12/9/11 - GSR and a well needed update

Again, it has been a while since I posted. Seems life takes over all the time...

As I sit here I am down in Cambridge...moved down at the weekend. Was incredibly sad to be leaving Glasgow but let's not go into that. I know that I'm taking a big leap so let's just hope it pays off!

So now, my main gripe about being down here (besides the obvious) is how flat it is. I can't honestly beleive it - it's so different from my normal runs on WHW and around Mugdock at home. I have done the run into Cambridge centre twice. Once along cycle route 51 (11.75miles out and back) and then today I went into Cambridge along the new guided busway path and back via cycle route 51 (13.25miles). I'm seeing what run will be best for cycling/running into Uni and thinking that, although it's on minor roads, cycle route 51 would be best. Despite the busway being an awesome running track, it is very exposed (almost got blown off my feet today!) and I don't think it would be nice on a blustery day.

So what else has been happening...did the Great Scottish Run on 4th September in 1hour 43 mins, which I was over the moon about. A new PB for me...over 1.5mins faster than my previous half time which is quite good going considering I have had roughly the same half marathon time between 2007-2011!! A tiny race report...

I started off the run myself after having cheered my dad off on the 10k (which he did in an excellent 1hr 1min despite very little training!). Again, the start was really crowded. I know a lot of people don't like it but I actually love the buzz...although I'm conscious I look like a show-off running past everyone to push ahead, but hey.

The whole run went surprisingly well. I am pretty bad at pacing myself over halfs...hence 4 years worth of times between 1hr 47-1hr 52! I normally begin flagging around Pollock park but luckily this didn't happen this year. I remembered back to last year...I did the GSR with my knees all bandaged up since I had been having SERIOUS knee problems after wearing those stupid orthotics...my motto - if it isn't broken, don't try to fix it!!!

So yes I ended up maintaining a fairly good pace. I did slow down a little in the middle but only because I was concerned I was going to flag at the end. But it didn't happen - I kept going strong and was still smiling at the end...



Always missing my "fans"!!

So yes, was very pleased with the GSR.

My next plans? Well, I have a place for Loch Ness which I am dying to take up, but problem is I have induction at University until 2.30pm on Saturday 1st...which means it would be incredibly tight getting up to Inverness for Sunday morning. I am contemplating driving to the airport and getting a flight up at 4.20pm...too tight??? Maybe.

Other options? Well I have been looking at runs down here. Norfolk marathon looks ok, as do a few others but none have really taken my fancy enormously. If I don't do Loch Ness I will try for another half this year...maybe sub 1hr 43? Miracles do happen...

I just need to find some good hills to train on...this is my first challenge!! (:

Saturday 6/8 - Devil o' the Highlands 2011

Well, once again it has been a while! Another year, another Devil race completed. This one in a significantly better time than last year! I finished this year's race in 8 hours 46 mins, which was a good 30mins faster than last year. Also, surprisingly, my legs weren't too sore the next day and are pretty much back to normal today.

As always, full race report below.

My mum, dad, Derek and I drove up to Tyndrum. We ended up leaving quite late and didn't arrive until 8pm. We were staying in a wee B&B just outside the centre so drove into the village for some chips when we arrived. I went to sleep at 10pm but didn't sleep well at all that night. I tossed and turned and barely slept I'd felt when the alarm went off at 4.50am. I ate my cold porridge which I'd made the night before (never again) and dad drove me to the start. I was so tired it was unreal. I think I also looked the most unprofessional runner there with my GAP fleecy on and hood up!

Dad waited with me at the start which was really good of him and I felt fine once the race started at 6am. First section to Bridge of Orchy was uneventful...only become eventful when the midges started closing in as I approached B.o.O! Jeez, they were everywhere! Got in at 7.10am.

No one waiting for me at B.o.O...my dad was meant to be running rannoch moor with me so I wasn't expecting to see them until about 7.40am at Victoria Bridge. Up and over the hill was fine but it all went wrong when I got to Victoria Bridge at 7.35am. I'd kept my support crew informed that I was a little early but they still weren't there. I ran on to the house at the gate, as I thought they may be there, but no one was and I had no phone signal. I was in 2 minds over whether to keep going, but I knew my dad REALLY wanted to run this section and I'd been looking forward to the company...plus my water was low.

So I bit the bullet and ran back towards Inveroran. Took about 5 mins before I had signal, when I saw loads of missed calls. A lot of runners asking if I was ok, thanks for that. Turns out Derek and my mum had left late because they'd had a full cooked breakfast. Needless to say I was not impressed! In fact I started crying! Sad, I know, but it was definitely the combination of missing them, not being able to run with dad, adding time onto my race by going back and also being short of water. I dried my eyes up and told them I'd get them at the Ski Club.

I'd added more than 10mins onto my time so I went quite fast to try and make it up. Consequently my legs became quite tight mid way across this section. My dad had ran up from the Ski Club and came down the hill with me which was nice. I had some fruit and wanted to push on. He ran the next section with me too, to the bottom of the Devil's staircase. The terrain was tricky and he hadn't really run much on that ground before. He took a little tumble at one point and his poor hand got bloody. Stopped for a while to bandage him back up (many thanks to the kind passing walker who gave us a plaster!). I was actually quite surpirsed that no runners asked if he was ok. I've seen people who've fallen on races before and I've always stopped to check they are ok, even if they have people with them. Oh well.

Got to the bottom of the staircase and Derek did the next bit with me (in his football boots - I tell you my family and I running are probably the most unprofessional things you've seen!!) It was getting hot but felt strong up the staircase. A lady at the top offered me some sweets which was lovely of her...I offered her some of my licquorice allsorts which I was munching on but she politely declined and took a photo instead:


In Kinlochleven about 11.40am. Had some pasta and fruit. Strangely, I was actually starving! I don't usually get hungry during races but I was really hungry today so enjoyed a good lunch there. Derek did a bit of the hill out of Kinloch with me but he wanted to go back to Lundavra with my parents so I bid him farewell and continued myself. I'd been passing/passed by a woman with gold earrings most of the way so far and had been enjoyed having her company (even if we weren't talking much). We both struggled a bit on the hill coming out of Kinloch but I found a spurt of energy at the end and continued on. She asked me for the time at one point and seemed surprised I didn't run with a watch (she actually said "good on you" !!) I don't know, running with a watch is way too restrictive. I run for the love of the run, not to break records and put myself under pressure.

So to Lundavra I felt great. Overtook quite a few folks but always said hi and got lovely smiles from them. Again, dad ran from Lundavra to the Braveheart car park with me. I really don't like what they've done with the trees in this section - it's very disheartening. Despite dad's fall earlier and his little training he did really well - espeically since he doesn't normally run off road. I really appreciated having him there.

The downhill was a struggle. My right hip was hurting (I have weak hips) but I kept going. I figured what was the point in stopping - it would just be harder to start again. I even ran the little uphills which I was pleased about. Dad said he didn't want to "take my glory" crossing the finish line so he stopped and let me run on. I finished about 2.45pm and crossed the finish line to none of my family watching...they had all been in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill perusing the clothing. !!!!

They ran out when they saw me obviously and dad was only a few mins behind me. My mother in law got a photo of me recrossing the finish line with dad.


I must say, they were a very laid back support crew!! But I was so grateful to them for being there for me (most of the time!) and for running with me.

I had a really good day and was really pleased with my time.

So, what next? Well, I have the Great Scottish Run on 5th September which I'm aiming to do for the fun of it. I also have Loch Ness again but this is posing a little problem, as I am actually moving to Cambridge at the start of September to study at the Uni. Derek is already working down there. We aren't sure how feasible it's going to be to get up to Inverness for the weekend but I'm sure we will.

