Back in May 2015 I embarked on my biggest ever challenge… London to Paris cycle challenge. In 24 hours!
So here’s the deal – Cycling for 24 hours covering 190 miles was epic and recounting it all in this blog will take some time. So not to overwhelm you, I’ve decided to give you bite sized instalments just like my chocolate advent calendar! I’ll try not to keep you more than 5 minutes a day… can’t promise though!
Lets see how we get on… 
Well, it was a long time coming, and it took a long time to recover but on the 29th September 2013 I ran my first ever marathon!
In the weeks leading up to the main event I tried out different hydration with electrolytes and carbohydrates and opted for SIS Electrolyte, High 5 gels with carbs and caffeine, different running clothes and even changed to the dark side and became a user of the ‘fanny pack’ aka marathon belt! lol
I got my own charity vest printed 
and it arrived with only a day to spare! My running water bottle was ready, my pre-race clothes had been selected for warmth and comfort and I knew my old faithful trainers would be the best thing to keep away the blisters! Considering the 110 mile pedal for Scotland cycle only a couple of weeks before it, I chose to have a sports massage by a local physio and despite the pain I felt it was worth every penny!
So Claire and I headed up to Inverness on the Saturday before the race on the Sunday to calm the nerves, to register and to participate in the ‘Baxters Pasta party’ which at £10 a head sounded fair and would avoid the city centre restaurant congestion with all my fellow marathon runners. The drive up from Glasgow to Inverness via Perth was beautiful with stunning scenery all the way up the A9. I was on a real high but also pretty nervous so it was with great relief that we arrived at the event village to register in once piece! We headed through the tent full of things to spend your money on and I picked up a hooded top, thinking, it might be my first and last marathon so I might as well get a decent memento!
Once we’d filled up on pasta and listened to Bryan Burnett hosting guest athletes and giving us lots of information about marathons, we headed out for a few photos
Then we left the village and went for a wander through the Islands (the romance of the location from my last visit was still with me) to let the pasta settle then we headed to Claire’s flat mates parents house over in Culloden where we had a wee cuppa and some of Claire’s banana loaf! I was still nervous so I took the offer of a wee glass of wine whilst watching Strictly come dancing! I filled my water bottles and got into bed for about 10.30 p.m. then woke up a number of times thinking I’d missed the bus!
The alarm went off at 6 and I crept about getting my Golden Syrup porridge with banana accompanied by a can of red bull and exited the house. On arrival I was already aware I’d drank a lot of fluid so queued for the loo before selecting a modern bus and getting on… we sat for quite a while and I was on the verge of getting back off the bus for the loo before it headed off along the A82 towards Drumnadrochit. Yes that’s a real place name!
Well, as you can imagine, on a bus without a loo and all the liquid I’d consumed, by the time we were passing Fort Augustus I was pretty desperate! Thank goodness my brother phoned to distract me for a while as the bus turned off the main road and headed up the B862 and crawled up the big hill towards the start line. By the time he was off the phone I was dancing in my seat but at last I could see the portaloos in the distance… HOWEVER, just as I was thinking the end was in sight, a Steward stood out in front of the bus and directed us off the road and round into a small circular hard standing! As I lept off the bus I decided it was about a mile to far for me to make it so, like some of my fellow passengers, I had to nip behind a parked van! PHEW! What a relief to know that I’d not be starting the race with wet shorts!
It was only 8.30 a.m. when we were dropped off so we had 1.5 hrs to spare before the start. 
Thankfully, God was with us and the weather was amazing – clear, high pressure, dry and lots of blue skies! It was a bit nippy though! So I queued for a coffee then queued for the loo, then drank some juice then queued for the loo, then took off my outer gear and popped it in my bag along with my baggage label and with just minutes to spare, had another loo stop!
I joined the crowds hoping to finish around the 4hr 30 mark just next to the team of army guys running with full packs for the Erskine charity who support veterans. I could hear the race start announced over my iPod tunes but it took us a few minutes to walk the mile down the road to the start line and I just remembered to start my Strava App to capture my stats!
The first two miles were really nice… I went at a steady pace, I didn’t feel too cold and I was delighted there wasn’t much jostling for position on the road. The only thing was my marathon belt was bumping about a bit (woops, yes this was the first time I’d used it but I’d always done laps for my big runs and stopped off at the car to avoid having to carry supplies. There was method to my madness – at the 110 mile cycle they were completely out of gels by the time we got to some of the feed stations, which was a bit crap plus the gels they were giving away for free at Baxters were really thick and gloopy so I’d wanted to take my own High 5 plus gels with caffeine as I knew they were easy to digest and didn’t choke me while I was running and swallowing). I tightened up the belt and jogged on down hill. At the 5 mile mark, I felt my hill training really paying off as there was a significant steep hill to climb and despite the gradient, I was able to kick in, keep a strong wide stance and actually pass people (probably people from Denmark or somewhere else flat!).
