2 weeks on

Well almost and what a difference it makes.
I have stayed at home, swallowed painkillers to overdose levels and by Monday into Tuesday things were looking a lot better.

Now I have no idea where I got the idea that a broken ankle would heal in a couple of weeks but there I was all happy and confident things were good. I was actually getting about the house easier without the crutches and able to move my ankle in a few small stretches.

Till Wednesday. That is the day I had an appointment at the fracture clinic. The day I was looking forward to. Actually getting out of the confines of the torturous 4 walls. The day I was going to ask about going to the pool, getting on the static bike and the cross trainer at the gym.

Well after another X-ray an hour of waiting about I got to see the doctor. He was very pleasant in a nice young doctor kind of way and I think I may even have made his day with my wee list of questions, because he laughed and laughed and oh how he laughed.

Go home, sit down and remind yourself you have a broken ankle.
No pool, no bike, no nothing. I did however get a very in-depth lecture with pictures on the make up of my lower leg/ankle and all the parts that do all the different things to make it work, what holds it together and what keeps it strong.

We discussed at length all my plans for the coming months and he put things into a recovery kind of perspective. I think I must have been in there for an age as the waiting room was empty and there was no staff on when I left. Think everyone was on their lunch! So 2 hours later and I guess it was my saddest day so far.

No Alps holiday, why go all that way and pay all that money to be in pain and miserable. That to be honest was not my plan for the holiday but I can see 9 weeks after an ankle break walking 10 miles + a day is maybe not the best idea.
My plan for the Devil has also hit the dustbin. Too much risk of re injuring the ankle, tired legs on rocky ground is not a good combination.
The Glenmore however stays. This is going to be my training goal. I guess I will have plenty weight to lose and my fitness will be pants. Planning physio ASAP, I’ll need to make sure I don’t overdo it when I get the all clear to start training again.

So for another 4 weeks I have to keep the brace on with no more exercise than normal everyday walking about the house.

It will fly by I’m sure. I’m so looking forward to the WHW as I’m now doing the Glencoe checkpoint with George (my race backup). It would have been such a downer not to be involved in some way, so midgie meat we are.

Stay safe

Karen & Munro

And it's all over for me

Torts Relay Teams

No WHW for me this year.

I know it can happen to anyone and this weekend it happened to me. A bad slip and a bad landing saw me hobbling off the Conic Hill on Saturday during the Highland Fling relay race. I was sure I had heard a crack, I was feeling very sick and my ankle felt huge and numb.

Lots of people stopped, runners and walkers offering me help and pain killers. I am so grateful to them even though at the time I refused all help. I think it was a mixture of pain, shock, disbelief and me being bloody determined I could run it off if I could just get off the hill.

Long story short I didn’t run anything off and by the time I got to the easier path I was met by Robert and George, thanks to the female runner who was on a training run and passed my message to them.

Between them they helped me to the car park and by that time I knew it was well and truly over for me.

BDTP managed to get through to the drop out marshal and update her they no longer had a sweeper. Natalie our leg 3 runner continued my run then her own covering 21 miles. What a girl, well done Nats. This was added to our leg 1 runner in one of the male teams having breathing problems and dropping out. George took over his run then his own leg 3. We were dropping like flies!!

I got a couple of ice packs for my ankle and sat in the back of the car with my leg elevated. Of we went to Rowerdennan, oh trying not to be sick on that wee bendy windy road! We passed an ambulance going in the opposite direction, Mags reckoned we should have stopped it, only finding out later that it was Ellen who had fallen further on and broken her arm, I think right on the elbow and had lay on the damp cold ground for a very long time waiting on the ambulance. It was a bit upsetting to find out that folk complained about her blocking the path and the ambulance blocking the road WTF and whoTF are these people? I do believe in Karma.

I was managing to hobble about even in quite a bit of discomfort. I filled my boots with painkillers and I was having positive thoughts that it was just a bad strain and was probably a branch I heard crack.

We got to Beinglas farm and I thought I should see if I could get my ankle strapped up. Neil who I recognised from being a runner at a lot of the ultras was on duty as doc. He had a good look at my foot and gave his diagnosis as fractured fibula but as he didn’t have X-ray eyes I should go to A&E and get it seen to.