Where there's a will, there's a way! (:

Well, I managed it. Managed is definitely the operative word! Yesterday I started the Highland Fling in Milngavie at 6am, and arrived in Tyndrum at about 6.08pm. I say "approximately" because I really didn't care much about the time towards the end, I was just happy to finish! I didn't even clock at first and had to be escorted over in that direction - I just wanted water!

I'll give a really brief summary, because unfortunately it's straight back into the studying today so I don't have much time to spare.

Luckily I got a long lie and didn't actually get up until about 5am. Richard, who was running the race too, had stayed at mine the night before so we both went to the start together. I always get really nervous at the start of races so it was great to have a friend there.

The first part to Drymen was pretty uneventful. We weren't at the start but defintely weren't at the end which was reassuring! Richard ran the race last year and said he started way too fast and suffered later, so was trying to pace himself better. I presume that made my pace the perfect one?? En route we ran alongside a guy who was running with Penny the dog. That was adorable - the dog seemed to be having so much fun! Got to Drymen about 8am.

My inner thigh was starting to hurt as we headed up towards Conic Hill. I think it was probably due to lack of training, if I'm honest. I barely did any long runs before this and really relied on that 30/20 miles back to back in March. But I ate a cereal bar and pushed on. Stayed strong going up Conic Hill but coming down was a nightmare! I remembered the previous time I slipped onto my bum going down, so I took it really slow. Richard sped off ahead...obviously a hill pro. Someone coming up told me to be careful and stick to the grass as several runners had fallen already, that was reassuring!! In Balmaha had some cashew nuts and plenty of water. It was starting to get hot. After being nagged by the marshalls to keep on moving (it was like school!) we headed off about 9.40am.

Next section to Rowardennan was alright, but my thigh was really hurting on the uphills. I kept trying to eat cereal bars and nuts. Derek came out to meet us on the way to Rowardennan which was cool. Had some full fat Coke when I arrived which was just AMAZING. I was craving it so badly. It's always Coke I crave when I'm running! Had a little pasta too. I think it was about 11.05am we took off from there.

The next part was me into fairly unknown territory. I'd only done this section once walking years ago and once cycling - not really taking account of the terrain either time. The big hills made for good cycling though and so this part was good for walking/running. I was surprised we were both still running, and together - I thought Richard would have been ahead by now. But we were both still gabbing away...it's amazing how much you really appreciate the little things when out running...the sound of the water, birds singing, the cool breeze etc. It was really uplifting. Arrived in Inversnaid about 12.50pm.

At Inversnaid it was beginning to get really hot. I was so thirsty but conscious not to drink too much and get a stitch. I had some more pasta (and empathised with the runner complaining that he REALLY didn't want to eat his pasta!) and had some nuts. I was really wanting more Coke but unfortunately hadn't put any in my drop bag. The highlight of our "lunch" was the guy who came over complaining about electrolytes. Filling his waterbottle with Lucozade claiming that if he didn't see another isotonic drink again it would be too soon. Didn't really want to leave Inversnaid but had to. So after a relatively long break we kept plodding on.

This next section Richard was dreading, as was I, having taken AGES to do it on the bike (and stopping for a little sulk in the middle). It actually went surprisingly well considering! We were overtaken a few times by guys who looked pretty elite...and I managed to keep up with them until we got out of the scrambly bit! Felt quite pleased with myself. It wasn't as bad as either of us thought. I was conscious though that my stomach was rumbling...I really was hungry but just didn't fancy anything I had. Kept drinking water then, after many "are we there yet" style complaints to Richard we finally arrived at Bein Glas about 3pm. My parents were there with Derek which was great. They'd brought some sarnies so I had half an avocado sandwich. I forced down some nuts and lucozade and then we kept moving.

It was really this point that it all went a bit pear-shaped. We were both starting to feel really sluggish. My leg pain had gone but was replaced with a kind of tiredness. Both of our feet hurt too - I thought I was getting a blister on the inside of my right foot. We walked quite a lot of the way and I kept on thinking that our 6pm time was defintely out. Richard had finished in 12h20mins last year and I think he thought we might be slower than that. I wasn't sad at that fact, but after feeling so good up to Bein Glas I just felt that since not finishing wasn't on the cards anymore, I should really push it. Unfortunately I just had nothing left to push at that point. Annoyingly my upper arms were really sore (WHY?!?) too.

So we walked, with little spurts of running. When we reached the bridge under the road we passed a guy getting a massage...we watched enviously then plodded on. A girl who we'd seen falling at Balmaha earlier was also there...she looked really tired and covered in cuts, the poor thing. In the forest we both had a capri sun and, maybe it was the capri sun or maybe it was Derek meeting us on his bike, but we both decided that we should just go for it. I was trying to calculate how far we had to go and was disappointed when Derek shattered my dreams with his "5 miles" remark. We soon passed another runner who said it was 6km from there, and that we were doing about 8min/km at that point. I think Richard and I both thought "what the hey" at that point and just went for it. We ran pretty much the rest of the way. Apparently we passed a tv presenter - Muriel Gray - who I never recognised, but she was really cheery and encouraging!

So when we saw the piper towards the finish line we both sped up as best we could and crossed the line together at a fair old lick. About 6.08pm.




What a great feeling, I tell you. I think I felt more proud about my time at the Devil, but certainly the pride in finishing a 50+ mile race is phenomenal. My mum, dad and Derek being at the end was great and I even enjoyed a little of the beer provided - what a great idea!

Overall I thought it was a fantastic race - so well organised. A huge thanks to the marshalls at the checkpoints, en route and at the finish. What bright, kind and bubbly people. And I said a huge thanks to Richard - he kept me going when I may not have otherwise! I think running with someone defintely made that a good race...I don'd know if I would have enjoyed it doing it myself.

The one thing I will say though is that I don't know if I really liked that length of race. I really loved the Devil - it was almost the perfect challenge of distance running, beautiful country side and just manageable with my level of training. But I don't know if I liked just "doing a distance for the sake of it" kind of thing and thats what I felt I was doing towards the end of the Fling.

Anyhoo, more contemplation later. My legs are wasted today but thankfully no worse than they were after the Devil. My upper body is a lot sorer though and my heart rate is still very high. I think it will be a gentle month for me as I prepare for my exams and my wedding.

In a sentence...the Fling was the most endurance-testing thing I have done so far, but I am happy as larry that I finished and still buzzing today (:

A Long Needed Update - 20/3/11

I can't believe it's almost a quarter of the way through 2011...seems like only a few weeks ago I was updating with photos of the Turbo X! I kept on meaning to take time to update the blog - especially around Christmas time but there was always something getting in the way. I think the fact I haven't raced since the Turbo X has also contributed.

In terms of my own life it has been a turbulent few months. My other half and I, who were both on fixed term contracts at work, got our contracts extended which has been fantastic. Although there are other things looming around the corner now...maybe even a change of location...I foresee it will be another turbulent few months ahead (: And of course there is the wedding. After being nagged supremely I have started to get the ball rolling now and have, with my mum's help, done quite a lot. All we really need to do now are things like flowers, table decorations etc. I call this the last minute stuff but maybe for a wedding at the start of June that's not really a good thing!! We haven't arranged much for the honeymoon yet and are considering just staying in Scotland/UK. We are planning on getting a house/flat when we get married so I, personally, would rather save our money for that.

Oh, and of course, me being me I have an final exam for my Advanced Chemistry course a few days before my wedding...hence I foresee stress a-hoy for me and all those around me (:

Now onto the important stuff...