2013 Loch Ness Marathon Map
I knew that had taken a bit of energy out of me so I took the second of my gels and made a mental note to take one every 3 miles if I could… The water stations came and volunteers passed out bottles without the lids so that saved a lot of faffing about which was great.
The course was undulating and though some people were passing me on the down hills, I was strong in passing them on the uphills! The same faces kept jogging past then me passing them! At one point there was a girl with a bright pink top to keep my focus, then a man with knee supports, then a couple of older ladies who really really made me dig in… they must have been in their 50s! Hope I’m that fit when I get to that age!
Well, I was pretty pleased with my efforts and I remember thinking how quickly we’d got to the half way point and how I still felt strong and steady.
2013 Loch Ness Marathon Profile
As the course carried on with its ups and downs, I could feel the effects of the up hills catching up with me by the time I got to the 16 mile mark. I had a wee silent prayer, ‘Dear God please help with this bit! ‘ and then, I caught up with a man with ‘Jonny’ “WE ARE MACMILLAN CANCER” green vest on and then he seemed to recover a bit and kept pace with me… he was tall with floppy brown hair and in fact looked like a tanned Jesus! Ah just the ticket! Strangely enough, I jogged with him for about 2 – 3 miles until I had cramp in my left calf and had to have a few limping hops! I made sure I took on electrolyte drinks at the next available station to combat the cramping.
Oh it was getting painful now… as I approached the 18 mile hill I caught up with a girl I’d met in the loo queue and had a bit of a chat and we both agreed we were a bit spent so we had a very fast walk up a bit of the hill before I decided to jog on again then had to walk with another attack of cramp – I stretched it out and watched a gap open up between us as she jogged on ahead.
As the hill tapered off at the top, there were a number of people I’d seen before running a bit faster than me and I realised my stride had shortened significantly and I was getting shooting pains down the outsides of my knees… but I knew that going slow would just prolong the agony so I dug in and kept going and for a little while it was a relief to be going down hill a bit. At 22 miles I was overwhelmed with delight to see two familiar figures – the people we were staying with in Culloden had come to support me… I shouted to David to get their attention!
“Only 4 miles to go Lorna, go on you can do it!” Well you will see by my split times those 4 miles were a struggle (not as much as mile 20 which was the killer)… it was amazing, from running in the middle of no-where, I was suddenly amongst houses and realised with delight that I’d made it in to Inverness. The road turned left down through an estate and then along past some massive houses which sit next to the river. The crowds were cheering me on with my name on my top and it really lifted my spirits. My legs were now very very sore – the calfs were so tight I was finding it hard to run and the tendons had moments of shooting pain. However, with thoughts of the end I carried on, down to the river side, along past the cafes, restaurants and hotels then up to the bridge and back down the other side.
I was elated to see Claire sitting on a bench cheering me on – “you are doing brilliantly you’ve got a really fast time… its just round the corner!” AYE RIGHT! – I’ve done this to her before during the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way – “yes yes I’m sure we’re nearly there, just round this corner” and made her walk another few miles!
Well she was telling the truth – it was only a matter of a few hundred yards… I encouraged the guy running beside me to put in a sprint finish, and as we approached the finish the crowd were shouting my name to which I responded with a few leaps and a cheer before crossing the line and stopping the app completely astonished that I’d done it in 4hrs 34 minutes!
I woke up in the middle of the night… nope not time to get up yet… back to sleep! Then the alarm went off at 5am and I felt a bit sick – nerves, middle of the night hunger? Well it was time to get going… I had a quick shower and got into my lycra (After the cold temperature on my Saturday cycle I thought it best to wear long sleeves under my cycling top. ) I forced down as much porridge and banana as I could stomach along with a bottle of lucozade sport to start the carb loading. Then, not wanting to miss out on my daily caffeine I took my coffee with me in the car.
