Born to Run

It's only two days to go to my biggest race of the year. Most people that read this blog don't need me to tell them that. They are either doing it or I have bored the hind legs off of them talking about it.
Being injured during the taper has been a weird experience. Everyone has been concerned with, are they doing enough running, too much running, not enough sleeping, too much eating. My only thought is - will my Achilles be okay by Carbeth huts. Even my support plans are just a last minute thing instead of the weeks of research, versions and what ifs. Luckily last years plans are good and it was only a case of changing the year at the top. But do you know something? The taper has been much easier. I haven't stressed at all or worried. It is out of my hands and there is nothing I can do. So on Saturday morning I will line up in Milngavie and run. I won't look at each checkpoint and think I must go faster or slower but instead thank someone (I am not entirely sure who, maybe some ultra running God) that my injury hasn't played up and I am allowed to go on.
Don't get me wrong. I have still tried to do as much as I can to make sure I am on the start line not completely out of shape. I have been to Hampden Park Sports Science Centre. I have had awesome support from these guys this year and it has been great to be able to bounce ideas and receive so much wisdom from them too. They prodded and tapped and said that they hoped I would be okay for the race but not to run again until then. And so it has been two weeks of aqua jogging and cycling. I swear that by the time this race starts I will be faster swimming the Loch.

So like I said before - it's two days until the race. How will it go? I really don't know. But two weeks ago Scott Bradley was winning the Hardmoors race when he collapsed. Thankfully he is making a recovery now but it does bring all this ultra racing back down to earth a bit for me. Nothing is as important as life. No race is and everyone has to remember that. No use finishing the WHW to then spending 6 months recovering or worse - never recovering. We are born to run but it should never take over our lives completely. With this in mind I will start the race. Will I get to the first checkpoint? Will I finish? I certainly will try my best. I will also remember a bit of advice Scott gave to me once - "If your not enjoying it, then your going too fast" Its been invaluable over the last two years. So if it all goes pear shaped then I will also remember one more thing - in the end there is always next year.
JK - did we ever discuss the 5 year plan?

And so I just want to finish off wishing everyone a fantastic race on Saturday, newbies and old timers alike. Try to enjoy it, have fun and enjoy the whiskey on the finish line.
Thank you to all the organisers, marshals and support crews that will battle against the midges, rain, cold and give up their weekends so that us nutters can run. Thank you so much. :-)
See you all in Milngavie. I can't wait. :-)