My running, funnily enough, hasn't taken a nose-dive because of my studies until now. Since the start of the year I have really built my training up well and it's only just now that I am starting to feel the pressure of "having" to train for a race verses the studying I know I should be spending my time doing. I have been running 3/4 times a week and also doing a LOT of cross training - plenty of swimming (50-80 lengths a time) and some muscle conditioning. In a short summary, my long runs have been:

1/1/11: 7.6miles, 1hr 10mins, run in Inverness with Derek
9/1/11: 9.75miles, 1hr 35mins, run to Beech Tree from home
16/1/11: 10.7miles, 1hr 30mins, a road run with my new Garmin ( - weighs a tonne!)
22/1/11: 12.1miles, 1hr 37mins, really hilly run followed by another 4 miles next day
29/1/11: 11.25miles, 1hr 54, Drymen - Balmaha via road & back via Conic Hill
6/2/11: 10.4miles, 1hr 38mins, run out from Stockiemuir to Killearn
14/2/11: 16.7miles, 2hr 23mins, canal run (flat though legs v sore at end!)
20/2/11: 17.2miles, 2hr 30mins, home to Balmaha (excl. Conic Hill)
27/2/11: 13.75miles, 2hr 5mins, ** The most interesting run I've done in ages! Home & Mugdock: First got stuck in a lot of mud, then slashed my leg open, then nearly hit by stupid woman in car, then stopped for a chat to a cyclist, then saw an amazing traffic jam out at Mugdock, of all places!! **

This month has been interesting. Derek and I went to Bridge of Cally at the start of the month then I ran the Cateran trail in 2 days (with him cycling/dragging his bike through mud-clogged fields behind me). Over the 2 days we did:

5/3/11: 29.5miles, ~6hrs (+ stops), B.o.Cally > Kirkton of Glenisla
6/3/11: 20miles, ~4hrs 15mins (+ stops), K.o.Glenisla > B.o.Cally

I must say it didn't really feel like a long training run, I think mainly because I did have to stop quite a lot and wait for Derek. The trail really wasn't meant to be cycled. I was also surprised how empty it was. Massive stretches of just the two of us. We did enjoy it and had great weather. Despite my legs not hurting straight after it, my legs really felt heavy for the rest of the week. So my run the week after was:

13/3/11: 9.85miles (though I'm making it up to 10 due to the hilliness!), 1hr 16mins 50secs, decided to challenge myself and try to race this route. It was SO hilly, but despite that I thought the 1hr 17min 10 mile was pretty good!! My last 10mile race in Toronto was 1hr 20mins. I was v chuffed!

.......

And that brings us to today. I had planned to run from Rowardennan to Bienglas Farm, however a combination of the weather, my not feeling so great and also my guilt over needing to study has meant I have cancelled this run. I do feel guilty, like I haven't really done enough for the Fling. However I didn't do a lot for the Devil due to my toe fracture and still managed well.

My studying is really my priority and if running has to take a back-seat, I'm ok with that. I am concerned about the Fling and actually part of me is thinking of drpping out, as I don't like this unsupported idea. I am thinking though that will they really bother if Derek drives out and meets me during it? I'm unsure, so may email and ask. I think it;s a silly idea for a race and didn't actually know that when I signed up for it (otherwise I wouldn't have). I'm not planning on racing it, but it certainly keeps morale high seeing a friendly face waiting for you when you are feeling low.

So the next few weeks will really be study-central and running is going to be pushed aside. I want to do as well as possible in this exam as part of my future will depend on it.

What a very melodramatic end to this post (:

Friday 15/10 - An update after lots of walking!

What a great way to start the post! Those were some of the photos from the Turbo X at Mudgock on 10th October...I am thinking of purchasing some of the copyrighted ones as they are so fantastic!

Have been on a wee trip this week on a few outings involving lots of walking! Did 13 miles of the Cateran Trail from Blairgowrie to Bridge of Cally and back. That was a lovely walk! I must say both of our legs were a bit sore afterwards! Not really muscle pain but more strain at the back of the knee. Also did the King's view walk up to a really nice viewpoint near Birnam, that was a good walk. Did another walk round about Birnam (about 5/6 miles) and then a walk along the river Ericht.

All in all an adventurous few days and I must say I'm looking forward to letting my legs (especially my knee) heal before getting back into the training towards the end of the year. I don't have extensive plans for 2011 (yet!) but definitely planning to do the Devil in August, Loch Ness in October and (hopefully) the Salomon Turbo X in October.

As for Edinburgh marathon, I'm swithering over whether to do it or not. I have grown a bit tired of the course and my times are not getting any better. I also am really tempted by the Fling...and I am hoping to be able to combine my honeymoon in June with a race abroad somewhere.

So not many solid plans as yet! But as for the rest of this year I want to rest, cross train and get a few good wintery runs on WHW. Will hopefully take some days off work in November/December for that.

Sunday 10/10 - Salomon "Pure Filth"

As the title suggests, today I completed the last 10 miles of my "131 miles in 6 races in 2009" challenge with the Salomon Turbo X trail race in Mugdock country park.

The time was terrible - I did my last 10 mile race in 1hour 20mins...let's just say this one was bordering on an hour more than that! BUT, I ran with my dad the whole way (he isn't really in the peak of fitness) and we had a great laugh! I had expected to get a lot dirtier than I did in my upper half, but I definitely got filthy on the bottom half!

During the 1.5miles "Turbo zone" there was a big boggy mess - you came out of a river into knee deep mud - I was caught right in the middle of it and my dad had to come back to pull me out...which he did but I couldn't find my footing and just went knee-first back into it! The photographers were having a field day and I got covered in mud...felt like a kid again!

Hiked up some of the steeper hills and got caught in a big rush at the start so got held back in a couple of ways. Overall though an absolutely great race and would definitely do it again!

Here's some photos from the day:





Other workouts this week:

Friday 8/10

Time: ~35mins
Distance: ~4.5miles

An excellent run around the west end after having been sent home from work due to a power cut (luck and a half!). Was on a half day this afternoon which was good and was planning to study so this run set me up nicely for that.

Thursday 7/10

Type: Swim
Distance: 50 lengths (f.c)

Wednesday 6/10

Type: x-train
Distance: 35mins (elliptical xtrainer), 10 mins (row) + strength training


Sunday 3/10 - Loch Ness Marathon

Time: 3hours 52mins
Pace: 8.51min/mile

Ok, a long needed update. This race was brilliant. Started off a little touch-and-go as my knee was really hurting on the bus there.

On a funny note my mind was taken off of it temporarily while I was queueing for the portaloos too and one was totally wobbling against the others...only me and another girl found this as hilarious as it actually was.

Started off well, just kept focusing on getting to the next mile and not really focusing on the full distance. Also had the music on and wasn't skipping any tracks, just listened to the lyrics which kept my mind off of the distance too! I was having a few problems running down the hills - it was hurting my knee quite badly - but once I got into my stride it wasn't getting any sorer...so I just kept on going.

Race passed uneventfully until Dores - what a fantastic crowd! There were probably half as many people there as at the finish line! Derek had just arrived when I did, and since the course started a mile further from Inverness this year I realised I must have been making good time. I didn't look at my clock though as it would either have put me off or made me go too fast.

The hills out of Dores were pretty tough but I kept running. Overtook a lot of other runners but kept one woman in my sights. She sped back up on the flat and I lost her, but on the next hill I caught back up with her and overtook her. I really don't like overtaking people - it makes me feel like I'm seeming "cocky" - but over the last 6 or so miles I did overtake quite a lot of people. Susie and Derek from the Scottish Veterans' were waiting at the 23 mile roundabout which was a good confidence boost!

The new route meant that we saw the finish line from across the river, but still had another mile or so to go. That was a bit demoralising, but the new finish line was definitely faster than the old one! Sadly I missed Derek at the finish line but I was aboslutely chuffed to bits with my time!

I honestly can't believe I did better than the last 2 years, especially with my dodgy knee. It hurt quite a lot the next few days but really seems to have eased off now. I also only ran 46.8miles in September (with longest run of 13.1miles since the Devil race)...that's probably one of my lowest training months on record. That's why this result is all the more satisfying. I definitely think my breathing was helped by all the swimming I've been doing, and my leg muscles feel a lot stronger with the strength training.

