Be prepared....for anything

As we get closer to our "A" races (Last One Standing in 9 days, Ultra Race Romania in 27 days) we are focusing on what we will actually need to carry with us and what is mandatory equipment.  My list is very short but Beth needs her 6 days supplies in her rucksack including her food and clothing.  Mandatory equipment will include fire crackers to scare off wild dogs and bear spray for, you've guessed it, bears!  Remember I said, be prepared....for anything!  Meticulous planning is required for these long events as it is for a trip into the mountains locally.
Last weekend we travelled up north and went to Ballater as the weather looked better.  Our trusted friend Michael Martin put together a good route that involved 5 Munro's (mountains higher than 1,000 m) in a long loop known as the Lochnagar circuit. We set out in stunning weather, blue skies without a cloud in sight.  My main concern was the heat.  Could we carry enough water for the 8 hours or was their fresh water on the route?  What a fantastic route and we were enjoying the scenery but realising the weather forecast later on in the day could be challenging.  It seemed foolish packing our full waterproofs and survival bags, but this is Scotland.
The wind started picking up and the clouds were closing in.  At the highest and furthest away point the rain started and then turned into hail stones.  This was 3 hours ahead of the forecast and the wind meant it was painful when they smacked you in the face.  We still had 4 hours to go and we were drenched.  There was no shelter from the wind so the full waterproofs went on, a bit late, and this prevented us from getting cold.  We had to eat to keep our energy levels up as it was a long slog, more so for Beth as she was carrying a weighted rucksack!
The weather improved for the last 12 km and when we finished we were pleased we'd covered a total of 29km and come through some testing conditions.  However it would have been a different story had we not been prepared.  We did fill up our water bottles early on in the walk but had to ration it towards the end.  It would have been a bigger issue had it stayed warm so always check what the water situation is before setting off.
The following day we went up Tinto (local hill 711m) - me twice and Beth three times.  I started to get a knee niggle on the descents and didn't want to risk making it worse.  It was the right decision as I have rested it this week, except for yoga.  I'll be back running tomorrow and do some specific running focused on the last one standing format i.e. run/walk/ rest, stretch and eat every hour.  This race will be a real "mind f@@k" and new territory for me.  I'll have my pals Stu and Rosie running it with me and they have the benefit of doing it last year so have given me some top tips.  The best part will be the finishing pen where you start and finish each lap.  It becomes like a party as the race goes on and last years winner managed 39 laps - yes that's 39 hours!  Beth is supporting me & Stu so the campervan will be stocked with food, drink and medical supplies!  I'm excited for this new format and will be tapering my training with lots of yoga to make sure my body is ready.  In the end it will be my mind that's the deciding factor assuming I remain upright and not injured!