Winter training

Oh well, it's been 2 months since my last post and I'm real glad to say they have been incident free.

                                                                     New Shoes


 I have chipped away at everything that scares me... gyms with lots of people
 in close proximity... speed work & intervals, why would anyone deliberately hurt themselves like that? hills? oh why??
But there I have been, on a weekly basis ticking off my sessions. Building up my TM speed work one teeny point at a time, to say the least, that is taking a while. Hills are now up to 8 per session. I started at 3. Long runs are my fun day. I am planning each run a week in advance, looking forward to it and so far enjoyed every single one.

                                                                           Munro

Another fun part of training and motivation had been Jantastic. I entered as part of The WHW team that John Kynaston was pulling together. This has been great motivation. I only entered 3 runs per week for January then 4 for February. My LSR, Interval & Hill sessions. February I added a dog jog. I am still sitting at 100%. My timed run for March is going to be my first ever Park Run. Eglinton Park. Almost looking forward to that!

Since my leg break last year my training has changed massively. Being unable to run for so long then only being able to do strength work & spin/stepper for the first few months to build up changed my mind set that many miles were best. Now I spend more time in that horror hole called a gym than I do on the roads. Weights are cool, now almost squating my body weight. That would be so much easier if I could loose a few pounds!! Doing the dips and pull ups, assisted of course but getting nearer my body weight for that too. Spinning is cool, hard work, cycling through treacle is fun. My favourite killer machine is the stepper... I'm building up the floors and speed, sweating like a sweaty thing, suffering like never before and sadly I'm loving it. So that leaves only 4 days for running but I take one as rest. 

So my long runs. Wee adventures with Munro. Stinchar Bridge, Crainlarich (Stan), Tyndrum (Fling weekend), Whitelees oh and this year a recce to Sunderland with Davie Bell reading the ipad map thingy, we meet some like minded English guys who we couldn't understand and them us. That didn't stop any of us and we set off from Osmotherly to recce the Hardmoors course. Davie was doing the 26.2 trail marathon and also the 110 later on in the year, I'm doing the 55 which is now only 17 days away.. gulp.
But as luck had it, this was the first weekend of all that snow!! this kind of hampered our progress and we managed 19 miles with a huge part merely falling / slipping / tramping our way through 2 ft + snow drifts. It was much fun and a good work out for the legs although I'm still not much surer of the route but sh*t happens.

The Hardmoors have quite a lot of mandatory kit after some seriously cold weather in the past. Only 2 drop bags but one checkpoint has hot food. I think I have all the necessary including my heatsheet bivvy bag. I have never even heard of such stuff before! I have been told lots of people enter the 55 with the aim to see how far they can get. Well I aim to finish it... as my tent and car will be at the end (bar open in football club too) not Xing anything, just going to try my hardest and know that I did my best. Anything less will not be good enough.
I used to run because it was fun and my training stopped the minute it started hurting. Not anymore.

Safe running

Karen & Munro

A wee update

Been a while since I last wrote some rambles.

Since the Jedburgh Ultra it has been a continuation of what went before in 2012. I was happy with my run, felt I going in the right direction. Took a few days rest, I was planning a few leisurely runs just to keep myself ticking over for the Brecon Ultra a couple of weeks away.

Then I caught a cold. Sniffled for a week missed the Kilmarnock X country race, one of my favourite races, but unlike the last cold which turned into Sinusitis and laid me off for 6 weeks I was determined this was not going to happen again and headed straight to the docs. Too late, another course of antibiotics and another steroid nasal spray.. geeze what am I doing wrong?? Doc told me to wait till last minute before deciding whether to run the race. So I did. On the Friday I spent most of the morning weighing up my options. Turns out I really didn’t want to drive for 6 hours arrive at 2 in the morning get very little sleep then run 40 miles round the Brecon Beacons with a cold. So I pulled out. Maybe another time.

My training went to pot but as the ultra season was now finished I wasn’t much bothered. I was visiting the gym, taking Munro out 3 mile runs and not much else till the Glee run. This was the first time I had managed along to a Glee run but was apprehensive about my fitness and hoping I wasn’t going to hold everyone up. Turned out just fine. But poor Munro doesn’t run well with too many people around. He was way too excited and darting around folks’ feet. As usual I was well off the pace at the start, even a slow fun jog I couldn’t keep up. As the run went on I coped better and started to enjoy it. Then fell. A dull one landing right on my front, arms out it was my chest that took the fall and it hurt… it really bloody hurt.

