Chasing the tail....

Me & Kirsty Burnett in FW 12/05/14

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

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

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

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

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

Selfie with Cori Dog at Glen Turret

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

Glendevon 

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

Maxxium does Tough Mudder, Ginger Grouse Style

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

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

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

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

Kirsty and I on the descent to KLL

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

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

A few strides on FW High Street 

Lundavra

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

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

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

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

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

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