Sunday 31 January 2010

Missrantalot

actually i don't think i do rant a lot, unless you mention the fuckin trams in Edinburgh... ;)

I know i shouldn't let things annoy me but i do.So the Murray thread on fetch brought out the usual "oh, he is anti English, lets burn hm on the cross" kinda thing "he's rubbish" blah blah bloody blah.

I posted a link to YouTube (sums it up really huh?)where Tim, i can do no wrong in English public eyes henman explains just what Andy Murray actually said (to him, henman)

Anyway, go read it, maybe i need a chill pill, maybe I'm just bit tired, was up Way too early this morning (5am)

Another thing that annoyed me was Johnj's blog. It basically takes piss out of anyone who blogs and gets excited about things (bit like me really!) i think my blogs say wow, wonderful weekend, great people etc etc, so in that case i take it offence at his piss take blog. I know people who read my blogs know John personally etc but i think he is being a bit of a wanker quite frankly.



So, today... GREAT WEEKEND, GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT RUN! ;) we sang, we laughed, we sang some more, then we went to the pub. Oh, and i did 12.25 miles, giving me a grand total of 238 miles for this month, most ever ever.




pictures tell a thousand words n all that....











Scotty did great navigating on Saturday and joint efforts on Sunday in Gav's absence (get well soon Gav!) So good to see the people who'd never done any hill stuff before totally loving it, the doubters!
thanks to Lucy for chauffeuring duties, you're a star.


oh and looky here

<<

I now have an official club vest! Woop!

Saturday 30 January 2010

Reflections

Yesterday would have been my Mum's 72nd Birthday, I personally don't think that's very old. What's shocking is that my Mum died 20 years ago, 4 weeks after her 52nd Birthday. I miss her every single day. But time is a great healer and I'm no longer angry at the world, i can look back and think of all the wonderful times, sure I'd love her to have seen Stephen but I'm sure she is watching over us now and is a proud Mum/Gran. RIP Mum, i love you.


Ok, happy blogtime! Work on Friday was almost normal and kinda good, that's good start to weekend i reckon. Finished work, went out and bought some flowers, met Stephen and off we went to cemetery, crikey it was really cold so we didn't hang around long. Had conversation bout what to do with me once i pop my clogs ;) Went for drink in Loanhead then headed home. Quiet night in and up early awaiting Jules arrival.


Original plan- Jules couldn't make Sunday pentlands run so we organised a *speshul* one fr him, with Scott navigating.
Second Plan - Jules said, "why dont we just do parkrun and we can pick Scott up from there"
Third Plan- Jules txt me yesterday " you might as well try and make this PB seeing we're doing it"

fuck.
Hate 5k's hate running fast.
Yeah ok Jules, whatever you say.
fuck.
Jules arrived, i made him tea and generally faffed around til he said "we'll be late!" of we set, he said "so do you have a plan, what's your strategy?" hahahahahaha

And i thought he knew me.
"Jules" i said "i don't do plans, nor d i do strategy's, i just run as fast as i can, that's all" "hmm , ok " he said.

So that's what i did, with Jules in front saying encouraging stuff n whatnot. Finished in 22.54, 76th place ut of 182 runners, and 5th in my age catergory, that's my speed work dne for the yr...


We all plodded off to cafe for tea n scones (SKONS) , managed to lose David on way? lovely catch up with lovely folk then we headed off to Pentlands via kilt shopping and Lucy stopping :o)
weather was awesome, beautiful sunshiney day, we struggled to get a space at flotterstone car park and saw lots of folks in hills, everyone was smiley happy. Came across some patches of snow which were crunchy and patches of ice which were precocious! Lucy very nearly went over but managed to stay upright, just thank goodness. The boys were way ahead of me & Luce for most of time, so much for Jules *not being a hill runner* lol. Donald is a fairly new runner to fetch and a good one at that, he seemed to really enjoy his first fetchy frolic.
Me & Lucy are bit nervous about Carnethy 5 but i think this has restored a touch of calm to it all (i hope)
Many thanks to Scott for navigating and many thanks to Lucy for coming along after a wee bit of gentle persuasion so i wasn't only girly :)
Stunning weather, great run, great location all finished off with pub, does it get any better? 13.1 miles in Pentlands and 3.2 in Cramond.
Huge thanks to lovely Jules who was again a topnotch Chauffeur & pacer extraordinaire.
Top day.


Having a vodka now, cause I'm worth it.

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Headspill

Get the mop ready.

Roger gave me a card on Saturday, and present. Underwear, he clearly knows my size being my husband n all that. Card said *i want you back, don't know what I've got to do, i want you back*

OK, that was actually a bananarama song but you get the gist. He's been reading my blogs it would seem, you know, that one where i said i wanted a date, and underwear etc.. he's not on my buddy list otherwise he'd have seen all the schizo blogs too, maybe i should add him, see what kind of fucking crap i went through this past year.

My work is driving me crazy, yesterday i felt like the new girl, everything had changed, everything. Well that's also not *quite* true, but i actually felt like that. I feel like the rug is being pulled from my feet and I've no idea what to do. I've spoken to my boss about it, told him how i feel and he keeps telling me to ride with it until we know we've got contract renewed. Stress. But I've eaten a lot of salmon today, that should help with head stuff right?


I got a txt yesterday, or was it day before? i Cant recall. Didn't recognise number, strange. Oh, maybe that's cause it was from Tony, the guy i met at The Fling ceilidh last yr who i spent night with in freezing fucking cold hut (and his 3 pals i might add) Weird or what? Said he'd been doing stuff for sport relief and saw my Eddie izzard stuff (he works for BBC) oh and he'd been decorating and found my number on bit of paper he thought was long lost, apparently he lost his phone in Spain (last time i heard from him) men are fucking freaks.


Not got much time for fetch at mo, too busy. But I've also no desire to jump in and speak either unless it's a Scottish Thread tbh. I feel alienated, even people i thought were friends don't even notice I'm not there. I've been asked by few to start blogging there again but no, I'm quite happy here thanks. Surely it's not so hard to pop this onto your favourites, that's how i find it everyday, yes i know it's MY blog but it's an easy way of finding it. I guess people who want to read it, will.


Stephen is dead excited, he's been asked to go along to Spartans and train with them, he said *they get paid and everything* lol everything? you mean they get paid and get to out with George clooney? hmm no, not everything then! jeez, kids huh :p


Theres' a guy on fetch (binks) who's thread i read today and i spat my tea out, it made me laugh a lot. It has however descended once again into a *you cant say that* type of thread, which is also making me lol.
Got on bus tday (i only ever run halfwy home) and it was packed to the rafters (yes, i know there are no rafters on a bus)anyway, i fought my way through all the people practically sitting on drivers lap, and decided to look upstairs for seat. Plenty. seriously. I wanted to go back downstairs and shove everyone standing there off bus whilst it took the Hill at50mph!


I've done 190 miles this year so far, and it would seem that the more i run, the faster I'm getting. Now I'll never be a gazelle that's for sure, i mean in my training runs. I can never go fast at 5am, i always seem to go bit faster on way home but I'm doing same pace both ways at mo and it's make me happy, thank fuck something is at mo eh!