Overall, fantastic! And I am looking forward to next one already (:



Pre-marathon workouts:

Friday 1/10

Type: x-train
Distance: 15mins (elliptical x-trainer), 0.85miles powerwalk

Wednesday 29/9

Type: x-train
Distance: 35mins (x-trainer) + 10min cycle

Monday 27/9

Type: Walk

Walk around "The Whangie", lovely and so peaceful.

Sunday 26/9

Time: 35mins
Distance: 4.05miles
Pace: 8.35min/mile

Friday 24/9

Time: 1hr 40mins
Distance: 10.9miles

Wednesday 22/9

Type: Swim
Distance: 60 lengths (f.c)

Tuesday 21/9

Type: x-train
Distance: 10min (jog), 20 min(xtrain), 10min (row) + strength training

Monday 20/9

Time: 30mins
Distance: 4.05miles

Sunday 03/10 - Loch Ness Triumph

The title says it all! So, I decided that I would run loch ness after consulting with the physio who said It would be sore, but I couldn't really injure myself if I was sensible. So Thats what I did.

And how glad am I?? Finished in 3 hours 52 mins!! 2 mins over my pb and my knee, although a bit sore, held up fine throughout!

A great run and will post more later.

Sunday 19/9 - A sad truth

So my post titles are beginning to sound a bit like chapters from a novel...and this one, I guess, is no exception.

Firstly a run down of my activities and then a sad "face up to the facts".

Saturday 18/9

Type: Run
Distance: 7.25miles
Time: 1hr 5mins
Pace: 9min/mile

A trial run in my old shoes (no support). Knee was fine until about 3 miles when pain got gradually worse. ARGH.

Friday 17/9

Type: Swim
Distance: 46 lengths (f.c)

Thursday 16/9

Type: Cross Train + strength training
Time: 30 mins x-trainer + strength training

Wednesday 15/9

Type: Cross train
Time: 15 mins

Tried to also run on the treadmill in my bare feet just to check whether that would hurt (plus the gym was empty) but the staff stopped me...annoying!

Tuesday 14/9

Type: Swim
Distance: 56 lengths (f.c)

Monday 13/9

Type: Run/Power walk
Distance: 2-3 miles
Time: 40 mins

Saturday 11/9

Type: Run
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: 45 mins

----------------------

Ok, now to the fun part.

My run on Saturday (just after my blog post) was still really sore, however I kept on stretching and afterwards it didn't hurt as bad as it normally does.

So I saw the physio on Monday as planned and the very first thing she said to me was that I had a mishapen left leg. I saw what she meant immediately and I guess I notice every day...but I think I just never really NOTICED properly before (if that makes sense). It's maybe easy to see in this picture:



My left leg bends outwards at the knee and goes quite far out when I'm totally relaxed. This is perhaps due to the fallen arch in my left foot but it's something which had never really affected my running...until I started trying to correct the fallen arches.

The physio thinks that this has transferred the strain from the inside of my foot & leg (which are used to coping with it) to my knee and shin. She says it's very likely the cause of the shin cramping. This was all good to know, except that she then went on to say I have incredibly weak hips and really need to work on those to be able to stop myself getting injured on long distances.

Great.

Her recommendation was to stop wearing the orthotics and stop wearing my "new" (since April) Brooks shoes altogether, as she doesn't want me to wear anything which try to correct my feet. She said go back to my old running shoes (which have very little in the way of correction) and put a non-tailored, padded insole in those. She pointed out that the root cause of all my pain stemmed from me buying my new shoes (which I guess was true) and if I gradually wean myself back into my old ones we can go from there.

I was glad that she said it's not an injury and is something which can be fixed.

So, also this week I had my very first sports massage at the Garscube. The guy was quite nice and immediately noticed something else which he thought would have a negative impact on my running - my right leg is over an inch longer than my left leg. I guess this is quite normal, but he said it's probably putting strain on the muscles in my left leg, and with the weakness of the hip as it is, that would be a problem.

He, however, said I should keep wearing the insoles as they should give me a bit more support when running. Something else he noticed too is that I have a bad muscle imbalance in my quads. The main muscle and those down the outside of the leg are ok, but it's the inner leg which is really weak.


Since this is the sight of my pain:


He thinks part of my problem might be to do with that weak muscle not kicking in to pull the kneecap over when I bend my knee, so my knee stays quite rigid. So he gave me some strengthening exercises to do which I've been doing each day since.

Now comes my dilemma.

I have the Loch Ness marathon on 3rd October, that's 2 weeks today. My run yesterday (7 miles) proved I CAN run, but I am in pain for the most part which is not fun. Other than anything else I do not want to injure myself further. And on top of that, I have done VERY little training - the furthest I've run since the Devil is 13 miles.

So it is with a REALLY heavy heart that I think I am going to have to pull out of Loch Ness. I am absolutely crushed and part of me thinks "well, I could do it...it'd be sore but I could try and push for an ok time?" but is this just stupid? I think it is. I know there is always next year, but come race day if I'm lying in bed thinking "I could be running a great, scenic marathon right now..." I know I'll be really upset.

But on the otherhand I could be standing at the start line not sure if I'll be able to finish, or worried about how much pain I'll be in.

Am I making the right decision? I wonder.

Saturday 11/9 - A long needed update

Sorry for the lack of posting of late but (and yes, you may have guessed) I have been injured. The problem I spoke about in my last few posts with my left knee has reached a peak and I am positively panicking about Loch Ness in 3 weeks time.

First off, a run down of my work outs over the past few weeks and then an explanation as to my thoughts from today onwards.

Friday 10/9

Type: Swim
Distance: 56 lengths (46 f.c/10 backstroke)

Wednesday 8/9

Type: Cross Train (25mins elliptical xtrainer, 30 mins cycle (x-country), 10 mins row)

Tuesday 7/9

Type: Swim
Distance: 74 lengths (f.c)

Sunday 5/9 - Great Scottish Run!

Type: Run
Time: 1hr53mins
Distance: 13.1miles

This race killed my knees (which were very sore the whole way round) but I actually grinned through the pain and just kept going...thought I'd finished in a much better time than this but think the congestion at the start of the race didn't bode in my favour. (was on holiday the few days before this so no workouts)

Wednesday 1/9

Type: Run
Time: 22mins
Distance: 2.45miles

*Testing my knee more than anything else. Was sore afterwards.

Tuesday 31/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 50 lengths (f.c)

Monday 30/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 52 lengths (f.c, fast)

Sunday 29/8

Type: Run
Distance: 5.6miles
Time: 47mins 10secs (6min gentle jog)

Decided to avoid the hills on this run and my knee was almost fine. I think starting off on a big hill is not a good thing for me and as long as the run if fairly flat I'm generally ok.

Friday 27/8

Type: Run
Distance: 11.9miles
Time: 2hours 10mins (stopped for a while though)

All down my left shin was agony here and actually brought me to a halt (hence the time) Walked for a bit up a massive hill and then when I started running again it was my knee that was sore...it was really pretty tender but I managed to keep on running through it.

Wednesday 25/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 52 lengths (f.c, 22 fast)

Tuesday 24/8

Type: Run - speeds on treadmill
Distance: 3 miles (4.8k)

Warm up then 5.30min/km increasing pace to 4.15min/km steadily every 250m.


................

So basically, I've not NOT been running for the whole time, but I've notcied that every time I go out now it hurts and also takes longer to heal. I have an appointment at the physio on Monday and I'm hoping with everything I have that she can diagnose it.

