Well, that's us done then!
The new finish is so new it's not even finished yet. It's just a building site.
Ah well, better stop running now!
Thanks to the boys for meeting us at the finish...sorry about the smell!!
Saturday, 22 May 2010
MILES SHMILES!!!!!
Fort William here we come!
....and so our final day is here. We've been really lucky with the weather this week. It's been short sleeved tops all the way and it looks like the jackets will remain firmly in the bottom of our packs today.
The lack of progress reports have been a combination of no signal and a need to snooze! We will fill in the missing details soon.
We now need to force feed our breakfasts and then we'll be ready to run the last 14 miles.... sorry, 15 miles....forgot about the extra mile that's been added on!
All being well, we should finish about 1.30pm.
Friday, 21 May 2010
Ben Nevis
The slog up the Devil's Staircase was rewarded with this view of Ben Nevis in the distance.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Spot tonight's accommodation...
Apologies for the lack of info on the last 2 days..... we've got poor reception and no computer access.
The 20.5miles yesterday was long and tiring but it brought a smile to our faces when the landlord said we were the earliest guests to arrive from Rowardennan....EVER!
Today's 16 miles have been easier.
I'll get Jenny to send a more detailed report.... when I can get her out of bed...and find a computer!
Rannock moor and the Devil's Staircase tomorrow!
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Day 2. Drymen to Rowardennan
Well, I sit and write this in the absolute luxury of Anchorage Cottage on the shores of Loch Lomond. I'm in the lounge and the window next to the computer has an amazing view up the Loch with the sun on the water making it breathtaking....
Today has been a day of two halves... in fact, it feels like we have been on two runs today - one this morning and another this afternoon.
We left Elmbank at around 9.15am and after a short detour back up the road of Drymen we were back where we left the WHW yesterday afternoon. By around 10am we had overtaken 90% of the crowds and had the route to ourselves. A good track headed up through the forest and we were soon at the junction to head up Conic Hill. Here, our jammy luck continues as it only reopened up over Conic Hill on Friday having been closed for access for four weeks for lambing. We were happy as happy could be making our way across the open moorland and slowly picking our way up Conic Hill. We briefly left the WHW for a scramble up to the summit at 361m. Here we had a short rest to soak in the surroundings before retracing our steps to rejoin the WHW. Well worth the detour as the views were just incredible.
After a short and gnarly descent we were in Balmaha to top up water and take a break at the shores of Loch Lomond. We wolfed down a couple of Eccles cakes and reapplied suncream. In fact, Paula did it that way round which was much wiser. I applied suncream and THEN ate Eccles cake resulting in bits of puff pastry sticking to me. In fact, I've just found a bit now!
As we set off for the 7.5 miles from Balmaha to Rowardennan, the run felt very different. We were next to the Loch and meandering up and down, but it was nothing like the fell-feel to the morning. By now it was getting pretty warm, and some of the undulations (descibed in the guide book at 'becoming wearysome by the end of the day') were becoming wearysome. By 2pm we eventually made it to the Rowardennan Hotel and after a half hour of lying by the lake on the grass we headed into the pub for
- 1 packet of salted nuts
- 1 garlic mushroom starter
- 1 jacket spud
- Half a lager
- Obligatory pint of tapwater
Each!
The only drawback was a very poor jacket spud, but hey ho, the sun was still shining and the skies were still blue :-)
By 5pm were were happily established here at Anchorage Cottage, and well in need of showers. We also did our washing for tomorrow and despite temporarily loosing my running bra, and then finding it, but walking down the road thinking it was my handbag, things are good.
Anchorage cottage has an amazing terrace area - where the photo below was taken. There we were, lying on the sunloungers when the B&B owner asked us if we would like a glass of wine. Well, we had to accept an offer like that. Sadly, we only managed a glass each and he looked most suprised when we returned half a bottle of wine just now. I've now got a cup of tea on the go.....Paula, the show off, has ventured as far as a Hot Chocolate!
Its 7.40pm now, so time for more kit fettling and off to bed...
So, what next? Day 3 is looming over us like a bad smell (oh no - thats my running trainers!) I think we'll have a hard day tomorrow. Its 20 miles and more up and down-ing and the terrain is going to be tough. The forecast is set to still be good but could be really warm... so look out Crianlarich!
Today has been a day of two halves... in fact, it feels like we have been on two runs today - one this morning and another this afternoon.
We left Elmbank at around 9.15am and after a short detour back up the road of Drymen we were back where we left the WHW yesterday afternoon. By around 10am we had overtaken 90% of the crowds and had the route to ourselves. A good track headed up through the forest and we were soon at the junction to head up Conic Hill. Here, our jammy luck continues as it only reopened up over Conic Hill on Friday having been closed for access for four weeks for lambing. We were happy as happy could be making our way across the open moorland and slowly picking our way up Conic Hill. We briefly left the WHW for a scramble up to the summit at 361m. Here we had a short rest to soak in the surroundings before retracing our steps to rejoin the WHW. Well worth the detour as the views were just incredible.
