It's a fine balance

69 days to go before the West Highland Way race.  Anyone who has done the race before would point out that my training isn't what you'd normally be doing to be successful (i.e. finishing) this race but as they say, if someone throws lemons at you, make lemonade!  Consider this an "experiment" in approaching training for such a long race in a different way and only on 23 June will we know if it's worked.  In my head, which is important, unless there is a physical failure then I'm up for it.
What I've lacked in miles, and time on the WHW, I have made up for with gym rehab/strengthening work and yoga.  My knee wasn't happy with some downhill steps at the end of 21km at Chatelherault but fortunately I had an appointment with my sports therapist the next day.  On Saturday I did some speed work intervals on the treadmill and some strength work.  But the test was today.  Repeats of Tinto hill (711m).
Stu and I set off at 8.30am and with all the rain we've had, the bottom track was treacherous.  I said on the way up, "we'll need to be very careful on the way down".  As usual despite some blue sky the summit was clagged in so poor visibility, the wind was howling and it was very cold.  Heading down my knee let me know it wasn't happy, but it wasn't sore.  I suggested to Stu that rather than go all the way to the car park we should turn back up where it starts to get wet and muddy.  After all, we just wanted the elevation - Stu is doing the Highland Fling (53 miles on the WHW in 2 weeks time).  We summited for the second time and I decided not to do a third summit as I'd rather finish with no knee pain.
Everything was going well till we hit the wet muddy trail.  Stu & I both slipped at the same time.  I immediately felt my knee and tried to stop - suddenly both feet were off the ground overtaking my head that was accelerating towards the ground.  I instinctively spread my arms to help with the impact.  It happened so fast but the collision with the ground set off my Garmin Incident Alert and I couldn't stop it from sending messages to three of my contacts.  Two came back to me immediately which was reassuring, but a bit embarrassing.  My back and bum were covered in mud but I was lucky there were no rocks there.  Stu and I took it easy in the final section but even in the last 10m we slipped but didn't fall.  Normally I'd have been running with poles and would have caught myself but the WHW doesn't allow them so I'm training with out them.
It was a reminder of how easy it is to take a fall when running, especially on trails.  Every foot step is a potential ankle turn and the WHW has some rough sections.  The good thing about my strength training is that it helps my core which is so essential, especially on uneven ground.
My training has been dictated by circumstances and it's a fine balance.  I need to do sufficient running to get me to the start line but not "cram in the miles" as I will risk further injury which would rule me out of my "A race".  I know this is a problem for lots of runners and with the race season about to take off, Boston Marathon tomorrow, London Marathon next week and The Fling in two weeks time, take care and don't push it too hard. 
This weeks message is to get the balance right based on how you are feeling.  If you can't do the miles do some other form of training to keep your fitness and strength up.  And here's to you avoiding a "soggy bottom"!