WHW

Have done two runs since the WHW, the first felt quite sore but did 6 miles yesterday through woods and was flying along so think the WHW did some good and would definately do it again!!! Though agree with Thersea that need a less undulating route!!! Jane and Ian are now over their "short" domestic!!!

WHW continued....

I'm not sure about Jane's definitions.... a "short" domestic. Hmmmm - don't want to see a long one......

Next time we'll pick more sensible and less undulating sections to run. With a break in between.

The West Highland Way - Jane

Somehow and against my better judgement we got talked into taking part in the Dunbar V HELP West Highland Way Relay Run. Stupidly Theresa and I said we wanted to do a double section as we are marathon training and need along run. If we suggest this again someone please tell us to SHUT UP!
We were running from 6 miles south of Crianlarich to Tyndrum (12 miles). The weather was not raining as forecast but overcast and pleasant. We set off in good spirits following on from Ian Rowland who had done one of the harder sections. We had Milly with us on a long lead who was excited and looking forward to her run.
The first mile was undulating on reasonable terrain. However alarm bells did not start ringing until we realised it had taken us 45 minutes to run 3 miles. At this rate it was going to take 3 hours (not the 2 we had anticipated). The route was spectacular and a wonderful route but so hard. Very undulating and very rough terrain in parts. At six miles we were starting to get very tired and Theresa suggested bailing out. 'No we can do this' I insisted . Again, next time I suggest this tell me to SHUT UP. Brian Carr sped past us at about this in some very short shorts! but they obviously made him go faster so maybe that's what we need.
At 9 miles we were seriously tired, I could not work out how to open a gate - just lift the latch obviously. At 10 miles, Milly was getting agitated and needed to stop, everything was now hurting. Both of us were not sure if we were going to get to Tyndrum and if we had brought the mobile with us like we were told to would have definately bailed out.
At long last, after 3 long hours of running and some walking on the steeper bits we arrived at Tyndrum. The fun then started. At no point in our race prep had we discussed where in Tyndrum we were finishing. We passed two obvious meeting points with no one in sight and the path then appeared to go out and past Tyndrum. We were both very very tired and agreed that we could go no further so went off the route (1st stupid idea) into Tyndrum thinking that the main road was a possible sighting point for the boys. Again nothing. We were both getting a bit panicky and then we saw Ian who waved and then ran off!! Some very rude swear words came out of our mouths at this point. But undeterred we hobbled after Ian who was sprinting away from us. Then he turned and whistled and RAN AWAY AGAIN.!!! so off we went for another half mile and then eventully after 3 and half hours found the meeting point!!! Expecting hugs and "well done Jane" from Ian was a tad upset when the words " you F******** retard - what did you think you were doing going into Tyndrum" came out out of my loving partner's mouth. A short "domestic" followed....
After some food and rest we had a fabulous day. Brian ran a good leg and Ian ran two hard legs. We all really enjoyed the day and thank you to HELP for organising it. A good boozy night followed with some great laughs about the mishaps of the day.

Jane

What a retard!!!

Ian

Training

Brian here - Thanks to Ian and Jane for their hospitality at Kippford, this enabled me to get back into the swing of things a bit, with a slightly longer run than I have recently been accustomed to on the Saturday followed by the lung busting (to me) Mabie 10K trail race on the Sunday. Well done to Ian for his fantastic third overall and 1st vet position (crikey Ian, a bit more training and you could have come first :) ). Well done to the girls for their performance too, it was a hilly course in uncomfortable and clammy conditions. I was happy with 23rd over the line.

I haven't really done any long runs for a while, the 20 miler E2NB race back in May quickly followed by the Loch leven half and that's been it; i've packed on a few pounds since the week's fishing holiday at end of May and its been a real struggle to get back into a bigger mileage, with just short training runs and even shorter races proliferating at the moment. I guess that some of the shorter summer races may have to be sacrificed to get in some quality long runs. Portobello 4 mile race tonight followed by a curry - what did I say about short races!!

Training Weekend @ Kippford

All four of us went to Kippford this weekend. The weather was very kind to us encouraging lots of running. Jane and Theresa ran 14 miles in Dalbeattie forest on Saturday which went well and was very enjoyable. Ian and Brian did 10 miles at Ian's pace (!) also. On Sunday we all did the Mabie Forest 10k Trail Race. Ian did very well and came third overall and 1st Vet so was very pleased. Brian was in the top (30 I think???) and Jane and Theresa were just over the hour. It was a great route but we (Jane and Theresa) found it very hard after our long run the day before and considered pulling out after the first mile! We persevered and managed to finish but with very tired legs. My mileage for last week was just under 40 miles and am now very tired and am not sure I can sustain this. Also am putting weight on the more I run which is totally depressing but is according to various websites very common in women?? If anyone has any thoughts on this let me know (and I know that eating less is the obvious one - but don't think I am really overeating). Today is a rest day thank goodness and I have had to hide Ian's shoes in order that he has a "rest Day" which appears to be an alien concept to him.

Milly on a roll

They took me down to John Muir Country Park last week. Was great fun but too hot to run so took off along the beach and went swimming. Don't think they were too pleased but we appeared to have got cut off by a bridge so they ended up swimming aswell. So obviously I had the right idea. Think will have to curtail my long runs during the warm weather. Far too hot to run with a fur coat on.

Sports massage- Jane

As my knee had been a bit sore during the half I thought a sports massage might be a good idea. Childbirth was less painful. Could not believe how painful having my IT band done was! and I need to go back again for more...