Oh Stephen makes me happy actually, my one constant in my life. this blog is very random i know, but that's ok, i like random.

Monday 25 January 2010

It's been a while

crikey, last time i blogged was last wed!
Been bit busy since then i guess. Wednesday> Phil arrived and we left pretty right away as we thought it started at 7.30 but it was 7, we raced in (in the car, we're keen but not THAT fast!)and arrived about 10mins late. Found seat, waved at everyone, sat down then moved to be closer to our lovely friends (Karen, Andy, Soph and Andy's pal, errm Andy?) Was a very interesting night, wish I'd made it along last year before embarking on support for Jen, it would've proved invaluable. Great to have question and answer session from past entrants/winners etc too. Very inspiring stuff. We of course ended up at bar across road ;)

Thursday i was down at State st, they have showers there so it was safe to run. Had to buy new running bag though as 1. my old one is falling apart :o( to be fair it's got a good run out of it, got it last yr from Karen & George for my birthday and i think I've worn it at least 300 days of the yr since then! 2. i had to take set of whites, a suit and pair of shes for said suit. Anyway, gt one at mountain shop place for tenner, and it was fine n dandy. Did 9.5miles down there and all staff were horrified/shocked whatever at that lol!


Actually had really good day down there, everyone was really lovely. I then changed back into running gear and ran into town to meet Phil. We had decided to go to pics and i got to pick what to see. George Clooney of course won the day, yumyum. Great film too actually, and i even got changed halfway through film hahaha
Left pics and did a mini pub crawl before heading home and ordering Chinese. Early to bed for me as up early, Phil followed soon after.Was supposed to get train to the Weej but Phil was heading to Milngavie to run a bit so he said he'd drive. we got lost of course and he eventually dropped me in a street somewhere random and i got a cab, five mins back up the road...


Spent a few hours at SQA , got some lunch and headed into the weej fr bit of shopping before heading home n train. Home, bath, chill out before getting ready for night out with Chris & Leisa and a bit of a museum reunion (my old staff) Thelma & Billy picked us up and we met everyone in Blind Poet pub where we had fair few drinks before nipping through to khushis next door. Fabulous Indian food and BYOB, with no corkage, bonza! I'd looked out some old pics f us all at Museum and passed them round table in between course, much hilarity it caused! :):)


We were last out restaurant and headed back t pub where we were also last out of!

Great night all round and so good to catch up with everyone. it's only place I've worked where quite a big crowd of us have stayed in touch ever, and that's with Chris & leis living in Canada!

Up early next day again day( biiig yaaawn) i had forgot to set alarm, mustve been drunker than i thought lol, luckily Roger txt me to see if iwas up*am now!* i said Got dressed super quick and headed to bus stop,got into town and headed to mcdonalds where igot sausage n egg mcmuffin to soak up the alcohol and a cuppa T. Today was going to be loooong day! 12 hours in a coach tour of the highlands seemed like a good idea when i booked it for Roger for his Christmas! I thought it be good for him for his photography course, he did get far few pics. Here's me just about where Fling edns! last time i was here i was with an exhausted Susan.... . We stopped off at Loch Lochy, Glencoe, Tyndrum, Inverenss and Perth on way back down. Had some awesome views>>>




If you look closely at pic below you'll see a wee speck, that's me running down a hill :)

I managed to run 3 times, once for just under mile, next for about half mile and then got 2.5 in inverness, much to the perplexment of the other passengers as i took off soon as coach stopped. They were all asking me lots of questions about what i was training for etc. There was only 10 of us on massive coach so we had loads space to move around to see views n both side etc. I was txting Phil and George to get updates on their antics (Karen, George & Phil, crazies, only decided to run the entire west highland way as a training run!!)Found out Phil had to pull out and had broke his foot, gutted for him :( Got back home at 9.30, 14hrs after setting off. Stephen made me some dinner and cup tea which i took t bed with me, ate then fell asleep til 9am next morning. Txt George to see if they getting on and fund out they were at drymen with only 12 miles t go! woooop! I know I've said this before but George & Karen are awesome and a total inspiration to me, I'm so thankful to them.




Had no plans at all today, big Bro David was coming round to watch footy and Stephen was cooking. Decided to head out for we run so did my old loop up to fairmilehead and back, 6 miles av pace 8.31 :o) chuffed i went out after all! Got back, Stephen made me tea and an egg roll and i jumped in bath just before David arrived. Rest of day was spent chilling out.

Wednesday 20 January 2010

If you think the worst

then it can only get better, right?

Wasn't too bad today, Debs (manager in Scotsman) is cool i get on well with her, had good old chat with her and she's been through similar stuff when they changed working hours, and whole concept of way it used to run there. Then went to Balfour beatty to visit Peter who is just lovely. He has similar set up to what I'll be having ie- Cafe counter and kitchen all in one place, but he does have a hot plate, i wont.

Then it was home via mountain shop place to buy a bigger bag to run with as i need to take a suit with me tomorrow and a set of whites. Heading to State Street tomorrow (its a bank not a street name) and I'll be there til about 2ish. Running down (obv) think it's about 10 miles so i'll need to check so i arrive in plenty time to have shower and get changed.

Glasgow on Friday! SVQ.

Tonight is going to fun i hope, i get t spend it with people i love muchly and find out lots of *stuff*

It's the WHW training evening, where we'll have a plethora of talks from former winners, doctors and all sorts of people, really looking forward to it. :) Wooop

Review > October

October was good. Sure i had to run 2 Marathons but Loch Ness my favourite, although i always question that when i run I'm at mile 21 on a hill, and Abingdon I'd promised everyone I'd do for long enough.


Started having few foot issues on lead up to Ness so i rested few days before. Weekend was just brilliant. Flip picked me up and off we set for inverness, got there, Anna had recce pub to watch Man utd V Sunderland game in, had several drinks, food then back to Spoonies to meet everyone else. We were of course last to leave pub (shock!) Karen was too though, her and her alcoholic ginger beer!;) Weather was bloody awful and had been all week, gale force winds and driving rain, joy. Woke up on Marathon morning to gorgeous weather woop! Love the drive up there, its stunning. Race was tough for me, started getting sore foot about mile19 and it continued til end, in fact i was limping over finish line in agony. Still got sub4 though :o) Iced it and drank some wine and got ready to party. And party we did, rolled home around 3ish after dancing socks off, ignoring sore foot :p


Legs were really sore by the Tuesday though, sorest they've been since my first marathon i think! And sorest they've been since too. Cairngorms, Penltands, WHW, none of them affected me like that did.Clearly i was overcompensating for sore foot for them to get so sore,i was careful with running as Abingdon ws a mere 2 weeks away..



