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

Keep your eyes on the prize.....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post run stretching (practice what you preach)

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

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

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

Pre-metafit snacking, caught by Keith

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

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

Sharon demonstrates how it 'should' be done

Out and Back and Back to Back

View from Sherrifmuir today

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

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

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

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

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

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

Moody Millarochy (by Clark)

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

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

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

Ultra runners 'we walk the hills'

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

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

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

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

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

Collage by Stuart McFarlane

D33...#doepicshit

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

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

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

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

Photo by Stuart McFarlane

Race briefing

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

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


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

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

Photo by Stuart McFarlane

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

Photo by Stuart (again)

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

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

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

So...what did I learn:

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

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

Garmin Stats

Protection

I quite often think about my blog as I'm running.  I don't necessarily write for anyone else's entertainment (I'm sure quite often what I write is pretty dull), but I'm trying to get down my experiences and what I learn and feel, so maybe when I'm old and senile I might get some pleasure from trawling back my memories.

Today I was thinking about Protection, what that means, and how important it is to many areas of my life.

Protecting the goal

This is the most important thing in my life this year.  Yes, work and Clark are essentials (more about this later), but this event is what it's all about.  I need to be pretty single minded about what I do and how I get there...key to this for me (as I mentioned in my podcast interview this week) is protecting the long weekend runs.  

There'll be no hiding place on June 21st, and as some wise person (John K I think) said, you don't want to be standing on the start line thinking about the training that you could/should/would have done if things had been 'perfect'.  Life ain't perfect, deal with it, do the best you can, and focus on what's important.


Protecting the head

I've said to several people this week that the little hamster on the wheel running around in my head has not only fallen off the wheel, but it's actually died!  I've blogged already about how horrifically busy work has been, and the adrenaline crashed this week, my head has been pounding, and I've been struggling to comprehend simple requests and instructions.  This can't go on.  Simple as that.  I've tried to start instilling a little discipline this week...and (shock horror) actually left work 'on time' a couple of days!  Granted, one of the other days included a missed flight home and an eventual 11:30pm return...you win some, you lose some...but sustaining that just isn't physically or mentally possible long term!

Protecting the stress levels

My friend Paul Waters (who trained me, Dario and Clark in some of our fitness/personal training courses) wrote a great blog this week about Good Stress (Eustress) and Bad Stress (Distress) and how to balance these out, by gaining more eustress in your life, or removing some of the distress (read it here: Balance Weight Loss).  

It's all true, and worth spending time having a read and thinking about what you can do to achieve better balance and ultimately more enjoyment!  I know I will be trying to take this advice on board.

Protecting the rock

Those who know me, will know I'm not really into all that mushy smushy stuff, but that at the centre of my world is my rock.  Without him, none of this would be possible! 

From getting me grounded after (di)stress days, to getting me motivated to get out there and do it, and generally keeping my world turning in a semi-efficient way...it's all down to him!

And I imagine I can be a pretty horrible person to live with sometimes, so all credit to his sanity!  And maybe I should try being a better wife sometimes!



Protecting the immunity

This has suffered a little this week.  Having spent too long on antibiotics, and then offsetting that pumping my body full of anti-antibiotics, and then a few weeks sustaining life on strong coffee and lots of sugar, I'm finding it hard to get back onto the straight and narrow with the healthy eating.  Sugar and caffeine during the week are currently at un-healthy levels, and the coughing and spluttering of others in the office when my immunity levels are clearly low is starting to manifest in sore throats and achy heads.  Once I get through this last week before my holidays I'm getting myself back off the sugar dependencies.  Definitely no room for anymore illness in my training plan!

So, that was the stuff running through my head today while I was running...the things I need to protect, and the things that are protecting me!

And what a lovely run!  Much better than anticipated when we left the house in the pouring rain....actually had to complain about the heat on several occasions!








I tried out some new stuff today:

 - my new Ultimate Direction SJ pack (good...not sure I've mastered the nozzle on the bottles yet), 
- my new OMM Kamleika trousers (good, but I only wore them for 2 miles out of the car as the drizzle stopped and the sun came out), 
- my new GU Salted Caramel Gels (yum...must buy more of these!)