The problem either started with the Devil race (maybe I was unprepared? maybe the big downhill took its toll on me and hurt something worse than I thought? Could this be the case??)
or
it started with me going back into training too quickly after the Devil race (the Friday after the Saturday race I did a 4-5mile run with my insoles in...which was fine...but it was the NEXT run on the Sunday (8 days after the Devil race) (7-8miles in insoles) which the leg really started to hurt. And it has hurt since.
or
it started with the insoles. Maybe I shouldn't have worn them on the 7-8mile run 8 days after the Devil race? I wore them the week after on an 11 mile run (knee very sore) but I've not worn them on any run since and have still been getting pain.

I must also point out that the pain generally starts below the left knee on the outside of the leg and feels quite like growing pains...then I try to push through it (but ususally have to stop it's so sore) and that's when it migrates across to the inside of the knee and across the knee cap. I come home from my runs with what looks like bruising on the inside of the knee cap.

So... The big questions.....

Should I keep running with the insoles in and try to let my body adjust to the new posture?

Did this all happen because I didn't let my toe fracture heal properly?

How long do I leave it before running again? I often think the pain is gone and go running but it starts as soon as I hit the first hill (unavoidable round my area)...

WHAT ON EARTH DO I DO ABOUT THE LOCH NESS MARATHON>???? My biggest worry as you can see. I basically have (starting tomorrow) 3 weeks until the race and the longest training run I've done is 12 miles plus one half and an ultra.

If I manage to get my knee sorted do I try to train even though it;s a little sore? I.e. if it's not unbearable do I go out and continue my training from next weekend? And if so...do I do 18miles next week, 23 miles week after then race on 3rd? Or do I do one long (18-23 mile) run then taper? Or do I just taper from here onwards? With the latter I would not feel confident at all.



Please, please, if anyone has any advice you would be a lifesaver.

Sunday 22/8 - A nice fast run

Ok so without me writing anything else, I must tell of my knee. Since the Devil I have been taking the running easy until the GSR. On my run last week, and my Friday night long run though, my left knee was giving me really bad trouble. It's not bad pain, but it's really uncomfortable for a while before getting really quite sore the further I go.

It brought me to a halt on the Friday run (11.25 miles) and later on that night I noticed the inside of my knee was really bruised. How weird! Used Ibuprofen gel but it was really sore to walk on on Saturday.

I think it might be my new orthotic insoles. The first time I wore them running was the first time the pain started. Problem, though, is that I thought they were meant to sort the overpronation. I have fallen arches in my right foot, and the insoles are good for supporting that. But apparently my left foot moves around far too much - it tilts out too much at the front, and rolls in at the back (or something along those lines...) The insole was meant to fix it but honestly it hurts so bad!

Good news though - my run today was great...without insoles! My knee is still a bit tender but just feels as though I keep aggrevating a bruise. Out running it didn't hurt badly at all. Plus I kept up a really good pace which I was happy about.

Apart from running, I have been doing loads of swimming - I love it! Most mornings before work I get a good spot in the pool and aim to do about 50 lengths. I'm getting quicker at it too - used to take me about 35mins, now I can do it in 25.

So the breakdown last week was:

Sunday 22/8

Time: 37mins
Distance: 4.45miles
Pace: 8.20min/mile

A really good run, kept up a good pace. I think I was actually faster most of the time, though the middle mile is a huge uphill so I did slow on that. Sped up again afterwards though. Knee feels fine afterwards too which is great.

Self-diagnosis had me in a bit of a fret on Friday night with the last sentence of the "Runner's Knee" diagnosis being "It will only get worse"...

Friday 20/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 50 lengths (fc)

+

Time: ~1hr45 (plus a few stops)
Distance: 11.25miles

Wasn't doing anything this Friday night and had had a pretty rubbish day at work, so headed out a long run when I got in. I met a friend right at the start so chatted to him for a wee while. Then en-route I stopped to help a frog which seemed to be stuck in the middle of a side road. That was right after seeing a deer skip out in front of me! (Feel like I should've been in The Sound of Music or something...frolocking through the open countryside and all that...). My knee hot really sore towards the end though and I walked for a couple of hundred metres before grinning and bearing it so I could get home to eat my dinner!

Wednedsay 18/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 50 lengths (fc)

Tuesday 17/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 50 lengths (10 bs, 40 fc)

Sunday 15/8

Type: Run/cycle
Distance: ~7/8 miles (? I really don't know and can't be bothered mapping it!)

On that roasting hot day I went a run while Derek cycled alongside. We stopped to help a lady who was lost for a while then continued on our way. Sat up at the waterworks for a little while then headed back. It was getting on a bit and I was absolutely starving so we stopped at the little shop to get some pick n mix (awesome). My knee was a little sore towards the end though, so was quite glad to get back.

In other news I went to the Collectormania event at Braehead on Saturday...it was great! Haven't been to a convention in so long, I miss going! Sadly one of the guys I wanted to see (from Stargate Atlantis) had to cancel, but I managed to get a pic taken with one of the guys from Star Trek Enterprise.



Spot the geek! I liked his moustache though ^_^

Saturday 14/8 - An update and some thoughts on the Devil

Well, it has been a week and a day since my last post...and what a week!

Well...actually work has been incredibly boring but luckily I have been on a total high since the Devil o the Highlands race a week ago today. I'm not too sure how to tell the story of my first ultra...so I guess I will just dive right in with the exciting/notable parts.

So yes we did end up having to get up at 3am. Got ready quickly and took some porridge "to go". Made a lot and ate about half of it in the car on the way up but I don't travel well and was beginning to feel sick so left the rest. Derek was driving and kept telling me to sleep but I was too excited to do so. He eventually just stopped talking to me so I just rested my eyes.

Arrived at Tyndrum about 4.45am and got my registration pack. Met up with Richard, his brother and sister in law and we all sat and listened to the pep talk. I was a little bit nervous but I just kept thinking that, if the worst came to the worst, I would just walk and that didn't bother me at all. My toe was all strapped up and I took 2 ibuprofen before the start. Started off with Richard but as soon as we started I knew he would end up ahead of me (despite his assurances otherwise!). He was going at a fair pace and it was definitely faster than I wanted to be running at.

On the grassy downhill past Tyndrum, just before the underpass, Richard sped ahead. I got caught behind a group of people and I saw him disappear into the distance. I didn't see him again until the finish.

I ran with another woman for the next few miles into Bridge of Orchy, just chatting about random things. Again she was keeping a fair pace but it was more manageable than Richard's pace, I thought. I had wanted to walk up all the hills (even the wee ones) but to be honest I barely felt I was having to push up them at all so just kept running with her. There were two guys on our tail who kept overtaking us, then we overtook them again on all the hills as they walked up them. One guy (who was quite loud and had been "discussing" several of his running feats, broadcasting them loudly then dispersing wisdom to the younger guy he was running with) shouted "oh look, show offs!" as the lady and I overtook them. I just smiled but could certainly feel a little bit of competition as he overtook us shortly afterwards!

In the end I think the lady and I ended up ahead of the two of them just before Bridge of Orchy. She sped up quite substantially on the way into BoO and we arrived there just about 7.10am. I couldn't find Derek but Kerr & Joan were there. They had missed Richard as they thought he would be through slower! I took a wee drink of capri sun and then headed on up the hill, figuring Derek had gone for a sleep.

However, some 3 minutes later I got a fairly frantic phonecall from D, asking why on Earth I had arrived so quickly! I think he was frustrated he missed me, so went to Inveroran and said he'd meet me there. I got there quite quickly and took a hand-picked flower to apologise for missing him. He gave me lucozade to take with me. I dumped my jacket and I grabbed my headphones as I knew the next stretch might be quite tough on my own.

