Milngavie to Balmaha and beyond...

Day 1 - Milngavie to Drymen (12.11miles) - click link to see route video)

In the spirit of starting early for a long run (couldn't quite manage starting at midnight) I got up at 6am and headed out the door for a run before work. 

While this is not an actual real live race the hype created on social media around the start was actually quite exciting and electric. I couldn't wait to get started. So by 6.30am I was out the door and ready to run. I had just under 2 and a half hours before I had to start work so set off onto quiet streets. 

As with a lot of streets these last few months I was passing beautiful street art (mainly done by school kids) and this one made me smile. 

My route then took me up towards the Bush Estate where there are trails all around Bush House. Lots of lovely wild flowers and a slightly odd artwork (which I believe is a seed pod but me and my pal giggle every time we pass it running and have nicknamed it the 'big poo' ).

Once I passed the seed pod (😀) I headed over to the University of Edinburgh campus. This is the site of the Dick Vet for small animals and the equine centre. The road was closed due to road works so it was lovely and quiet. 

There is a gorgeous sculpture of a horse (like the Kelpies) outside the new campus building. So I had to stop for a selfie, would be rude not to.

The next bit of my run was the boring bit of the run. The long road back into Penicuik. Time was getting on, I was due in a meeting at 9am! This bit of the run started to feel a bit like a commuter run!

Finally, I was back in Penicuik and heading up towards Mauricewood Woods. Quick trip around the fairy path (it would appear that many fairies have moved into these woods over lockdown - it is quite cute!) 

It would appear I am on the road to Narnia and not  Drymen 

Back at my desk just in time for my 9 am meeting. Time for a shower, quick cup of tea and my colleagues had no idea I had almost run to Drymen by the time I was chatting to them! A short walk after work with Kobi (in torrential rain - no photos too wet) and I was up to the 12 miles I needed to get me to Drymen. Happy with that! Day 1 done.

Day one - overall total 12.01 miles - 2:57:50

Day 2 - Drymen to Balmaha (6.84miles) overall 18.95miles

The weather on day 2 was not much better. A proper misty Scottish summer day! The mist hadn't joined up with rain when I started out but it didn't take long before it turned proper driech! An early start to my run again, in the vague hope I could avoid the worst of the weather! I decided to take myself around some of the historical monuments and buildings in Penicuik to give myself something different to look at from my usual runs. First stop was the ruins of an old church. Now for the history lesson.

The ruins in the Churchyard are the remains of the pre Reformation St. Mungo's Parish Church. The Presbytery minutes of 1648 indicate that the Church and Manse were in dire need or repair and over the following 10 years major rebuilding took place.

In 1743, it is recorded Sir John Clerk added an aisle to the Church and had built the Romanesque tower or steeple which still stands to this day. However only portions of the Church walls remain and those have been incorporated in burial enclosures.

The bell tower houses a 5cwt bronze bell gifted in 1680 by John Anderson, an Edinburgh merchant. In 1970 the bell required repairs, but before these took place it was stolen. Luckily it was recovered by the Police and rehung in 1975. In 1887 the vault on the ground floor of the tower was used as a cell to incarcerate rogues and thieves for the night.

Next stop the memorial to French Prisoners of war. 

Penicuik was the site of a prison camp for French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars (housed in the old range at Valleyfield Mill). The former camp is now the site of a housing development in Valleyfield. 

A monument dated 1830 by the River Esk commemorates "the mortal remains of 309 prisoners of war who died 1811–14". It was erected by Alexander Cowan, owner of the paper mill, whose house overlooked the burial site.

After visiting the memorial I headed for Pomathorn Road. If you have ever taken part in the Penicuik Harriers 10km road race then you will be familiar with the infamous hill that is Pomathorn. It just goes up and up forever! On the road up you pass Uttershill Castle (which I took a wee detour via on the way back down). On the way up I did pass some miserable looking sheep!

Uttershill Castle was originally a late 16th century stone rectangular defensible farmhouse or laird's house, founded by the Penicuik family. This western half of the two storey castle consisted of a barrel vaulted undercroft, with a stair in the thickness of the east wall giving access to the main chamber, with probably a garret above. Defined by steep scarps and the possible remains of a wide north-western barmkin wall, the castle stands on a low platform. 