There wasn't much snow left on the higher trails, so the running was good.  Being with PT Boy meant I was actively encouraged to run the hills....and (smug smiley face) I ran some pretty meaty old hills today!  I think even Clark was quietly impressed!

And the pace was pretty good today too at just over 11 min/miles (stats).  Granted the terrain is pretty runable, but I'm pleased with that.  This week is shaping up to be my highest mileage of the year so far...and, touch wood, I think I feel ok!

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going for a well deserved sports massage....all part of a good training plan....other than that, this weekend is all about eat, sleep, run, repeat!

Slip Sliding Away

"You know the nearer your destination, the more you're slip sliding away."

A slippy sliding end to this weeks training which had me in Tyndrum for the Highland Fling training weekend.

Training has been a bit hit and miss, and work has been a COMPLETE nightmare for the last few weeks.  Hopefully the latter will settle down a bit now, and the training can get back on track.  Looking back though, to reflect on it properly, it was only really the last week that I struggled with the mid-week stuff, only getting a 7 mile hill/road run in very early one morning...the prior week I managed 4 runs, 2 spin sessions, some strength training and an hour of pilates...so maybe the slacking is just in my head.  Putting in 14 hours plus at the day job, and working over the last few weekends has just ground me down.  

But, less of that, and more of the running chat!

View from the car en route!

Friday brought forecasts of heavy snow, and delivered on schedule!  A nice snowy crawl to Tyndrum......I "borrowed" the big truck from Clark just in case (meant he had a bit of a challenging weekend at home, while I made it safely north!).  Oh yes, and it was Valentine's Day...spent apart...but heck, I say if you love someone, you love them everyday, not just when someone tells you that you ought to!

Arrived safely at By The Way, checked in and said some hello's....and then time to pre-load for the next day.....cheesy chips and diet coke.....and I managed to say no to a beer in the pub! I did relent later and have a wee Ginger Grouse when we got back to the hostel and there was loads more chat to be had with the masses, including the lovely Fiona, Rachel and Sam who'd come down from Skye.  And later than my usual Friday night early collapse into bed, got tucked up with my new roomie Sharon.

View from Murdo's Mount (no jelly babies!)

Saturday dawned better than expected.  Most folk were heading South - driving to Beinglas to do an out and back, but a few of us were heading North, hoping for some more runnable terrain.

The views were great, and the underfoot conditions less so.....deep slushy snow to start with before drying out for the run towards Bridge of Orchy (and the drymax socks still worked!).

Keziah Higgins, me, John Munro, (Kirsty's pal)
and Kirsty Burnett 

We were also carrying a fair bit of kit - better safe than sorry!  Kahtoolas, foil blankets, head torch, spare batteries, spare gloves, hats, socks, waterproof trousers (a borrow from Helen), and enough food to survive for a week in the Arctic.  

Thankfully, the majority of this was all precautionary, and I'm sure carrying all the extra weight is good training!

We made good progress, and the group seemed pretty well paced (less so on the return leg) all the way out across Rannoch Moor, except for Keith, who we pretty much lost after about a mile at the start as he was too speedy!  


Aiming for 30 miles total, but we turned at 14 as the snow was just getting less and less fun the further across the moor we got.  Each step was icy and slippy...many with deep slush underneath the foot-deep snowy topping, and I know I had a sense of humor failure just before we turned...and thankfully the others seemed to be feeling the same.

I did stop to take quite a few photos too - I'm not sure they do it any justice, but you can't beat the changing light sweeping across the snow (and an excuse for a wee breather)...it's one of those things that remind you why you love to do this crazy running stuff!  

Just next to Forest Lodge

Oh yes, that, and other crazy stuff that doesn't happen in everyday life, like being able to hand feed wild stags with pretzels and jaffa cakes (sorry anyone offended by us feeding the wildlife with rubbish, but we didn't really have anything sensible for it, and it was certainly keen to scoff!).  What a gentle and beautiful beast it was!

So, we finally made it back, all in one piece (28 ish miles in 6hrs 19 ish).  Pretty burst but pleased with the effort.  Sliding around in the slush and snow certainly works the muscles that you forgot you had!