The midges there were terrible and they kept on eating me even as I was running! When I got into Rannoch Moor though the wind dispersed them a little. I kept beside 2 guys for the first part of the stretch and then the 3 of us caught up with another guy who had a Maryhill Harriers top on. I really don't like overtaking people when I'm running like that, but felt I could manage a quicker pace so a little further on I pushed past them all. They, again, were walking the uphills but I felt quite strong so ran the vast majority of them. I passed another guy who started talking about needing a pee and how it wasn't easy in the compression shorts he had on. I laughed and said it was easier for him than me when, to my horror, he started describing how exactly it wasn't easier for him...i.e. what exactly the shorts were compressing (I had never heard of that part of the male anatomy before but I'm sure it wasn't something one would commonly discuss with a total stranger!!)...

After that "pleasant" chat he scooted on ahead of me (he probably just needed to get that off his chest) but I caught back up with him later. He had joined a guy and a girl and the 3 of them were running together. I walked up the big hill at the end of that stretch and the 3 of them stayed just ahead of me the whole way. On the way down, however, I could feel my toe getting a little tender as my feet were pushed to the front of my shoe. I slowed down quite substantially. I was also terrified of falling like I did on Conic Hill that time, as it really hurt my a*se.

Derek was waiting for me at the Glencoe ski club. My friend from work (Richard's sister) was meant to be waiting for me at the bottom but she had JUST left as I arrived to go meet Richard at the next point. Derek gave me a sandwich and more water then ran down the road with me. I arrived there about 9.10-15am and left some 5 mins later. I said a big thank you to the girls who were stopping the traffic on the A82 to let the runners cross. What amazing dedication they have! It was great of them and something I really want to thank the race directors for.

The next bit was fine though I saw my car abandoned at the side of the road about 1/2 mile from the staircase and panicked slightly! Apparently the parking was terrible so it was the only place Derek could park the car. Also Derek had given me the ham sandwiches instead of the quorn ones so I only had a little bit of bread to eat! I took cashew nuts at the bottom of the staircase and got my sports lucozade topped up with the really fizzy stuff. I had bought hundreds of food but a) didn't really feel like eating it and b) Derek generally parked the car away from the whw route.

He walked up the staircase with me which was great. I had a sandwich and an orange. I also opened my lucozade and nearly had my thumb blown off from the gas that had build up in the sports-capped bottle. I swore quite loudly in fright and had to apologise to the runner in front of me =S Said bye to Derek at the top and headed down the otherside. Passed a few runners on the way down, including one guy who fell. Both myself and the guy in front of me went back to help him. He had hurt himself and was limping a bit but thanked us and insisted we go on. He was a support runner and was stopping at Kinlochleven so I didn't feel so bad.

There was one guy in front of me and a girl in front of him. I overtook the guy on the way down but the girl was speeding right up. In Kinloch everyone was there whcih was great! They all shouted on me as I arrived from the riverside onto the road and it felt great. I arrived there about 12pm and had a little bit of pasta for my lunch then set off about 5 mins later. I also had a big slug of Coke which was AMAZING. I always crave full-fat coke when I run and it always makes me delirious with contentment when I drink some on/after a run. It's crazy!!

Derek hiked up the big hill out of Kinloch with me because that was the part of the course I was dreading the most. It wasn't so bad, but the sun was really beating down which wasn't so good. Derek told me that Richard had been consecutively 20mins ahead of me at all the checkpoints, so I was pleased to hear I was keeping a steady pace. The stretch across the moor was fine. I caught up with the guy and girl who were ahead of me on the way into Kinloch. Again, I didn't really like overtaking them but I was feeling good so just went for it. Again, the support marshalls on the moor were great and I was really appreciative of them spending their day providing assistance like that.

K&J were at Lundavra waiting for me. They gave me more water and a banana. I also took some more nuts and headed on my merry way. The next bit was a bit of a slog and I had to walk some of it. There were also a lot of walkers and I sort of felt that some of them were a bit annoyed as I passed them. I would never just barge past someone, even if I need to walk I just do so and say excuse me. But a few times I had to go onto the mud to get past which was a bit annoying. Again it was really sunny as I went through the forest but it had been wet so the ground was a bit boggy.

The forest was the toughest section mentally. I walked the majority of it and felt a bit fed up as I had been wanting to run as much as I could and felt I still had fuel left. It was over quickly enough though and, without looking at the time, continued on the downhill towards the Braveheart car park. I ran it from the top and overtook another runner in the process, but my good word it was thrashing my legs. That was definitely the toughest section physically. Mentally I was totally ready for it and knew I could keep going, but my legs were just so painful!

I also thought I was a lot closer to the bottom than I was as I remember when I was cycling up the way it seemed to be over fairly quickly. No such luck though. When the track flattened back out again I had to stop and walk as I was just so disheartened. Walked for a couple of minutes and then decided I should just go for it. I text Derek explaining I was a little pee'd off and wanted to cry (in not so polite terms) and he told me just to keep going. So I did.

I boosted up the songs on the old ipod, turned them up to an ear-splitting level and went for it. That didn't seem to be working though so I put on the one song "The Modern Leper" by Frightened Rabbit (see my musical related post somewhere in the mess below) on repeat. That did the trick. When I got to the car park I asked a guy how far it was and he said 0.8 miles. I was so relieved and just went hell for leather.

On the way loads of people were saying well done etc which was so nice of them. I was struggling to keep a good pace as my quads were really sore, but the music kept me going. This time though, I pulled the headphones off as I approached the finish. I got loads of claps and hugs as I crossed the line in 9hours 17mins, very happy indeed!! Richard had finished 8hours50 so I was glad to see I maybe didn't slow down as drastically on that last section as I thought I did!

The next few days I was sore and eating for the UK but it was worth it. I'm so glad my toe never played up and I would not have done so well if it wasn't for my support from Derek (plus Richard's crew: Kerr, Joan, Ruth and Colin). I'm so grateful to all of them. All in all, running the ultra was fantastic and I really had thought I would be somewhere between 10 and 12 hours. I can see myself wanting to get under 9 hours next year! I am also quite tempted by the Fling...

Having said that, I don't see myself running these ultras as a regular thing - maybe 1 or 2 a year. It occupies too much of your time for the training (I think the fact I did so well in the Devil after very little in the way of training was something of a fluke) and also places a lot of stress on your support crews who need to spend their whole day waiting around for you. I know people don't mind, but I would want to keep it a special thing.

Anyway, since the Devil I have had the following work outs:

Friday 13/8

Time: 40mins
Distance: ~4 miles

Went a run in the sun after work yesterday. Ran to deliver a letter to someone. My legs were sore though, even though they had been ok before. I therefore decided not to push it and just went back to the gym and stretched.

Wednesday 11/8

Type: Swim
Distance: 30 lengths (16 f.c/14 b.s)


I have also been evaluating my races left this year and have decided (belated) that my challenge is 131 miles in 6 races. I have the GSR half in September, Loch Ness Marathon on 3rd October then I have entered the Salomon "Pure Filth" ten mile race at Mugdock on 10th October. It looks cool and is right by my house, so why not!

Let me just conlude now (since this had taken AAAGES to write) with some pics from the Devil. Fun fun and more fun!



Me finishing, looking intently at that finish line!!



Richard and I at the start.



My car abandoned on Rannoch Moor!!



Me hiking up Devil's staircase.



At top of staircase.



Looking back into Kinlochleven.

Friday 6/8 - a gentle work out

Today I spent 20mins in the gym (I was so busy that was what I was resigned to) with 10mins doing a gentle cross train then 10 mins on the treadmill just to check my foot was ok.

Glad to report no pain - I even did a little gentle jog for a few mins at the end and no pain, so I am hoping for the best.

As for the rest of the day I was really busy, but am home now, showered and pretty much ready for my bed! Will have dinner about 6 then head to bed soon after. I'm hoping that my usual "being able to sleep at any time of the day" will hold and I will be fast asleep by half seven. I think I will need to up about half two/three...as it will probs take us an hour and a half to get to Tyndrum. We're aiming to be there for 5am so will probably leave here about half three.

