU3vfYDpcPgzInM4sZCS2g4ZsHF9eyvZm4E0FYDpTgc771A45QQG5a7szMyekiGLVgtlwsvOoYGNMJXWR2dda1hSc6RtGJ0WvqpxaMhXhC_HDBWEKg0uMJE/s320/lyon11.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'I can see the fkn steep<br />
path from here' <br />
(Photo by Lois)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">What seemed too quickly we were back crossing the dam....the tarmac/coating felt decidedly sticky after the nice track around the loch! A fanny around in transition, aided by Mairi Fox and then off onto the next loop. This started with the same short downhill, but followed by what seemed like 1.5 miles of climb! I admit, I wasn't loving the tarmac at this point but kept my ultra-march going and had some chat with Mark about CCC along the way. Also had the pleasure of seeing James Stewart powering up the hill towards his epic finish (I'd only run about 19 miles at this point and he only had 2/3 to go!!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Arriving at the next water station, where Lois was in charge of the troops and pointed me in the right direction...while re-assuring me that the REALLY steep path I could see on the other side of the glen wasn't where I was headed! And she was telling the truth!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQZ_4Yw3CdUliVLGH59UWZGJYF-fyowl7VUYsdTrljtS7eIfTIBdXm3yIq0frRjvg4bMAjeNWFAxuPqiWoKW-ZyH-4S4C1EiNYbpDlDy8-BZyUwS7eEARm8klKZTcc4Ar5-qJiiLkWXQd/s1600/lyon5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQZ_4Yw3CdUliVLGH59UWZGJYF-fyowl7VUYsdTrljtS7eIfTIBdXm3yIq0frRjvg4bMAjeNWFAxuPqiWoKW-ZyH-4S4C1EiNYbpDlDy8-BZyUwS7eEARm8klKZTcc4Ar5-qJiiLkWXQd/s320/lyon5.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OGKrnWewH5lEdopAp3laM-16d9nhSKxLKpcJnWmHgTGjuRLbo-WAT-qPqRiFahvWKnWtgU6wsaGk5v61FxkRpc-MrDvtO6UC_Fi5Sf02RWm46eadzcrl5OH0lPU-bbTPg_wczNmVa9rq/s1600/lyon6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OGKrnWewH5lEdopAp3laM-16d9nhSKxLKpcJnWmHgTGjuRLbo-WAT-qPqRiFahvWKnWtgU6wsaGk5v61FxkRpc-MrDvtO6UC_Fi5Sf02RWm46eadzcrl5OH0lPU-bbTPg_wczNmVa9rq/s320/lyon6.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">This loop was definitely more challenging and this 'out' section felt like a long gradual climb (with fantastic mountain views again). There was then a gravelly descent (which my knees didn't like too much) and the return through the glen was relatively flat and, had it not been for the head wind, and tiredness, runnable. A few people passed me on this loop, and I passed a few others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I caught up with Sharon and Brigette on this return stretch, and after chatting for a while, moved away slightly, and made a wee bit better progress on THE HILL. OOOOOFT! That is some climb back up out of the glen, and seemed to go on forever!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I tried to get some more fuel in at this point, downing the remains of my coke, and having another mini mars bar (I suspect once again I probably hadn't eaten enough early on). I was grateful to see Lois and the aid station half-way up, and get a top up of my water. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8HFYANq59aMYzGN8WBabcU0WTXHm4hDTIFJYbH7uXew1RbWDaqhMj21um8N-dWNi1sLF71FhZeppcYIZzETlsiEvDlCNk9nAbt6lA-pCAXApnPdzJY3xac_qc_RPd3nLvaguVaudXJcK/s1600/lyon12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8HFYANq59aMYzGN8WBabcU0WTXHm4hDTIFJYbH7uXew1RbWDaqhMj21um8N-dWNi1sLF71FhZeppcYIZzETlsiEvDlCNk9nAbt6lA-pCAXApnPdzJY3xac_qc_RPd3nLvaguVaudXJcK/s320/lyon12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching up the climb<br />
Photo by Lois</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, after more marching, I was over the top, and knowing there was about 2 miles of descent to the finish. Hard to get the shuffle back on, and my ankles were protesting a little, but finally got the momentum (downhill roll) and a view of the finish line!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A cheeky wee final climb...can't.stop.now....and then a resounding whooping and clapping from the marshals and finishers/supporters and it was done! 6hrs 4mins and some seconds and 31.8miles. Job done!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9303qlW9IdIHv5hd4G2JZfumdk80ozp5Dn6oiFScwk-Z6_dy6f69fk_utc8hpV3_7H1j-w226tel4CArEIwHKh9X8keOMScgZLXw6D56Hlk-6L5PAEJnhbEFNs50nPFBop0LH3gKL4oO/s1600/lyon8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9303qlW9IdIHv5hd4G2JZfumdk80ozp5Dn6oiFScwk-Z6_dy6f69fk_utc8hpV3_7H1j-w226tel4CArEIwHKh9X8keOMScgZLXw6D56Hlk-6L5PAEJnhbEFNs50nPFBop0LH3gKL4oO/s320/lyon8.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with all BAM events, there is a great haul of goodies for finishers - medal, functional t-shirt, buff, snacks (with tasty Nairns goodies, Tunnocks wafers and Irn Bru!), Thistly Cross race cider. I was a little too slow to get soup - the hungry early finishers had scoffed it all, but had a couple of mugs of strong black coffee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was pleased to hear Jeni had won the ladies race - what an epic year she is having, and the training never seems to stop! And on the back of running the fling last week too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxHUbzRDKxPil45HqY0E9y2iPI0NaeZLKsWDF4ewRauMDrQ-CZxAmSagLYUh2D8vQQJmNUvwaj1GAv01UppVU0i9IBuoegf0FGAjnmRIPoue8s1JGz-yGs54sE3-MegWVA7Yg1JrqJuaP/s1600/lyon7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxHUbzRDKxPil45HqY0E9y2iPI0NaeZLKsWDF4ewRauMDrQ-CZxAmSagLYUh2D8vQQJmNUvwaj1GAv01UppVU0i9IBuoegf0FGAjnmRIPoue8s1JGz-yGs54sE3-MegWVA7Yg1JrqJuaP/s320/lyon7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall a fabulous race - good course, well organised, good support, cheery marshals, great 'rewards' and the conditions were pretty perfect yesterday. I think this would be a great step up for those looking for their first ultra, as well as a good challenge for those with more experience. I have no doubt this race will go from strength to strength and would anticipate a sell-out next year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Great work BAM!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Garmin results <a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1158277106" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">6hrs 4m 11s</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ave pace 11:29min/mile</span><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-41296164338163238922016-05-05T03:42:00.003-07:002016-05-05T03:42:54.415-07:00Because We Got High
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was bitter-sweet returning to Chamonix a couple of
weekends ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend, which has
now become our annual girls weekend with a difference, was ideally part of the
build up to my second attempt at the CCC (part of the UTMB race week) in
August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regular readers however will
know that I was unlucky in the ballot this year, and the race is out of my
grasp until (hopefully!) 2017, with the double chance in the ballot.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not to be put off by that, or various health matters that
Helen was going through, or the fact that the forecast wasn’t looking too
clever, we knew we were definitely going back, whatever the weekend finally
allowed us to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And it was great to be back!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NwwmkOmzaFjhuw4sl3YAcxgokKjFc1Aolgt1KZTeNsk4gC4BcCAd47GWNbpch1CV12xcSRYPEbGoXa4RfTcv46zwL6bXGR4WEDDm72_adqjCg7UyJEN7RInNsXbpVRkvMV-vQfQoCQWn/s1600/IMG_2799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NwwmkOmzaFjhuw4sl3YAcxgokKjFc1Aolgt1KZTeNsk4gC4BcCAd47GWNbpch1CV12xcSRYPEbGoXa4RfTcv46zwL6bXGR4WEDDm72_adqjCg7UyJEN7RInNsXbpVRkvMV-vQfQoCQWn/s320/IMG_2799.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year we opted to fly out on Saturday morning, returning
the following Tuesday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easyjet
from Edinburgh provide a simple flight option, and we found a nice apartment
through Airbnb, upgrading ourselves this year with wifi and a balcony with
views of Mont Blanc!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Breakfast of prosecco and eggs benedict at
Wetherspoons….well, why not?! And then off we flew to Geneva.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from a squad of rugby touring
schoolkids on the flight, it was relatively uneventful, and we had the bonus of
a spare seat in our row, so some extra space!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On arrival, a short wait until all the people for our