In the early 17th century, the Preston family founded the first floor hall house when modifying the main chamber and adding an eastern extension of a ground floor kitchen, with a solar and a garret above. Two 17th century outbuildings once abutted against the south wall but after the castle was abandoned in the late 18th or early 19th centuries, both the internal and external structures plus the roof gables, collapsed or were dismantled. Later a substantial portion of the south wall collapsed but a mural chamber in the kitchen was still used as a gunpowder store. Abandoned again in the early 20th century, the castle was then left to slowly crumble

Very wet but still feeling strong I headed back up the hill to home. Via more fairy woods, these have sprung up throughout lockdown. Children and their parents creating these magical walkways whilst at home from school. They are really lovely.

To make sure I made it all the way to Balmaha, Kobi, Rhona and I took ourselves out into the mist again later in the day and walked into Penicuik town centre to visit the local food storehouse. Was glad to get back home and into the dry! But that was another 8 miles in the bag! 

Over all Running total - 20.19 miles - 5:09:69

So that was the end of  day 1 and day 2 and I have run slightly past Balmaha which was at 18.95 miles. Next stop Rowardennan. 

Don't worry, be happy 💖

Virtual West Highland Way Race 12 June - 21 June 2020

                                     

                     Virtual West Highland Way Race

12 June - 21 June 2020

Okay, so much as I would like to think I had the ability to run 95 miles in one go, I know I haven't but the lovely organisers of the West Highland Way race have opened this year's race up to us mere mortals (well virtually anyway). 

So the challenge is 9.5 days to run/walk/crawl 95 miles. I would love to think I have it in me right now to run 10 miles a day for 9.5 days but I don't so I am going to tackle this distance through a mixture of running and walking (with my trusty running buddy Kobes). 

Running and Kobes have been my saviours throughout lockdown and this challenge was too good to miss. It is also a fundraiser for SAMH (who you will know I did my garden ultra and half marathon for) so I was more than happy to take part in this event with entry fees going towards the charity.

I am going to record my mileage (with photos) each day on my blog. 

There are three check points:

Inversnaid -  Leg 1: Total 36 miles that must be completed by midnight Mon 15th June

Victoria Bridge - Leg 2:  27 miles, total 63 miles to be completed by midnight Thurs 18th June

Fort William - Leg 3:  32 miles giving a total of 95 miles to be completed midday Sun 21st June

Each day I will attempt to complete a run and a walk to help me reach the mileage up to each checkpoint. There a number of different sections on the west highland way that I am going to record my mileage as to help visualise the distance I am running.

• Milngavie to Drymen (12.11miles)
• Drymen to Balmaha (6.84miles) overall 18.95miles
• Balmaha to Rowardennan (7.70miles) overall 26.65miles
• Rowardennan to Inversnaid (7.26miles) overall 33.91miles
• Inversnaid to Beinglas Farm (6.63miles) overall 40.54miles
• Beinglas Farm to Auchtertyre (9.54miles) overall 50.08miles
• Auchtertyre to Bridge of Orchy (9.26miles) overall 59.34miles
• Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe Ski Lodge (10.82miles) overall 70.16miles
• Glencoe Ski Lodge to Kinlochleven (10.55miles) overall 80.71miles
• Kinlochleven to Lundavra (7.58miles) overall 88.29miles
• Lundavra to Fort William (6.99miles) overall 95.28miles

This is my own challenge, not a fundraiser, but I thought you might like to amuse yourself in lockdown by following my progress. I have absolutely no idea whether I will achieve this or not! It is a huge challenge.

Wish me luck, it all starts on Friday 12th!

My Covid-19 Lockdown Garden Running Adventures

Well 2020 is turning into a year like none of us could have envisaged. After a busy start to my running year, where I managed to cram in 4 races before the running year came to an abrupt end, we all suddenly found ourselves with no races to train for, a limited once a day out for exercise and not being allowed to run with others. No more Parkrunning, No more Jog Scotland nights, no more training with running buddies.

Running has always been the way I deal with difficult situations that I find myself in. I wanted to find a way of challenging myself and keeping myself safe (I have asthma so was very aware of being susceptible to coronavirus). So one day I thought I wonder if I could run up and down my garden. That way I can run, still take Kobi out for a walk for our exercise, maximise the time I could spend outside. So out I went. The first run was quite tough, getting used to stopping and turning and just plodding up and down the garden. It was clear that I was not going to get any speed up, but at least I would be maintaining strength and stamina. And most importantly my sanity. Three miles into my first attempt and the plan started brewing. People who know me well know that I love a running challenge and on that first garden run my #gardenmarathon was born.