I ummed and aaahed about Abingdon for long enough before deciding to do it.Got lift down with Soph and spent a while in Bermuda triangle looking for damn hotel! Glad i did, met lot and lots of people I'd been dying to meet for long time.The Timelord who made it all happen is just as i expected, wonderful. Lovely Dan picked us up and took us to start, great start to anyones day, met a plethora of lovely people waiting to set off. Had fab weekend and another sub4, and that was with stopping and hugging and chatting t folk at fetch point too, i really enjoyed the race. Got lift back with Gav & Sarah and legs were fine by the Monday, strange indeed.



marshaled for first time at the new Parkrun, was great fun, and had stressful run up to Stephens birthday party with all my big brothers fighting with each and saying *I'm not going if he is* type of thing. Families eh.....

Hmmm

Had time on my hands yesterday as i didn't need to be in work til 7, of course i still woke up early, earlier in fact! So i did 10miles before work, then 3.5 home.

Felt like spare part yesterday, Chef from head office was in doing all cooking, i just wandered around helping here and there and doing paperwork. Today I'm off to one of our other contract at Scotsman Publications to have a recce, well I'm there in morning at least, dunno about afternoon, surely only so much looking around around you can do without getting on folks nerves surely? Thu & Fri and elsewhere too.

Feel like fish out water at mo.

Anyway, sat here ready to run. Popping into my work to have shower then heading to Scotsman for ten.

I'm trying to keep this positive. Staying positive.

Monday 18 January 2010

The best laid plans

I was full of beans this morning. Jumped out of bed knowing my trusty adizeros were sitting there waiting for me to lovingly wear them once again :) wooop!

So i decided to celebrate by taking my old tougher route to work. I ditched this route when i started upping my weekend mileage as it involves fair few hills and i wanted to save leggies, i reckon I'm just a lazy cow though. Met *my* old man again and he was delighted ot see me, i told him i was doing Fling and he was happy but not surprised! aww, nice to see him, I'm going to do route again tomorrow :o)

So got to work, and by 10am realised Martyn was late, txt him and said where the fuck are you, Doctors he said. I forgot he ws going (he's had infected foot for past 2weeks) anyway, next txt was to say he was getting sent to hospital for tests, i asked what time he's be in at, no idea he said.

Thing is Simon, the managing director had just called me to say he was coming in for meeting with me at 1.30, fuck, no one to cover me as Natalia leaves at 1pm and couldn't stay on. fuck. long & short of it was Martyn's phone was off and i didn't know what the fuck was going on, had to call Simon and try put him off. No i NEED to see you today he said. FUCK, this worried me. Things have been weird at work last few weeks. We;re moving buildings soon and a lot of changes will be happening, my whole way of working will be altering, no separate kitchen, no hot food, it got me really worried that there would be no job for me and that was what Simon was coming in to say!

I felt sick , Simon arrived with David, an area manager, this worried me even more! But he was just here to cover me cause Martyn wasn't in. Long & Short of it is that there has been lots of meetings from the *steering committee* and they want lots of changes, and they want them now, before they move. for fucks sake. I'm getting sent to all the units they visited to see the kinda stuff they saw and wanted. There is going to be some well unhappy customers when no hot food is available, forget asking the actually customers though huh, the *steering* commitee want it and that's that. Thing is, we;ve got to act all positive abut it all ,even when customers moan at us, we cant say" blame the fuckin commitee" cause we dont want to lose the contract! I'm all for change, and i think the stuff they want is going to be good , but i *do* know my customers well, and i know what they like.

jeez, i'm stressed out, i guess being solely responsible for mortgage, bills etc is making me more stressed , i do love my job though and would hate to lose it,it's not just the money but i would be a deep shit if i did lose job. *stresses more*

I need to go do another review, October was a good month, maybe that'll de stress me?

Sunday 17 January 2010

Celidh Capers

Running club ceilidh last night. Took me 2 buses hour and half to get there, i *will* join a club on other side of town from me!

I guess open toed high heels and ice snow and slush aren't too great a mix! Lovely to meet people and had good chat with lots of them. Quite a few are relaying in Fling and one is dong whole thing (blokey, cant recall his name tho!) god I'm terrible with names. One girl said to, oh, it's Sandra, i recognised the voice bu


Anyway, arrived with frozen feet, i guess open toed high heels not seen you without pigtails in lol
Had few dances, and managed to bring down the best dancer on the floor at one point by stamping on her dress with my heels! ooops! They had said to me at beginning of night they'd drop me off n morningsde as they knew buses stopped at 11 and ceilidh didn't finish til 12. They came across a bit later (after I'd felled her!) and said they were leaving early! ooops again.
Was great night, great to meet lots new people, fab to see Sarah & Gav again and we even got to dance to SClub7 once the Ceilidh finsihed! And to top it al off Gavin won a big shiny cup fr most improved runner at the club wooohoo, congratulations Gavin. Pic on left with most improved female.Pic here is me pretending i'd won!lol

Saturday 16 January 2010

Review > September

I was a bit washed out by time September came along, and it's only doing this review stuff that made me realise why, i was firing on all cylinders for the entire tear basically. Maybe i thought i i stopped reality would hit, i dunno.


Early September was Glasgow Half Marathon, every kept telling me I'd PB cause of all the crazy running I'd done, so i believe them. My legs didn't however and i didn't, i came within 3 seconds of t though and i felt GUTTED. til sat down and had word with myself, i should feel proud, nt gutted, all I'd achieved, the crazy stuff etc and i loved every minute (well except the ochills! ;))


But Iwas dog tired, and a bit down so i went and booked a holiday. Reckoned it be last holiday me & Stephen have together. I planned it behind his back and decided to go to magaluf as Kelly (Stephens girlfriend) big brother worked out there. Steepen was delighted! We had a brilliant holiday, and i sunbathed all day, and read 8 books altogether and went out with my lovely son most night, stayed in couple night and Stephen went out with Neil when i went home. All worked out perfectly. I'll never ever ever fly with RyanAir again, never. I'd do the ochills race anytime over that!


Came home late Saturday night and early Sunday morning i was racing! lol Decided to just go out and enjoy it. it was 10k through in Stirling lovely race, really enjoyed t last year. And i PB'd! i guess the holdiay did me world of good, or maybe cause i was super relaxed about it all and not bothered if i PB' or not. Thanks to Gav yet again for chauffeuring me around. STAR.


September ended with remotely supporting Phil whilst he ws doing a crazy 110 mile Race called the hard moors, i slept in spare room and updated thread whenever i gt a text and once i was up I'd sen txt to Phil or Dave supporting, and i was also keeping George updated too lol, Not quite same as *actually* supporting but every Little helps huh?


Sleepyhead Sandra

I had planned to run about 22 miles today but not long woke up. I normally wake up around 7 ish at weekend, wasn't even in bed late last night!

So I've decided to can it, i must be feeling pretty tired to sleep that long. It's not like i particularly need to do a long run, it was because i could really lol

So i'll Cleon House, make Soup and have a nice chilled out day. Going to my running club Celidh tonight and i promised I'd be up there there early to help sort out the food, so i'll need to leave house around 5 ish.

Not long joined the club so this is way of getting to meet everyone properly, i really must try and make effort to get to weekend runs but sometimes and hour on a bus to get there seems like a waste of 7 miles running time!