mini-bus/taxi arrived, and already I was feeling the comfort factor of having
been before – familiar surroundings definitely ease the travel stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before long we were dropped off at our apartment,
not far from the town centre, close to the river in Chamonix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And without much ado, decided to head into
the centre….well, it was beer o’clock…..and our eating schedule was a little
off kilter and we needed food!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weather was a bit Scottish – driech and a bit cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stark contrast to last year’s weekend when we
had baked under blue skies and 25 degree heat!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHof4UiwYuL8CfxHd9yUG4NtvgVL3cOJs5HJ0PG-rCt25uOBIHCV0_RgBtNwAvAKr8dhIECs6GPgVyADNx04Z51jOZfFpR7uOM_LpK-IJAZ33cX_FX-16EOdsG5HKIlIVww7Ut3bMgf-av/s1600/IMG_2738%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHof4UiwYuL8CfxHd9yUG4NtvgVL3cOJs5HJ0PG-rCt25uOBIHCV0_RgBtNwAvAKr8dhIECs6GPgVyADNx04Z51jOZfFpR7uOM_LpK-IJAZ33cX_FX-16EOdsG5HKIlIVww7Ut3bMgf-av/s320/IMG_2738%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We quickly familiarised ourselves with the locality, and
headed towards the iconic church – home of the finish line to the UTMB races,
and still capable of making my heart skip a beat!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also handily close to a couple of pubs, where
we found ourselves a nice beer and local delicacies platter to scoff, while
checking out the local fashions at a wedding!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No running on Saturday, but some planning and prep for where
we might go on Sunday –factoring in that the cloud cover was low, and the
mountains still snowy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a firm
believer in not taking any risks, and we were already feeling the effects of
altitude even being in the town (c1,000m above sea level)…it’s these things you
really forget how much impact they have on you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also went out for dinner…revisiting La Tablee, for one of their
delicious set-menus….and the obligatory fondue!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a relatively good sleep (in our bunk beds!), the plan
was to hit the Petit Balcon Sud and head towards Argentiere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ideally, then returning via the Petit Balcon
Nord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great benefit this year
for me of having a much better sense of direction, removing the fear factor of
‘what if’, and knowing where the trains ran and about the local travel cards
etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuPpQI-9rim0nRC0E9FBK2T_lrYGOb5-4o0vs2P7Vr1ythqDYJ6sqxK9M0akyqIPUXFo3SUFspKyue6E4zaSCiXjXojbwWau9Pu1l07pvOa1kcheETO8GnhfzdwnAc64S_s_DNnr-xyZo/s1600/IMG_2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuPpQI-9rim0nRC0E9FBK2T_lrYGOb5-4o0vs2P7Vr1ythqDYJ6sqxK9M0akyqIPUXFo3SUFspKyue6E4zaSCiXjXojbwWau9Pu1l07pvOa1kcheETO8GnhfzdwnAc64S_s_DNnr-xyZo/s320/IMG_2743.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We wrapped up for the weather and headed through the town
and up towards our access point (at the cable car…also where the VK route
starts, but it was too snowy/cloudy for that today!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This in itself was a steep climb and our
breathing was labouring with the altitude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hitting the trail, and the first of the many incredibly
useful route signposts…although this caused me some debate as the ‘Petit Balcon
Sud’ arrow was not pointing the way my brain told me to go (nor the map!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we opted to believe the signpost and
headed up the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point we
agreed to split up, with the likelihood my pace and current fitness meant I
would be a bit faster than Helen on the climbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were both comfortable with where we were heading, so no dramas.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The trail was beautiful – in some ways very similar to some
of the hillier passes in Scotland, yet in other ways quite different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was quickly reminded of how knarly the
trails are, how steep the drop offs, how high you get (quite quickly) and to be
mindful of the altitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also
really quiet, and I quickly found myself relaxing into my running, at peace
with the world (corny…), and easily following the sign-posts, which did take me
the direction I wanted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coming to a sign for La Floria, I took a detour, adding some
climb, but cheekily in the hope the café would be open (it wasn’t).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then dropped altitude and carried along
towards Argentiere, through light snow flurries…and decreasing temperature
(they were still skiing down to town level at Argentiere).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping in touch with Helen by text, we’d
both decided that catching the train back might be an idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was mindful of the Highland Fling the
following weekend…and the mileage was starting to look like out and back might
be a bit further than planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best laid
plans and all that…..there wasn’t a train for an hour and a half when I
arrived….so I decided to head back the way I had come (without the Floria
detour) and try to catch Helen on route at Les Tines, rather than wait and get
any colder.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHseL_d5RK3TmAN12amKTvVlj7dX9fGtw5WiMCU_htAn47KKLR2NcJfw_YvK5Z3kdCayyuuEYR3wkK9hUS_hvvs1al3rJWbcZXPPYUVmV8lFgDRHtouveXdjB6fMFEfJG9p7Lykr1jWe/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qHseL_d5RK3TmAN12amKTvVlj7dX9fGtw5WiMCU_htAn47KKLR2NcJfw_YvK5Z3kdCayyuuEYR3wkK9hUS_hvvs1al3rJWbcZXPPYUVmV8lFgDRHtouveXdjB6fMFEfJG9p7Lykr1jWe/s320/IMG_2752.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As it turned out, Helen made progress to Les Praz, and
caught a bus back to Chamonix….I found my way to Les Praz, and after waiting
for a bus (assured by a wee local man it was coming), then realised it was
Sunday timetable, so ran the final stretch (which turned out at 1.6miles to be
far shorter than I remembered!), and caught up with Helen in time to meet her
at the cake shop to buy some lovely quiche and afternoon cake delight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made it back to the apartment to hear of
John (Helen’s husband) finishing the London Marathon in a very decent
time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(For the record it was he who
suggested we go away the same weekend he was doing the marathon!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wow, were we knackered after that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d done about 13 miles (and 2,500ft of
ascent), and it felt (not in the legs) like more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat, shower…and off to bed for a couple of
hours!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX1as_paDokbOIgPUyU2SJb7YX3UtxB7mdZad0VNbjd3_K4MNXU71Y5bIhoZkw_PoroHr8qQNJ7SlOyYk_AsCTNdqoBv-hMFw9NUcWB-b2E8N2y-OXB2vOXADRuyt8L0NJvwNHB5T1zZ2/s1600/IMG_2766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX1as_paDokbOIgPUyU2SJb7YX3UtxB7mdZad0VNbjd3_K4MNXU71Y5bIhoZkw_PoroHr8qQNJ7SlOyYk_AsCTNdqoBv-hMFw9NUcWB-b2E8N2y-OXB2vOXADRuyt8L0NJvwNHB5T1zZ2/s320/IMG_2766.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wandering around town that night we found a new venue for
food – Moo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full of cool looking ski
dudes and more importantly with a menu populated mostly with tasty burgers and
tasty cocktails it definitely ticked the boxes for us and hit the spot!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For Monday’s route, we planned to hit the other side of the
valley, with a route we were both slightly familiar with (well, I knew where it
ended it transpired but ended up a slightly different path up).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heading upwards from the Montenvers train
station and up into the hills behind the ‘luge’ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this was a challenging climb, but so worth it