As a member and leader for Jog Scotland we work with SAMH to support them because both organisations believe and promote the benefits of exercise to mental health. So I thought I would fundraise for them as there has been a big drop in fundraising due to cancelled races etc.

A few days into my garden marathon, I realised that I was going to get to 26 miles fairly quickly and lockdown was going to last a long time, so it turned in a garden ultra marathon of 50 miles. Suddenly the challenge was a lot harder and that gave me the determination I needed.

Kobi ran the whole way with me, trotting up and down and getting under my feet but after 32 days of running up and down the garden we got there!

As I was running the last few miles to 50 I decided that I wanted to push the challenge a bit further. Up to that point the furthest I ran in my garden was 6 miles, which was tough but I knew I could go further. And there the #gardenhalfmarathon was created! I had been due to run the Windermere Marathon on the 17th May so it was fitting that I ran the half marathon on that weekend. So Saturday the 16th was the date I chose. I invited everyone who had followed my journey to join in with the fun by running, walking, doing whatever in their garden at the time I was running. The purpose was just to get everyone to join together, apart, and do something that celebrated running and life at a time where everyone is beginning to really feel lockdown fatigue.

On Friday night it dawned on me that I was running a half marathon. Somehow running in my garden didn't really make me feel like it was going to be as hard as running a half marathon on the road. How wrong was I???

So Saturday morning dawned. I set out my water station, complete with gels for pick up at appropriate times (4 miles and 8 miles). The race start was set up, waiting for me and Kobes.

The sun was shining but it was really windy, I had joked on facebook that the wind wouldn't matter much on my route. But actually as I started running it really did, the wind was really swirly and was making running a bit harder.

I steadily got through the first three miles. My next door neighbour Stuart, cheered me on over the fence. Then the postie came to the door and had read my notices out in the front garden to come and cheer me over the gate, he popped round, gave me my parcel and shouted "good luck with your run".








Shortly after that my friend Cathy appeared at the gate and shouted good luck and gave me a cheer!

After Cathy left,  I started running mile 4. Suddenly, I felt myself tire, I definitely slowed down on that mile. I think I let myself think about how much further I had to run and it took it's toll.

I had been posting my times each mile onto our Jogscotland Penicuik chat and just said "that one was tough". I took a gel at 4 miles, as planned and that definitely perked me up. I decided at that point that maybe I hadn't been drinking enough, again running in your garden lulls you into thinking you haven't gone very far, but I had run 4 miles by that point so I should have been drinking.





Just as I was getting close to 5 miles, I heard my name being shouted over the fence, and up popped Jo, Aila and Christopher (although he was still snoozy in his pram). Jo brought her speaker and was pumping out loud tunes for me to run to. They were both running back and forward out in the street, which was great fun to watch.

It definitely helped having them cheering me on. Aila was having great fun passing me flowers through the gate (dandelions) and then waiting for me to come and then she and her mum would head off over the road to the fence on the other side and come back. Her giggles were infectious.


Shortly after they arrived there was an almighty toot and John appeared at the other gate with his air horn shouting "go the runners". We were all in fits of giggles because Kobi was leaping about all over the place with excitement.

Then I heard "go yourself Janey" and Stuart and Jan were hanging out their dormer window up on the roof, it was turning into quite a support crew.

After a while my support crew left and I was back to my ipod and my own thoughts. I was between 7 - 8 miles and again the dreaded wall loomed. I was really struggling and my time slowed right down. Then I started to think about other half marathons and the 8 mile points in them. At that point it really kicked in that I was actually running a half marathon and not just plodding up and down my garden. I always find things a bit tough around the 8 mile mark, which is why I usually take an energy gel at 8 miles. So on my way past my water stop (garden table) I lifted another gel. That did the trick. After ten minutes or so I started to get my energy back. Usually in a half marathon just after 9 miles I really start to pick up as I know I am nearly into double figures and this was no different. Although the aches and pains were different, I had to keep alternating the way I was turning at the gates as my hips really started to feel the strain. Doing this really helped. As did my next cheer squad. 

The highlight of my day was when Clare turned up with a set of step ladders so she could see over the gate. And she brought skittles with her!!!!! They were like a wonder drug, I could feel the sugar rush right through me and I sailed into mile 10. Clare put on her music and cheered very loudly as I ran.