Sooo, for the next week and a half I could do nothing but slow walk/jogs with Munro. Ribs were sore but sneezing was making me scream with pain. As with these things, time heals all ills, just as well for some of us!

The Marcothon had begun and I again signed up for the yearly month of madness. Would be rude not to.

I tried to get back running, doing the minimum distance and my ribs were slowly getting better.

But, and for me there usually is a BUT. I toddled off to the gym, planning 5k on the TM and 30 minutes on the spin bike. Usually at the gym I wear my barefoot minimal shoes and stupidly didn’t take another pair for my TM run but hey I wasn’t too bothered, I’d been wearing these wee babies for a couple of months and felt 5k would be ok.

Big mistake! Normally when you feel pain you stop, don’t you? I wonder how many of you are sitting there saying.. well, no. Me too. Acht it’s just a wee ache. On I run, my calfs feel like they are about to explode like in cartoon fashion .. bang.. blood and yuck all over the place, and did I stop? No, cos I’m doing a 5k and I will finish.

Marcothon duly hit the skids and I was in major resting mode. Kind of makes me laugh although I know it’s not really funny. I could barely walk at all for days. Anyway, 10 days later and my legs were feeling pretty normal again and the wee burns on my feet had all healed. Lesson learned.. I hope!

Glad to say a couple of weeks have passed incident free. I have managed a couple of mid distance runs. Been to the gym, made a complete fool of myself trying squats with a bar for the first time. I spent a week practicing my ‘move’ at home without an audience. Second attempt went well and I have to admit I have been offered nothing but help and encouragement from the big scarey guys in the weights area.

So as we head towards another birthday and a New Year I’m looking forward to the challenges I have set myself for 2013. I hope never to have such an injury ravaged year ever again but 2012 was pretty character building to say the least.

Here’s to 2013 : Hardmoors 55 : Cateran : WHW race : Glenmore 24

Safe running

Karen & Munro

Jedburgh Ultra

Well that was fun!

I was looking forward to this run, guess the long summer off had given me a bit of motivation and this was a goal I had set myself.


Weather was a bit drizzly and way too cold for my liking. It is always fun people watching at the start of races. The difference in race attire was interesting. There was the likes of me, expecting to be at the back of the pack and slow so dressed accordingly with full tights rain jacket gloves buff and a spare everything in the rucksack. Then the racing snakes, shorts vest and wee arm warmers, geeze I was cold just looking at them, but to even it out there was a bit of everything in-between!

I digress..
I had a plan, start slow a then slow down, just my usual then. The first few miles I was last bar none. Just plodding along I passed people as they stopped for injuries or wardrobe malfunctions etc. Sometimes folks went past me and this stupidly worried me, I started thinking I was slowing down so soon, then I would go by same people?? am I speeding up? I didn't think so. I reckon some folk got their pacing a bit muddled.

The mud on the route to Maxton was bad. At first I tried to run round the bogs but quickly realised that wasn't going to happen so straight through it was. My shoes were getting sucked off one minute then when getting clear of the bog my poor shoes were covered in so much mud they weighed a few extra pounds each. I quickly realised this was going to be a long slog.

There were parts of the route that were excellent too, good footing through the woods and along the riverside. I still barely lifted my head though. I have a wee problem with self preservation and seem to focus totally on the ground in front. I'm sure this will pass as I get my confidence back.

I caught up with Ellen when she took a wrong turn along the river, we met at the point where she should have turned. It was good to blether for a moment but I needed to stop for comfort break. This meant I was on my own for quite a way to the Rhymer Stone checkpoint. I had put in a drop bag and it took me quite a few minutes to get my stuff sorted. Folks who I had passed a while back were now in front for the big climb up the 3 peaks. I put my head down and tried just to grind it out. The bottom of the first hill was very muddy and slippy but soon began to look like a normal path. I only stopped briefly to take in the views on the way up but my lungs were bursting and I really wanted to sit and rest. At the top I had caught up with Adrian who I tried to follow on the downhill but he left me like I was standing still. No way am I bouncing down a hill. Repeat on the second hill but I didn't catch him on the third which gladly was much smaller. Others went by me on downhills I think I lost about 4 places.

