a run, a walk, and a hop over the the Misty Isle!

Wow - what a fun-packed and active past week it has been - not just a walk but a run too!

I have to admit I thought my running days were well and truly over...I used to be a keen runner but now I'm not so sure...it has been four years and a wee bit since I last attempted to pick up the pace:

Cape Wrath Challenge 2008

Edinburgh 10k 2008

Both these events took place in May 2008, and I haven't run since. I certainly became lazy, and walking became my new friend in the latter part of last year.










But behind every former-keen-runner who is happy to hang up her trainers, there is a former-triathlete-hockey-player-badminton-player-golfer-plus-every-other-sport-going-and-still-so-very-active mother, keen to push - I mean encourage - her children into the next crazy event.

After visiting Glenturret Distillery in February, Mum got an email about the Perth Kilt Run taking place on the 2nd of June. It sounded like a fun event, as well as a chance to be part of breaking a World Record. But I was worried I'd be unable to run after four stationary years. Thankfully, my mother forced - I mean encouraged - me (and Andrew, Ross and Dave!) to enter - paying our entry fee to ensure we had no choice in the matter!

With a week to go, training was a word that never crossed my mind. I'd have to fluke it and hope for the best. But I certainly was nervous. We arrived in Perth early to check in, and there was a distinct Jubilee-related buzz aboot the toun. The nerves increased as 2pm got closer and closer...although a pre-run crisp roll went down a treat.

We began from the North Inch in Perth, and the park was filled with lots of happy people. It was amazing to see so many runners in their kilts, and soon we were powering our way through the park, being cheered on all the way. The atmosphere was incredible, and I ran most of the way with a smile! Now if all running could be like that....I'd be far more keen. We ran alongside the river, round the South Inch and back up to the North Inch for one more lap. It was a lot of fun!

Sadly we were 16 runners short of the World Record but that didn't take away from the success of the event. Already looking forward to next year!

Faith was slightly restored in my running ability, as I did enjoy it. Given my lack of training and the warmth of the day, I was pretty pleased to run 8k/5m in under an hour (definitely room for improvement though!):

Although I'm sure the times are correct, I have to say that the most accurate part of the above shot - which certainly summed up my feelings following the event - is the part that says Status: Finished.

Days of agony followed...and my wee legs were glad to get back to walking (hold on - does 5 miles an hour count as running? It's faster than ambling, that I know...). But inbetween the run and the walk was a fortunate hop skip and a jump over to Skye - which was just what was needed at that moment!

Dave and I left Perth just before 4pm and got to Skye just after 8pm after a beautiful - but quite slow - drive on a sunny evening. It was my first trip back to the Misty Isle since the beginning of November, my last tour up there. I was itching to get back, and as always, it didn't disappoint. We had some great weather and I found myself literally jumping for joy...

 

We got home on Monday evening, both of us with sore legs and the end (for Dave) / beginnings (for me) of a cold. Tuesday brought yet another day off work (ta ERII) and a chance to rest...

But rest was not to come yet...myself and my awesome colleague Jenny had planned to use the extra Bank Holiday to climb Ben Vorlich but my achy legs were struggling to get on and off pavements. A Munro was just impossible. We decided to do a shorter, flatter, and more relaxing walk - and where better do so than the Borders?

We rendezvoued in the car park at Tesco Colinton, stocked up on supplies, and talked over the route plan. We then took a lovely drive down to Melrose, and left a car there. Together we drove to Selkirk, parked the other car, and attempted to find our way out of the town. This proved more difficult than it sounds, as the Borders Abbeys Way takes you steeply out of Selkirk towards the fields beyond.

Given that we've been planning walks for other people for over three months now, Jenny and I were more than a little bit excited to be heading out ourselves. We were proper kitted out and everything -

 

The walk was lovely - the scenery was incredibly relaxing, and it was so nice just to stroll along and not have to think about much at all.

Most of my anxiety was focused on getting through the fields of sheep, the fields of cows, and worst of all, the fields of sheep AND cows. Especially when they stared us down...

We had a yummy lunch on the shores of Cauldshiels Loch, although we moved on fairly quickly due to the yucky flies that were everywhere!

I enjoyed the latter part of the walk the most. Once we've figured out how to get round the building site at Abbotsford House (including conquering a peak...of mud) we were onto the river-side path, and followed the Tweed all the way to Melrose. It was lovely. Again, relaxing, straightforward and thought-free.

After 10 miles we reached Melrose, with the Abbey in view ahead of us. The rain was beginning to fall and it was great timing on our part, as the heavens opened not long after we got into the car.

I've done one and a half stages of the Borders Abbeys Way now, and plan to do the other three and a half in the coming months. I look forward to seeing - from a walking perspective - what Jedburgh, Hawick and Kelso have to offer. So far, St Boswells to Melrose was wonderful, and Selkirk to Melrose was also fantastic!

Ye just cannae beat the Borders.

And now - a week since the Kilt Run and my muscles have finally forgiven me. However, I'm still choked up with the cold and taking it as easy as possible. I'm genuinely excited about the walks and Munros that are still to come, and I hope you are still ambling along with me as I go...