After a short and gnarly descent we were in Balmaha to top up water and take a break at the shores of Loch Lomond. We wolfed down a couple of Eccles cakes and reapplied suncream. In fact, Paula did it that way round which was much wiser. I applied suncream and THEN ate Eccles cake resulting in bits of puff pastry sticking to me. In fact, I've just found a bit now!
As we set off for the 7.5 miles from Balmaha to Rowardennan, the run felt very different. We were next to the Loch and meandering up and down, but it was nothing like the fell-feel to the morning. By now it was getting pretty warm, and some of the undulations (descibed in the guide book at 'becoming wearysome by the end of the day') were becoming wearysome. By 2pm we eventually made it to the Rowardennan Hotel and after a half hour of lying by the lake on the grass we headed into the pub for
- 1 packet of salted nuts
- 1 garlic mushroom starter
- 1 jacket spud
- Half a lager
- Obligatory pint of tapwater
Each!
The only drawback was a very poor jacket spud, but hey ho, the sun was still shining and the skies were still blue :-)
By 5pm were were happily established here at Anchorage Cottage, and well in need of showers. We also did our washing for tomorrow and despite temporarily loosing my running bra, and then finding it, but walking down the road thinking it was my handbag, things are good.
Anchorage cottage has an amazing terrace area - where the photo below was taken. There we were, lying on the sunloungers when the B&B owner asked us if we would like a glass of wine. Well, we had to accept an offer like that. Sadly, we only managed a glass each and he looked most suprised when we returned half a bottle of wine just now. I've now got a cup of tea on the go.....Paula, the show off, has ventured as far as a Hot Chocolate!
Its 7.40pm now, so time for more kit fettling and off to bed...
So, what next? Day 3 is looming over us like a bad smell (oh no - thats my running trainers!) I think we'll have a hard day tomorrow. Its 20 miles and more up and down-ing and the terrain is going to be tough. The forecast is set to still be good but could be really warm... so look out Crianlarich!
...just chilling
Question...After a hard day's running, what could be better than chilling out by the loch?
Answer... a very nice man asking us if we would like red or white!
Monday, 17 May 2010
Day 1...Milngavie to Drymen. 12 miles.
...and so, 2 years after Jenny first propositioned Paula about the prospect of running the west highland way, the day had finally arrived!
It was very busy around the obelisk marking the official start of the Way with lots of walkers, a bunch of cyclists and 2 slightly mad runners all milling around taking photo's and enjoying the perfect weather.
Photo's taken, sunscreen and vaseline applied, a little smile to each other......and the adventure began!
The town was soon left behind and the Way followed dismantled railways, through woodland, passing a couple of small lochs, open spaces giving glimpses of mountains and our first sighting of Loch Lomond.
All in all, an easy first day promising greater, harder, hillier things to come...
Sunday, 16 May 2010
Going the extra mile....
NEWSFLASH.... The West Highland Way has been extended to 96 miles!!
Must dash.....We've got a train to catch!
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Emergency blanket!
Amy insisted on trying out nanny's emergency blanket.....
...but refused to refold it!!
Thursday, 13 May 2010
The trainers can now be packed...
Paula, Jenny and Amanda had a very careful, steady trot on Humphrey Head.
This completes the training.
The run passed without incident or injury...apart from being chased by frisky cows and doing something illegal!
This completes the training.
The run passed without incident or injury...apart from being chased by frisky cows and doing something illegal!
Bigland Tarn
Bigland Tarn...Scotland is thatta way!Penultimate run around Bigland...a run of lakes, fab mountain views, coastal views, bluebell woods, deer and tarns.
One more short run to go ...and then the trainers can be packed!
YIPPEE!
One more short run to go ...and then the trainers can be packed!
YIPPEE!
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Planning meeting
Half a chocolate cake aided the thinking process during the final planning meeting! Yum Yum!!
Saturday, 8 May 2010
WELL DONE BOYS!
With only a week to go until Scotland, Paula and Jenny had to sit this one out and support the boys in their effort to run the 40 miles between Keswick and Barrow via Thirlmere, Grasmere, Elterwater, Coniston Water, Lowick, Kirkby Moor and Dalton.
Bill...6hr 54min... 124th
Glenn...7hr 29min... 196th
Cary...7hr 35min... 210th
Phil...9hr 10min... 475th
Last year, Paula and Jenny completed the 40 mile route in 7hr 53min finishing 140th overall and equal 14th female!
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Lucky Ladies
Morecambe Bay fron HampsfellHow lucky are we to be able to run amidst scenery like this whenever we want??
Monday, 3 May 2010
The virgin Jenny!
The Pudding StoneAfter spending a 'laid' back half hour along the shore of coniston... Jenny 'went all the way' to the pudding stone without stopping and she is a coniston trail route virgin no more! ;-)
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Scottish Theme Night...
Paula is thinking ''How can I eat Haggis when I can't even bear to touch it....?''Luckily she bought some emergency sausages.......
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