Back into the woods and I had my confidence and mojo back. Just kept plodding away.

I was trying to watch my nutrition as always, usual problem for me. For this race I had decided on gels/tablet/coconut ice and I had a banana in my drop bag. I also had a rice but couldn't find my spoon and shovelling it in with my mud covered fingers was a bit off putting. I had my isotonic drink in both my water bottles and a wee bottle of irn bru. I thought I would manage, and I almost did.

Not sure if it was a mental melt down or an energy one but I had made a wee pact with myself. With my fear of missing the cut off times I had told myself... run all the way to Maxton.. then only 10 miles to go, you can walk this if necessary. Seemed a good idea at the time and by the time I had reached Maxton I was feeling ok, I did try to keep going with this high for as far as I could but unfortunately that wasn't very far!! I had caught and passed Ellen and Stan by this time, but knew I would soon be looking at their backs. My hamstrings were cramping and my stomach was rebelling. I had just taken my last gel and there was no way I was loosing it. Hold the tummy contents at all costs!!

Soon they passed me again and now my aim was to keep them in sight. I duly lost them in the woods and it was really quite dark and I panicked like a panicky thing. I bolted down the track trying to find them!! Once I caught them I was hanging on no matter what!! 4 miles to go and I was trying not to cry like a spoiled 2 yo having a tantrum. I was hurting and I wanted it over bubble sniff sniff, ha don't you just love how childish you become?
Alan Robertson caught us on the wee back road with Adrian joining us on the road in Jedburgh, and that is how we finished five of us together giving the timing mat an overload.

I'm glad I hadn't listened to my inner demons earlier on and picked myself up to tick another box towards recovery and fitness.

Well done to the guys on their first year, the run was fun if very difficult. The marshals were great and well done the guys out on the hills!!

Happy running

WHW challenge

Apologies as this is really long. Best get a coffee.

A while back, probably sometime between breaking my leg and coming to my senses I decided I wanted to spend a few days on the WHW route.

I had missed the race although I did do marshalling at Glencoe. Still not quite the same as taking part though. I booked myself into the Inversnaid hostel, then, was planning to get to Kingshouse and finally reaching the campsite at the Ben Nevis where Bryan would have arrived and pitched our tent. My plan was to have one of the baggage companies carry clean clothing to the different hostels.

Ha, the best laid plans. How it panned out was Bryan offered to meet me on day 2 bringing my bag with him then me carrying on with the dog on the last day. Our night in the campsite got cancelled as Bryan had a morning at Uni next day. We also changed our stay at Kingshouse to Tyndrum. I would stop at Victoria Bridge and Bryan would drive us back to Tyndrum as I thought it would be just too far for me to manage.

So overall, approx 30 miles per day carrying my full rucksack on days 1 & 2.

Day 1. The weather forecast was rubbish. I dilly dallied about the house packing/emptying my bags etc. Bryan drove me to Milngavie with a plan to set off just after 10am. Ok, we got to Milngavie about 10:45 the rain was bouncing and I was in a pretty low mood with the thought of 30 odd miles in the rain. I have never made any secret of hating the rain, there is just nothing fun about being cold, wet and chaffing for miles and hours on end. As we sat waiting on the rain to go off (no chance) ok lighten a little the time ticked by. I then realised I didn’t have a head torch and with time passing I was not going to make it to Inversnaid in daylight. I expected to cover about 4 miles an hour so time was now getting tight.

I then realised this was my run and I made the rules. So I promptly decided I would start at Drymen and miss out that puddle soaked path also the part on the road. I really don’t enjoy that part and was glad I was going to miss it!

We drove to Drymen and I quickly got out the car into the rain and started my wee adventure. I plodded slowly trying to make sure I kept an easy pace, I wasn’t too fussed as I knew I only had 20 miles to run, cool, a nice short day. There was a diversion for logging through what used to be a forest just outside Drymen. I duly followed the signs, sliding through mud and slime up past my ankles, lovely, barely started and my nice gore-Tex shoes are soaked! The rain poured the rain went off, the rain poured the rain went off, just that kind of day. My only slight fear for today was the Conic hill. I was glad I still had fresh legs as it was a bit slippy with all the rain, it was also a bit busy with charity walkers. This was a perfect reason to just slip in behind them and take my time.

