Double Conic!

My 53 mile ultra is approaching rapidly and I need to prepare my body and more importantly my mind for this event.  I could probably do with another 3 or 4 weeks to prepare, but that’s no available so a bit of cramming is required.  A tough week at work and a tough weeks training, especially this weekend.
Saturday was a 31km run on a section of the race.  It involved going up over Conic Hill, down to Balmaha and along the side of Loch Lomond before retracing my steps.  Fortunately my pal Stuart was running with me because as we started the climb I didn’t feel “I had it in me” but he encouraged me.  The rain started and I was all for chucking it at the top and heading back down but we stopped for a couple of photos of the breath taking views and spoke to a young couple from Wales.  That break did me the world of good.  My spirits lifted as I headed down the hill but at the back of my mind I knew I’d have to be coming back up this hill.
I seemed to get a second wind and as the run went on I seemed to get stronger.  We finished strong and I was relieved to be finished but felt completely drained.  We headed off  to get something to eat as there was nothing left in the tank.  So glad I didn’t allow my mind to talk me out the run - it almost did.
Today was going to be tough.  A 2 hour run up Ben Ledi.  Again I was lucky to have a couple of pals with me, Michael & Beth.  However the weather conditions didn’t look favourable. 50 mph winds predicted and that was at ground level.  When we were head into wind we were almost at a standstill but worst of all was the cross wind.  It almost blew us off our feet and when we got to the summit we didn’t hang around.  Our descent was fast as the wind blew us down hill but when we reached the bottom we had to refluel as the tank was empty.  We took a chance on the weather and got away with it.  The scenery was stunning and it certainly blew away any cobweb we may have had.  We are so lucky to have this scenery on our doorstep.
Back to back runs are what gets me ready for long races and tomorrow I have a 2 hour run on tired legs.  It should be interesting but I’m looking forward to it as it takes me 1 step closer to my goal.