for the views!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky was clearer today
and we were rewarded with some cracking vistas, and the fun of being higher
than a helicopter as it flew up the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again we agreed to split up, with a rough time plan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2pH0MG2ohkk465-HA1xDGTXPcPrrLIvALQV7AVHy30qQTh8QL6C8MEgOwBNztetNj_U4aMYtQrFZlWBIPFk7JXuoGoyvWwyuCUGqPn9M4yPfQcILbwGXVihL88lE0oePhyoXNtZuzRan/s1600/IMG_2772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2pH0MG2ohkk465-HA1xDGTXPcPrrLIvALQV7AVHy30qQTh8QL6C8MEgOwBNztetNj_U4aMYtQrFZlWBIPFk7JXuoGoyvWwyuCUGqPn9M4yPfQcILbwGXVihL88lE0oePhyoXNtZuzRan/s320/IMG_2772.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I climbed up and up, ending up at Caillet chalet/café where
I hadn’t been before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d hoped to do a
loop down from here, but the snow was calf deep at this point, and the
alternative descent path looked untrodden….so I opted to go back the way I came
for safety!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was a smashing run, and
about 2,000ft of ascent over 5.5miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was happy with how my legs felt on the hills, and my heart with the scary drop
offs and altitude!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtjEHGL0hNIyxjqO6_5Y7hZ7cqTMvJOzt4B254Fc9jq9msxxVA6wuw6sgoaibMWG9OkkHDX-r0vQhkACvwD1Ak_db6_9xAq-JWcRayL1lq9lbRnVWOa2K95jaMb_8vzllwOF0bvDhswNk/s1600/IMG_2773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCtjEHGL0hNIyxjqO6_5Y7hZ7cqTMvJOzt4B254Fc9jq9msxxVA6wuw6sgoaibMWG9OkkHDX-r0vQhkACvwD1Ak_db6_9xAq-JWcRayL1lq9lbRnVWOa2K95jaMb_8vzllwOF0bvDhswNk/s320/IMG_2773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYNvkOBi_QeZcEszudGpQDJ24rJk2i5po3RXzObQONLdvMuFmouu7fVrMEQxa13WnER2SFZLUIc3QF2c1aTBZwfvmyyiXP3JOtpCyFCUQrAMZWSZBTuee5a7q6tMKgRms9WPSytmIUSJV/s1600/IMG_2796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYNvkOBi_QeZcEszudGpQDJ24rJk2i5po3RXzObQONLdvMuFmouu7fVrMEQxa13WnER2SFZLUIc3QF2c1aTBZwfvmyyiXP3JOtpCyFCUQrAMZWSZBTuee5a7q6tMKgRms9WPSytmIUSJV/s200/IMG_2796.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We then did some tourism, and took the wee local train up to
Vallorcine and back, and then stumbled upon happy hour in the bar next to the
station….well, it would be rude not to…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA04klwySHclH3TU8Fp4eqR65QshGshzynpS67EvILFFACDCkPb9bo1NYLD-glAm7CHz8u9lTVVNVdMSodPAaMeNcNh2AUqGsO0EZqvP2yfWl1JOymrfrAfS6meDWwv0QfAAAJRM0NnBmY/s1600/IMG_2798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA04klwySHclH3TU8Fp4eqR65QshGshzynpS67EvILFFACDCkPb9bo1NYLD-glAm7CHz8u9lTVVNVdMSodPAaMeNcNh2AUqGsO0EZqvP2yfWl1JOymrfrAfS6meDWwv0QfAAAJRM0NnBmY/s200/IMG_2798.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We then ended up back at La Tablee as the place next door where we were
heading was unexpectedly closed for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPbqzP7MldLqmCYYRzk-ALdfE4Jfgdo12WQ74VHZLCqikCIOwyGNZyCpELklI8s4Hhf4cRXxtp6fiCCBne4ZzKShxCJNNaSUAeuqAmfeBiT8aNfh06sy-i8Cxym7MuZ3_qy5NCxzNPU2y/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPbqzP7MldLqmCYYRzk-ALdfE4Jfgdo12WQ74VHZLCqikCIOwyGNZyCpELklI8s4Hhf4cRXxtp6fiCCBne4ZzKShxCJNNaSUAeuqAmfeBiT8aNfh06sy-i8Cxym7MuZ3_qy5NCxzNPU2y/s320/IMG_2806.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then it was departure day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, how time had flown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An early rise to get a run in, and a return
to the Petit Balcon Sud, with a wee blast along to Les Praz for me, and back
along the river (including the full run from the leisure centre round the town
for the ‘race finish’ at the church).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6
miles and another 1,000ft of ascent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
happy runner, my first black squirrel siting, and followed by a well-earned
traditional French dejuner before Mountain Drop-offs came back to collect us
for the homeward trip.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5u8uBn7mK9DL4k0VUBzOaMYSgfiNx0WHIh1lVfSm03-y5BBg2ITRp7OI7fOg9r86_bPWclsUzRaHvgnM9musc2qN3v5tZohW0imgtBz_9WKBf_-iC1QBHNMJRkHN0JTMHEICpIIR4z-3/s1600/IMG_2808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5u8uBn7mK9DL4k0VUBzOaMYSgfiNx0WHIh1lVfSm03-y5BBg2ITRp7OI7fOg9r86_bPWclsUzRaHvgnM9musc2qN3v5tZohW0imgtBz_9WKBf_-iC1QBHNMJRkHN0JTMHEICpIIR4z-3/s320/IMG_2808.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stinky men on the bus made for a slightly nauseous journey,
but we didn’t have too long to wait at the airport before the flight took us
back in time, and finally arriving in Edinburgh where Clark kindly picked us
up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwH6MUSLi53L7igFIJhyphenhyphenNFzFoGfSCnTSpfiQze4n7AtudpKwYuos2lcJsoAd7NkkWQ-qxH7Ebdp1uy9kQr6Ug7kLV3L5sykTxAgqKhYncMRi-SETh41nUrIlYLNdkhUdWXz1R1iVk6kEz/s1600/IMG_2810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwH6MUSLi53L7igFIJhyphenhyphenNFzFoGfSCnTSpfiQze4n7AtudpKwYuos2lcJsoAd7NkkWQ-qxH7Ebdp1uy9kQr6Ug7kLV3L5sykTxAgqKhYncMRi-SETh41nUrIlYLNdkhUdWXz1R1iVk6kEz/s320/IMG_2810.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A fab trip, even if the weather we had hoped would be
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to get planning for
our 2017 trip!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also looking forward to
heading back in August for UTMB week, even though I won’t be racing, I’ll still
be planning some decent running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
short visit was a great reminder that I need to keep raising my fitness levels
and work on my adaptation to altitude and my stability on the technical and
narrow trails!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-39822211133911839452016-05-02T04:28:00.002-07:002016-05-02T04:28:59.026-07:00Ding, Ding....round 4<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't believe how quickly we got to Fling day again this year, but Saturday was the day. I'd had a busy lead up to race day, and maybe partly due to feeling a bit more 'experienced' this year, was less frenetic about my preparations</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, aside from some concern about the every changing weather and what to wear (generally I always over-dress!) given we'd had significant snow over-night on Thursday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">That was a worry I needn't have had as Johnny Fling clearly had a word with the weather Gods and we couldn't have really asked for better conditions, with only a couple of light rain showers during the day, a nice cool start and some beautiful blue skies and sunshine. If anything, maybe a little too hot at parts, but I think I got the kit choice right!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What did I wear.....x-bionic boxers and shorts, compressport calf guards, drymax socks, Hoka speedgoat, x-bionic vest, ronhill t-shirt (last year's WHW one), salomon cap (recently purchased in Chamonix, to give me strength for the hills!) and a wee headband (instead of my usual buff), x-bionic arm sleeves (perfect to roll down when too hot, and to dip in the streams to help cool off) and some wee skinny gloves (which I did actually take off eventually!). Had my UD pack...I think its the AK from last year (still hankering after a new ladies one...).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD40Tt-qlJZY6DWYlzcwahjwgmr7DBDKQB2ZhB4TfVCrtUCs3UwwS72cjM3nrv-eLH92w4vRStXwrKMQ5vjFGmT6tB3RQTsuVICfuZq4WYdgZp0C0-PIOquG3OyW3UAsvMbscbpS3NusY2/s1600/aafling6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD40Tt-qlJZY6DWYlzcwahjwgmr7DBDKQB2ZhB4TfVCrtUCs3UwwS72cjM3nrv-eLH92w4vRStXwrKMQ5vjFGmT6tB3RQTsuVICfuZq4WYdgZp0C0-PIOquG3OyW3UAsvMbscbpS3NusY2/s320/aafling6.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Chen / Running in Scotland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">After a quick whizz through registration on Friday night - super slick and surprisingly quiet compared to last year (although it was after 9pm), Clark dropped me off at the Premier Inn, and after the compulsory kit layout, a wee cuppa tea, an antihistamine and a dram, I soon drifted off to sleep....and slept surprisingly well until the 0410 alarm call! Followed the usual routine then of 2 porridge pots, a coffee, and a guzzle of orange squash while getting organised. 5:15 depart and the short(ish) walk up the road to the start line. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gCZb9I1-FsmaW7_64BDuLe74rKRG3HmOVQFA1wpD00ZFcuw_T0a1paiqC1jmjk8qfXeVFUzh9a2t7-Cm3PrUZdwZB-9mzNaCOYqgOfzjIGUbsyMC-TWFCu05L9LUvIK9VXuj6MRVzRFq/s1600/aafling1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gCZb9I1-FsmaW7_64BDuLe74rKRG3HmOVQFA1wpD00ZFcuw_T0a1paiqC1jmjk8qfXeVFUzh9a2t7-Cm3PrUZdwZB-9mzNaCOYqgOfzjIGUbsyMC-TWFCu05L9LUvIK9VXuj6MRVzRFq/s320/aafling1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monument Photos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crowds were gathering and there was a positive buzz. The weather I think was helping, and the drop bags, toilet queues and chat were all going well. Before long it was time for Johnny Fling's briefing from the top of the fling van! Eeek I hope that washes off Sheona!! And then it was time to go! I started in the second wave, times estimated 10-12 hours and was hoping for between 11:30 and 12, all being well. I wasn't too sure how my training had panned out this year and you can never be too certain heading out to run 53 miles as to how it will go!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHMVnimgO4wbQTh5QWCjRnN2jx75Ndr1Eb9WCViTmAG1vk4VoHdySvs2RLEKEEFNIkZQkvW2oT7piBEHXSdxRc2dZCQP8SU7WPMZXC_DE9Iu0W224xpJSHcNUM5tNL9Iw3PhqoGfcekdr/s1600/aafling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHMVnimgO4wbQTh5QWCjRnN2jx75Ndr1Eb9WCViTmAG1vk4VoHdySvs2RLEKEEFNIkZQkvW2oT7piBEHXSdxRc2dZCQP8SU7WPMZXC_DE9Iu0W224xpJSHcNUM5tNL9Iw3PhqoGfcekdr/s320/aafling.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 6 miles in.<br />
Photo by Ross Lawrie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz0btgUvsPm68JnBo8N73IMDHJfhrQEkkEKRWI1_OniThki5ysYayXdDZE40VtXmPsWtfOcBX47COHLMQ7407IPetneupilyZvK07egkjCoU5enspz8f-0QP1jy040mVJEebIJcMAzDVH/s1600/aafling7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz0btgUvsPm68JnBo8N73IMDHJfhrQEkkEKRWI1_OniThki5ysYayXdDZE40VtXmPsWtfOcBX47COHLMQ7407IPetneupilyZvK07egkjCoU5enspz8f-0QP1jy040mVJEebIJcMAzDVH/s320/aafling7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Monument Photos</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I felt comfortable throughout the first stretch to Drymen although was conscious that I was running a bit faster than I possible would have expected. My heart rate was fine and I did ease off a couple of times just to ensure I wasn't over-cooking this 'easy' section. It was nice to cruise along, and have some chats along the way (sorry to Pauline for thinking you were Fiona though! Having caught the kit out the corner of my eye, it was an easy mistake!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made sure to keep drinking every mile or so (Tailwind) and ate a packet of mini Cheddars before Drymen. Think I was about 2hr 10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Off over Conic (fuelled by a mini bag of Haribo) and still feeling strong. Nothing hurt, breathing was steady and all was good with the world. Where else would you rather be at 8am on a sunny Saturday?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Was great to see Ruth Howie for a hug at the top of Conic, and the look on her face was priceless (if a little worrying) about why I was there in such good time! Also bumped into Jeni R-J at this point (which was a bit of a worry as she's waaaay faster than me!) and Sharon Hassan. Oh, and a double-dunt of photographers too....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZzXFrDgnkBzMlIJ5YcMmSvhWv-MvM7Yz8qmqTA4ebDEzpuvULRTNVBir4cGz25mk3zAwasBoHaKjfl1uNmVwRAXxV_If7RmQy6kAO5gmLhclLcbCoXAYYNUx0zc5Ogt6YyrUr24UjzFY/s1600/aafling2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZzXFrDgnkBzMlIJ5YcMmSvhWv-MvM7Yz8qmqTA4ebDEzpuvULRTNVBir4cGz25mk3zAwasBoHaKjfl1uNmVwRAXxV_If7RmQy6kAO5gmLhclLcbCoXAYYNUx0zc5Ogt6YyrUr24UjzFY/s320/aafling2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Conic</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Steady descent to Balmaha with the plan to get the drop bag done asap. The marshals were super efficient and the only downside was the sun had melted my mini Mars bar (boak...), which I ate anyway....and some other stuff (some mini 'party'/scotch eggs I think....(I'll stop wittering on about what I ate now....)...and that I heard Davie Mooney say 'well done' just as I was leaving, which was sad as that meant he had pulled out (right decision though to save longer term injury!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Normally I struggle a bit with the next section to Rowardennan, but all felt pretty good. I passed Carol Martin at Millarochy...another sign I was possible moving a bit faster than I should, but again, my breathing and heart rate felt ok, so I opted to keep moving. I faffed a bit longer at this next checkpoint, stuffing excess drop-bag contents into my pack...naively thinking I might get round to eating them all (this was a stupid decision, which I repeated at every subsequent checkpoint and resulted in my pack weighing about 3 times more at the finish than at the start!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4wKmz1ZhrpJ7LT4JhFDcLV-hNZtj8eWD0E9c9NNqrprDy34a_1V2BVB9YOSmFIvahyhGv0t8VHOobtdi6ejJvGU-qMC9TceuD88ZATDV8RAWMbuaXzrHjOSgGVUskSXPK6PGfnk79ovY/s1600/aafling3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4wKmz1ZhrpJ7LT4JhFDcLV-hNZtj8eWD0E9c9NNqrprDy34a_1V2BVB9YOSmFIvahyhGv0t8VHOobtdi6ejJvGU-qMC9TceuD88ZATDV8RAWMbuaXzrHjOSgGVUskSXPK6PGfnk79ovY/s320/aafling3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran with Lucy for a good stretch after the checkpoint which was really good as her chat kept me going up the long climb. She dropped me on the descent though, never to be seen again....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I didn't find the lochside as congested this year which was good, and I opted to not try and push too hard here. I had a couple of stumbles, and while remained upright, were enough to give me pause for thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Through Inversnaid, with some additional cheers from Chris Anderson from work who was walking with some friends (or drinking beer perhaps...), and onwards for the final scrambling section (where I caught Alan Doig (who promptly fell over....)) and then up to the Angels Playground to share my Macallan with Dario, and soak up the view (cue my first tears of the day)....</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEr0uMKrnESJBl9O5y8R2zETuybSpXT6vgiDZC0yMLNBVrrc4VUdO_VSbrWO9sv3gqQd2ypCTMLw0mtgTuVWNoGueVwUACN-Q2_0g3jN7_-eyhsb9Ryn2pCxYz7FNEp_6ESntrNvedGrE/s1600/aafling4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEr0uMKrnESJBl9O5y8R2zETuybSpXT6vgiDZC0yMLNBVrrc4VUdO_VSbrWO9sv3gqQd2ypCTMLw0mtgTuVWNoGueVwUACN-Q2_0g3jN7_-eyhsb9Ryn2pCxYz7FNEp_6ESntrNvedGrE/s320/aafling4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect spot to share a dram</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And.....I was still feeling ok..... </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think at this point I was recalling the last 2 years of Fling's being a build up for the WHW race...a pleasure I won't be enjoying this June (aside from as crew), and maybe that puts the head in a different place...who knows. I was sure enjoying myself though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not entirely sure that a wee dram is the optimal running fuel mid race in the heat though...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHDlZz9bDKMelKmL9wUtUlnKpgSYz_SJU-n7SKCH9Z1TBjKl6WF2bPGgMF8Zc2uTYgtkTDFK77oAo_B4pA2i3Sf8u8JW2SKobxWfgjGr4JVJRByDDcQiEZNl-wHqTz0FLGO8YOtDoNWID/s1600/aafling8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHDlZz9bDKMelKmL9wUtUlnKpgSYz_SJU-n7SKCH9Z1TBjKl6WF2bPGgMF8Zc2uTYgtkTDFK77oAo_B4pA2i3Sf8u8JW2SKobxWfgjGr4JVJRByDDcQiEZNl-wHqTz0FLGO8YOtDoNWID/s320/aafling8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Chen / Running in Scotland</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I was expecting to see Clark at some point on this stretch too, and got the joy of a wee kiss, and cuddle from Cori dog just before the Beinglas checkpoint.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe1OKZv78a-dCD2givlCgVf_ExAVM0L0X6bnQiK3vhTsRTYnEiXTkvpdqDdrohQLOmQVHCVzei0No3jczGhyphenhyphenRx-IB1eli05Nhk5JzubRvP99d32JzIrjDtns35L7YApUhK81L-64pWSu-/s1600/aafling9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe1OKZv78a-dCD2givlCgVf_ExAVM0L0X6bnQiK3vhTsRTYnEiXTkvpdqDdrohQLOmQVHCVzei0No3jczGhyphenhyphenRx-IB1eli05Nhk5JzubRvP99d32JzIrjDtns35L7YApUhK81L-64pWSu-/s320/aafling9.