Seemed like it took an age but I finally got off THAT hill, in one piece and no broken bones. The rest of my day went well, plenty food stops, eating as I walked up the hills. My mind had rerouted some parts and I surprised to reach this part so soon or wondering where that part had went. Seems it’s been a while since I covered any real distance on The Way. I finally got to Inversnaid Hotel. I was struggling, a lot more than I thought I would, it was after all only 20 miles!! I hadn’t really researched where the hostel was but had heard many people say it was up the hill. So off I set, what felt like a lifetime later with legs hinging off I finally see the old church. 

Oh so glad to be there. I had carried clean tights and 2 tops in my bag minimum toiletries and was planning on sticking my wet clothes in the drying room. All goes to plan, I get me wee room I have THE best hot shower, get my wet clothes hung up then head upstairs for food. Excellent wee dinner couple of beers chat with some other walkers. I would recommend staying at this friendly wee place any chance you get. Off to bed before 10pm. Day 1 approx 20miles 6hrs 23.

Day 2. Up for 8 dressed and back upstairs for breakfast. No full brekkie here but flakes, porage, toast, yogurt and fruit. Tea/coffee. A bacon roll was £1.50 extra.

I left for my planned run to Victoria Bridge at 9. I let Bryan know my expected arrival time as he was planning on being at BoO for me. Weather today was so much better, all my clothes had dried fine except my shoes. After a couple of minutes I’d forgotten they were wet but it did allow me just to run through today’s selection of mud and puddles with no worries.  

My first day had past with no more pains than the usual heavy tired legs and strangely weird sore heels. Today however my right leg started to really hurt. My calf/ankle and sole were aching. I plodded on determined not to take pain killers as these were one of the many things that had possibly caused my sickness at the Glenmore. Ahh suck it up I thought. Once past the mucky farm I could not move without limping so I stopped got the shoe off took off my support bandage loosely tied the lace and carried on.

Not sure how much better it felt but was enough to give me a boost and get my head down for the climbs through the forest. I do like this part and it is hard not to enjoy it.

I plodded to Auchtertyre, now out of water but in no more pain I stopped for a nice cold can of 7 UP. A Mars Bar found its way into my hand too so I had  a seat outside in the sun. Finished I refilled my water bottle in the wee kitchen and carried on.

Along here I managed to get a signal on my phone, called Bryan and told him I would just be stopping at Tyndrum. 

Funnily enough the sugar did what I would normally have taken painkillers for, my leg was feeling a whole lot better and I was running comfortably into Tyndrum. Had a natter with Kirsty, made our plans for day 3 and I made my way to the wee Hobbit house. I was again cold and sore. These wee houses have fantastic heaters and the place was toasting in no time. Would have to recommend a stay at The By The Way Hostel. The Hobbit house was cool and shower block very clean. I admit to this being my first ever getting out there and staying at hostel type trip. The places I picked were on others recommendations and I was very glad I listended :-)

Bryan arrived on Q and I had my holdall with proper toiletries and clean clothes. Bliss.

We went up to the Green Welly for pizza then a long walk (in the rain) with Munro. Bed time again. Day 2 Approx 20 miles 6hrs 20.

Day 3. We planned to leave at 9 and Kirsty appeared with Milo (her gorgeous Vizsla dog). Munro had an ohh who are you  moment before deciding Milo was ok and we all set off for BoO. This being my 3^rd day my legs were kind of sore but I seemed not to notice and we struck out at a decent pace. A few times I had to ask Kirsty to walk as I was just running out of puff, but moments later I was ok and we were off again chatting away and the time passed quickly. Lots of sheep and cows on the first part of the route. Milo was very well behaved and never gave them more than a look, Munro on the other hand I had to keep shouting back to keep him in check. At one point a big coo looked too easy as he ran at it, naturally it duly kicked him and he was very well behaved after that!!