I guess this is when i wished i drove but hey ho.

Friday 15 January 2010

Wowser

You know, I've always known that Highland Fling would be pretty emotional for me,probably because i fell in love with the place against all my instincts. Or is it because I've had such fun discovering *that* world with some of the most wonderful people this past year? I don't know

What i do know is that since deciding to run this in memory of my mum, and setting up my page. I have been overwhelmed. Totally and utterly.

http://www.justgiving.com/Sandra-McDougall

After 3 days, I'm just about at target i set, truly amazing stuff. People are wonderful. Someone said to me i must be very nice to have all those folk rushing to sponsor me, i hope i can say it's a true reflection

my mum would be very very proud of me.

Thursday 14 January 2010

Review> August

You know, last year was REAL busy for me! I Guess i kept busy to distract myslef from fact that Roger left me even though a few months later wanted me back
August started off with Jazz festival then Salsa then Cocktails, ended with Eddie Izzard, talk about a cocktail!
also took me into the unknown yet again with more mental races. Sherrifmuir challenge, tough wee race, 11 miles hills and more hills, felt like anyway!
<<<<<



Then there was Knockhill race, round a motorracing track, surreal and not flat like i expected from a racetrack! We had another fetchfest run round Arthurs seat and yet another drunken night with Susan! I ran round the pentlands a fair bit, slept a lot!Got annoyed with he amount of tourists in town for festival, wanted to keeel them all. Slept more, got cough, coughed, slept more, ran more,you get the gist...

Towards the end of the month it went crazy, last week in August, jeez, you couldn't make it up.....

Found out that Eddie Izzard would be in Edinburgh & planned to run up Arthurs Seat. Well i *had* to go, didn't i? I know he will be back here on Saturday but i'll be away doing the thingumy so i'll miss out.


Made it to pleasance in one piece but my nerves in tatters. Ice cream passed me on way in so i knew Eddie must be nearby. Got in, had donder around packed courtyard and went and bought bottle pear cider (pint) clever stuff. Had another donder then found 2nd courtyard and Eddies rickshaw Before too long them an himself appeare and was soon engulfed by cameras and reporters.

I hung around drinking my cider and watching, then wandered over to rickshaw to chat to few people who had running gear on, but didnt look like runners, ken? Anyway, Eddie came across shook my hand and asked me my name. errm fetcheveryone i said, yes, really. I then garbled on about not having a shirt on, shut up Sandra, shut up now please. Ok, perhaps pint cider not best idea after getting up at 4am, running to work then running up here....
think he thought i was a loonytune.Actually *i* was starting to think same thing.

So, Eddie had decided he wanted to take the hard route up Arthurs seat (there is no easy way really but there is a hard way!) Ie- vertical, rocks, trails, etc. Good rest for my thingumy then! So off we went, we passed a camera crew a wee bt down road and cameraman waved as if to say *oi, acknowledge me!* so i did the Santa/HappyG wave to him, which ended up on the BBC news, i kid ye not. Eddie kept saying *follow Sandra she can be our leader!* (gulp) We swapped places as we approached summit s eddie was leading the troops, it was pretty damn amazing watching him run up super steep hills knowing he'd completed 26 marathons! He really is awesome.

We got to the summit to be greeted by a pack of papparazzi, srsly! It's no mean feat getting
up there so fair play to them, there was also Eddies own camera crew. Zillions of pics later and we set back ff down, only to be stopped and told we had to run back up to be filmed, cause they're missed it last time! lol Luckily we werent far down. This time they got us coming up other side, After we set off again i got stopped and interviewed by Eddies film crew and interviewd before they all headed off for some rest...

Thought i'd tell wee bit about random stuff that he spoke about

I never touched on how mentally and physically strong he seems to me, i am in complete awe. In the interview they were asking me questions like *What do you think will happen to Eddies body as he has another 17 marathons to do* *how do you think he'll cope* etc

I was babbling a load of crap because i kept thinking back to the 10 in 10'ers and thinking OMG, how did they do that etc. I think he can manage it because he is stopping to talk to people a lot and do interviews and stuff. Actually racing hard does break your body down, i think anyway. But that's nt to take anything away from the amazing feat. Mental strength is way to go.
Sun guy asked if the last 6 miles were the worst (in any day) and Eddie said yes, at first, but now it's the first 6 miles. LOl i know *that* feeling! He is changin his shoes and clothes at regular intervals during the day too, says it helps mentally to get new set of gear on.

He kept shouting over to me when reporters were asking him about Arthurs seat saying *Sandra, tell them you cant run up all of it, it'll be a stagger right?* lol

I asked *why running, why not swimming , cycling etc* And he said it's cause it's primal. He said you can freewheel on a bike sometimes and running, well, you have to run! He said he runs when he is on tour at random times of night, and reckons it's a great way to see a strange city the *proper* way

He also said he'd carry on running after all this was all over When i mentioned the fetch shirt to him he did say he would'nt be allowed to wear it for Sportrelief thing which is understandable.

The show doesnt go out til March for those of you who want to know. Oh and if you get the chance to run with him, go do it, he really has inspired me.


So, i had a race to deal with on Saturday, a hill race, only 18 miles, easy huh? oh no, no, not easy at all....

I wouldn't talk about it as i was more nervous about this race than any other i've done. After speaking to (soapy) about it he waxed lyrical about waist deep bogs and too many unimaginable things that i was rendered mute. yes really.

He had already said in his blog that he wasn't doing it this year as it was much harder than a marathon and he didn't think he was fit enough for it. Alarm bells were ringing inside my head bigtime. And rightly so. This race in my mind was going to be tougher than any marathon and possible tougher than my Ultra. *gulp*

So, Flip arrived, tried in vain to show me map and all his post it notes whilst i stuck my head in sand. We headed off into town to pick up Ribenafacescabbyqueenloser (RFSQL)then set off for Stirling getting a bit lost on way (in edinburgh lol) i was too busy talking so much to take my mind of what was ahead to give directions...

We arrived and first of all found Lintie & Soph, big hug city and i calmed down a wee bit.Then it was time to hand over our contraband to Soapy which consisted of a can of tennents and a miniature of vodka & bottle irn bru. He was marshalling up on hill somewhere and that was something to keep me going at least...

Time for bus to start, off bus and we huddled around trying to keep warm before we were off. Immedietley it was into climbs, big climbs. The field took off into the distance, proper good fell runners at this race, not rookies like me. Mine & Flips plan was to just try and keep someone in our sights and follow them, That kinda worked for a while.

Oh my good god,before long we were properly into the hills of death.srsly. No pathways, no obvious signs, no markers, nothing. Thank god we did have maps, thank god Flip did study it. I stopped counting how many times i fell after about 15. I stopped trying to avoid bogs after the first 2. I actually thought i was going to break something i feel so often. One minute i'd be running along, over big fuck off lumps of god knows what (unrunable moslty) and suddenly i'd disapear down a hidden dip. Thats actually where i started to hate it, it's no fun thinking that any minute now you might snap your ankle, and thats how i felt for rest of race.
I swore more than a tourettes victim on acid. I ended up knee deep in so many bogs i cant remember how many. The grass at some points was up past my head, i'd just disapear, this was where i was falling lots too, there was just no way to avoid it. Rest of the grass was knee length and just pure boggy bogs and massive lumps of stuff. At one point my shoelace came undone and i couldn't see my foot to tie it, i kept putting onto these wee lump things and it disapeared ffs, took me about 10 mins to get it tied.