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo y Clark Hamilton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Another brilliant reception into Beinglas, and a lovely marshal helping me with all my stuff (thank you whoever you were!). I topped up with Tailwind and potato scone, and some cheese...but maybe didn't eat enough? Who knows. My time was a little down at this point on where I would have liked to be, knowing that these last 12 miles are tough, and usually take the best part of 3 hours, so my quest for a PB was potentially off the cards here. I was also feeling a bit nauseous at this point, but there was nothing else for it but to march on, and get the headphones in for the first time. There's a lot of long walkable (walk necessary) content in this section, and even my little chant of 'marginal gains, marginal gains' which had got me shuffling into a run during the first 41 miles, was struggling to gain traction here. I passed Alan Robertson here...very unusual!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZFKi8HGXEL_fhM1pmetzXVc9Uw5G1Ix9u9DkCZGriMLsVdY8fH9pcsgqVZ09BOlLP2hxvIsdcO1wW5qMlKvi5LdSwiFzGvMnD72ErOiq8UYF5x3jAY-iH1ZYVBkKqSKxjFHhu0r_-GbU/s1600/aafling0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZFKi8HGXEL_fhM1pmetzXVc9Uw5G1Ix9u9DkCZGriMLsVdY8fH9pcsgqVZ09BOlLP2hxvIsdcO1wW5qMlKvi5LdSwiFzGvMnD72ErOiq8UYF5x3jAY-iH1ZYVBkKqSKxjFHhu0r_-GbU/s320/aafling0.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Clark Hamilton</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The cows at Derrydarroch were fine (I walked past them just to be sure), and Sheona skipped past me making it look easy! Through the low tunnel (thanks Helen and John for all the warning signs this year!) and up the short steep climb. My legs I think still felt strong, I just felt pukey. Decided at this point to crack open my (Sainsburys version of) Red Bull and see if glugging some of that down would help...was it fluid/caffeine or sugar I needed??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Carol passed me just before the Bogle Glen gate (I knew she would catch me at somepoint!), gave me some words of encouragement and did a little dance as she skipped on up the hill. I think I scoffed another bit of Mrs Tilly's at this point...again, head and stomach the stalling factors in getting a better pace on. March up, shuffle down, march up, shuffle down....and the roller coaster was over.....3 miles....that's all there was to go.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A wee weeble wobble at the road crossing trying to stand still to let the marshals tell me when the traffic was clear, and a check of the watch I knew that a PB was touch and go, but more likely gone, unless I suddenly had a burst of life. I tried to not let it mess with my head and just keep going. The head wind into Auchtertyre never helps with that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">With half a mile to go I had a monumental toe stub and almost ended up in the heather (thanks kind spectator who caught me...oh no, wait, he didn't even try!) but I knew the pipers were just through the gate and round the corner...there was no stopping now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The finish always makes me cry - a fabulous red carpet finish and hundreds (it seemed) of people cheering and ding, dinging their cowbells just for you. And a lovely big hug from Julie Clarke at the end! The photographer missed me (as did Clark since I was late!) and asked me to go back and run in again....I'm in dread of how ridiculous that photo is going to look!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59-d6TynF2_9bYrFtFf0J4ezUh7vGQyM29YTLZbxH_sM108HNVMHfTfUgqI_Ll-jTSmFO5gCBNvmMbM1escKd03zmBCzihyphenhyphenDq6nTsy3FHOxcW4heYR7p7a4XAaoc_ICMewbMLsF4kitnr/s1600/aafling5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59-d6TynF2_9bYrFtFf0J4ezUh7vGQyM29YTLZbxH_sM108HNVMHfTfUgqI_Ll-jTSmFO5gCBNvmMbM1escKd03zmBCzihyphenhyphenDq6nTsy3FHOxcW4heYR7p7a4XAaoc_ICMewbMLsF4kitnr/s320/aafling5.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, my second fastest time, and I think my most enjoyable Fling of the 4 I've done. I love the WHW, and would run on it every week if I could.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">11hrs 47m 39s (ave 13.22min/mile). About 9 mins slower than last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">349th out of 673 finishers (I think 700 starters)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">58th out of 185 females</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great finish area - from huggers, t-shirts and goody bag givers, beer providers (and a choice of beers!), soup chefs (the tomato was delicious again, thanks Mum and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad Fling!), ice cream, baked potatoes.....the list is endless! It was great to see many smiling faces, and friends with trophies, and to hear the course records had been smashed! This was highly expected given the conditions and that the race was the British/Scottish Ultra Trail running championship and there were some incredible elite competitors running! The organisation is second to none, and with a crew of 180+ volunteers, I think every wish is catered for!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, two days later...I'm tired, and a bit achy....the sorest part bizarrely is my left forearm.....no idea why (feels a bit like tendonitis and is now taped up), but my right is also a bit sore.... no blisters, no scars, no skint knees....result!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A recovery week now, before Glen Lyon on Saturday (not great timing but I'm not planning to go eyeballs out!), and another day on the sofa today reading race stories, checking photographs and reliving a great day out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Will I be there next year?? You better believe it!! I think I thought I might marshal.....but I just bloody love this race so it would be a tough call but either way I'll be there!</span><br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-30479034995605099792016-04-03T12:35:00.002-07:002016-04-03T12:35:45.062-07:00End of March catch up<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A better mileage for March, and my highest since May 2014...that's an insight in itself... Perhaps I can deduce my running performance is not as good at the moment as I'm not getting enough miles in. It's that balance between quantity and quality, but that's maybe something for me to explore in more depth another day. To be fair, mileage is fairly similar to last March, so maybe I protest too much....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">March stats:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Running:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">179.84 miles (lets call it 180!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">33hrs 41 mins (that's almost a full time job for a week!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">18 runs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ave distance 10 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Longest run 33 miles (D33)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ascent 4.5k metres (almost 17k feet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(YTD -45 miles vs last year but marginally more ascent...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cycling (woohoo!):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">53.5 miles (39 road)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">4hrs 38mins</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rock climbing 3 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Strength & conditioning 3 sessions (1hr 40m)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Versaclimber 3k ft (27mins)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Pilates x 2 hours</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw810_G6LCLzNOvAcpg77oyASU1zBqhoDcLc2ZA-fmIeOjnOVQaBWQPjZilOC-TI9EbnJRgdQqQrlO3ETWHuud8IfZHYW6_cUlDXJ-o_NWzA592RxVFipCYTvHoIf_eoSV-iF4l92zYLWx/s1600/spey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw810_G6LCLzNOvAcpg77oyASU1zBqhoDcLc2ZA-fmIeOjnOVQaBWQPjZilOC-TI9EbnJRgdQqQrlO3ETWHuud8IfZHYW6_cUlDXJ-o_NWzA592RxVFipCYTvHoIf_eoSV-iF4l92zYLWx/s320/spey2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and I dreaming of beer on our final<br />
mile (of 27) on the Logging Way<br />