Kirsty had to turn round at BoO as she had to get back to the hostel. I carried on in a real good mood and full of energy. Stopped for a moment at the foot of the climb as Bryan was waiting there to make sure I was ok. He was going to drive to Victoria Bridge. I was up and over the hill in good time, down onto the road and again met Bryan. Still on a high but asked for a wee banana as I knew the moor could very easily stop me in my tracks. The rain had been on and off so far, nothing too bad but I had my full waterproofs with me. I have learned never to underestimate the Rannoch Moor.

It had been decided before I left that I would run to Glencoe and that would be the end of my wee adventure. In a way I was sad this was my last leg but also very relieved as I was starting to feel I was on my last legs!!

I plodded with determination, not only was I not going to let the moor beat me, I was going to enjoy it. Ok maybe enjoy is the wrong word but I jog/walked comfortably. Reaching the cairn I knew I didn’t have far to go. I would have whooped my way down but my legs were aching and I was almost in survival mode. It is what it is and it’ll stay what it is till the end so get on with it!! Day 3. Approx 17 miles 4hrs 30.

 A nice shower in the new shower block at Glencoe (£1:00 10 mins) then into the cafe for a bacon roll and coffee. Perfect end.

Huge thanks to long suffering Bryan, couldn't have done it without you and to Kirsty and Milo for the much needed company on day 3.

I dropped approx 10 miles per day and at no point did I feel I could have done them. Perhaps next year if I manage to train right through I’ll have another wee shot at it.

So what did I learn? Lots, but most of all… it was fun :-)

Happy running

Karen & Munro

Glenmore 24

April 28th, fell and broke my leg during the Highland Fling relay.

July 10th, allowed to run again. 2k on the treadmill building it up with .5k every 2nd day.

That quickly sums up my summer and training for the Glenmore 24. I could have changed to the 12 but then I would have had to run quicker and I really didn't like the thought of that.

On the the run up I managed a great run on The Way with Fiona and Caroline. This really helped my confidence and I was positive I could manage a good 50miles.

Then a couple of 18 miles + with Stan, these I felt more rattled and definitely not comfortable. I just kept running out of steam... nothing left... tank empty and I'm walking downhill never mind uphill.

I'm sure it was due to not getting my mind back into to training mode that I kind of overlooked my feeding and nutrition. I find I can manage a long run with some Isotonic, tablet and a wee crumpet with jam. I can tell you I was quickly found out during the race.

Onto the weekend. We arrived Friday night, wee 6 man bivvy tent Bryan and Munro. Got our spot in the corner with the hope of keeping Munro away from too much activity. He can get a bit jumpy but as it turned it, he was totally fine all weekend. We camped on the Friday night, Mark and Geraldine arrived, Stan later on. The wee hayfield was filling up.

As is necessary we had to walk Munro before bed so a few of us start out to walk the route. As I ran the race last year it was assumed I'd know the way... wrong. Lost lost lost!! but eventually we find our way onto the wide forest road. It was exciting to see the route. My long wait to run again was almost over! As it happened, glad we took our head torches as our dilly dallying took us a good bit longer to get round.

Saturday morning, I'm not sure well rested is a phrase I'd use but I did get some sleep. Unlike a a few who were having a ball in the marshals tent. Hangovers were order of the day!

Stan had suggested we go into Aviemore for a full breakfast. Seemed like a good idea. Whilst there we lost Mark & Geraldine, met John & Lorna, waited over an hour for our order and ended up stuffing our food down and quickly making our way back to the hayfield trying not to panic.

Stan wanted to get the medical stuff done, I was a bit on edge with nerves and didn't want to hang around with so little time.
Eventually it was time and we were off, Stan left behind in the medical tent! I took my customary place at the back of the field and walked up the hill out the hayfield.

My first few laps everything went fine but on reflection I was already building up my fall. Rather than eat solids I was only drinking isotonic, fair enough, but at half dilution as I didn't think I could drink the 500ml and hour required to keep my carb intake up. Soon I was gasping for water, drinking like it was running out, still eating nothing so Bryan tried to remedy this by making me eat half a crumpet. I had a few cups of chocolate milk too. Oh dear. 7 hours later and I'm hungry so ask Bryan for soup and bread. This was fine and off I go.

