Running therapy

I started this morning missing Alistair and Andrew. My nest has emptied rather more quickly than I had hoped and I was just feeling it a bit this morning. But I found a lovely picture of the two of them which reminded me of the funny moments we used to have on our many holidays.

So my cheerfulness restored I headed off to work. I was visiting students that I haven't seen this term and got a lovely surprise when one of them answered the door to me very pregnant!!! She wasn't the last time I saw her. So after two lovely visits I headed home and decided as it was very sunny I would take myself up into the hills. My marathon training usually consists of lots and lots of road running but for this trail ultra in April all the advice I have been given is to get up into the hills and build up my strength. So woolly hat on, gloves, thermal and addidas Kanadia's and I was ready to hit the Pentlands running. 

I passed a runner coming down off the hill who gave me a big cheery hello as I ran past. Then I spoke to a nice wee man who told me it was really terribly windy up the top of the hill. A few moments later just before I got to Charlie's Loup I passed a whole group of school kids all trudging down the hill in the regulation huge red jackets, dodgy green waterproof trousers and woolly hats all courtesy of the outdoor education dept! The only people who looked happy to be on that walk were the teachers - an afternoon out of the school obviously was worth being with sullen teenagers for! 

Got to Charlie's Loup and the wind got up as I turned into the valley and ran up the hill. Sun was still shining though. Quick stop for a wee selfie...

Then it was down to the hard work. Big hill to get up. Ran/walked it, especially the steep bits as my wee legs would just not go any faster. Spoke to the sheep as I was getting up the hill, they did look at me as if I was a wee bit bonkers - not sure why. Maybe it was because I was enjoying running up this silly steep hill!

As you can see the sun wasn't shining on this bit of the hill and it was suddenly absolutely freezing. I began to wonder if the wee man at the bottom of the hill might be right as the wind did seem to be getting up a bit the further up the hill I went. But on I went. Got to the saddle between Carnethy and Scald Law and stopped for a second to decided whether I was going to go onto the top of Carnethy or not. It was a lot windier at this point of the hill but I turned to Carnethy and well how could I resist?

I did a quick time check, only 2.15pm - loads of time to get back down before it starts to get dark. Decision made, I was going to go onto the top of Carnethy. Blooming heck it was windy. The closer I got to the summit the windier it got. To the point that just short of the top I thought I was going to have to turn back as I could hardly move forward, but the sun was still shining. And then, there was snow!!! Only for a bit but it was definitely there. Then some low cloud started rolling in, but I thought I am nearly there, not giving the summit up now. 

Finally, got to the top. And it was so windy I could hardly stand up. I couldn't even take a picture from the top as my phone camera kept switching off, clearly didn't like the wind. Wild as it was it was exhilarating to be way up there with the wind whirling round me. The view was great, I could see all the way out to East Lothian, Midlothian, Fife and Edinburgh. There were even some of the big mountains way over near Stirling could be seen. But the clouds were hovering and it was so windy I was struggling to stand up. Time to get back down I think. Easier said than done! As I started to descend the wind was at it's strongest. I was having to work really hard to stay upright and I could feel my face getting colder by the minute and it was blowing about like James Bond's did in whatever film it was. Get me off this hill! Still quite good fun though.

Finally, blown back down to the path I got out of the wind and into the shelter of the hill. And yep the sheep were still there looking at me as if I was daft.

The downhill bit was great, the path is pretty good on the way back and you can fling yourself down the hill fairly fast (even for me) which is exactly what I did. Back into the sunshine I stopped for a moment to take a picture of Carnethy. Gorgeous.

I started my day missing Alistair, and I've ended it realising that whilst my life has changed dramatically there are still thrills and adventures to be had in my life. It just takes me to get up and do it rather than sitting about moping. This is just what Alistair would have wanted me to do, I know that for sure. Being outside in the elements, experiencing the thrill of running up the hills is my therapy. It is the thing that will get me through this sad time. Alistair loved Carnethy and I could feel him up there with me. 

Life is for living, and this is me getting on with life the only way I know how.

Happy Feet!

Don't worry, be happy :)

Prizes and great training.

This week has been not too bad all told. The week started with an email from Lord Fetch telling me that I had won a prize in the Fetch Festive Calendar. I won a great Gore Running Top worth £70 whoop whoop!!!

Then today I went out for a brilliant 7 miles with my running pal Alastair Scott (aka Scotty). The good thing about running with people who are faster than you is that they make you run really hard. I am not sure if he felt he was running that hard but I was bloody knackered.

So starting at the car park at Flotterstone on a lovely sunny afternoon,

we headed up 3.5 miles up to the Howe. The water in the reservoir was both really deep and very choppy. I was working very hard and at one point did have to say that I would talk when we got to the flat bit. I was using up all the breath I had to run up the hill, never mind talk. However, it is a tough wee hill but a great feeling when you hit the flat bit and see the reservoir.

I always see that run in two sections. The first bit is up to the end of the first reservoir and then the second bit is the end of the second reservoir. By the time we got up to the top bit the setting sun was peeking out around the hillside. We did have a bit of a laugh whilst Alastair tried to decided whether he was looking at the sun or the moon. Doesn't get out in the daylight much!!!

Stopped at the Howe to take some photos, can you tell that Alastair doesn't like getting his picture taken MUCH!

After that having pushed our way up the hill through the wind I announced that I would not be happy if it didn't turn around with us. But thankfully it did, that brings with it more problems, like my legs were going to fast for my body!!! 

I am pretty sure we ran a negative split, and I think it might have been deliberate!! I did notice that Alastair kept checking his watch and was pushing on, getting faster each time he looked at his watch. I knew what he was up to but hung on in there. I will get faster!!

Finally in the last mile, I knew he was pushing me to run hard. I was nearly passing out with the effort. But we got to the finish and he announced with glee that we had done just over a 9 minute mile!!! Not bad.

So this week has not been bad at all and mostly it is down to Fetcheveryone. A most excellent prize and a good friend who I met through Fetch, who has his own trials to deal with, but who always has time to listen to my tales of woe (and I hope he thinks I listen too, as I try to even though I can't begin to understand what he has to deal with). Running is so much more than just exercise. It is really helping me deal with what has happened to us and having everyone join us in Team Ali is just amazing.

There are loads of us doing the Great Winter Run this weekend in Holyrood Park so if you are around please pop down and cheer us on. And if you are heading out for your own training this weekend whether running, walking or hopping please know that I am so proud of everyone who is taking on their own challenge to help raise money for Cancer Research. One day very clever scientists (maybe Andrew!) will find ways of getting ahead of Cancer and saving a few more lives. 

don't worry, be happy :)