Reframe the challenge

The key to building up for a long distance race, is back to back runs.  If you are doing a 75km race there is no need to run the distance before the race.  Running two consecutive days of say 40km followed by 30km will suffice as it's running on tired legs that you need to practice. Getting "comfortable being uncomfortable" is the phrase that springs to mind as you need to prepare your mind for the discomfort that lies ahead and get used to pushing through that potential hurdle.  To some people hurdles are an obstacle but to others they are a form of exercise - yes we're back to mindset again.
I exactly 3 weeks time I will be putting this to the test as I will be on day two of my 125km Ultra.  Day one will be 75km so my legs definitely will be tired and there is plenty of elevation to remind them that it's going to be a tough day.  I'll have dined alfresco eating a freeze dried meal and slept in a tent which is not quite the same as having a warm shower, a lovely meal and sleeping in your own bed but I will feel much closer to nature which will be invigorating. 
On Friday I headed off to the mountains with my pal Michael and we completed 4 Munro's over 35 km with 2,240m of climbing.  It took 6.5 hours and we were met with low cloud base, snow fields to cross, high winds and eventually some sunshine.  The last summit was spectacular and we enjoyed taking some pictures before heading down.  Even with the best navigational equipment we couldn't find a path and had to walk straight down the mountain which hurt, quads, knees, ankles, & toes - picked up a blister!  There was a short run out at the bottom through a lovely forest but we both decided just to walk it as our legs had had a tough day.  The thought occurred to me that in 3 weeks time I'd have a similar ascent to climb but over 75km not 35km but that I'd still have 40km to go to finish day 1 - just short of a marathon!  Then I'd have another 50km to go the next day.  Thinking like that isn't good for me so I reframed it into a wonderful day out in the mountains with like minded people and how much fun we were going to have with the beautiful scenery.  That felt better and more positive.
On Saturday I headed off for a solo trip up Ben More and was hoping to continue onto Stob Binnein.  This is the forth time I have aimed to do this but once again the weather conditions were poor.  I choose Ben More because the ascent is relentless - 1hr 14 mins of constant ascent with no break.  But even before I set off I could see the cloud base was half way up.  When I got to the summit I couldn't see anything.  The sun looked like it was trying to get through but visibility was very poor and being solo I didn't want to take the chance of being on a new route.  My legs had "enjoyed" the short sharp reminder that they had had a hard day the day before so I decided to take my time on the downhill which is tricky and as the rocks and mud were slippy, I strolled down the hill.  It was busy so I chatted to people who were heading up and based on the footwear of some, if they made the summit the descent would have been extremely slow.  When will people learn the Scottish mountains are dangerous and proper equipment is required or you are putting yourself and others in danger.  The other reason for going slow was my feet were sore from the final descent the day before and I had an annoying blister on my toe in an unusual place.  So the pressure of a steep descent was, uncomfortable and I did what I could to make it less uncomfortable which resulted in a stroll.  It gave me a chance to take a load of pictures when I was out of cloud base as the scenery is spectacular.
I might not have covered the miles that I was scheduled for, but I'm here writing my blog which means I got off the mountain safely.  Had I been with others I'd have gone on but the ascent certainly gave my legs a workout.  Getting off the sofa last night required quite an effort as my quads were complaining and required an extra push.
It's been a good weeks training with a few mid week 16km runs to keep me ticking over.  My gym work is slightly hampered by golfers elbow and a shoulder injury but that doesn't stop me working my legs. Whether you are running your first 10km or marathon or ultra marathon, if doubts flood your mind on the approach to the event (I haven't done enough training is a fairly typical one) then reframe the challenge.  I was not going to enter the Tahoe 200 in 2019 because I'd heard negative stories about the organising of the event and safety concerns but then I reframed the challenge and regarded it as a "survival course".  Turns out that was the case and allowed me the mental strength to get through the challenges that came my way.
I am really looking forward to the challenges that Ultra 125 X Scotland will offer me but running with my Canadian friends Kristine and Mike will make it an exciting adventure.  I've enjoyed the journey to prepare for this event and the "cherry on top" will be completing it successfully.
I leave you with the message, we're all capable of so much more and if you want to overcome challenges then reframe them in your head.  Go on.  Raise the bar and enjoy the journey.