Photo by Helen Munro</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cross-training has fallen back a little, but there have been quite a lot of work things impacting mid-week...and I've favoured the running over gym/pilates when time has been challenged.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We also managed our annual March week in the Cairngorms this month....slightly later than usual, but a fab week with good company, some good running and biking, and plenty of quality time in the Mountain Café and Cairngorm Hotel! There just wasn't enough time to do everything...as usual!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Possibly the best house we've stayed at in Aviemore and definitely one for a repeat visit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really need to up my focus now...the Fling is only 4 weeks away...and the Great Glen is a big undertaking I shouldn't under-estimate!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdBKPCoWeOfX4me2XjAw1xQ13xIdCEQ3C1Sq83n3s6lGbllIYRlmbS4VhEJEuRPTmm8ED2lCEyN2QT6pGo2xBYCaVDMqUUkZjwgLTAYC-HDEtEZGrYVKxQval0CZb8QThpA38mp7drPa3/s1600/spey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdBKPCoWeOfX4me2XjAw1xQ13xIdCEQ3C1Sq83n3s6lGbllIYRlmbS4VhEJEuRPTmm8ED2lCEyN2QT6pGo2xBYCaVDMqUUkZjwgLTAYC-HDEtEZGrYVKxQval0CZb8QThpA38mp7drPa3/s320/spey3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cori at Cairngorm after a 9 mile shuffle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvFZkvraUDjDAEi3xhfuNEtRqaQgE2Humwlhkg0VuCu_GBjaTRR5Jt2QYhb6MdTWzmsVOXAIZ90Bloei3vOQMl0GOQgCqPU2T3rEcq_5k3ZM9Ocjon7zOqObvw3VOwX51pA-_fOlnZgDs/s1600/spey4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvFZkvraUDjDAEi3xhfuNEtRqaQgE2Humwlhkg0VuCu_GBjaTRR5Jt2QYhb6MdTWzmsVOXAIZ90Bloei3vOQMl0GOQgCqPU2T3rEcq_5k3ZM9Ocjon7zOqObvw3VOwX51pA-_fOlnZgDs/s320/spey4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Lochan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp4mu3un7ZkxJiNaZqBKiraDuy5dbUhidMnfL3c05NY48kAyI-Mx5zeKmUiL9-tz3R_ceEdxD49xiKu74gjMWzE0a88A2TOxUYxOiyJzCq5kHKLE3eDuW4IR701SJM_nIlUTCOQQcIcLq/s1600/spey5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp4mu3un7ZkxJiNaZqBKiraDuy5dbUhidMnfL3c05NY48kAyI-Mx5zeKmUiL9-tz3R_ceEdxD49xiKu74gjMWzE0a88A2TOxUYxOiyJzCq5kHKLE3eDuW4IR701SJM_nIlUTCOQQcIcLq/s320/spey5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burnside House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8gIDEhM2rS3SBzxLs0xVX8Q-pM5nc6NFaY_ZIvd5HlbLYdi3piDuPBRfIIq6Wr5y7zkDDdIqK-4tMKlTaV5SGWhMdTGWf_QkzZbL8908h7MV1jjw3Hfi2pz6a-z3KGNuA0-pXav7q_ES/s1600/spey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8gIDEhM2rS3SBzxLs0xVX8Q-pM5nc6NFaY_ZIvd5HlbLYdi3piDuPBRfIIq6Wr5y7zkDDdIqK-4tMKlTaV5SGWhMdTGWf_QkzZbL8908h7MV1jjw3Hfi2pz6a-z3KGNuA0-pXav7q_ES/s320/spey.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speyside Way at Dalfaber</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-27406784929889896462016-04-03T04:11:00.000-07:002016-04-03T04:11:32.831-07:00Relentless forward motion<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Crossing the finish line on my 3rd D33....."I am not f***ing doing this race again. Ever."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">I think I mean it this time. Although the stubborn streak in me still strives to find that feeling I had from my first, when I paced well and passed several people on the return leg. This year was an entirely different ball game, and I wasn't feeling the love from about the first 10 miles onwards. And when you still have another 23 miles to run, that doesn't make for a great day out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIQdzRCMrN77SjsEgMBVlGexrhm7al26y2eSDnnykZQBjHLhvIMJphAxUrsa1_ubOqVzEMwZhAKV_ffpRxfv1wLyAs5sQUfBnf1RxnflAE7JN8djdxcC6IgDfFdMO34ZsciN7GMND7GvG/s1600/aa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIQdzRCMrN77SjsEgMBVlGexrhm7al26y2eSDnnykZQBjHLhvIMJphAxUrsa1_ubOqVzEMwZhAKV_ffpRxfv1wLyAs5sQUfBnf1RxnflAE7JN8djdxcC6IgDfFdMO34ZsciN7GMND7GvG/s320/aa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Keith Ainslie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI9OdZg8wYl_u9x9jqEphKmMBim-6yH5QRCT3Ht2IH3sl5XEzCHKoUX4iqAMRvdL_MvneBBhgyum_UjiCWoSKB9YadjJBl6-CCzjntNyw82GRKfN_t9q_Ymkujw9UbaNM6c4-PsjLaL6G/s1600/D33a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI9OdZg8wYl_u9x9jqEphKmMBim-6yH5QRCT3Ht2IH3sl5XEzCHKoUX4iqAMRvdL_MvneBBhgyum_UjiCWoSKB9YadjJBl6-CCzjntNyw82GRKfN_t9q_Ymkujw9UbaNM6c4-PsjLaL6G/s320/D33a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start - picture by Brianbat photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">Once again, the organisation was faultless - easy registration (even with me having looked at a previous year's email for my race number!), short queues at the portaloos, great beer and medal and the benefit of Clark coming for the journey, made for an easy drop off at Duthie Park (the wonderful car park marshals let us do a drive through on the promise Clark left swiftly thereafter!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I arrived in good time to gather my thoughts, some hugs, wonder why I was there, and an obligatory selfie with Mr Ainslie.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And before long, we were off. I've no idea what was said in the race briefing as I couldn't hear it, so hopefully there was nothing I didn't expect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The concept is simple, follow the Deeside way for 16.5 miles towards Banchory (and for someone who does analysis for a living you'd wonder why I spent the first 15 miles of the race believing half-way was 18 miles), turn round at the checkpoint/feed station and come back. No frills, no nonsense, no moaning (well....maybe not that....).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I started too fast, as usual. Just trotting along trying to find a wee bit of space in those first few miles, and the pace felt ok. Randomly the idea of running 9.5 minute miles throughout was in my head. No reason, just a number. And not a pace I run very often, so clearly a bonkers idea.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tucked in behind a couple of girls for a good few miles, until one of them dropped back, and I got chatting to the other, who turned out to be Sharon Hassan and we had a good blether for a few miles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">At about mile 5 a chap in front deliberately chucked away a gel wrapper into the grass verge...grrrrr.....he had headphones in and was a little too far away to shout at....he clearly knew what he was doing and I made it my mission to hunt him down. It took me a couple of miles, and when I challenged him about who he expected to pick up his rubbish, and his inability to understand the race rules (and common decency for that matter), I got a cheeky retort from him. This really got on my goat and I could feel my heart racing with rage for several miles thereafter. The only plus side was I pushed on a bit and he didn't get past me again. And yes, I complained about him at the end, so hopefully someone else had 'a word' with him!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhd0zpCEeSqzxtlZkZj4glf9rLsnqPKH7M8U44I02GLuhZmw5ZCFV0ZaVQQEzcDg09NIfLLEkr0vCfNQ3S2W9LJINbzkyCumVqHAksjyevjuDt8tij2jnFN_cYchnjfWvu3S5_GurCPxu/s1600/D33c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhd0zpCEeSqzxtlZkZj4glf9rLsnqPKH7M8U44I02GLuhZmw5ZCFV0ZaVQQEzcDg09NIfLLEkr0vCfNQ3S2W9LJINbzkyCumVqHAksjyevjuDt8tij2jnFN_cYchnjfWvu3S5_GurCPxu/s320/D33c.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Fiona Rennie</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The rest of the race passed in a struggly kind of way. I caught up with Fiona Rennie and tried to keep up with her pace for a while (I'm sure she said she was aiming for 6 hours, which was slower than I was hoping for, so I had thought I should be finding things easier...however, Fiona must have blasted that!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRMgw6tfj6S_7-QzKQQM4qeDQDq7FBxfmbHwfuh_bPybgEvxJntkBAp99cEk7yFnN9cIw2YP3SQXOOF7fpp47u920M4dPEZzaYWVxHTvOSEXrM_l3Iv-O-T1QLyfRKjeJNRa3QakHhWK7/s1600/d33b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRMgw6tfj6S_7-QzKQQM4qeDQDq7FBxfmbHwfuh_bPybgEvxJntkBAp99cEk7yFnN9cIw2YP3SQXOOF7fpp47u920M4dPEZzaYWVxHTvOSEXrM_l3Iv-O-T1QLyfRKjeJNRa3QakHhWK7/s320/d33b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Chen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At half way (where my drop bag had the wrong number as I'd packed it before finding out I'd looked at the wrong email), I bizarrely decided that the way to overcome my misery was to down some coke, haribo, handful of jelly babies and some crisps.....cue full and protesting belly and no improvement in my energy or mood! What on earth was wrong with all my knowledge, experience and decision making?