One step closer

It’s been a good weeks training although not the one originally invisaged as I took it easy to make sure the back niggle stayed away.  Consistent running was the key with 2 two hour runs on Thursday & Friday to get me ready for the weekend.  I had a sports massage on Friday and my legs certainly got a good workout.  My back was tight but ok so I think the right decision was made in cutting back on the training plan - I’m one step closer to the start line.
On Saturday another 6 hour hill route was planned and my pals Michael & Beth were there to keep me company while they prepared for a different race.  Ben More is described as having a “relentless” climb and it lived up to it’s reputation (the last time I attempted it I didn’t make the summit due to the weather) - no step machine could replicate this climb.  Your feet are soaking wet from the start and in the end it was like running through a paddy field.  Being on the Scottish mountains can be very dangerous and you need to come prepared.  The wind whipped up and at one stage it was supporting my full body weight as I was leaning into it.  Add to that the temperature and you end up with a wind chill factor of freezing or below.  So when the rain comes hammering down in the strong wind it feels like hailstones - my skin now has a nice completion on my face though!
At the summit we were losing the feeling in our fingers even with gloves.  Michael had mitts and was fine so that night Beth and I ordered a pair because it really could have been an issue and in Tahoe the temperatures can fall to freezing in the altitude in the mountains at night.  The rest of my gear got a proper test and was up to it so that’s good news.  We cut the run short for safety reasons so only got in 2.5 hours and not 6 but the upside of completing the run in those conditions were out weighed by the potential downside.  If one of us had fallen or got hypothermia then it put us all at risk.
The forecast today was better, but not good enough to go into mountains plus I was on my own. So I power walked up Tinto and ran down - 4 times.  That’s almost 2,000m of climbing which is exactly what I need and then running down hill which needs to be practised.
I’m almost there but have 1 more week of important training.  I’m meeting my coach tomorrow to go over the final plans including the race plan.  I’m also so pleased to say that I have a “pacer” for the race.  Becky sent me an email on Tuesday and not only has she run the race before, she did it in my target time!  There will be numerous emails this week between us and I’ll be meeting her a week tomorrow for some last minute planning.  In the meantime Fiona (wife & crew) is drawing up lists of lists to make sure I have what I need, when I need it in the race.  One step closer with 11 days to go.