Oh dear

Now I don’t get out much and I didn't want to have to go home early, that would also have ruined other folks weekend (they don’t get out much either) so I decided the swelling was huge anyway and I could still stand in it. Would do till Sunday. Huge fish supper and a few beers later I was convinced I made the correct decision.

Sunday morning and it was still the same which means it wasn’t worse so all is good. Arriving home I got changed and Mags, Nats and Moira came up to A&E with me. Approx 2 hours wait! The girls wanted to wait but it had already been a very long weekend so I had to practically send them away! I listened to episode 13 WHW podcast and surfed away the time. Soon I was taken for X-ray and Neil’s diagnosis was confirmed.  2 long thin cracks running from ankle to mid calf. Nurse put a huge heavy plaster on it and gave me an appointment for Monday.

I was amazed at the lack of negative thoughts I was having. Thinking hard about things I knew I have lost nothing that won’t be there for me another time. So I was over the moon after seeing the doc on Monday who just seemed to know what I was thinking without me saying anything. So you’re a runner then? You wont want a stookie if we can help it then? Can’t have your bones stiffening up can we? I’m like ok ok ok.

I have a brace which even with the painkillers is bleeding agony, but it is going to make a huge difference to my recovery so a wee bit of pain is doable. I also have an ankle brace below the leg one to stabilise the ankle. These braces I can take of for showers etc, maybe even get myself into the pool once the doc says I can. So glad I haven’t cancelled that gym subscription yet!

Much better!

This morning I entered the Beacons Ultra .. yes!  booked my accommodation.. yes!

So that’ll be The Devil, The Glenmore 24, The GO33 and the Beacons. So much to look forward to.

Not sure about our holiday in the Alps yet, I’m hopeful but not pinning my hopes on it.

Stay safe.

Karen and now unfit Munro x



Eating, Sleeping, Dreaming The Way

That is exactly what I feel I am doing at present. It is all consuming, I've even ran it in a bad dream, yep I blew up somewhere along the route because I had set off too quick... oh just for a moment I wish I was, well, normal.

But I'll concentrate more on the waking moments, the ones where I'm trawling the Internet looking for tips, blogs, nutrition, gear etc. Or the ones where I'm studying maps, time, distance for my next wee recce out. The 10 hour training days of travelling & running. The days are counting down, the weekends or for me, mid week days are crammed full of training runs, long, short, tempo, recovery.

Sometimes life gets in the way like yesterday my day was full with family commitments. Nothing for it but an evening run up the windfarm. Headtorches had to go on 3/4 way round, what a lovely clear night even if it was freezing and the wind was cutting us in two. Had my dinner just after 2200hrs.

Nothing gets in the way of training!

I seem to have got myself back on track after my wee cold. The planned run from Glencoe to FW went ahead, but it rained, a lot. Crossing the Larig Mor was nothing short of a nightmare and I totaly spat the dummy and chucked all toys out the pram. I was just so fed up with being cold and wet on my long runs. Stan just laughed at me as I f'd and blinded the miles away. I guess it was funny, but not at the time!! By Lundavra the sun was out the wind had died down and all was well. Perfect training really. Huge downs but also realising that the ups will come along and appreciating them when they do.

I have added into my training a LSR on the flat. I was finding running any distance hard, always looking to stop for whatever reason I could find, these runs were to get me moving all the way, keep running no hills no breaks just struggle on. Not finding them fun but coping with the constant running. I do have a marathon in a couple of weeks.. which I'm looking to finish in about 4hrs 30 with a negative split. I have also been pretty regimented with my food. Small amounts often, making sure I eat real food at regular intervals.

My diet at home is nothing like it used to be, no cheese, pizza chips etc. It's all steak, chicken, pasta, fish, veg and worse of all very little beer!! I get my wee treat to the pub for pizza when shifts allow... oh the joys. With that and my 15 minutes gym ball every day I'm sure I'm going to start noticing some weight loss ... at some point!!