I can't believe we need to be up so early! I am normally an early riser but Derek definitely isn't...and I don't normally get up to go run 40miles!

Anyway. Got plenty of ibuprofen, food, my toe is strapped up nicely and my new waterproof is the bee's knees.

Wish me luck!!!

A pre-race update

My lack of blogging recently may have been an indication that either I've been very busy, or there is something that isn't quite right...

In a nutshell, I have fractured my toe. The pain never disappeared and even though ok when walking, was still really sore when running which wasn't a good sign! So I got an xray last Tuesday and was sent to A&E, where I was told I had a distal spiral fracture in my 5th toe. NOT good.

Here's a picture of the offender (the thick white slanted line on the small toe):



Ok that's not actually my toe, but it's pretty much a replica of what I saw in the hospital, only my toe has a fracture where that one is and also down the other side (hence the "spiral"). So I haven't been running. The only saving grace is that the doctor says it takes 4-6 weeks to heal. The Devil race is 4 weeks exactly from the day it happened so I am hoping that it will be ok to run on. She says ordinarily she would tell me not to run but she knows I am a "stubborn thing" and I will run anyway (: But I am to stop at the first sign of pain so that's what I will do!

In other news (as if the toe fracture isn't bad enough) I have come down with a horrible cold. It is only in my head just now though, so I rested yesterday and today and am hoping to be on the mend come Saturday. If it isn't one thing it's another, eh??

So here's the "non running" workouts (despite a few wee runs before the enormity of the toe situation hit in...) over the past few weeks:

Monday 2/8

Type: Cross Train
Time: 1hr15mins

35 min xtrainer (gleuteal work out!)
30 min tough cycle (cross country)
10 min tough row

Thursday 28/7

Type: swim
Distance: 40 lengths (20 f.c/20 b.s)

Wednesday 28/7

Type: Cross Train
Time: 30 mins

20 mins tough xtrain
10 mins rough row

Monday 26/7

Type: swim
Distance: 36 lengths (20 f.c/16 b.s)

Sunday 25/7

Time: 1hr 5mins
Distance: 5.5miles

Run with Dad through the woods. Toe was ok when I was running at a fairly slow pace but got a lot sorer when I went off myself and went a wee bit faster, so had to turn back.

Saturday 24/7

Time: ?
Distance: ~2.5-3miles

It was peeing down with rain but I just wanted to get out and run. Started off too fast though and my toe really hurt, so I slowed the pace right down. Ended up walking a little bit too.

Thursday 22/7 - Swimming, much?

As the title suggests, I have been swimming a fair bit recently. After my long run last Friday, my legs were pretty sore on the Saturday and Sunday. I had obviously been running in a really weird way because my quads were absolutely excrutiating...I feel like I'd run a tough marathon! (Well, I guess technically I did...)

Suffice it to say I took Saturday, Sunday and Monday off. By Monday I was raring to go again but two problems.
1 - My toe is still very sore. Not walking, that's fine. But running or moving it in certain ways and it's just agony. I am worried now that it might be fractured in at least one place. I did rule that out before since I could walk on it ok, but I think the fact that (now going on 12) days after it happened I am still in a good amount of pain maybe isn't such a good thing. I tried running last night and got about 0.5 miles with no pain then suddenly I scrunched my toe up again and BAM...ground to a frustrating halt. Will need to monitor this and see what happens...

And 2 - I am so busy at work its unreal. I am generally in there between 7 and 8 in the morning and leave between 4-5 though lately it has been later.

Excuses, I know. But all I am really focusing on is keeping my cardio strength up before the Devil race. Hopefully in a week or so I should be running again. So my exercise schedule has been:

Thursday 22/7

Type: swim
Distance: 44 lengths (34 front crawl, 10 breast stroke)

Wednesday 21/7

Type: walk (plus a gentle jog)
Distance: 4.6 miles

Started running and managed about 0.5 miles before my toe began to really hurt. I was gutted but decided to stop and walk...though I'm not really a big walker, and it was raining, so I went and got my neighbours dog (a lovely big scooby doo style dog) and took it a walk. The dog is so powerful it basically pulled me the whole way and I did spend quite a long time chatting to my neighbours but enjoyed being out for a good 2 hours.

Tuesday 20/7

Type: swim
Distance: 46/48 lengths (36/38 front crawl, 10 breast stroke)

This was a really tough run and my arms hurt quite badly the next day!

Friday 16/7 - A shorter long run than expected...thank you, TOE!

Time: ~6h55mins
Distance: ~28.5miles (~24/25 mile run, 3/4 mile hike)

Well, the long training run for the Devil race didn't quite work out as I'd hoped yesterday...I had hoped to do 35miles (depending on how much time I had) but the accident to my toe the other day had me thinking it may be more like 30miles. The toe was not sore to walk on but was sore to touch and still sore to move manually. I saw the Doctor about something else on Thursday morning and asked her about my toe. She told me I shouldn't really run on it as it will take 10-14 days to heal, but said I probably wouldn't make it any worse if I did run on it.

I should have probably taken her advice.

Anyway. Friday morning I woke up at 5.30am, lay in bed until 5.45am then got up and had porridge. I was tired but really looking forward to getting out. Took my time getting my stuff together, packing the new bumbag (which holds loads!) etc and left the house at about 7.15am.

As soon as I started running my toe started hurting. That should have been my first sign, though I just readjusted the way I was running (putting more weight on the inside of my foot) and that seemed to be ok. It was still sore but in retrospect I was basically limping less than a mile into the run.

To Beech Tree was uneventful. I was taking advice from John Kynaston and eating what I could (normally just a few cashew nuts or a chewy sweetie) every 30 mins. In retrospect I really should have put more thought into what/when I was eating!! It started raining just before I got to the Beech Tree and the clouds were so low in the sky. My jacket isn't really very waterproof and by the time I got to Drymen I was soaked. It had stopped raining but my wee toe was really quite sore.

I realised that, probably due to the fact that I'd altered my running style, I was doing something weird with my toes when I ran. Instead of just heel striking then moving off as normal, just as my toes hit the ground I would scrunch them (which was agony on my wee toe when it hit the ground). I don't know why I was doing it, but it was so annoying! The pain got so bad I had to stop and walk for a couple hundred metres.

Onto Conic Hill I realised that it was the downhills which were hurting the most (obviously because my toe was being pushed into the front of my shoe) so I walked the downhills and ran the uphills and flats. Maybe not the best "ultra" running strategy but it was working ok. Walked really fast up Conic Hill which was pretty much like a gorge. My feet were sodding wet though the sun was out, so I took the opportunity to eat a sandwich.

When I got to the flat I ran again but was stopped at the otherside. It was sooo slippy and boggy. There were people strewen all over the hill, obviously evaluating the best way down. I jogged down but had to stop and walk at points. Plus trying really hard not to run faster and keep my foot towards the back of my shoe all culminated in my quads being agony by the time I got to the bottom. I also slipped onto my backside half way down and bruised my butt cheek quite badly.

So by the time I got to the car park I had gone from having a sore toe to a) thrashed quads, b) a very painful a*se, c) an even sorer toe, d) some lower shin pain from running downhill with scrunched up toes.

Oh the joys. At this point I had to reassess my plan. The idea had been to go to Inversnaid but to be honest I don't think there was any way I could have made it in a decent time. I could have walked, as walking wasn't hurting my toe whatsoever, but my friend was coming to pick me up so I couldn't ask him to get me too late. I stopped at the Oak Tree to fill up my water and then kept on running towards Rowardennan. My friend said he would leave then to get me from Row, only he got lost and mistook Balloch for Balmaha (he lives in Lancaster and hasn't driven much in Glasgow) so ended up being quite a bit later than expected.

