Last chance to run in Scotland

And as I should've expected big plans turn into nothing. I really enjoy visiting the Isle of Arran. The company always provides good conversation but due to family I'm left hanging like a dog staring out the window. I had the opportunity to get out but conditions weren't the greatest. From now on I need to take that open window no matter what.

Loch Garbad

I ran up to Loch Garbad again making sure I beat the French guy with the King Of the Mountain on Strava on the way up. I did, however Strava hasn't granted me the win yet. Hmmmm. I returned the opposite side of the creek and went all the way down to the sea as I did the other day.

A few stops to enjoy the sun, take some photos, and soon I was at the sea. The sun was out yet I was still sprinkled with rain. The temps were warm enough for short sleeves however with the long downhill and the wind sleeves were much welcome.

I hopped on the Arran Coastal Trail and ran the rocky shoreline toward Bennan Head. The tide was in so I'd have to cut my run short as the trail is nearly impassable at high tide. I almost got to Bennan Head but needed to stop to chat with the seals.

Nearly knee deep in mud a few times so I opted for an impromptu bath in one of the waterfalls to ease the shower destruction at my mother-in-laws! With the time change here in the UK hopefully a little more light will motivate. I love runnng trails. 

Isle of Arran, running to Loch Garbad

Here I am in Scotland. After a harrowing road trip still carrying the week's tiredness along I think I'm back to normal. I guess if you call going to sleep at 8pm when you're on vacation normal.

Got out for a brief five miler yesterday. I had big plans but when I woke at 4am the wind was raging off of the sea, rain hammering the windows, and it felt about 40 out. The weather soured my motivation and I decided to stay in, however since I was now streaking days off running I figured it best to break it. I stepped out the door and to my surprise, other than the wind, it was pretty mild out. 

I opted for a run up to Loch Garbad via the trail surrounding Eas Mor waterfall. I hadn't run up there in a few years even though it's the closest trail to where we stay. It's a nice two mile climb to a loch, out and back. It's in heavy conifers too so protected from the weather. To my surprise the trail system had been expanded, now I could more or less make a reverse lollipop adding in a side trip down to the sea then back home. 

Since I broke my streak I'd had nearly a week off. I felt sluggish and tired despite my pace being normal. It was good to get out though. Fresh air. Trees creaking in the wind. All the small drainages were babbling away full of water. Eas Mor waterfall was flowing fairly well too. 

 

Once up high the open fields were shrouded in fog and old stone fences drew your eye onward. I stashed my unnecessary hat, gloves, and jacket behind a tree. The whole area gave the feel of what you would expect from Scotland. Dreary, wet, windy, gray. If you'd never been here, this what it's portrayed as in all the movies. Not that it's a bad thing. All environs have their own beauty. It's up to the person to appreciate it and see what is happening. 

The trail system is fairly steep. It's not single track but looks like someone took a bulldozer and plowed a path with it. Bridges cross the creek in multiple places and fences keep people safe from cliffs. The view at Loch Garbad wasn't very photogenic but I tried my best. The run back down didn't last long and soon I had run all the new trails popping out onto the road. I kept descending until the raging onshore winds were spitting sea water on me. I took a minute to enjoy the smell and sound of the sea and reminisce, staring at the erratic wind fetched swells I daydreamed I was standing in my surfing wetsuit looking for the best peak to paddle out on.

People in full Goretex, hoods cinched tight, gave me a funny look as I ran by in short shorts and a thin long sleeve. I made my way back up "the track" to Whin House Apartment where we were staying. I opened the door the happiest I'd been in a week. My medicine never fails me.

And the streak ends. I made it 110 days. Then family life destroyed it. A stressful weekend in and out of the hospital, sleepless nights, little support, and I pulled the plug. I had time. I had the want. But just decided I should focus on something new I guess. I was doing it for myself, not for anyone else. Funny though as the wife didn't even notice.

Running in general is stressing me out. It's my only escape from everything so it's necessary but I'm putting too much pressure on myself considering my life right now. I think I do this because it's the last shred of "me" that is left since moving here. I want to do a few races just to get out and see things but I'm not a tourist, I want to be competitive. 

Training at night is an enormous pain in the ass and it's all or none. I can't rotate it with morning runs. The wife claims she'll get up early so I can run but I need it consistent which it won't be. 

I guess I just need to be patient and maybe someday I'll get some morning time back. 

It's actually odd. I didn't get to run on the Wyre with the Chariot today and now the streak is over I just don't care. Before I'd be excited to get out at night, now there is no immediate goal. 

I skipped JKD too. Just exhausted. Unmotivated. I thought I had it in me to be "that guy." You know the one who does it all, happy all the time. I guess I must have been wrong. Maybe I should just sit on my ass, eat like shit, watch tv. I'd probably have friends then. That's where I've been wrong. 

Off to Scotland this Thursday and I've been told I'll have time to run so hopefully I'll get at least one solid run in and get away to see something and take some photos.

Streak Day 100

Day 100 was yesterday. I was hoping for a solid 13 miles with the Chariot and then at night another 3 to 5. 

The weather was horrendous. Not that it stops me normally but many roads were closed due to flooding and the winds were raging. Not too motivating. Add on the recent bouts of sleep deprivation and I relegated myself to the treadmill.

Yew haw. 5 miles. Well I've made it 100 days though which is pretty cool. 

And snap! It all falls apart! Kids are either sick or teething thus no one is sleeping. Add that to whatever sickness I'm carrying around and I've got nothing. I'll admit it was nice this morning to lay on the couch watching tv while the little guy slept on me despite being 4am! 

I'm having doubts about a 100 miler this year. I just don't know if I'll be able to get the miles in. So any hopes for Western States or UTMB would be gone. Not that they are anything near guarantee anyway with such high entry numbers. South Downs Way 100 is the key race that I need to qualify for both lotteries. That said, with UTMB I'd still be one point short of qualifying so unless I do a second 100 miler that chance is out already. Doesn't do much for motivation. 

Maybe I should just stick to 50 milers for now. I don't know. 

Despite everyone being exhausted today the anger factor has been low which is good. For me a second round of coffee along with heavy metal music instigated a solid session of handstand pushups which were very refreshing. 

As I sit here my daughter is forcing me to play playdoh. I'm tired. I drink a cup of coffee laced with coconut oil with hopes I perk up and also get rid of this fucking cough I've had for over a month. No point in going to the doctor as all they'll say is "it's a virus, it will go away in time." Then send me home. 

The days on my feet add up. The training seems pointless sometimes. It's not the quality training I want. Why can't I commit to the process? Family obligations take priority. 

I listen to podcasts about guys running 100 mile weeks, married, have kids, and a full time job of 50-60 hours a week. They race nearly twice a month, all distances. I try to find their secret. The component I lack. I think I know what it is and it will never change. 

The little guy is awake. Time to get back at it. Soon it will be bed time. Run time! This streak now keeps my motivation up, almost at 100 days! And I like that. 

I took six easy days and I got fidgety! Day 7 and I'm building my miles back up. Hoping for 30 plus this week, see how I feel and then up to fifty per week. 

After six "off" I had a real nice 5 miler. Super low heart rate at a reasonable pace. Just goes to show recovery is key. 

It's time to do more longer runs, 15-20 milers. Should be interesting fitting them in. I can always double up on runs on Chariot days where I put in a fairly solid day run. Add in another 5 plus miles at night isn't too much "family strain" once a week. I'm not really excited about 20 miles at night but if necessary I've done it before. 

In other news the streak continues!