This week into next are pretty easy, kidding myself on I'm tapering for the marathon then the miles will be getting wracked up again as I'm only doing a relay leg of The Fling (2). Super excited about eventually getting to run a race!

So back to the surfing for me, ankle support and waterproof trousers required, new shoes soon. Then a wee recovery jog to the garage to uplift Bryan's car. I'll be listening to pod cast 12 as I run.

Yip eating sleeping dreaming!

Karen & Munro

Training resumes

After 8 days under the duvet feeling sorry for myself I finally reappear. Still choked still ill and still feeling sorry for myself. Nothing left but to go back to the docs. First course of antibiotics finished with no improvement so now I feel like I've wasted a week!

As I'm due back at my work on the Friday I decide I want to do a long run on Thursday and try and get back into it. Tim wants to come along so Thursday morning we head up to Crainlarich. The weather forecast wasn't looking too good but it was dry as we arrived. We parked in the layby just before entering Crainlarich got ourselves and the dogs sorted and off we went.
It wasn't long before the rain started but nothing too bad. The miles to Auchtertyre then Tyndrum went by fairly quickly and I was feeling ok although I was running really slow, my legs were tired and I was still struggling to breath easily. I even noticed myself wheezing, something I have never done. The part over to BoO was quite miserable and we got soaked, so much so I went into the hotel and changed into what dry clothes I was carrying in my rucksack.
We continued out of BoO up to the cairn at the top of the hill (Murdos support point). This would give us a round trip of 30 miles. My farthest this year. I was still struggling but coping. Then the open moor back to Tyndrum and I started to flag, big time. I was holding Tim up and couldn't see me making it back to Crainlarich. We decided Tim would go on ahead with the dogs and pick up the car, I would stop at The Green Welly and wait there.

It seemed as soon as I was on my own I knew I would have to knuckle down and get on with it rather than whine about poor wee me not feeling well. I had been nibbling at my bag of tablet but still had a good lot left, so I just ate the whole bag in one go. AAhh my teeth! Soon after coming up over the hill and being able to see down the track towards Tyndrum I perked up and ran the whole way, not exactly with a spring in my step but fairly comfortably. Thank you tablet.

I felt I could have ran on towards Crainlarich but that would have upset the plans we had made and I'm not sure my sugar high would have even got me to Auchtertyre. So into The Welly I went. Large bowl of soup, juice and coffee. Now I was feeling better but chittering like a crazy thing. All my clothes were wet. Had I my bank card on me I would most definitely been standing in a nice new dry shiny rig out when Tim got back. But I didn't. A wee £10 in my pocket got my food. I was really happy I had that!

I think I managed approx 25 miles, again mainly in the rain. If it rains this year on race day at least I will be more prepared for it. But, my seal skin socks soaked through as did my seal skin gloves. My Mountain Equipment jacket was good but my tops below soaked with sweat and remained wet, my Montane featherlite showerproof trousers soaked through too but did keep the wind out helping me stay warm. If anyone has come across waterproof gear that works on the Scottish Hills will you please let me know.

After visiting the docs I was prescribed with a steroid nasal spray and another course of antibiotics. The doc told me not to expect miracles and it might take yet another week or more to clear up.
With this in mind I had a couple of days rest then decided to run home from work on Sunday.

It is just over 17 miles, but along the cycle path which is mostly flat and tarmac. I used my HR monitor to try and keep an even pace which worked well for pretty much most of the run, till I called Bryan to let him know I was in Irvine and had left my house key in the car at work. Oh right he says, I'm in Greenock!! My HR shot up to 203!! I could see me again sitting like Liptons orphan in wet clothes on the doorstep. Just run slow he says, so I did. With 5 miles to go I was feeling a bit tired but after getting into Kilmarnock I was feeling a huge buzz knowing I was almost home (even if I did had to sit on the doorstep) it felt like I was bouncing down the roads. Thankfully Bryan had arrived home only minutes before me.

I have only been running every other day until I feel 100% but have done Interval & Tempo sessions again with the HR monitor. Not great, so I know there is a lot of room for improvement which I am looking forward to seeing over the next few weeks/months.

