It’s been a while since I last had any
motivation to write in my wee blog.
The WHW race has been and gone. I have read
so many reports. Each one an insight into what every single person put into the
race. Heart soul and a whole lot more.
My small part went well. The weather at
Glencoe was not particularly good to us. Wet, windy, cold and in general just
bloody miserable. If I said it once I must have said it a hundred times, thank
gawd I’m not running!! I think, no, I know I would have moaned gurned and gret
the whole way!! As Tim noted ‘you picked the right year for a broken leg’.
We stood under our wee makeshift shelter
trying desperately to keep it from blowing away down the valley. Runners came,
runner went. From the first placed Terry Conway all smiley and happy and under
no duress whatsoever, to the spaced out hobbling Karl, who looked like he had no
real idea where he was! Team Pyllon were in good form as were mum & dad Knox.
My heart went out to a female who arrived in tears, telling us she was beaten
and didn’t know what to do. George advised her to take some time, get dry
clothes on, something to eat and let us know how she was. 20 mins later she
came back, crying harder now as she knew she couldn’t go on and gave us her
band. I really hope she comes back next year to give it another shot.
Silke came through looking happy and strong
as did Caroline. Fiona looked like she was having a ball all smiles and waving.
The Deerunner (George) came over and introduced himself and hoped I was
recovering well, thanks. Tiny Lesley came through looking like she was in a lot
pain and hobbling slowly. How she managed another 26 miles I will never know.
Bloody gutsy.
The last runners came through just around
2300hrs, we were still expecting about 17 others but it appears quite a few
dropped out before they reached us. The sweepers came through and that as they
say … was that… . We had a visit from a very cheery Andrew Murray as he made
his way home. Nice of him to pop in make sure we were doing fine.
We headed to Fort William
and stayed at the Leisure Centre till after 3 waiting for Tim and watching the
finishers. Good end to our day. After a few hours sleep we were back. Quick
walk up the hill at Braveheart carpark we met Victoria enroute to her 2nd goblet
and looking very cheerful indeed. Back at the centre we arrive just as Caroline
finished. She was delighted but exhausted. I had to queue up to get a sweaty
hug, there were so many folks there supporting the magical finish for the one’s
who had been out 2 nights.
Sunday night and it was a nice meal with
some of the family then onto the pub. Too much drink and chat, but good fun
catching up and meeting new friends and old.
Next on my agenda is the Glenmore. I am now
more & more thinking I will be running 4 miles and resting, running 4 miles
and resting for the whole race. My recovery is continuing well, but I am still
not allowed much training and I really can’t see me being fit enough to do the
Glenmore justice. Tuesday was the first day I was allowed to run. 2k on the treadmill,
today 2.5k Sunday I will be allowed 3k. This will continue till I can run 5k
comfortably with no pain. At the moment I am following the Johnny Fling
recovery method of sticking my leg in a bucket of cold water after exercise. Seems
to be working fine as the swelling is minimal. I have been really knocking my
pan in on the other machines, 125 floors climbed on the stepper, 20 mins on the
spin bike 2mins fast 2 mins stand up, summit master is taking a beating and the
Xtrainer is just too easy. I am a wobbly sweat sodden mess when I leave the gym
but what is a girl to do if she can’t run?
A holiday perhaps? Off we went, Bryan Munro
& me. Small 3 man tent, sleeping bags oh and gas heater! First to Barra
then onto Eriskay, South & North Uist. I have decided I really don’t like
camping. Barra is way too small and I couldn’t get off the island quick enough
even though we found a great wee campsite and went a lovely walk over hills
and along the amazing white beaches.
Uist I was enjoying and we had a great wee
spot to wild camp.
Unfortunately I had also booked an appointment at the
Hampden clinic for the Monday night, duly forgot about it, then remembered then
had to come back home missing out our 2 planned days on Skye. Plenty left
undone there. Another visit is a must but I’ll either take the big tent and
pitch for a week or hire a wee camper. No more 3 man tenting. I am way too
claustrophobic for that!