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of the hardest things about the D33 is that there are no real incline/declines where I would naturally take a short walk or get some respite. It is just on and on and you feel like a fool when you take a walk and it's flat. That was how the second half was though. The only saving grace was there were a few others around me who seemed to be in the same boat, and some experienced folk in that mix too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTaF5uCLqV2wQMvZ4DpX1ybc5ZxfrCNpAyr9je8jwrMx0t7vWuHc68XYWR1FlgAERudYSxVHgV0wRaVbxr3gBddfUMNqSckCt5ZCD_Qevq-nYHPJ2SiR3-snfV5_s8-xySPgAdR1a62ek/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTaF5uCLqV2wQMvZ4DpX1ybc5ZxfrCNpAyr9je8jwrMx0t7vWuHc68XYWR1FlgAERudYSxVHgV0wRaVbxr3gBddfUMNqSckCt5ZCD_Qevq-nYHPJ2SiR3-snfV5_s8-xySPgAdR1a62ek/s320/beer.jpg" width="187" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">So my slowest result for this race in the 3 year's of running, at 5hrs 50 (254/334), rewarded with a hand-crafted medal and commemorative beer (which I drank this year!), and some finish line hugs (apologies for my swearing!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Clark had been waiting (ages) to pick me up, and sent me a suitably cheeky text about getting a shift on, otherwise I could get a train home. So I scoffed some grapes, had some chat and hugs in the finish tent, grabbed my coat and shuffled like a broken woman down the ramp to the car park....sniffling miserably to myself. I think I just needed a big cry!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't know why I'm surprised really. I don't train flat, I don't train fast. I don't train a lot on tarmac. The race shouldn't work for me at all. I think I've been 'lucky' in prior years, and maybe overthought it this year. My trainers were also past their best (and now in the bin), and it just wasn't a good day for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm still not entering next year. Despite it being a good distance at a good time of year. And I guess that was the point of the wonderful race directors!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A big thank you to all those involved in the efficient operation of the event this year, from Karen and Dod directing, right through to all the volunteers who I know put a great effort in with marquees and restoring Duthie Park after the event, as well as everything else that happens in beween!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://deesidewayultra.webnode.com/" target="_blank">Race Website</a></span><br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-26974506768246092462016-03-08T04:45:00.001-08:002016-03-08T04:45:24.907-08:00Sad step, bad step?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weight is such an emotive topic. And I'm no expert. I've been much heavier (having lost 3 stone a few years ago following Slimming World, and attending 'fat club' (my words, definitely not theirs) every week for a year or so), and lighter (when at my (self-set) target from the aforementioned club). Now I'm somewhere in between. Well, actually, that's not fair on myself as I'm closer to the 'lighter' end. But I'm still not happy, and spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about my weight. WHY?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've started following Joe Wicks aka 'The Body Coach', as many of us did over the Christmas period. Not really following his plan, it was just 'another' nice recipe book to drool over ever now and then, and simple, quick recipe videos as I scroll down my newsfeed on FB.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">He does however, quite regularly talk about the 'sad step', in relation to why continually measuring your health and fitness goals by means of a set of bathroom scales, is detrimental to your motivation, leaving you often disappointed. View the full story here - <a href="https://www.thebodycoach.co.uk/blog/stay_off_the_sad_step:_why_its_time_to_stop_weighing_yourself_on_the_scales_28.html" target="_blank">Joe Wicks Blog</a> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS33fDHNmbId-mqdyL59mTMKis97n8_tX64vtlXO4gF9LeSmUqcVpQMwrGN6nRPBdaedqoK9EoqjpTeDFpOwRKsjAQ0347rx0uzfcoZ5P6ajstCZXFgYSilGdtX2vO6rlYns6k8rFilulN/s1600/sadstep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS33fDHNmbId-mqdyL59mTMKis97n8_tX64vtlXO4gF9LeSmUqcVpQMwrGN6nRPBdaedqoK9EoqjpTeDFpOwRKsjAQ0347rx0uzfcoZ5P6ajstCZXFgYSilGdtX2vO6rlYns6k8rFilulN/s320/sadstep.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thebodycoach.co.uk/">www.thebodycoach.co.uk</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Deep down I know he's right - a focus on fitness and energy levels, strength and body composition, all of which lead towards being more confident, happier and greater sense of achievement, should be worth so much more than a number (or several numbers if you have fancy body composition scales like we do) on a dusty digital screen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yet many of us continue to do it. I'm down to a weekly fix most weeks (a Tuesday, for all that matters). Sometimes with a wee reality check after a particularly 'bad' day of troughing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The numbers are going gradually in the right direction - it's always way harder to get it off than put it on! Weight is down about 12lbs since my Christmas indulgences, and body fat is also reducing (why do I only look at those two and not the gain in muscle? who knows). Physically, I can see I've changed shape a little (there's far less blubber to tuck in on a daily basis now!) and I can see quite nice biceps forming (if nothing else!). The strength training is making a difference....AND IT'S STILL ONLY MARCH!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe it's a cultural thing, and the environment in which I was brought up but that negativity ticks away in my brain, and the, usually irrational, physical comparisons against those around me continue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">For fear of sounding like some sort of body obsessed junkie, I know it's time to move on. The things I want to achieve are not measured by the sad step. They will be measured by lifting heavy stuff, being adventurous and challenging myself, and running great trails, with great friends over great distances....to be celebrated by beer and chips if necessary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ramblings over.....back to some proper running blogs next time!</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-63999257709641819082016-02-28T11:14:00.001-08:002016-02-28T11:14:22.805-08:00Glentress Marathon Review<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I ran the inaugural Glentress 42k trail marathon, organised by <a href="http://www.highterrainevents.co.uk/#!glentress-trail-race/cho2" target="_blank">High Terrain Events.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">While I've been to Peebles many, many times as it's where I completed my massage/sports massage qualifications, Glentress is a place I have never been....and what a treat I've been missing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The toughest decision about entering this race was the fact it clashed with one of the fabulous Hoka Highland Fling training weekends, which are always full of good running, good people and good food. The lure of something new, somewhere new, and the promise of 5,000ft of climb on pretty trails helped me make a decision.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ian Garnett - <br />
absolutely breathtaking scenery</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The website promises 'several long and continuous steep slopes' along with a 'variety of forest single track, open moorland and a few short muddy sections'......what's not to love? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There was the other risk factor of potential 'weather'....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As it turned out, the forecast was as good as anyone could hope for at this time of year. The promise of a dry, mostly clear day, if a tad chilly (minus 6 when I arrived!), was a far better prospect than the windy, rain and snow of late!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I drove down on the morning of the race, it didn't take much longer than 1hr 15m and I was in plenty good time to register before the big queues started, and have the compulsory several bathroom visits, faff about what to wear, and which shoes, and get my post-race kit into a locker in the shower building (lovely clean and warm showers!)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OqScGnvEE8tr4qbf4NRBLYdyd-7TBL-SHY5uyJD6N-hjlOrNpsE8DbLKISfz46bWmMvUcKt02alq3TIVN21TfGbYZAzKAOdkOzAIuF45l-sf0gNvBV4003HciLEknhbEM-ISJG2H5y2a/s1600/atress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OqScGnvEE8tr4qbf4NRBLYdyd-7TBL-SHY5uyJD6N-hjlOrNpsE8DbLKISfz46bWmMvUcKt02alq3TIVN21TfGbYZAzKAOdkOzAIuF45l-sf0gNvBV4003HciLEknhbEM-ISJG2H5y2a/s320/atress.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ian Garnett - <br />