After about a hundred million hills we got to soapy's hill, i drank my vodka down in one and i loved Soapy more than i've loved anyone at that moment! We had to keep moving otherise we'd be timed out so off we ran on like runners possessed. I think we were just over halfway at this point, but dont quote me on that.


The rest actually just passed in a sweary muddy boggy bastard blur. The last hill was so steep towards the top i was on my hands and knees pulling myself up it, i was so tired, so demorolised and just wanted it to end.



Factor in some monster stiles, gale force winds, hailstones battering my face off and rain, it was all a joy, really

Off we went down this hill thne into the forest knowing the finish was aorund the corner, thank god. Suddenly we saw the Uni and i actually nearly cried, Flip very galantly let me finish before him thinking we were last (we werent) and when i saw Lintie , Soph,Jules, Jo and SQRFL i've never been so happy to see anyone in my life.

We finished in 5hrs 46 mins- 20.33 miles according to garmin.

the job is to cover 11 hills, all over 2000ft, 2 of them over 2500ft. Job done at least.

It took me 10 mins longer to do than my Ultra I was utterly dejected and demorolised and was thinking of chucking in idea of Highland Fling. How could i possible cover 53 mile when this nealry broke me in two? Lintie gave me a good talking too though (she & Soph were timed out! ) and made me realise it wasn't just me who found it tough. it was bloody awful. (sorry Andy, it was) Flip is going back next yr, he needs sectioned clearly. I wouldn't have got half way round if it wasn't for him and i reckon i kept him behind by at least an hour or so, we'll see next year i guess!

I will never darken the bogs of the Ochills ever again. never. ever.

finished race covered head to toe in mud, then realised i had no towel with me, Soph to the rescue along with Flip, 2 towels, on for hair, one for drying. sorted, Soph also provided me with shampoo and gel, what a star, She probably had the kitchen sink in her backpack too mind you...

Cleaned up then it was off to pub to wind down a bit, few drinks, hugs n goodbyes then back home via a visit to fatboarders for Flip to check on some building stuff he needed checked out. Found bottle brandy stashed down side pocket of phils car and started drinking it straight from bottle, yes, the race *had* been that bad! uurgh, handed it to RFSQL and he had swig too lol

i digress, we went to wrong door and a slightly bemused man opened door saying *i think you might have wrong address?* lol Got to FB's and he provided me & RFSQL with beer whilst Flip went off to investigate. All ok so off finished drink and off we went, dropping off RFSQL in meadows and heading home for chinese, Wine. Beer, vodka and veuve cliquot.

top work.
Plan was to Eddie hunt in morning, so that's what we did!

Drove all way out to ratho on route that was posted, n sign. Started drive back and decided to sotp off in Costorphine for a carvery lunch. Massooov plateful of food pls pint pear cider and we were waddling out pub heading back along route.

Of course we found Eddie about half hour later lol, typical! So we drove further on, parked car and ran back to meet him planning on doing a few miles at least, you know, loosen off the legs after the bastrd hil race from day before... Com160 was there and had spent entire day (and day before!) with Eddie, and WHW runner with Molly the dog was also there raaa, old friends! There was another blokey too. When i first arrived Eddie said *Hi Sandra, turned to blokey and said Sandra ran up Arthurs seat with me on thu, she is from fetch* blokey turned round to shake my hand and it was only friggin Frank skinner!

Frank and his g/f were running til Dalkeith as he had to get back and do his show in city centre that night. He was really nice bloke and made us laugh which was good, seeing as he is comedian and al that

Before we knew it we'd decided we were running til the end with Eddie, s much for afew miles! It was all uphill too, great, more hills, just what our legs needed after day before. But hey, *we* had'nt ran 27marathons prev, we'd only done one mental race so werent complaining. Neither was Eddie, he just gets on with it. truly amazing.

It started raining, it was windy and hills were bit relentless, not steep just very long. Eddie wasflagging the last few miles and it was such a relief when we saw the sport relief van wizz past and the ice cream van started playing the tune, the end was in sight! hoorah


His team held i little tape for him to run through and we all clapped and cheered as he completed his 29th marathon.

he hugged us all, thanked us all and made sure we had way of getting home we were literally in middle of road in middle of nowhere) The crew dropped us all off which was bloody marvellous of them and me & Flip stopped off at chippy on way home.

We were exhausted,and we'd only done the last 16 miles with him. god only knows how Eddie was/Is feeling, how he does it i have no idea. We spoke a lot about mental strength yesterday, this man has it in truckloads.

Go sponsor him, you know it makes sense...

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Review > July

July was full of thrlls n spills hot weather and downpours. I carried on doing my long runs, staying marathon fit. Had Susan up to stay when she was at t in park got bit derunk.Saw my idols Duran Duran in Concert@ Edinburgh castle,got a bit derunk, got to spend time with thelovely Paula who was up from Londontown in engerlundshire to see them too :) got a bit derunk.

Oscar died :( he was our goldfish and we had him for 10yrs, he is now buried in back garden with a wee fish shaped plaque made by my big bro Alan.

Then i had a crazy crazy 7 days. ......

It all started on Saturday night, i waited on Flip arriving before even sipping on any alcohol. He arrived about half 8, wine was opened (and beer) and chinese ordered, we clearly had to carb load for the next few days...

at 3.15am Flip said to me, so what time is the Fetch Mile tomorrow, 1pm? I said no, it's at 11am. He said errm, maybe we should think about going to bed then.So we did.

UP at 8.30, bag packed, kit on, ready to rock n roll. Arrived at track to find a posse of Fetchies mucho hugs and smiles and mostly cluthing various cakes n stuff. I was told by CT to take it easy on Mile as i'd few calf issues during week and had been resting since tuesday. So i did, and i got shouted at for chatting on way round, Soph said i clearly wasn't working hard enough if i could yak yak on mile race Got halfway round 2nd lap and my shoelace came undone, had to stop and re-tie it, muppet. Eventually crossed line in 7.13, i'd probably have PB'd if i'd not stopped to tie lace.

But i wasnt too bothered, there were grand things ahead on a grand scale, and no i don't mean drinking.

Although we did all head to pub once everyone was fully caked up. Quick drink in beer garden then it was off to supermarket for supplies.All Flip cared about was buying coffee, i thought it would be wise to also buy some food, so we did. Accosted a random at till who was wearing a tri t shirt, found out she knew Jules and we demanded she join fetch. I suspect she ran to the hills fast and will never be seen again...

