I always forget just how beautiful Scotland is and it never fails to take my breath away each time I visit.
This time HWMBO and I were up on a fishing holiday – well he was fishing together with his father and I was running so a perfect combination. Unfortunately for HWMBO there was absolutely no water in the Findhorn so no fish to be caught which was a shame but lots of lovely running for me.
This was the view from our cottage, what more could we want. We arrived on Sunday afternoon and after unpacking the car (HWMBO parents seemed to have brought their entire house with them!) I took myself off for short 10k run along the river and over the hills back to the house, it was a perfect way to start the holiday.
As I’m training for the Spartathlon it was sensible to do road running, thankfully the roads near Tomatin are very narrow with passing places, perfect for me as it was virtually traffic free (except for the school bus which I saw every morning) A bit of useless information for you. Tomatin which derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Tom Aitinn meansing Hill of Juniper, I like to educate in my blogs.
With only 4 weeks to go I had 6 sessions to do during the week two long runs, one 25k tempo run, recovery run and a couple of speed sessions. It was easier for me to get up early in order to fit my runs in so I didn’t disrupt the holiday for everyone else.
I did the two longer sessions first. The first of the two runs I ran from the cottage along the river, it’s moments like that when I remember why I run in the first place, it was wonderful to be running somewhere different and the Scottish weather was behaving itself for once.
The Second run was along the same route but this time instead of continuing along the river I headed right up the Glen towards Farr – great hill training. The sheep obviously thought I was a sheep dog as they quite happily ran in front of me rather than going off to the side. Daft animals.
All in all I had a marvellous week of running and managed to get all the sessions in except one which I completed on my return home on Sunday.
Spartathlon is now just over 3 weeks away and I’m feeling pretty excited about the race. As well as preparing physcially (as best I can) I am also preparing myself mentally, so looking at photos, reading race reports and watching the Video so I can try and get a picture in my head of what it all looks like. If I’m lucky enough to finish the race I hope I don’t get lost on the way back, that could be embarrassing!
The competition amongst the ladies this year is going to be tough, there are some amazing runners taking part so I need to do everything I can to give myself even half a chance of keeping up with them!
Its wonderful that the UK is still enjoying fantastic weather, really does help with the heat training. Usually I have access to a sauna, but sadly this time I don’t which is frustrating as its a great way to get my body used to the heat.
I’m half way through another tough week of training with another one next week then I shall taper and fingers crossed achieve my goals.
Happy Training!