Tomorrow I am heading up to Glencoe to run to Fort William. I am very lucky that Bryan has offered to back me up carrying the food and meeting me at KLL & Lundavra. He needs to train for his part in the race too. I'll have the company of Stan, Munro and hopefully Silke. AND it is to be dry!! yes

It is the D33 this weekend to. Excited that this is the new ultra season underway. If your taking part, have a great run.

Karen & Munro

Down but not out

After over 4 weeks of sneezing and snorting I have had to give into the dreaded cold. Went out to work last night not feeling great, but after 9 hours chittering with a runny sore nose I had had enough. Not a good sleep this morning, constantly wakening up struggling to breath it was inevitable that I couldn't face another night of the same.

I phoned into work and signed of work. So much for my 0 Bradford score. Trouble is being sick means I'm stuck with a duvet and a box of Lemsip. My loose training plan is on the back boiler and the dog's not going to get walked.

I had been plodding along quite happily putting in the miles. February being the shortest month (even with it's extra day) has been my highest mileage month ever. My legs are feeling good on it too as I have been taking my rest days as total rest. I decided this week to cancel my gym subscription barely a year after joining. I never went more than twice per week and for the past few months twice per month.

After reading Andy Dubois blog and other info on strength/core training I have came to realise I don't need to be in a gym. I have even managed to set my Garmin workouts now, all very techy for me. I have interval sessions, tempo sessions, timed sessions, heart rate sessions all waiting on me getting over my man flu. Something new and different to keep the training exciting and me motivated. I'm turning into a data geek.
On Monday I did my 27 miles Rowerdennan to Beinglas and back with Tim, he had his heart rate monitor on and we ran at a good steady pace. I have decided I have had enough of the loch side though.
The following day I used my heart rate monitor to try keep myself at 75% of my max on my back to back long run. This was kind of hard considering I had picked the hilliest road route I know. I enjoyed the run and my legs felt fine only struggling slightly on a part of the route that was miserable grey and running into a headwind and drizzle. I think that says more about what was happening in my head than to my legs though. After turning I ran the 3 easiest miles to the end. Heart rate avg 75% over my 15 miles.

Now for a few days rest. I'm not going to fret over my training or lack of it, I'm going to finally kick this cold into touch. I feel if I go on as I am I'll still be sniffling in another 4 weeks and that is the last thing  I want.

So back under the duvet for me and I'll finish listening to the pod casts. Always good to be motivated.

Karen

Hoka's & stuff

Well the Hoka's are now well & truly part of my kit. After creeping through poo corner at the mucky farm yesterday they look & smell like 'real trainers'.
Last week on my LSR from Milngavie to the road at the end of the cycle track & back (had Munro) I wore my gortex asics & immediately regretted it. Now being so accustomed to my bouncy comfort I felt like I was banging the ground. OOOhh this is not good was my initial thought but after a couple of miles I had got used to the feel of them again. Must admit I now prefer the Hoka's .. feel like a turn coat. I was actually looking at buying another pair of the Lahar's in the sale, only £50 but think I'll just be keeping my money for the Mafate WP. Maybe next month or wait till the new models come out in March, then buy the old one in the sale!

So far my training hasn't been great but neither atrocious. I have managed to almost stick to the loose plan I made myself except for a few days when I was bad with the cold. Stopped me in my tracks. As always went back out running too soon, then drove 50mins home after a long run shivering in soaking wet clothes because I didn't want to waste time getting changed!! right back to where I started and probably deserved it for being so daft.

Have twice been out doing my interval and tempo runs and as soon as I work out how to work the heart rate monitor with any kind of success I'm sure these sessions will be good for me. Presently it's, oh crap haven't started it, aww naw didny hear it, oh man it's supposed to be six sets and it's finished at two etc etc etc. I even put the band on and went out my run without the watch.
Wait, that was the National Xcountry on Saturday. Had to run it without a watch, thought I doing ok and a bit faster than the year before but nope, 7 secs slower. Oh well I'm sure having a nifty time piece on my wrist wouldn't have made the slightest difference although it would have been interesting to see my heart rate. Thought I was going to burst a lung more than once.