Then we headed off on our scenic Journey to Braemar, and to check into my first ever stay in a Youth Hostel. Arrived to find Llamadance and the artist formally known as ribenaface (more on that later) already there, quickly followed by Soph then Karen.Andy was last to arrive and the Braemar bunch was 3/4 complete.....

We checked into our rooms, one for the boys, one for the girls. Laughed at Soph when she unpacked then headed into *town* to explore. It took us about 5 mins to discover there was one pub, one chippy, one shop etc etc. I made grand plans to move there and open up a pub, watch this space.

So after much discussion (ie-2 secs or so) we went to pub. Had several drinks and laughs before deciding we were all hank marvin.We'd passed a chippy on way down, the smells were incredible, people were sitting outside eating and it looked so so good. We were all excitedly looking forward to tucking into a massive portion of fish n chips...
Part 2. 8pmgate

I was lagging behind and didn't make it inside the chippy before Andy came storming out saying it was closed. Eh? closed? it was 8 pm ffs, cant possible be closing at 8pm. Oh, yes it can it would seem! Actually, it wasn't even 8pm, it was 7.55, so even though they *said* it closed at 8pm, they decided they werent serving us, the excuse being *we've served thousands of people today!*

8pm ffs.

Andy, the schoolteacher rebel that he is stormed back up to the blackboard and wiped off the time. lol. Well, no problem, we'll just go back to the pub and order a bar supper. ha ha, guess what, they finish serving at 8pm, and it actually *was* 8 pm by then.That's ok, we passed a wee bistro cafe type, we'll go there. Oh no we wont, guess what....

After asking just where the fuck we *could*eat, we were directed up a hill so off we schlepped. It took us past the famous Braemar highland games ground, you know the one where you always see pics of the Queen and Billy Connolly? I'll bet the queen wouldnt get friggin turned away for fish n chips at FIVE to eight...Anyway, i digress, we got the said place and although they were clearly the rebls of braemar, daring to serve food after 8pm, we decided to was too posh for us smelly lot who's been in running clothes all day.

Back to YH for a quick dinner thrown together with funny looks from other residents. Wasn't long before we managed to clear every room we went into, the other residents were unwedging the doors and keeping them firmly shut, and it wasn't because we smelt.

Part 3- Scabby Queen conquers all

After the Braemar bastards witheld all food stuff from us, we pulled together a gourmet meal in kitchen then headed through to Lounge to see all the fetch mile photies which had kindly been uploaded by Lorraine we had bit of laugh there and after not making nearly enough noise to move everyone we went back to dinning room to play cards. Soph was squealing everyitme someone bent the cards and talking to them as if they were kids (they had pics of birds on them) She cheated at every game we played, except cheat. Scabby queen was so funny i actually thought that Soph was going to spit up her lungs, she cheated the entire game and still got it wrong.

She wasn't however scabby queen, that accolade goes to Ribenaface, who we've demanded that he change his name to scabbyqueenribenafacedloser

Snap was suggested as next game, but Andy had a *better* game, called snap, crackle and pop. OMG i was glad when i got booted out of game before my head went snapcrackipopsickle (it's ony 3 words you know) Llama is apparently going to teach his kids it today, i'm sure they'll all be in tears by days end...

So, the lightweights ie- everyone except me & Karen went off to bed and we headed back to lounge where we managed to decant a lone person quietly reading. We headed up to bed about 1am, and noticed said guy sitting in hallway with headtorch on readin his book! lollers. Got into room only to be confronted by searchlight in our faces, aaaaargh, oh it's only Soph with her davylamp on the top bunk! dont ask..

It was like sleepovers all over again as me , Karen and Soph giggled and talked until i crashed, and Lintie snored.

Morning was toast, lots of tea and kitted up as Gav & Ian arrived to complete the Braemar Bunch....

Part 4 - The Big One

Andy gathered us all together and gave us a talking to. Told us our route, how far, what do do if we get lost (panic) etc ,there were no sharp intakes of breath so he seemed happy that we were happy and off we went. (oh, i was wearing my kilt,when in Braemar and all that...)

The first 4 miles were fairly flat trails towards an incredible old lodge which is sadly boarded up, maybe i'll buy it and open that pub i talked about.... then the hills started. Unfortunately i cant remember any of the names except the *big one*, you'll need to read Lintie's blog for details, all i know is that i thought i'd been on a hill run before and clearly i was deluded.

I thought i'd climbed quite high and loved to show off my elevation charts to show how high i'd climbed, i was deluded. lol We had everything thrown at us, moss, heather, trails, stony paths, tree roots,rivers(somehow i managed to stay dry ) tracks, and big fuck off massive rocks. We also had every weather front thrown at us, sunshine to start the day, rainshowers, gale force winds quickly followed by sunshine again. Marvellous. srsly.

We saw an array of Wildlife. ok, we saw a frog and a dog. But hey, maybe we scared the others off, wouldn't you be?I actually found the climb up and over the *big one* -Ben MacDhui 2nd highest mountain in Britain ) bizarrely easier than the first not so high one! couldve helped with me & Gav singing sclub7 songs on way up....



As we descended Ben MacDhui we came across huge expanses of snow and i sore cheeks and sore belly from laughing so much, it wasn't just the girls screaming out with glee. What fun we had, Me & Karen did snow Angels and flip took pictures up my kilt. We had snowball fights and skied without skies and snowboarded without snowboards, proper srs fun.

The rest of the descent down was great, i really rather enjoyed it, was so funny as you always knew when someone stepped into a *secret* bog Flip was amazing on this part and flew down that mountain like a bat out of hell! Once we were back on undulating ground, there *were* no flats. My ankle started to niggle, i'd got stuck between 2 rocks and pulled it out with great force clearly pulling something, At last stop i took couple painkillers and before long i was flying.

Literally. I'd stopped to tie my lace (recurring them here?) and everyone carried on as usual, next thing i'm face down in the heather, bashing my knees big time, i was yelping and shouting heyeeelp, come back, dont leave me. But mouthfulls of heather prevented anyone hearing me, just as i picked myself off ground my phone bloody rang! no reception all weekend and it an unknwn number who hung up when i answered ffs.

I ran on round corner to find Gav waiting on me, he'd noticed it had gone quiet! hahaha , i whimpered,showed him my knee , got some sympathy and we ran on.

Caught up with Karen, told her about my fall, and she said to me *oh there's lots of those tree route parts on WHW, you just need to..* whack! down she went

hmm, not do *that* i presume

The last 3 miles i got a huge burst of energy and was at the front for most of it, maybe it was knowing we were near end or just the whole experiance was uplifting me, i dunno, but running through the foresty bit with Lintie hot on my heels was brilliant, just brilliant.

We got to the carpark and Flip soon had the boot open offering round the ridiculously freakily chilled beers as we all toasted a truly magical day of Mountain running, fetchy style.

Part5 > Lodgers

We were staying the Second night at Mar Lodge Estate, what a beautiful place.
It was huge, loads rooms, massive kitchen with massive table, separate dining room, drying room for shoes bikes etc, lounge, 2 bathrooms. fabulous. And outside tables for us to drink champagne and beer at, how kind.

