Ultra Race Romania - 2023 Reflections

This is the last of 3 blogs regarding URR and I think it's an important read for the athletes who took part, the volunteers and anyone who is considering signing up for this adventure of a lifetime.
The athletes and volunteers have returned home to their families and they will enjoy telling stories of bear foot prints, bear poo, wild dogs, the stunning scenery and all the experiences they went through in this adventure.  I call it an adventure because it's way more than a race. 
The athletes have completed an extremely tough 7 day adventure and during that time they were "stripped bare".  No luxuries, no showers, no fresh clothes, no make up or hair conditioner, eating freeze dried food and suffering from a calorie deficit every day which means you lose your muscle mass.  It's not for the faint hearted.  But you are treated like "movie stars" with cheering volunteers and photographers taking unlimited pictures of you and giving interviews about your experience to the wonderful Fisheye team.  Facebook receives these images and they go worldwide.  But when the race is over and you've enjoyed some downtime with your fellow competitors life returns to normal.  In my experience that can be a tough time making the adjustment to normal life and going back to work.
Most of us lead a risk free sedentary life.  That's part of the reason we put ourselves into an event like this, to stimulate the "animal" in us and to take risks (calculated) because it makes us feel alive.  But when we go back home it takes a period of adjustment and this is where an opportunity lies.
What did you learn about yourself during the 7 days?  How did you cope with the fear of being in the forest in the dark on your own knowing that there were wild animals about?  How did you handle sharing a tent with 3 strangers who spoke different languages and constantly being with other people with little time for yourself?  Personally speaking it had a profound affect on me after I came through the post race blues which really had me quite down two years ago.  Coming back as a volunteer wasn't as tough but it still required a period of adjustment and Facebook prolongs that experience with everyone sharing their stories.  And quite rightly too, you should be proud of what you have achieved even if you DNF, you still contributed to the adventure and got outside your comfort zone.
Some competitors have races coming up immediately afterwards so this will delay the come down but it will happen.  
This is your chance to see if you need to make changes in your life.  It may confirm you are perfectly happy but it may also confirm that you are not.  If it's the latter then start to analyse what makes you happy and follow that path.  It may be a change of jobs or making a commitment to a relationship or leaving a relationship.  When I was in URR two years ago it made me feel alive and appreciate "real" people more than ever.  As a volunteer it made me realise this is my "happy place" with likeminded individuals in an environment that excited me.  There's no room for posers or bullshit in this arena.  Taking part is too painful so you only get the gritty people who have a love of the out doors.  URR has changed my life significantly. The changes haven't been easy but I realised "we all know the end of this movie and nobody gets out alive" so you might as well enjoy yourself.  I've always said URR is more than a race, it's an adventure so pluck up the courage and follow in the foot steps of Legends who took on the challenge.  I leave you with one final thought - you have one life.  Live it.

Ultra Race Romania 2023 - the race

This is the second of a three part blog.  The first was about the wonderful volunteers that make the race happen.  This one is my observations of the race as a volunteer supporting the runners.
When you sign up for a 6 day multi-stage, self supporting race with 250 km over 6 stages and 7 days, you probably don't know what you are in for, unless you have done one before.  But URR is so tough with 11,000m of ascent and descent, 38 degree gradient climbs and rough terrain under foot that many experienced runners were surprised. 
When you describe it to friends they start asking questions, do they feed you? are there showers? do they put you up in a hotel between stages?  Your friends begin to question your sanity when they find out the answer was no to those three questions, because who in their right mind would sign up for that?  So why do we do it?  Each runner has their own story which brought them to this particular start line and as long as their WHY is strong they will be successful in their race.  But success is measured differently for each athlete ranging from winning to completing the race.
There were 15 athletes on the start line from, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Hong Kong, Romania, France, Great Britain, Japan, Brazil, and Luxemburg.  The age range was from the youngster in his early 30's to the mature gentleman in his 60s and the split was 9 women & 6 men.  When they met on the first day I observed those that were excited and happy to talk and those that were there to win who were more reserved and had their "game face" on.  At the first meal one athlete at our table finished their food almost without speaking to anyone and then retired to bed.
The next day the athletes traveled to the base camp and they weren't really mixing.  In fact in one tent they didn't speak to each other at all that night.  This however is normal as they are all contemplating in their heads how the next 7 days will go.  Camping with strangers & living out a rucksack for 7 days while running in the mountains isn't easy and so difficult to contemplate what it's like, even if you have ran an ultra before.  There is constant chattering in your head; did I train enough, have I got the right food, will we meet bears or wild dogs?  This tends to make you retreat into yourself as you don't want to show any signs of weakness to strangers you are competing with.
In previous races I have observed that the group normally breaks into three.  The top third are those who are out to win.  They are hardened competitors and winning a prestigious race like URR will be good for their CV.  The next third are out to get as good a time as is physically possible but they are also there to enjoy the experience and take in the surroundings.  The last third are athletes who are likely to power walk more than run and are there to complete the race rather than compete in the race but enjoy the scenery along the way.  The fast ones push themselves to the limit but get it over and done with quickly.  The rest are out much longer and suffer more in the heat so it's a challenge for all the athletes.
In day 1 Reinhold Hugo from Switzerland completed the stage in a record breaking 3:37.  He came across the line dripping in sweat but hardly out of breath.  The tail ender that day took 8:31 but enjoyed her day out - sadly she DNF'd the next day but continued to be involved in different parts of the race.  There were two other DNF's and they also stayed in camp and worked as volunteers just to remain part of what was becoming, a tight group. Already one of them has signed up for 2024 - that's the spirit Tun and Alessandro hopes to be back in 2025.
Reinhold won every stage and smashed the course record with a winning time of 29:39.  During the race he was humble, polite and encouraged all the athletes no matter what their time was.  
2 & 3rd place went to Noemi Hagg of Switzerland & Michaela Punz-Raml of Austria.  After 2 stages they decided to run together which they enjoyed and obviously was safer with bears in the area.  
You can read the full results on the URR website but what it doesn't tell you is how this group of athletes became like a family during the course of the race. 
The 4, all different nationalities, in the tent that didn't speak on the first night became like "party central".  The laughter that came from the tent showed they were having a good time in the toughest of conditions.  With no showers, everyone smells and usually has only one running top and shorts with them with two pairs of socks.  But in the end you don't notice the smell and everyone is in the same position.  Also the women wore no make up which didn't bother anyone as the race went on.
Everyone had their breakfast & dinner together and offered encouragement and sometimes a word of advice or even a massage for those aching traps from carrying the rucksack.  They tried learning Romanian, they told jokes and occasionally played tricks on each other.  The transformation I witnessed from day 1 was incredible.  They also got to know the volunteers so the family expanded.
The day after the "long day" (68km) the athletes rested in hammocks, slept, washed their clothes, ate their food and socialised.  This was helped by a surprise from the organisers which I won't go into detail about, as I don't want to ruin the surprise for future competitors.  Needless to say, every competitor was delighted with the surprise and it lifted their spirits as they rested before 42 km the next day which they considered to be "just a marathon"!
There spirits were lifted further when one of the volunteers, John, borrowed my kilt and ran up and down the campsite waving a machete like a madman while the sound of AC/DC played Thunderstruck!  John's past shoulder length grey hair made him look like the leading man from Braveheart and now he's known as The Highlander.
On the final day we witnessed 12 athletes become URR Legends.  The finish line had a carnival atmosphere and family and friends were there waiting to greet them.  The volunteers also had family along which made it a very special celebration.  We had beer at the finish line and once the last athlete was home safely we greeted the sweepers with a standing ovation.  We retired to the local restaurant for some wonderful Romanian cuisine and more beer!
All good things come to an end and when the meal was finished, the athletes said goodbye to the volunteers who had looked after them over the last 7 days.  A few tears were shed as we parted and I know the athletes and volunteers will stay lifelong friends.  This is so much more than a race and that message has been repeated by the athletes in their FB posts following the race.  
The athletes then had 2 days of sight seeing and again the bonds became even tighter between them.  After that first shower back at the hotel and a change of clothes, we all enjoyed real food and the tours that had been organised.
The friendships that have come out of this race are amazing.  I know because 2 years ago I was in the race and DNF'd but have stayed in touch with athletes who took part.  There were three athletes from previous years who came to visit the race and stay in the tents - one even brought his lovely family and another volunteered for 2 days.  That I think sums up the ethos of this race.  It doesn't matter if you are 1st, last or DNF'd - you are part of the URR family and on returning will be greeted with open arms as I was.  I watched 15 strangers from 11 different countries and 40 volunteers evolve into a family within a week - in today's fast paced world driven by greed and material things, this is something very special.
Again I'd like to thank the organisers for coming up with this amazing race that even the top athlete's said is harder than MdS and Grand 2 Grand.  But it's the total experience of genuinely feeling part of a family that is the "prize" you take home.  A lifetime of memories and a special group of likeminded friends.

 

Ultra Race Romania 2023 - volunteers rock!

It has been an eventful 2 weeks and on Sunday I returned from Romania where I was a volunteer in the Ultra Race Romania (URR).  Originally I was going to be running but a health issue ruled that out and my partner ran the race in my place - she smashed it.  I have so much to share with you about this unbelievable adventure that I am going to write 3 blogs this week covering different aspects.  This is the first one about being a volunteer which was a real "eye opener".  
URR had 15 runners and 40 volunteers.  No race can operate without volunteers and I have always thanked them when I was racing but never appreciate the amount that takes place behind the scenes.  This is multiplied considerably when the event is spread over 250km in mountains that have bears, wolves and wild dogs present. There are many aspects of the organisation that I didn't see, such as shopping for food for the volunteers, marking the track and checking it the day before the race passes through, setting up the technology at the new camp every day, handling the press / website / social media /  videos / photographs / allocating roles to everyone / medical support.  It was done with military precision and I have to thank the hard working team of Andrei, Daniel, Eddie & Roxana. I shared a tent with Andrei but he was rarely in bed before 12pm and up at 4.30am the next day, so effectively I never saw him.
Sadly I can't mention all the volunteers by name but a few will get a mention.  But you are all my friends on FB and know how much you mean to me.  Thank you for looking after me.
I was part of a team of volunteers that; set up the campsite for the runners and the volunteers every day, then dismantled it the next morning and repeating the exercise before the runners got to the next camp.  Setting up the portable toilets and dismantling them and getting rid of the waste (Mainly done by Ionel Andone who deserves a medal, or at least an air freshener as he wouldn't let me do it!).  I did end up with the specific role of "water bitch" which I created myself as I could see this was a concern of the runners. When they woke up in the morning they needed hot and cold water for their food and bottles and they needed toilets that worked i.e. not blocked.  After those requirements were taken care of they could have their breakfast, relax and prepare their rucksack for the day ahead.  Unfortunately the hot water required a kettle to be boiled, maximum 2 at a time and that doesn't satisfy 15 runners so there was a lot of running back an forth between the "kitchen" and the runners eating area.  Sometime instructions/requests from the runners could be a bit blunt, but this was usually down to their use of the English language and no offence was meant although there were a few times I had to bite my tongue as tired runners can be demanding and selfish - human nature.
I had to be careful not to spend too much time in their "space" as they were beginning to gel as a group and I was an outsider. But at the same time I wanted to hear how Beth was getting on so I helped with shoulder massages so I could hear their stories.  I had to remember I was a volunteer and not a runner.
Language was a problem with the volunteers but those that did speak some English, wanted to have conversations so they could practice and they were very good - puts us Brits to shame. 
After the runners had received a noisy welcome home from the volunteers who formed a "guard of honour" when the runners were approaching the camp, they headed to the "kitchen" where the chefs had been working hard to provide a hearty meal - one for veggies and the other for the meat eaters.  I'd sit and try and work out from the body language and facial expressions what they were talking about and sometimes someone would interpret.  On day 1 of arriving at the camp Laurentiu Fratila took me under his wing and helped show me what to do and find food for me when I needed it.  He also introduced me to "Palinca", a home made plum brandy or "moonshine" would be a more accurate description in my opinion.  A number of the volunteers had made their own and it was like a competition to whose was the best.  It certainly created a party atmosphere in the evening and why not.  They'd worked bloody hard all day.
This group of people could not have been kinder.  One of the volunteers who had not been well was facetimed and they all sang happy birthday to her.  She been ill and they all supported her through her illness.  Very special people.
This amazing group all loved running with some accomplished runners.  I found out that some had run 24 hours on sand before, they did a lot of mountain runners and half marathon runners.  They had taken more than a weeks holiday in order to be a volunteers which is a hard, physical 8-12 hour day.  Not being used to manual work I was in pain the first three days and would estimate all the bending down and standing up when assembling and dissembling the tents was the equivalent of 180 squats a day.  My lower back and knees suffered but I got through it.
After day 3 I was allocated to check points but that still meant disassembling tents before leaving for the CP.  It usually involved waiting around for a few hours and the difference between the first runner and the last could be 4-6 hours.  After the last runner went through we then became sweepers.  We walked to the next checkpoint and collected all the blue ribbons hanging from the trees guiding the runners - 25,000 over the 250km.  Once we go to the next checkpoint we got in a car and onto the next camp.  There was usually 4 of us and always a local who tested the "bear poo" to see if it was recent and also explain the various paw marks.
Part of the security was 3 scrambler riders and a quadbike rider who drove up and down the course to create noise to keep the bears away.  One rider did see a bear but other than getting a fright, he was fine.
There are other aspects of the race that I will write about this week but I wanted to start with the volunteers who I regard as my friends.  No race can be run without them and we should remember they took holidays and left families behind to work 8-12 hours a day to ensure the runners had a wonderful experience.  My eyes were opened to how much is required to run such an event smoothly and safely and I have nothing but respect for every one of them.  They also slept under canvas for 9 days and had no showers, but they still chose to do it and always had a smile on their face.  It just leaves me to say volunteers, you rock. Thank you.

It's about the people

What an adventure this weekend has been.  The Highlander, Backyard, Last One Standing was an incredible experience.  The rules are simple - 6.7km loop with 146m of elevation and you have an hour to do it.  Then repeat until you drop out.  On average I completed my laps in 49 mins and in the remainder of the time you can rest, eat, stretch and then be back at the start line to repeat on the hour.  If not you're a DNF.  It started on Saturday at 12 noon and I came out of the race after completing the 11th hour, in the dark - 73.4km total.  As I type there are two guys slugging it out and they have completed 32 laps!!!  Can you imagine that?  It doesn't matter how fast you are as long as you complete the lap in an hour and are ready to start again.  The Scottish record is 39.  The world record completed in Austria this year is 103 - yes over 4 days!
Stu only managed 6 laps and was timed out on the 7th lap but his stomach wasn't good - last year he completed 10 and timed out on 11 so it just wasn't his day.
We were both supported by Beth, and Poppy her beautiful springer spaniel, who made sure we had all the food, hydration and anything we needed when we came in - it was a quick turnaround and I don't know how some people did it without support - one of the current leaders has no support and is averaging 40 min laps!
We were delighted to be joined by the legend Rosie Bell who hadn't had a good run up to the race having been injured.  Rosie managed 20 laps and when I went to bed in the campervan at midnight, I felt guilty that she would be self supporting during the night.  The night is very tough as not only is it cold but all you can see is what your headlamp captures and it's easy to become disorientated as to where you are especially in the woods where it's difficult under foot.  When I woke in the morning and opened the van door Rosie was coming in.  She managed 1 more lap but was injured and decided to call it a day or it would set her back for future races - wise call.  But 20 laps!  Almost double what I did.
How do you keep going.  My approach was breaking the loop down.  Run for 2 mins to a speed bump, walk the hill for next 5 mins, turn the corner and run 2k trying to complete each km in 6 mins.  Get to the corner that turns uphill at 18 mins - walk the hill for 16 mins, take it easy through the forest 4 mins, then down hill for 2km to the start.  I was very consisted but in the middle my heart rate started climbing to 190.  My cardiologist had said if that happened take 2 pills.  I did and my heart settled into a better rhythm at a lower rate for the rest of the race - good to know that tactic works otherwise I'd have pulled out.
I met loads of runners, particularly on the long walk up the hill.  Two Polish guys were lovely, one managed 32 laps.  I met Stuart Ritchie a PT who trains people for Everest and other expeditions - check out www.trekandclimbfitness.com.  Everyone had an interesting story.  There was a father (about my age who did 13 laps) with his son & daughter running.  The runners were so friendly but that's ultra running for you.  Everyone employed different tactics whether it be walking the hills and running the downhills or the other way round.
I passed Alan (who I only found out at the end I'd been calling Andy) on the steep downhills as he saved his legs and on my last lap he offered to do the next one with me at my pace to get me round (and over 50 miles).  It was a lovely offer but I had made my mind up on lap 9 that I was only going to do 11.
Was I too tired, no.  Was I injured, no.  Then why stop?  I was bored and didn't have a WHY?  This was an experiment to try a different format.  If you want a mind f@ck, then this race is perfect for that.  If you can be so focused on the plan and not deviate then you'll do well but I didn't have a good enough WHY so decided not to hurt myself anymore than you do running almost 74km.  I have the Amsterdam Marathon in October and I will be pouring everything into that as I have a WHY which I'll share nearer the time.
Beth got to know the other supporters and thoroughly enjoyed their stories.  She put in a hell of a shift looking after Stu, Rosie and me.  Beth has her big race in less than two weeks time in Romania and it was great for her hearing from other experienced athletes like Lynsie and share tips.
For me this event was about trying something different.  What it taught me, if I didn't know it already, was the importance of mental strength because in the end that determines whether you succeed of fail and in this race, only one person succeeds.  Everyone else is disqualified.  I've talked about this many times before but you must have a WHY and the critical question is - How bad do you want it?  That's all that matters, just ask the last two competitors who are going round that 6.7km lap praying that the other guy will drop out so they can stop and claim the well earned title of Scottish Last one Standing. 
I'd like to thank the amazing organisers and volunteers who are there throughout and were always cheering and smiling as we past.  They don't finish till the race is over so it's a long event for them - well done guys.  As I said, it's all about the people and that's what makes ultra running so special.

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!
  

New record set

Last week I wrote about "raising the bar" and by this I meant setting it high.  Reach for the stars my granny used to say, and if you hit the sky you have done well.  
On 26th June the bar was certainly raised when Jamie Aarons completed all 282 Munros in Scotland (mountains over 3,000 feet) in 31 days, 10 hours and 27 minutes.  She beat the previous record by 12 hours and 35 minutes set by Donnie Campbell who inspired her when she heard him talk about his record on the radio.  The previous female record was 76 days and 10 hours.  Can you imagine her mindset when she thought about beating Donnie's record?  
What makes it even more incredible is that she travelled between the Munros by bike, kayak or walked!! Unbelievable, and feats like these continue to drive me to raise my bar, but not to this level. 
As I have said before, it's all relative and taking on the couch to 5k is a huge challenge for some people.
Today I "raised the bar" or pushed myself beyond what I was comfortable with and ran the Stonehouse Half Marathon.  Obviously I have ran much longer than a half marathon distance but this one had 308m of ascent and as an ultra runner, I'd normally walk the hills.  But I decided to give it everything and leave nothing out there which definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone, but it was a race after all not a training run.  If I was lucky, I might even win the V60 category so I was motivated.
Accompanying me was my partner Beth and her daughter Holly who was running her first half marathon.  I knew she was strong but was determined not to lose to her.  Imagine my surprise when I thought I was going well and she past me on the first long climb!  But I was pacing myself as I knew the last 4.5 miles were down hill and I aimed to give it everything then.  I overtook her shortly afterwards and pressed on. 
On the out and back section I passed Holly and Beth coming the other way so I continued, even when it was uncomfortable to push it in the heat.  At one stage when tearing the top off my gel is exploded onto my face, hair & hands but I managed to get 75% of it in me.  With 2 km to go I had my last gel as the fast downhill had taken it toll on me and I was wavering.  That got me to the finish line and I was delighted with 1hr 49 mins - same time as my Glasgow half marathon earlier in the year without the elevation!  Sadly 6 minutes shy of the V60 winner but good on him, that was a tough course for that kind of time.
Holly finished 3 mins behind me and Beth a further 5 mins behind but taking the fastest V50!  A fabulous result all round.
But this only happened because we put the tough miles in and we set the bar high, not for the distance but for the time.  Any discomfort or pain melts away when you cross the line and after rehydrating you feel good about yourself.  I waded into the freezing cold sea up to my "rab hawes" while eating a 99.  After 2 minutes I lost sensation in my legs but hopefully this will speed up my recovery.
Not everyone can be in Jamie Aarons league but we can still set the bar high and when the time comes, give it everything.  It will only make us better.
Back home and we stuffed our faces with good food and I chased it down with a few cold beers.  Now for a bath and then start massaging my lets with my massage gun.  Tomorrow starts another week of training and my "A" race Last One Standing is now only 20 days away.  
When did you last raise the bar and is it time for a reset (upwards!)?

Where you set the bar

Last weekend was epic in Scotland with huge events taking place across the country in scorching weather.  An extreme ironman, the Celtman, took place in Wester Ross.  You're lucky to get out the swim (3.4km) without hypothermia or some nasty jellyfish stings.  The bike (200km) is on a hilly, tough and technical course and the warm down is a marathon with 1,600m of ascent.  If ironman wasn't hard enough then this  really is tough and the finishing times are significantly slower due to it being longer and more difficult than your normal ironman event.  But still people take it on.  I salute any finisher, or for that matter, anyone brave enough to make the start line.  Congratulations to my friends that finished.  You certainly have raised the bar from ironman which is a high bar to start with.
At the same time, the West Highland Way race, 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William with 3,155 metres of ascent started at 1am on Saturday.  Entry into the event is by a ballot, as runners from around the world want to take on this challenge - I've tried twice and haven't got in.  It's a brutal course and leaving aside the winners who manage the event in around 14 hours, getting in under 24 hours is amazing and under 30 hours is still a good result.  To be honest, completing it is a massive achievement and our club mate Paul Noble managed it in 28 hours and 21 minutes on his first attempt.  I have ran the first 53 miles of this route in the Highland Fling and finished in 11 hours 6 mins but couldn't manage another step,  so the thought of going past this takes a lot of mental strength.  It depends on where you set the bar I guess!
I mention those two epic races as I was thinking about them this weekend while I was training at shorter distances.  On Saturday I ran with my pal Stuart as we replicated the race we will be doing in 5 weeks time.  The Highlander, Last One Standing involves a 6.7km loop around the Atholl Castle Estate which you have to do in an hour.  Easy I hear you say.  If you do the loop in 40 mins you can have 20 mins rest before starting again.  If  you complete the lap 59 mins you have a minutes rest, however you are disqualified if you exceed the hour.  Stu and I did four laps but the hard bit is sitting waiting for the next lap.  Do I drink, eat, stretch?  It's more of a mental challenge and while I have ran for extensive periods of time, over 24 hours, this is a different challenge.  Last year the winner completed 39 laps - yes 39 hours and 257.4 km to be the last one standing and everyone else disqualified!
The next day I ran 19km in the heat of the day and it made me think about "where you set the bar".  It was only 19km,but in the heat of the day it was a slog.  Only two weeks ago I ran/walked 60km and I also completed 2 marathons (42km) in the last few months.  So why was I struggling at 19km.  I had a good talk to myself.  Only 2 nights before a good friend of mine had visited me and it took him 7 mins to climb 3 flights of stairs.  He refuses to have a stair lift put in at home because it would be admitting defeat.  I had to physically lift him into my campervan as he has lost the power in his quads, and there will be no improvement.  So who was I to be struggling at 19km in the heat.  He's set his bar high and is defying gravity by hauling himself up the stairs.  Keep it going Al, you're doing amazing and an inspiration.
My next race is a trail half marathon and I'm excited about it.  Beth and I are heading up to Stonehaven to join her daughter and this will be her first half marathon.  It may "only be a half" but I know we'll have to work hard to get a decent time because we will set the bar high.
I'm going to finish on a sad note.  A long time friend of mine died in a tragic accident at the age of 69.  He was young for his age.  Always had a glint of mischief in his eye and read my blog every week.  He enjoyed pulling my leg and he will be greatly missed.  It's a reminder how fragile life is and why we should live in the present and make the most of this wonderful life we have been given.  Rest in peace Nick.  You will be missed but never forgotten.