Clare was brilliant, she kept telling me "you've got this", "dig in".

After a while I heard someone else shouting from the other end of the garden and it was Lyn and Jessica. They arrived on their bikes. So again I had a socially distant cheer squad at each end of the garden.

I took a photo of Lyn and Jessica and then headed back down the garden to Clare. 

I was getting very close to the finish and the fatigue was beginning to set in. I normally run a half marathon in around 2.20 hours but today, because of all the turning and the lack of opportunity to run quicker down hills and stride out I was nearer 3.30 hours. So it was tough, and mentally it had been a real challenge particularly in between cheer squads.

Next to arrive were Kirsty, Millie and Issac. They all took turns standing on the step ladders to cheer on me! Millie and Issac had made me the most amazing poster saying "Good luck Jane". 

Then Yvonne, Norrie and Olly (the dog) arrived, I was growing quite a crowd. I just kept shouting at them all to make sure they were socially distancing, all I could think was "I am running in my garden to raise awareness of the message - Stay at Home". They all laughed and said yes they were and I could see that they were taking turns to shout over the gate but were standing 2 m away from each other out in the street.

The last mile was really tough. I think because I was getting really tired and I had everyone supporting me (and waiting on me to finish). 

Last mile

It was quite emotional. My Jog Scotland family mean so much to me and we have all worked very hard to support each other through this lockdown and to keep encouraging each other's running endeavours. Lots of our members are parents and have done so well keeping their children happy and learning. I am in awe of how well they have all coped. 

So finally I got to the end and once I had run the extra point one to make it a true half marathon I finished right back where I had started - under the flags. 

Everyone disappeared to the front of the house and I came out to a round of cheering. 

To support and say thanks to all the key workers I had also joined the Race the Distance virtual event where you run any distance for the NHS and to support the message Stay Home, Save Lives, Protect the NHS so I had a lovely medal to wear at the end of my half marathon. 

And my lovely running buddy Yvonne had wine, and lots of goodies for me at the end (all handed over in a socially distant manner).

It was probably one of the hardest half marathons I have ever run purely down to the mental challenge of running on your own up and down in a small space, but I am so glad i did it. It was amazing to give myself a focus during lockdown, maintain my own sense of wellbeing and also to have so many lovely people join in with my half marathon in their own gardens.

Here are just a few of my friends and family who joined in with their own Lockdown challenges:

I can't thank you all enough for joining in my crazy adventure, you all looked like you enjoyed yourselves to be fair! 

So there we have it, 13.1 miles in my garden. Probably the daftest thing I have ever done but certainly won't be the last (I know I have that reputation!).

And I am so proud of my wee running buddy Kobi. He has run every one of the 63 miles I have run in the last two months in my garden. He was absolutely puggled after 13.1 miles though, he slept like this for 3 hours afterwards. He is so adorable. 

My Garmin map looks like I managed to colour in my whole garden. But if you look closely you can see that my start and finish were almost in the same place and where the miles clocked over. I still can't believe I ran 13.1 miles all at once in my very small garden. 

It was an amazing day, I had so much fun. But I mustn't forget to remind you, the reader, why I was doing this. 

Coronavirus has come out of nowhere and changed all of our lives. I have always run and running has gotten me through tough times. As a Jog Scotland leader I know all too well the difference running can make to a person’s mental health.

So during this time where we are in lockdown, I set out to run 50 miles in my teeny tiny garden to raise money to help those who are finding self isolation and social distancing very hard. Somewhere along the way I decided it would be a good idea to complete my challenge by running a half marathon all at once in my garden.

During lockdown it has become even more important to raise awareness of how good exercise is for your mental health. Jog Scotland support the work of SAMH whose services will become even more needed as people find the lockdown mentally tough.

Life is tough just now but staying in is about staying safe and saving lives. We can do this, help me help those who might find this really tough.

Thank you

Don't worry, be happy. Xx

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jane-malcolm2

My new friends at Jog Scotland Penicuik

2018 started with the Portobello 4 mile race. It is a lovely way to start the new year off. Met up with a few of my Fetchie pals there. Rhona came to support and afterwards we headed up to watch Tracey in the New Years Day Triathlon. 2018 was off to a good start.

A few weeks later it was time to head up Arthur Seat and tackle the Great Winter Run. Again another staple in my running year. Been running this one since it started way back whenever it started. It is always a great event with the International Cross Country in the park afterwards, sadly this was the last year the cross country is to take place in Edinburgh. Be funny not see all the class athletes alongside the rest of us.