I left Balmaha at about 11.45am (which I felt was pretty good timing! ... just over 22miles in 4h30 plus stops??) and ran/hobbled into the forest, past the houses but that was really the last point I ran. After that I just hiked as fast as I could. My quads were really sore and going downhill was a struggle so I did run the downhills and some of the flats.

My friend drove to Row for 1.20pm, parked, and ran back about 3k where he met me. He was shocked at how hilly the path was, he's never run on the WHW before!! The two of us then just walked briskly to Row where we got a baked potato and a well-earned (but fairly nasty tasting) cup of tea. We went a wee walk to the "Stargate" after that but I was cold so we headed back to the car. Took the opportunity to stop at the *amazing* tearoom in Gartness for a strawberry tart and another cuppa on the way home (mmmmm!) as well.

So, all in all? The day did not go as I had planned. It worries me slightly that I have not run farther than 28/29 miles before the Devil race. That extra 13/14 miles could be a killer. BUT...then again, what's the worst that can happen - I walk a large chunk of it? I KNOW I am physically capable of doing the mileage and to be honest I will just be SOOO glad and proud to finish it! (Given that I can!!) Plus I will have someone running with me at a few points (that's allowed, right?) so that will hopefully keep my spirits high.

On the other hand, I know that I could have kept going yesterday if I hadn't ran so stupidly for the first part, hurt my quads so much and my toe didn't hurt so much. I.e. if I didn't have the toe injury yesterday I know I could have kept on going to Inversnaid, and probably Bienglas too (though probably walking that rocky part). My legs are agony today but again that's because I put so much stress on my quads yesterday, I know it. Hopefully it's at least helping me build strong muscles!!

The plan now?

Let my toe heal! Doc says 10-14 days. It's not sore walking today but is swollen so I will not run until next weekend (earliest) unless is feels ok. Will swim a lot this week and do some cross training. And eat lots. And generally be merry (o:

Wednesday 14/7

Well, an update is in order I feel. My foot has been sore for days. It doesn't stop me walking on it, but it is sore with trainers on and not good for running at all. In fact, I can't run right now.

I don't know whether my wee toe is fractured or just badly bruised, but on the plus side it has been better today and hopefully is just getting better. I will swim tomorrow morning and haven't run on it at all, so should be ok for my long run on Friday.

I am kind of nervous about this run...I'm aiming for 30-35 miles and it'll be the longest I've been on my feet for one stretch (without a bike!). Luckily my friend has agreed to meet me at the end and run/hike the last bit with me which is great of him! I also got my innov8 pro running bumbag today which looks awesome! I just hope it doesn't bounce around too much...guess whatever it does it will be a big improvement from me stuffing my juice into the waistband of my running shorts (:

So a relaxing week this week with the injury, but have done one good hard cross-training sesh.

Monday 12/7

Type: Cross trainer + row
Time: 40mins + 15mins
Distance: 6k + ?

Did 5 min fast warm up then increase in resistance and incline until really really tough...then back down to the fast 5 min again. Called the "Gluteal" work out =O 15mins tough row too.

Sunday 11/7

Type: Cycle
Time: 1h 30mins (including stop to eat lunch)
Distance: 12.6miles

A nice easy cylce with Derek to keep my legs loose. Cycled up to a nice viewpoint and ate a sandwich but it started to get really windy so we headed back.

Sunday 11/7 - The Story so far...

As promised I said I would come back with some documentation of my exercise/life of late.

Update on my foot - today it isn't as sore to walk on (which is good) but when I try to put shoes on or walk with the shoes on the pain is somewhat extremely uncomfortable. I have tried to customise a kind of "toe strap" so my pinky toe is strapped to the one next to it.

Here's my toe when it first happened (left little toe):


And here's my toe this morning. The bruising isn't really that visible in this photo but it's blinking sore I tell you.


So today I think I will forego a run and go to the gym instead. If I can stand ok I will do a fairly intensive session on the cross-trainer then maybe go for a swim...if not, I will go on the bike for a while. Hopefully this will keep my cardio strength up anyway. If it's better tommorrow then I will go a 6-8 miler run. Then I have my big 35 miler run scheduled on Friday.

Now onto the fun stuff...

Last weekend on Sunday Derek, my cycling friend and I all got the train up to Fort William in prep for cycling the WHW on the Monday/Tuesday. It was absolutely peeing down on the Sunday and really wasn't pleasant to cycle to Westerton station in. We got some food in Morrisons then cycled the few miles to our hostel at Achintree farm. That was a really nice wee hostel, I'd very much recommend it. Lovely owner.

It rained all night and when we woke the next morning it wasn't much better. Queue our stupid pre-cycle look:


We headed off about 9am onto the WHW. It was a bit of a slog cycling up that big hill into the forest in the rain, I must say. Between being soaked and cold while pushing and roasting and soaked while cycling, it wasn't particularly good. But going through the moor was quite good and we did manage to cycle a fair bit of it. Queue Derek looking awesome cycling down a hill...



Coming down into Kinlochleven though was horrible. We couldn't cycle as it was way too slippy. In the meantime it continued to rain and we continued to get soaked. When we got into Kinlochleven we were freezing, soaked to the bone and starving. We huddled under a tourist information sign (the bus shelter was full) and shovelled some food down our throats. It was about this time we began to think of calling the cycle off. We looked up train times and decided to get as far as Bridge of Orchy before making up our minds. So we continued on up the hill towards the Devil's staircase.

Now this really was a case of pushing the bike uphill for the whole way. It really wasn't fun.


Though we did get to cycle a bit of it.


Looking a bit pathetic at the top...


...and pushing the bike back down the otherside, which was also too slippy to cycle down.


We finally got to Kingshouse and assessed our plan. Our cycling buddy was keen to push on since the weather had picked up slightly. Derek and I, however, felt it was going to be the same weather tomorrow and we really weren't enjoying it as much as we wanted to be. We had already cycled it, after all and this was meant to be for fun.

So, with a frown in our hearts and some building pain in our backsides, we flew down the A82 towards Bridge of Orchy to get the 18:56 train. I say "flew"...trying to maintain good speeds for that stretch really isn't very easy with all the cars flying past you. We got to B.o.O in time to have some chips then get train home.

All in all the cycle we did ended up ok but I didn't enjoy it at the start. I don't think I'll be cycling the WHW in that direction again. You need to push the bike for most of the time, and when you're doing that you are either getting smacked constantly in the leg by the pedals, or you are completely missing the scenery because you're assessing the ground the whole time. On the plus side though, it did map out the Devil of Highlands route well and I'm glad I covered the ground for it (did the Tyndrum > Kingshouse part while supporting Richard on the WHW race).

Here are some photos from the WHW race, too, which I'll post while I'm here:

Richard and I at top of the Devil's staircase.


and an atmospheric one taken by Derek.



So over the past few weeks my workputs have been as follows:

Monday 5/7

Type: Cycle/Hike with bike
Distance: 25 miles (on WHW) 12.6 miles (A82)

As described above!

Tuesday 6/7

Distance: 4.2 miles
Pace: 8.15 min/mile

A really good run after dinner, mainly because there were a lot of hills and I managed to keep the pace on all of them (all 1-3 minutes of hills!).

Thursday 8/7

Swim. 34 lengths. Pushed quite hard on the final lengths and felt really good afterwards.


....

Now for something non-exercise related!

Derek and I graduated on Friday 9/7 with our MSc in Operational Research from Strathclyde. Was a fantastic day and it reiterated how good the department are - had a nice lunch with our classmates and some professors. Feels really good to have graduated and I preferred this graduation to the one at Glasgow Uni.

Here are some photos to mark the day...which I view while deciding what my next academic endeavour will be!! ...

Me getting my pat on the head...


Me walking out with my classmates, noticing my parents hanging over the balcony with the camera and laughing profusely.


The goofy couple.


And most of my graduating MSc class...what a happy bunch we are (: