Food for the soul

In the last couple of weeks I've had to dial down the training rather than increase it which is what you'd expect with a marathon lined up next month.  My HR has been high and I haven't had the energy required for the miles especially if it's been hilly.  I'll be starting on medication shortly which will help, but don't worry, it's not life threatening.  I'm just going to have to take it easy for a couple of months which isn't ideal, but health first.
I'm continuing with my yoga and have just started back on weights and resistance work.  This has been neglected for the last 6 weeks for various reasons and I'm enjoying working out again.
Last week I had a few "pan flat" runs down south with Beth and despite a slower than normal pace, my HR was too high.  In contrast we then headed up to Glencoe, our happy place.  There was snow on the mountains and our first adventure was a low level walk / jog 22km  with 554m of ascent which took just over 4 hours.  At one stage I was up to my knees in a bog and the snow made the scenery even more spectacular.  The following day we headed a summit. We climbed 685m, 8km in just over 4 hours - what a contrast.  The "path" disappeared in the snow and as we got close to the summit the conditions got a bit too risky so we turned back.  Walking through a felled forest was hellish and had we not had poles it would have been treacherous.  But my heart rate in both days was low and this type of training is good for your core strength.  Being in these conditions brings you so close to nature, actually again up to our knees in snow with every step as we approached the summit.  Turning back was sensible as we didn't have crampons but it's really "food for the soul" to be out in the wilds of Glencoe. 
The following day we ran 28k on a flat route as part of the preparation for the Manchester Marathon.  The pace was meant to be slow but with me trying to keep my HR at 150, is was at a snails pace.  Perhaps the sign that for me, Manchester won't be on but the medication might change that although any thought of a fast time is unrealistic.
The next day I was shattered then got food poisoning so Fri/Sat was a wipe out.  Today I did some yoga, weights and a short 6.5k run but I'm not fully over the food poisoning yet. 
Not the best of times but health first.  This adventure of mine has been going on for 15 years now and there is much more to come.  Thanks for your encouragement and support.