This was a bad lap. Negative thoughts creep in. I'm not fit. Why am I doing this. Who am I kidding.  I'll never get round this lap never mind all night. Just a few of the drag me down thoughts that seemed to be winning. I plodded the lap out and asked Bryan to come with me for the next one. So off we set with Munro in tow. This really picked me up and I was quickly feeling good again. Another lap down and Caroline is there supporting Neal (pulled out due to tummy issues) and asks if I want her to run with me? oh yes. So we gibber and gabber for 2 laps and my speed is up as my mood but my stomach was hollering noooo.

So it was decided I stop, get something decent to eat and let it digest a bit before setting out again. Lets just say it never happened. As much as I tried I could no longer keep all the watery gunk down and I chucked up. Violently. Mark came in from his tent next to us to see if I was ok. Again more discussion about what would be best. Sleep and let my stomach settle.
I lay in my sleeping bag and listened to the 12hr runners pounding round the little loop. The count down, the cheers then the quiet. I quickly fell asleep only to wake bursting for a pee at 03:30. Ahh well, might as well run, I'm getting up anyway!
My first lap (14) was fine and I was way overdressed. It was really quite warm out there. Got a brilliant wee sing song form Geraldine & Lee at half way.. nutters! Onto my next lap and I'm feeling delicate. Thirsty, hungry, baokish etc so I walk a bit. I had made myself markers where I walk and run so was not a happy bunny to be walking outwith my markers. On the downhill my tummy again decides I have not treated it well and again empties itself in a fun projectile way.
I get to Ada, inform her I'm still not doing well and will be stopping for another while to try gather myself.

Slept the rest of the night and eventually woke after 8 I think. Bryan asked me if I was going back out. I counted my laps (15) 60 miles. I had set my gold target at 70. I said no. If I'm honest I never gave it a considered thought. I was still feeling sick. My body was knackered, even though my running legs felt fine I knew I'd done enough.

I wanted home. I wanted showered and I wanted my bed. So we left early but not till Stan gloriously got 100miles. Well done.

A huge well done to everyone who took part. It is a fabulous weekend, the organisers and marshals all doing a brilliant job. Always great to catch up with folks, meet new friends and to watch in awe of some great performances.

I've not jumped back into training, instead taking a week off with short jogs with Munro round the local trails. Now I can't wait to start again, in particular work on my nutrition, add in some speed work and some hill. First though is to complete The WHW in 3 days next week. My wee challenge with myself. Looks like I'll need my rain jacket!!

Happy running

Karen & Munro

Going forward

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 2^nd 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!

Staying positive

Yep great title but the next bit is 'why is it so hard'?

Since my last post I have tried and mainly succeeded in keeping upbeat, looking forward and making sure my recovery is continuing in the right direction.

The last week however I have struggled. I'm fair missing the buzz of the years biggest race, feel almost flat and sometimes actually sad! I mean how can you be sad just because you're missing a race? Crabbit hingin moods? Not exactly normal but you can think okay, everyone gets them... Don't they? As per cheer me the female way, online shopping for nice new gear which is not required, does the trick everytime.

Moving on.. Lots to be positive about, last week I swam 20 lengths after 1hr 30 cardio work in the gym. I started at 6 lengths but have built it up. For most not much but as I haven't been in a pool (holiday splashing aside) for many many years I thought it deserved a mention :-)
The physio also reckons I'll be back to light running by the end of next week. I am extremely excited about that! At the moment I'm only allowed non impact exercise except my bunny hopping :-) I'm up to 20 of them per day too.
I'm hoping when I up the exercise I can loose the few (ahemmm) extra lbs I've acquired over the weeks!

To keep myself amused & it is required if your going to play any part in the WHW, I have started a list. Just to make sure we (wee George & me) don't get cold/hungry or eaten alive by midges at Glencoe! It has been interesting reading all the Facebook postings and blogs. The nerves are really starting to hit home! Kind of glad I'm missing that part! I think I was flying last year!

Can't finish the blog without a mention of Debs & her amazing achievement at the GUCR. What an inspiration!! Huge well done.

Nothing left to say except good luck to everyone taking part next week. I hope to see each & every one of you as you reach 70 miles. Caw canny and enjoy :-)

Karen & Munro