There wasn't much time for my usual post-run coma (sorry, nap).....for fear of never waking back up in time for the mass participation (60 folk?!) dinner, and chat from Marcus (the Hoka athlete and recent winner of Spine) and Ellen (one of the race creators).  But I sure didn't last the night!  A couple of beers, some great curry and chat, and that was me destined for bed.  Didn't get to sleep very well (mucho party antics from everyone else...oh, and maybe suffering from some of that over-training syndrome Marcus was warning us of!)

View towards Ben Lui

No real aches and pains on waking (bonus!) - wee niggle in my big toe (which I get on and off when the terrain is tough, and I'd felt it coming back down the cobbles off the moor, and had stubbed it a couple of times), but my knee which had felt a wee bit sore after the slipping and twisting was pretty fine.  So, on with the kit (pretty black and pinky purple x-bionic tights today) and out for a recovery run with (David for a bit) and John (thanks David for the uphill start!?!), and a chance to pick John's brain about some tips for the WHW race (including advice to test run from Milngavie in the dark, in the wee small hours, as this was something I'd not really thought necessary, being 'easier' terrain....but clearly forgot I'd be doing it at 1am in a state of shock and sleep deprivation!)

Running Drills Workshop

Watched the guys doing the running skills workshop, from the comfort of the veranda, with a coffee in my hand....

And then it was almost time to head back to reality!

After a quick visit to Mr Mike from Out-Run to collect the goodies I'd ordered (can't wait for some rain to try out my new OMM Kamleika waterproof trousers...and with the benefits of no postage charge since he was up for the training weekend too), another coffee top up (think I was tired!), and into the car for a bimble home...sun still shining and the mountains looking braw.  Happy Sunday!

So...what did the weekend teach me....?

1. Take some ear-plugs to the March training weekend...or learn to stay up later!
2. The kit is still working well for me (but I still need a new waterproof jacket).  I was warm enough, dry enough (or dried quick enough when wet), no chaffing and carrying everything I needed for all emergencies
3. Don't leave it too late to eat...or eat too little early on (Mrs Tilly's fudge is a saviour!)
4. David will be a good support crew member (to be fair, I think I already suspected this, that's why he's in my crew!)
5. Don't neglect to ask those with experience for advice - even if you think it's a stupid question!
6. I think I could do with some more hill work

Well, enough rambling from me for now!  I'm doing my next podcast interview this week, so I'd better start thinking of clever stuff to say...and work out what to wear/do with my hair in case JK takes another photo of me!

The Goodbye Group Shot (taken by Johnny Fling)

Happy Feet

 

 

WHW training weekend - woohoo!  I'd been looking forward to this for AGES!  There were many times in the last 2 weeks I didn't think I would make it - stuck down with a horrible infection and an extra bout of antibiotics, lots of pain killers, stuff to combat the side effects of anti-biotics and boost the immunity...and the list goes on (rattle, rattle)!  Work has also been pretty hideous, but probably because I wasn't really in a position to take any time off to recover quicker.

 

That aside, I'm pretty darned determined/bloody minded, and the room was booked at The Oak Tree Inn, and I was keen to spend time with new and old friends and enjoy some quality training on WHW.  So, the game was on!

 

I drove over to Balmaha later than expected on Friday, due to a late work challenge I needed to close off to try and clear my head for the weekend.  By the time arrived the bar was buzzing with excited runners, cosying by the fire, sharing tales, beer and good food.  I got a good blether with Johnny Fling, Noanie, John, Helen, JK, Katrina and Karen before calling it a night, ready for a big breakfast and big run the next morning!

 

The day dawned better than expected...less snow, less rain...a wee glimmer of sunrise....although that did all change and we had some bouts of rain and sleet throughout the day, but no real wind or anything *too* taxing...!

Photo from John Kynaston

Karen and I had a pact that we were going to do the 30, even if we were slow, at the back etc etc... And so, it transpired we were at the back...I wouldn't say we were particularly slow...AND, we did go further than a lot of folk in completing the full 30 (not having a dig at anyone here!), so despite this being my first experience of being tailed by the sweeper, I'm ecstatic with my achievements of the day (hence the happy feet!).  Andy O'Grady will understand the other reason for the penguin reference!