Talking of which, we got back to find JulesR patiently waiting on us we gave him sweaty hugs then went off to have showers. Geroge and Jane arrived clutching bottles of champers & gin! Huge squashy hug from LD and he nearly broke my ickleribs and my feet were dangling like rag doll We drank pink champagne in the glorious sunshine and laughed and talked over our amazing day.

Give conflab was had re- food and we decided to give the braemar bastards a chance to redeem themselves. Flip got on phone and ordered 10 portions fish n chips and Jules tore off with Soph & RFSQL to collect them, he managed to find the one and only chippy for miles and miles and even found his way back with a massive box of food which we all dived in gratefully to.We were all sat round this massive table and it was probably only quiet time for whole weekend!

Then we all went through and vegged out on sofa drinking some more,chilling out to music and laughing a lot. We were all quite predictably pooped and in bed for around midnight quite sensibly.

Tuesday brought more sunshine and blue skies, and the Braemar Bunch had 2 new runners in form of Jules & Jane.Karen was first up as LD was back to work, i was up not long after at 7am and we sat and did some homework about bremar (bastard) and Mar Lodge in partiicular. Lintie clearly did'nt listen as i was reading the book out as she said it has flooded twice.I beg to differ, it's been burnt down twice and flooded once, pay attention missy, 100 lines if you please....

This was a more sedate day with *only* around 2000ft of climbs and various mileage for people wanting to do less.As he struggled through the high heather on the first hill someone spotted a deer, we all turned round and before we knew it, were all in full forces of *doe, a deer, a female deeer, ray a drop of golden sun* how apt, srsly,it was boiling hot. Me, a name i call myself, far, a long long way to run. The song was made for us. totally. It's now the Braemar bunch theme tune.

Jane and Karen headed off after about 3 miles to head back for what was meant to be a 6 mile loop but ended up doing 8. I said i wanted to do no more than 10 as i only have 5 days til my first Ultra so Jules said he'd go back with me at my cut off and the rest who are hardcore headed off for more bogs, hills n heather with plans of a 15miler.

I *still* managed to stay dry when everyone else seemed to get wet, silly people.

So off me & Jules went with instructions from the master as to where we were heading. "follow the trail, once you come off the hill turn right and follow the road, then turn left, bingo, 10 miles"

off we went. Got to bottom of hill, "This way" says Jules "you sure" i say? "yes, yes i'm sure, c'mon lazy" or something...

So i followed Jules, cause he's a man, and men know it all, dont they? We ran along in the glorious sunshine, wonderingwhy we'd*lost* the river, then it reappeared again, then we lost it again, then i started to.(lose it) I looked at my garmin and was alarmed to see 12 miles. errrm, we should be home, i should have a cold glass of wine in my hand by now, surely?

But we weren't, and i didn't

Suddenly my phone bursts into life! txt after txt, one asking how the mile went, eh? the mile? that was weeks ago wasnt it? oh,ok maybe it was only 2 days ago. I t felt like weeks ago already. A few days without phone or net access and you lose all sense of time & reality. Seeing my phone now had life, we decided to try and call Andy, or Flip, or Gav, or anyone, just anyone who'd get a bloody signal! nope, not a chance.

So after i stamped my feet and refused to go *any further up that damn hill* we turned round back the way we came.Then, all of a sudden... wooohoooo people, real life people were approaching on bikes! We contemplated stopping them, bashing them over the head and stealing the bikes. But we decided against that and asked them if we were on right track. Yes we were he assured us kindly.

Off we ran, me stopping every so often to whinge, Jules pulling my pigtails to get me going again and singing to me. Before too long we found the bridge, we found the cottages, we found all the landmarks the nice bike man told us about and we knew were nearly home.

We got back 10 mins before the others, doing a total of 14.9 miles. lol.



The End-

Got back to find a *dear John* note from Karen & Jane, they had left us *sob* and gone home. It was then that i realised it was coming to an end and i was a little sad. Jules kindly made me a cup of tea and a schlepped off for a much needed shower.

As i was in the shower i kept hearing strange noises coming from our bedroom, as i approached it i thought perhaps a wild bear had been caught and tied up under the bed. But it was only Soph. lol

I lay on bed for about 10 mins then got my act together and went out to join the boys, who were sitting in the sunshine drinking beer, a recurring theme for the weekend. I had wine. Then we decided we needed food and before you know it pizza and garlic bread was whipped up and we were sitting round table, drinking copious amounts of tea and eating. Ribenafacedscabbyqueenloser is as much a tea jenny as me

I remember IanS saying to me one time that he'd never do over half marathn distance, well he proved himself wrong this weekend for sure, he was brilliant, well done Ian! Pics are marvellous too.

As usual Gav& Jules made me smile with thier funny ways, both sang songs with me and made me smile. Steve was his usual self and we had loads of laughs. Soph, well, lost for words...Ribenafacedscabbyqueenloser is a lovely lovely guy and great runner, i somehow kept catching up with him and ran bits n bobs with him.Jane, your a wee star, champagne fulled and hitting those hills you say you hate so much! Karen, i know this was an emotional journey for you, your such an inspiration to me, thanks for being you. Flip, your rock, big time. We had so much fun and your (literally) carried me many times over the weekend.Hope i've not forgotten anyone, i know this sound like an oscar speech but i feel we bonded up those Mountains!

Then it was time to go,Steve and IanS went off, then Gav, then me & Flip leaving Andy and RFSQL with Mar lodge to themselves.

Andy, your a complete and utter star, thank you so much for
1. not telling anything about what we were about to embark on
2. taking time to plan it all
3. being you.

A mere 6 days later...

make me an Ultra runner......

It all started back in January, i'd came down to London for Debs 21st birthday party and inbetween i made special effort to finally go meet Jen, at long last! 10 mins in her (much battered) company and i'd agreed to running an Ultra. 10 whole mins. well done Jen.

So there it was, the gaunlet thrown down, but back then i'd never ran on a trail before, ever, nor a hill, well yes, plenty hills in Edinburgh, tarmaccy ones,not *real* hills. How my life had changed so much in 7 short months.....

Saturday morning i was up and off to airport with spring in my step and instructions in my bag, i somehow managed to get myself safely to SW19 and quickly found Jen and Pot.Straight to the pub behind us, good call i reckon! I was starving and so were they luckily. I'd deliberately booked BA because they feed you, i'd paid £20 extra over sleazyjet, all i got was a friggin cereal bar. not.happy.

Anyhow, forget BA, its all about me dontachknow. Waggamammas was suggested for lunch and i delighted, we dont have onein Edinburgh although i believe there is one in the weej. Had really lovely lunch and sufficiently carb loaded on noodles i reckon , and wine, of course...

We didn't have any plans and Jen was keen to show me some sights, i was less keen. Much as i want to see lots of london, and i do. It had been a terribly tiring week, see previous blogs if you dont know why! By time we left waga's and got home it wasn't really an option anyway. We decided to veg out, Jen tried to show me the dodgy Wii box she'd just sold me and i annoyed the cats and laughed at the hamsters.

