West Highland Way - Recce of Rowardennan to Inversnaid

The only part of the Fling route I hadn't been on previously is the above stretch. I had no idea what it was like other than there is a climb out of Rowardennan. So I set off this afternoon after circumnavigating West Dunbartonshire trying to get to the bottom of my car problem. Eventually settling for the local Vauxhall dealer at Dumbuck. They should know what to do, as everyone else seems to think it's another garages problem. mechanics think it's a bodywork problem, Bodywork think auto electric, etc etc.
Anyway, as I left Lindsays I turned up to Bowling Roundabout to head back to Balloch. And just kept going due to a tailback caused by roadworks at Milton. Went the scenic route by Carbeth which took a bit longer but was a pleasant trip. I arrived at Rowardennan about 2.30 and set off at an easy pace, not wanting to blow up as I didn't know what I was going find. Plenty of walkers and I managed to keep a decent pace up the hill, evoking a well done from more than one! Poor souls had probably been walking all day and when the old guy goes past at a jog having run less than 2 miles he gets the plaudits! Anyway I found the going good,and kept up the pace until hitting a stretch of rooty,rocky,steppy going that was more like what I expected. Views spectacular on a nice cool day where the sun made the occasional appearance between clouds. The only drawback was one of Cordner's cruise boats giving the guided tour of the loch to the residents of Stirlingshire as well as their paying passengers. Does it have to be that loud?
Reached Inversnaid in 1hr 22 and took 10minutes to eat crisps and a banana. Refilled water bottle from remnants of a Gatorade I'd had to wash the crisps down and set off back. Is it my imagination or is the climb back up steeper on that side? My natural heart rate monitor started it's alarm. You know the one you see in cartoons when the heart beats out of your chest? BADANG BADANG. Slow down,boy.
Seemed to walk a lot but got back to Rowardennan in just a couple of minutes slower than the outward journey. Maybe a fast descent into Rowardennan helped. Quick rub down and change of clothes and home in time to make the tea! After a nice cool bath.

WHW Inverarnan to Inversnaid and Return

After Tuesday's run I only ran on Wednesday, 5 miles steady round the Balloch and Lomond Shores before doing some reps and Fartlek with my JogScotland group for a total of about 9 miles. I didn't feel too good on Thursday and missed the club,although I didn't fancy reps prior to the weekend, and Friday was always going to be a day off as I intended joining the Glee Club for their long run on Saturday. On Friday night though my son who is diabetic had a bit of a virus/sickness and after failing to keep down his tea, fell asleep on the couch before I realised some time later that he was no longer with us, having slipped into hypoglycemia. I tried for about half an hour to bring him out of it, but wasn't having any success, so woke my wife, who had gone to bed early, as AJ often responds to her voice rather than mine when in a hypo. I often aggravate him when he's in that state (not on purpose, he just reacts that way)and so it proved as his mother's voice helped him accept the sugary foods and drinks we were trying to feed him and he came back out of it. Traumatic, and the worst he's been for a long, long time and indeed probably the worst I've experienced. As opposed to his mum who has had a few crackers when I'm not there! So we'll be looking for a hospital appointment for this week to sort his regime out. He's been like this ever since the doc put him on 4 injections a day. Something has to change.
We had a sleepless night as a result and in the morning I got up to go to Tyndrum and as I got dressed came across two blister, filled with blood, on both my feet. The skin was hard but I had no way of covering them and didn't want to run about 36 miles with feet like that. Back to bed and into the chemist later that day for some blister plasters. And of course on cutting back the skin, found they had been about so long that they had heeled inside and were no longer a problem! They'd probably been there since Sunday's 1/2 marathon, but I hadn't felt a thing. As good a warning as any to inspect my feet more regularly.
So plan B. I had made a decision not to run with John's group due to the travel involved, so decided to go to Inverarnan and do an out and back down the lochside. I hadn't had a good run on the very first training group run back in November and I still haven't run the stretch from Rowardennan to Inversnaid, so decided to see how I ran and play it by ear (or more exactly by legs) as to what I did. I set off a bit later than I'd planned. The clock going forward had been correctly adjusted but left me a bit tired and cuddled in again after the alarm went off. However the third (or was it the fourth snooze option) got me ejected and I finally hit the trail about 9.25. Initially a good run with snacks taken regularly enough, and the Ambrosia rice after about an hour definitely had an effect and is in the nutrition plan from here on in! I met JR and a good sized group of his ladies just north of Inversnaid and decided then to turn at the hotel and catch up for some company. As I caught them they had met up with Graham who had followed me down the loch after dropping some of the group at Rowardennan. He and I ran together for a while before hunger took over and I stopped for a bite to eat. I can't believe how quick energy gets eaten up on the trail and will have to gen up a lot more on that! Graham got away but his company had given my speed such a boost I decided to call it a day at Beinn Glas. Just over 3 and a 1/2 hours including breaks. Not too many miles but I hope to put a few in this week when my new shoes arrive. I was in road shoes as my Salomons are definitely not my favourite shoes and may now become, months after Debs warned me, "kicking about shoes". They look pretty good with jeans but are too loose around the foot for my problematic gait. Likewise my Inov 8 shoes are fine for x country or short trail runs locally, but lack cushioning for longer stuff.
SO. My good and generous wife was ordering my son and heir a new pair of trainers last night and I struck like lightening to order a pair of Mizuno Wave Harriers. Why? I love Mizuno's fit for my road shoes. I must have had about 10 pairs of various versions of the Rider, and I rarely get a good fit on Asics so the Trabuco would have required a bit of a chance, and anyway I love the YELLOW colour!

WHW Training Run Beinn Glas

One call off from Geraldine so it was Jimmy, Andy and I who set off for the Drover's where we were to meet John Kynaston et al for the first of the organised runs to familiarise ourselves with the Way, or re-familiarise in the case of the old hands. It was a stunning morning, once we left the Vale that is, as it was shrouded in mist that hung around all day. Other than some ice on the A82 it was a great day for the drive and after introductions, and a team photie we set off at 9.30 heading to Inversnaid and back, with the option of going on to Derrydarroch or Carmyle for the truly mad.
Soon after setting off though, it became apparent that the -6 degree temperature meant that ice on some of the boulders was going to be a problem, and so it was. For me, among others, and several times at that. There was a cracking pace set at the front and everyone seemed to be keen to get to Inversnaid quickly. However about a mile short of the hotel I began to have a bit of trouble with my ankles and knees, objecting to the frequent re-corrections to my balance and then my calf started to niggle. No problem I thought, just slow down, get to Inversnaid and take your time back. So after a drink and a couple of sweets I turned with Jimmy and Andy but soon let them go on as I could feel my calf tighten even more. That however was to be the least of my troubles as about a mile north of Inversnaid I slipped again, my left leg going left and the right followed through, before coming to an abrupt halt as I toe-ended a boulder. Bloody sore too, and I soon realised that I was in a bit of bother as the foot wasn't able to stabilise me as I progressed over what I'm assured is the worst of the WHW terrain. It was almost six miles of difficult walking, interrupted by a slow jog when I was on good going. Getting back much later than I expected, we were unable to partake of the Drover's hospitality as Andy was due at work at 3pm.
Home,then, for some RICE treatment to the joint of the big toe of the right foot that seems to have absorbed the worst of the impact, and to avail myself of the brownie points that I seem at the moment to have in credit. And some painkillers.
I noted, too,the absence of Mr Pacepusher, whose wife had accused him of having manflu, but who today rather guiltily admitted that he really isn't well. Make the most of that Neal!
I ran with Caroline for a while early in the run and she was really running well, taking full advantage of my trailblazing to avoid the slippy bits! I didn't see her after Inversnaid, so I hope she managed without me. :-)
Thanks to John for the organisation, and to all those who turned out.And for those Milies who had a lost weekend following Friday's presentation and whatever "cure" was taken yesterday; there's always next time!