So with those two out of the road, the next race was to be the Glentress Half Marathon, but a dose of flu put paid to that, despite many weeks of running up and down big hills I still felt I couldn't make it round 13 miles in the hills (managed a 10 mile training run at Glentress but felt I didn't have another 3 miles in me at that point). So I dropped to the 10km. Was so glad I did as I  had a great day out at Glentress and thoroughly enjoyed my run. I really need to let go of my Glencoe DNF. Despite making it to half way in the Glencoe Marathon, it still irks me that I couldn't make it to the end. But maybe it is time to let that go.

So what next? I have two half marathons coming up. One is in Stirling in April, and then the other is in Iceland in June on the longest day! Last half marathon I did was last year with the Great North Run, which was amazing but I really wasn't fit for it and walked bits of it, so this year I am not going all the way to Iceland and not be able to run the whole thing. I could feel myself settling into a slow trudge and was getting slower and slower than I have ever been. My new job and PhD are just an excuse I have always run, through whatever life has thrown at me, running has always been there and will no doubt be there as long as I can still put one foot in front of the other.

I decided I needed company running, to motivate me, I have run myself for over 30 years, with company from time to time over the years, but many miles run on my own. I knew I was way too slow to join a running club, but I have so much in experience to offer others who are maybe at the start of their running journey. Having been a Jog Scotland leader at College, I thought I might find out if there was a local Jog Scotland group. I have had loads of people say I am really good at motivating them and my enthusiasm for running is inspiration. I'm not sure if that is true or not but for the moment, it is me that needs the inspiration, motivation. So I plucked up the courage to go along to Jog Scotland Penicuik.

I went along to the group and was immediately met with a warm welcome on a cold night. I was then told we were doing hill training. Yikes I thought, 2 days after Glentress, my legs were still a bit stiff but I'll give anything a go. What a great session, really lovely people to run with. So full of enthusiasm I went home and planned my next running session. Then the Beast from the East hit and we disappeared under a whole heap of snow making it hard to run. I managed to get a few short runs around the park with my trail shoes on but it wasn't easy. Finally, the snow subsided and I managed to squeeze out a 7 mile run dodging icy, snowy paths by running on roads and grassy verges.

My next Jog Scotland run turned out to not be a run (very icy paths) so we met in a local restaurant for a group meeting. Now I spend my working life attending meetings and this was one of the best meetings I have ever been at! It was fun, and somehow I managed to be resurrected as a jog leader again! Within 2 weeks I feel like part of the group already, what a lovely group of people. Jog Scotland is a really great organisation, with the rule being no one is too slow and no one gets left behind. That suits me perfectly. I have been at this malarkey for so long now I am in no way a beginner, that ship sailed many years ago, but I am really slow now, but still love my sport and want to run with and help others to start their running journey, so Jog Scotland Penicuik you ain't getting rid of me anytime soon.

And already I have been motivated by the group to get out on a very wet Saturday morning and do my 8 mile training run for Stirling Half. I decided to go out for my run along the Penicuik to Dalkeith railway as I needed to take Kobi out too. So we set off along the path, first obstacle was an icy bridge (oh and it was chucking it down with rain/snow/sleet). Eventually the snow and ice subsided and the path was just muddy and wet. The rain by about 2 miles was coming down in what I like to call straight up and down rain. Kobi was having a ball, racing up and down the banking. We got to the railway bridges and it was a real pleasure to be out of the rain for a bit. Next obstacle was another bridge covered in ice, snow and water. Even Kobi had to stop and walk over that one. Next stop Rosslyn Castle station. Almost half way.

All of a sudden the path changed from being a path into a river for almost a mile. There was so much snow melt that the water was freezing. I kept thinking my feet can't get any wetter surely? Paddling my way to 4 miles I was finally able to turn around. Even Kobi looked fed up paddling through freezing cold puddles. I was so glad to turn around and make my way back to Penicuik. It is funny how, despite it being the same distance it always seems less on the way back because you know you are going home.

Soaking wet, muddy and happy Kobi and I made it back to the car. Now I am sitting here blogging, with my feet up, watching the TV. Kobi is out for the count, cosy in his bed. Because if I ran 8 miles he must have done double! Already joining the Jog Scotland Penicuik group has given me more motivation and got me back out there. Thanks guys.

Don't worry, be happy