Roasted prawn and mushroom jus (sorry, in joke, very clique us lot) was soon off menu and italian round corner which i'd commented on looking rather nice was chosen for dinner destination. More carb loading, more wine, and off home we went. Jen kept taking me different routes home to confuzzle my brain. We stopped off for ice cream, for 2 nd time that day i might add, and had some when we got home.

It's most icecream i've eaten all yr, srsly. oh, i had another bottle of wine too. We (they) faffed around getting everything ready so they could spend an extra 5 mins in bed,and i settled down on my custom built santasofa. Woke up feeling really hot to find cat on head, gently took it off head (Jen will read this remember) and fell asleep, woke up feeling hot again, 2nd cat on head, hmm. Rest of night they just lay beside me purring and digging thier sharp claws into me, lovely cats. honest.

wakey wakey! i was up and drinking tea by time the pot & Jen ventured downstairs moaning about the time, before long we were on train and heading towards errm, actually, ive no idea! fuck. somewhere on the south downs! there

We arrived and headed off for trek towards start......

continued

So, i got across to the line to many cheers from many lovely people with lots of hugs and i felt really quite emotional, i felt even more emotional when i was handed a bag, for my messages (scots talk..) no tshirt, no medal (yeah, i knew that already, i know!) just a bag, and a cup of water. meh.

Sloped off to get blood cleaned up as it looked pretty awful, and Ruth mothered me and got me plasters, she's in practise remember.. Then i had my vodka, which i hadnt had halfway round as planned lol, Ruth provided the apple juice, mothering again...

We cheered in everyone and everyone started to disperse to pub, i promised i'd join them once Joopsy and Jen were in.When team Flinky got in they said they'd seen Max out on the course, i said *max71?* yes they said, lol, of all the downs, in all the world....
Lovely to see Joopsy come round corner and his boys run in with him, he was having time of his life, well done Joopers. Big hug to him and he said *i've got something for you* and disapears to his car.

He reappears and ickle Joopsy had something behind his back, suddenly he produced a big shiny home made medal! just for me! how special did i feel? What a wonderfully thoughtful thing to do , thank you so much Joospy and your lovely boys.

Now it was time to wait on Jen, once i spotted her i took off to join her for last lap (well half of it at least) she came in strong as ever with big smile on face. Quick change then it was off to pub for drinks, chips, hugs , laughs and Max71! If you could've seen her face when she walked in and saw me! She expected Jen, Kinky, Flanks etc, all the usual ultragods but no me, & not Siouxsie, lol it was funny, and great to see her too. We've roped her & Team Flinky into a plan we have for some peaks..

Goobyes were said, hugs again and before long were were heading back to SW19, Jen calld me Ultrasanta for the rest of my stay i still dont feel like an ultrarunner, i dont feel worthy really, not when i know how far *real* ultra runners run..

Huge thanks to the mini fetchpoint, Ruth,Sioux,Hendo, Macc, what a joy to see you, what a boost at 27miles, you've no idea how much of a boost! Tpot and Lizzie, you were stars

Huge thanks to Jen & Tpot for thier hospitality for providing a santasized sofa, and making sure i had teabags

These last few paragraphs are dedicated to the girl who got it all started, who one day i hope to run even half as far as she can.
xxxx

Recovery

Recovering sure does seem to get easier the more you run huh? After a 42 miles weekend, probably most I've ran and over tough terrain my thighs felt sore, stiff and tired on Monday. So i rested, big believer in listening to my body when it comes to rest.

Tuesday i was fine though, only did 6 miles, same again today, I'm kinda liking this Ultra training lark! Unsure as to whether to do long run this weekend, no chance of it next weekend so i should really shouldn't i? Got a ceilidh on Saturday night so i can count that as cross training, should i wear my gar min? ;)

Running to owrk this morning and my Mum popped into my head, as she often does. And a nice thought occurred to me, i get asked all the time when I'm doing race "who I'm doing it for" Meaning, which charity. I always said I'd wait til i did London before i did the whole charity thing with it being the *only* marathon that counts (in non runners eyes) But i decided that seeing the Highland fling is hardest thing I'll have ever had to do, i could easily ask people to part with money for it.

They will know i've went through blood sweat and tears quite literally to get to the end. And i WILL get to the end,i'll do it for my Mum.

http://www.justgiving.com/Sandra-McDougall

Monday 11 January 2010

WHW training weekend - Day two

Had bit of a lie on Sunday, 7.30. Have to say my first thoughts were to turn back over and go back to sleep but i didn't. Down to breakfast for 8 to find Simon no mates sitting at a wee table all set for one hahaha, we were going to leave him and point and laugh but decided to let him join us ;)


Before long Karen & George appeared and we made the dining room suitably noisy enough to wake folk up ;) After brekkie we had to check out as we were heading to Milngavie to run and wouldn't be back that way. Great hotel, can heartily recommend it everyone, friendly, clean, cosy and welcoming.

We set off for Milngavie and the plan was to run 6 miles out and back. Jane got bit freaked out with the ice, twas indeed very slippy and icy but we knew it would improve the further in we got. Karen stayed with Jane and me George &Simon ploughed on. Some bits were icy but mosty very runable. Really strange being back in this part again, last time was my first ever time as much trstified few blogs ago! lol It really was the most gorgeous winters day, the WHW has a way of just making you stop in your tracks to look around and realise just how lucky you are.

Got to 6 miles and a quick decision was made to carry on to Beech tree inn AKA checkpoint1! wooop.



Cant go anywhere without George knowing anyone and we met couple folk out there who knew him! Saw quite few runners this time, only 2 we saw yesterday was Lucy & Richie of WHW fame. Maybe more out because we were on the *easy* part of the course? They do say the first stage is easiest part, its why i was given it last yr, being a virgin n all...

Funny to see first place i got lost too! Really quite surreal being back on the same part again but in extremely different circumstances, next time will be when i do the Fling (gulp) Legs were tired but i plodded on and tried not to hold Simon & George back but they were/are very patient, thanks boys



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Lots and lots of walkers out today too, few mountain bikers and even couple skiers, madness, everyone was super happy and friendly, the sunshine really does make people that bit brighter don't you think?About 3miles from end Karen reappeared! :o) Jane sent her out reassuring her she was ok, great to see her, she kept my spirits up last few miles when i felt i was flagging a bit.



We were gingerly making our way down last hill which was a sheet of ice when this guy literally came flying past us and ran right down/slid rest of way! nut job, could've easily broke many bones. We Saw him in cafe later and applauded him though lol


14.3 miles done on tired legs, after 27.3 the day before. I'm becoming More confident about this race as weeks roll by, which amazes me as i always doubt my ability as a runner and still see myself as crap! We finished, had cup of tea then sadly said ur goodbyes :o( Yet another bloody fantastic weekend with old friends and even some new ones thrown in for good measure


Here we are messing around at the underpass, which is the starting place for the Fling and WHW race :o)












One Year + on...

Oh Dear, more than a year since my last blog when i promised myself i would blog more. After SDW race i was more than a bit broken. Luckil...