the smell of pine here was amazing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A choice of t-shirt sizes and colours (purple the winner, obviously), and a selection of 9Bars to keep hunger at bay. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Caught up with Alan, Stan, Carol, Dawn, Audrey and many other familiar faces. And great to see Jeni, Gayle and Karen go on to take 3 of the top 4 positions!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The 0930 start was fairly civilised, although ended up being delayed....not sure if it was a registration delay, or the toilet queues... And after a strange 'walked lap' of the bike shop to count us all, we were off....up, up, up...and up some more! I'm pretty convinced there was far more up than there was down!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY7vb53ZTOqp0dSGOUuZ5Fag_vE74YaPyvQPzypnUneVlRaGe1Muig_7d07jYDi6XGjN73R01IqdsD3owBoDTfv6mvaI7pSaFSpw2GNh61Eljbphxf21k_KgdU2MpXPAXJW_iN0612e7S/s1600/atress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY7vb53ZTOqp0dSGOUuZ5Fag_vE74YaPyvQPzypnUneVlRaGe1Muig_7d07jYDi6XGjN73R01IqdsD3owBoDTfv6mvaI7pSaFSpw2GNh61Eljbphxf21k_KgdU2MpXPAXJW_iN0612e7S/s320/atress2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ian Garnett - <br />
A few snowy and icy stretches at the 'top'</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The 2 lap course took in some of the black mountain bike trails, and a brilliant mix of fire roads, soft pine trails through huge forests, hairpin switchback climbs, heather tracks across the moorland, unexpected vertical yomps and a good muddy descent about 2 miles from the finish made for a varied and interesting day. I'd estimated a 6 hour finish, for no other reason other than they had stated lap 1 cut off was 4 hours and 8 hours for the finish... Lap 1 took me about 2hrs 47 or so, and I just had to hold on to hope I didn't slow too much on lap 2. Mentally, doing laps is an interesting one, especially when you're learning the course and new to the hilarious climbs. I had no doubts about going back out again, fuelled by a cup of cola and some jelly babies....even if I was just power hiking lap 2, I was getting it done!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-QmJucmVuiyiDokCDO3LliNyUnkRt8RpznDO1PcSdx35nd59x7SfeWXv1CL33WzfV_RQtCbyC71iDqhjZ86RUEXC8krR8PipnKmfhH6cNvGFknPqxkioq0i-qUYbwDyZQ4lscORBX748/s1600/atress3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-QmJucmVuiyiDokCDO3LliNyUnkRt8RpznDO1PcSdx35nd59x7SfeWXv1CL33WzfV_RQtCbyC71iDqhjZ86RUEXC8krR8PipnKmfhH6cNvGFknPqxkioq0i-qUYbwDyZQ4lscORBX748/s320/atress3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ian Garnett -<br />
hill of many bad swear words - <br />
steeper than it looks!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As it turned out, I actually enjoyed lap 2 more....I think not having the half-marathoners made a difference (they started 10 mins after us on our first lap, and some (not all) were very rude in grumbling about getting past on the narrower trails, and some not offering thanks even when I stopped and stepped off the trail to let them by....I was 'racing' too, don't they know??)....I guess knowing what was to come helped too. I also think I fuelled a little better on lap 2 (including a Gu Espresso Love caffeine gel to supplement my Tailwind and jelly babies) and actually felt I was making good progress and enjoying it, with a mix of hiking, running, and sliding down the muddy descent to the finish. Gotta love a downhill finish....that felt amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A handful of supporters cheered me at the finish (no idea who they were waiting for but I was grateful of their clapping) and then I was straight into the café...bizarrely REALLY hungry, which is unusual so close to race finish. Had a quick chat with Alan and Ian, ordered up some soup and coffee and caught up on the gossip with Dawn, Carol and Stan before a quick shower and heading home. What a quick day it had seemed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd highly recommend this event to everyone for next year, especially if your plan for the year involves long hilly races! Not an easy one for early in the season, but in the conditions we had, and with a beautiful, challenging course like that, it could be a firm favourite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, a slightly lower mileage week than last week, with more climb:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">35 miles, 6.2k ft</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1k ft versaclimb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 x weights sessions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Feb:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">140 miles run, 5k metres of ascent, and over 15k calories burned off! 2 races.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">7 gym sessions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">5 versaclimber sessions (6k ft)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3 pilates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fewer runs than last Feb, but way more gym time</span></div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528437228746405601.post-42087885078086934302016-02-23T04:17:00.000-08:002016-02-23T04:17:39.400-08:00I fall down...but I get up again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVJlNTVopg1XhLJKgJbJ5dFp5y_P7YeELiUi0GI5Kp5_Zs8miRJWa_nzdIyX5l6w29PkGpveUktKyhLRLl3SwsWFM9T-v6f9KF1iwtwbODiC9xH8A88-3pstn7w9Hdm1LCNA0gaKivMcb/s1600/img_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVJlNTVopg1XhLJKgJbJ5dFp5y_P7YeELiUi0GI5Kp5_Zs8miRJWa_nzdIyX5l6w29PkGpveUktKyhLRLl3SwsWFM9T-v6f9KF1iwtwbODiC9xH8A88-3pstn7w9Hdm1LCNA0gaKivMcb/s320/img_5868.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another week, another fall...tarmac, flat tarmac, it's evil stuff.....and when there's a nice black icy slick, and you're taking the 'racing line' around a corner, early in the morning...that just adds to the risk factor and thump, down I go again...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the plus side, I managed to cushion the fall with my 'good' knee this time...and the scab might heal to match the battering my 'bad' knee took last August.....well, I can but hope....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The run was going pretty well until then. Hey ho!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrkRejMBs04N5hL4BWNT9Nl9mFFUr2RYAlhm49cJfyI-zJ1zLj5sPSTnRC0dEWong54YW6PBD3GX7JmaDzZqVC1XVea7dJ-zfzYVKtiX1AwJHg-1hBtbIjBYL_WNiSJbum9zMCVYVR1zw/s1600/fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrkRejMBs04N5hL4BWNT9Nl9mFFUr2RYAlhm49cJfyI-zJ1zLj5sPSTnRC0dEWong54YW6PBD3GX7JmaDzZqVC1XVea7dJ-zfzYVKtiX1AwJHg-1hBtbIjBYL_WNiSJbum9zMCVYVR1zw/s200/fall.jpg" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thankfully I've managed to keep running on it, I think the damage is all external, and aside from a few bruises and aches from hitting the deck hard, I think the muscles are ok. Touch wood.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWjZ6euV69-XeEMtFh90sNGIeFfeiueDLKNBrnN96dykU-2UAn6uW6LFyQWbCWZvzfCQhlaV0d3CkaimElue9t55Z4jM1l27FRVacspMbAHkkqh89_EJspMOTJi837dtLDZx1zTtPhRqM/s1600/fall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWjZ6euV69-XeEMtFh90sNGIeFfeiueDLKNBrnN96dykU-2UAn6uW6LFyQWbCWZvzfCQhlaV0d3CkaimElue9t55Z4jM1l27FRVacspMbAHkkqh89_EJspMOTJi837dtLDZx1zTtPhRqM/s320/fall2.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glen Sherrup on Sunday</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Not ideal prep just over a week before the Glentress Marathon which I'm doing this Saturday, but this was only ever in the plan to offer a hard, long training run. And with 5,000ft of ascent I'm sure it will deliver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, that was all, just a wee reminder for myself when I'm old. Shit happens, you just get back up and get on with it. Nothing else for it!</span><br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109676015609993429noreply@blogger.com0