 

We settled into a steady pace fairly early on, and did most of the run with Emma H, chatting and running and eating without too much bother.  It was great to see such a great turnout of around 70 runners, and with the out and back we got to see all the fast guys as they headed back from Inversnaid (as were buoyed by the fact they did pass us as soon as we thought!), and we got to chat to various folk as we passed to and fro during the run.  

 

The views weren't too impressive as the weather did close in a bit, but we still enjoyed the fresh air and snow capped peaks when we weren't watching our feet to avoid tripping!  And we made it to Inversnaid without any bother.  We had a wee break, and some good true Scottish ultra runner snacks - Irn Bru (me), sausage roll (Emma) and Topic (Karen), followed by some hand drier action in the hotel to dry off a wee bit!

Sweeper Sean caught us just after we left Inversnaid to head back, but he went on a wee bit and then never 'caught' us again until we were back at Rowardennan.  And he never (really) hassled us once (apart from asking if we'd not rather run on the road (!!??) at the silly wee bit with the knarly trail right on the edge of the road!....he just offered us food, dry clothes and 'friendly' encouragement (even though we laughed when he fell off his bike on the slippy wooden bridge!)

 

We made it back just as the light was failing (no headtorches required!) and found most of the runners safely back in the bar! In all, about 7 hours effort (I forgot to restart my Garmin for a while after Rowardennan on the way back)

 

Emma had to dash off, and Karen and I hit the shower/bath/bed til we heated back up, and then went to the bar for an evening of pizza, drinks and good chat!  Good news was there was no real injuries (aside from Noanie's chin) and, aside from my waterproof jacket needing re-proofed everything else kit wise was working pretty well...I made need to keep that outfit for the race! Nutrition wise...good trial of Ella's baby food and Mrs Tilly's...supplemented with some Sour Cream & Chive Pretzels...did the job pretty well!

 

 

Highlight of the evening had to be Keith Ainslie's rendition of Tam O' Shanter which had everyone in stitches!  I'm hoping Sandra caught it all on video!?

 

Very, very tired today, so decided to head home right after breakfast rather than any running/walking.  Am conscious I've probably still got a wee bit of infection to fight...and I've already got some DOMS starting :-).  A wee bit of sensible head today then!

 

Hopefully this is me back on track...get some good training in this week, not to catch up what's been missed, but to get stronger, fitter and wiser...step by step!

 

Good running, good chat, good times!

 

 

 

 

 



Obstacles and Antibiotics

This week was always going to be the first real obstacle in my training plan.  I was lucky enough to be invited to Barcelona for the week with a work training course, and was excited to be part of what had the makings of a great week of working hard, playing hard, and spending time in a city I've been to and loved before.

We'd factored this into the training, planning for this to be an 'easier' week, dropping the mid-week training down a small notch, and the weekend back-to-backs down slightly too.

But, sometimes, even planning for obstacles is not enough to stop you coming unstuck.  I wasn't feeling myself on Monday on the journey to the airport, and through Heathrow to Barcelona, and by the time I clambered into the fabulous comfy bed that night, things were not well. Diagnosis by Google had me imagining all sorts of troubles, wondering if I had travel insurance or would end up in some dodgy Spanish hospital surrounded by people who didn't speak english (your imagination runs wild when you're away from home and unwell!!)

To cut a long story short, I think adrenaline got me through the week.  The training days were long, and for self-preservation (and the fact the hotel gym didn't open before 8, we had no free time in the evenings, and it was too 'risky' to run alone in the dark....and that I was 'burst', and in pain...blah blah) I did no training, and opted for the early bail out each night ('luckily' one of the team who is about to have a baby was also happy to chum me back to the hotel each night)...and the 'early' option was 11:30/12...so not exactly that early!  I did miss out on some great fun it would seem though, which wasn't ideal.

Anyway, docs yesterday, by which point the pain was back to being excruciating again, and I'm on antibiotics for a few days, and on the couch perfecting my resting technique!
And I'll live, which is more than I'd decided I would last Monday at 3am on Google!!

So, not the optimum week in terms of training, but mentally, an early opportunity to deal with the need to adapt and over-come....some folk had a week off before they started their training this year, I'm just having mine in week 3!  Who says that's a bad thing??!