Sunday I went up the WHW to meet a few folks who were doing a planned run. It was my weekend off and I wanted to make the most of it. The weather was lovely if a bit nippy to start with. I ran with Caroline as she was starting earlier and her pace suits me. Well 'used to suit me' if anyone has been following Carolines blog you will see she has been putting in the training. I was struggling to keep in touch on the downhill and flatter sections. Very good training for me as the pace was well quicker than I would have ran on my own. I had planned 25 miles with Caroline John and everyone else looking to cover 35. It worked well and folks ran in small groups and pairs to the pace that suited them. I gladly turned back at the picnic table on the Bogle Glen. 6 miles would see me back to the Drovers. Cow poo corner was terrible with the cows and baby cows blocking the path. Well over my ankles in soft squidgy coo poo. Lovely!! and it didn't smell too sweet either.

Photo's by John Kynaston

Today thankfully is a rest day, my legs are tired heavy and sore. I have 10 miles planned for tomorrow. Here's hoping for a massive improvement overnight. I have three rest days in this weeks plan hopefully allowing my legs to be good for 27 miles come next Monday. Rowardennan to Beinglas and I'm already looking forward it.

Training.. I admit to being lost

How long have I been doing this? really you would think I would have at least half a clue about where I was going or what it was about.

I found myself AGAIN trying to make a training plan after my marathon plan ended up in the bin. This fast stuff just doesn't suit me, I wasn't enjoying it and I think I am just a plodder, always was, always will be.

How weird it was that I had 'LSR with a shorter Long run back to back' written down and then it was all blank. What do I do the rest of the time? What are the distances, what sort of speed? do I go to the gym or do I cycle? As always I looked for motivation and help through blogs and postings and web based training plans.

I don't want to run lots of wasted miles, which for me is easy as I just tend to fill my training with slow runs with Munro. Looking back that didn't work for me last year so I feel there is no point in doing it again. There has to be a change. I only run because I really enjoy it. I'll never be a front runner so if I'm not enjoying what I'm doing what is the point in doing it? Maybe the miles aren't wasted, they are just not getting me fitter or faster and I need to focus them.

I did find this web site with a 100mile race training plan. Ok I thought, fill in the diary as it suits my shifts, get the back to backs on my days off, shorter runs on back shift, mid length runs on early shift and 2 days rest every week. Just fitting the runs round my shifts felt like a burden removed. Why didn't I think of that before!

I'm on my way .. great. Then I get the report from my fitness test. All is good and I'm healthy... but not 'Ultra race fit'. I guess I wouldn't be this early on into training anyway but it gives me a good indication of where I am (6% down on fitness required). Attached to my report is a PLAN. This plan isn't like my plan, it has figures, speeds, heart rates, VO2's. Ohh this looks interesting.

Tweaking plans, I'm getting good at it. So out go 2 of my plodding sessions and in goes a little bit of HR/VO2/time/speed. It is a 12 week plan to get my basic fitness to an acceptable level to run an Ultra. Unfortunately the report also points out that my diet is a problem. They are going to send me out a diet plan and I really hope I can stick to it. Just love my junk food.
Time will tell. I have managed 2 weeks of my initial plan. Starting off with the WHW weekend. This really got my deflated mood up. I so enjoyed it, more than Bryan who managed 10 miles. He says he just doesn't get it. He'll be sticking to the treadmill for the foreseeable future!

Being on holiday helps of course. I managed my first back to back last week when up at Peterhead. Cycle track one day (boring) then through lots of woods the next (getting lost) 29 miles over 2 days. This week Tim & I drove to Bridge of Orchy. Run to Glencoe and back. What a glorious day it was. Freezing cold barely a wind and managed to keep the feet dry.

Yesterday, the first in a long time I ran from home leaving Munro. Went out on the roads for 11 miles and actually enjoyed it. Surprising thing was my legs felt fine. I expected to be more tired but found I was running comfortably.
Rest day today which I was really looking forward to and I'm very much enjoying, then the Vets X country tomorrow in Kilmarnock which is handy as I'm starting back nightshift tonight but will at least get a decent sleep.
The real test is next week.