I met my brother at The Quay in Glasgow at 6.20 a.m. and we drove in convoy along to the Gorbals Leisure Centre where we parked and got ready. Within a couple of minutes we were on our bikes pedalling along the path at the other side of the River Clyde from Glasgow Green and the start line. Squeeeeek Squeeeek Squeeeek – having washed my bike the night before, my chain was in need of some serious lubrication! Oh dear, not the flawless start I was hoping for! Sadly the bike maintenance team were not on hand to help! A quick loo stop and then we headed to join the crowd and wait for Stuart to arrive. I thanked the Lord for the clear skies but hoped it would warm up a bit.
It was a few minutes after the 6.45 a.m. start when we crossed the start line (I was one handedly trying to start my Strava App at the same time!) We took it easy heading out of the park and on to the main road. Despite our eagerness to get going (it was pretty cold) we obeyed the red lights and headed along the road parallel to the Clyde before heading South along Eglinton Street and past Eglinton Toll then on down through Shawlands along Pollokshaws Road and through Thornliebank. We agreed between us to take it easy as there was a strong headwind and another 105 miles to go! I was feeling a bit tired when we came to the first major hills and I worried that my 12 mile cycle the night before had maybe been a bit much. By the time we got up past the Osprey pub I was already bursting for my first emergency stop! haha too much liquid consumed with breakfast and on the way to the start line in the car!
There was an amazing view oof Glasgow over our shoulders as we headed out along the Stewarton Road which helped distract us from the massive hill, also having lots of other people cycling at the same time was a good motivation to keep pushing up hill. The cycle was lovely when we got to the top and then went at a much faster pace along the rolling hills before turning left and heading out to Galston for our first very welcome stop at 25 miles. I was delighted that the Decathlon chaps were there and I got a bit of lubrication for my chain and a bit of an adjustment for my front derailleur which seemed to be rubbing a bit.
After our first stop we began a long climb up a hill. I think we had stopped too long as my legs were dead – they were full of lactic acid and I had no strength at all! I almost felt like giving up and I wondered if the others would go on without me if I got dropped behind! Miraculously it wore off a bit and we continued together. When Stuart pointed to the biggest hills in the distance in what seemed to be the wrong direction I though he was at it! However, true to his word the route wound round to head up the biggest hills in view! I was a bit demoralised as we weren’t even half way there and I was already really struggling to go up hills in the headwind. I was so grateful to have David there going at the front with his strong legs and determination. I tucked in behind him and followed him up the road past a forest and onto the top of a moor where the wind seemed so much stronger. Even though I was struggling, I was keen to take a shot at the front and give my brother a rest so I tried my best to push on over the moor. It wasn’t long before David pedalled past me seeing that I wasn’t getting far very fast!
There were seriously dark clouds and a lot of wind as we came down off the moor into a village and turned left. Not only that but the road was in a terrible state and the surface was more akin to off road than tarmac! My poor saddle bottom was killing me and i was flinching with every bump and certainly not relaxed. Just as I felt nearly ready to cry, the sun came out and we all cheered up significantly… answered prayers!!
The road wound on and it felt like it went in every direction except that of heading towards Edinburgh! There were some nasty challenging climbs and some rolling hills where we had a bit of relief from the pain of climbing! We were not defeated by this little beast which reared its head on our horizon dotted with people walking up! I would not be beaten!
The hills were hard! There were many times when I questioned my ability to complete the challenge! At the 2nd feed stop I felt so sick when I had to force myself to eat a sandwich! It was really cold when we stopped to change David’s tyre after a puncture and I to don my ‘bus home’ leggings to keep the chill off!
I’ve never been so mentally and physically challenged in my whole life but we did it – it went on and on and on over 10 hours (8hrs 45 of which were moving forward!) I could not have achieved it on my own as I really needed the support of my team David and Stuart and for that I am truly grateful.
Somehow we managed to clock up 2.5 extra miles to that advertised! The cycle down into the Stadium was almost delightful – mostly downhill and with the knowledge that we were nearly there!
I tried to get us to do a team Sky entrance to the stadium but it was a bit narrow but we arrived together as a team with our hands in the air to celebrate!
Hanging around for another 40 minutes at Glasgow waiting on the transporter with the bikes wasn’t much fun and by that point I was wearing every piece of clothing I’d taken with me to avoid getting a chill!
What a day out! Thankfully my lovely friend Jill had made me macaroni cheese for my dinner to replace my lost energy and I had a fantastic hot shower to wash away the aches and pains in my elbows and neck! The day after it was mainly my hamstrings and my wrists which were sore!
So with 2 challenges down and 1 to go I took a day’s holiday from work and rested!
Oooft! Today was a long one! 21miles from Drumnadrochit to Invershnecky (Inverness).
It started on the main road (A82) footpath with lots of fast traffic terrifying the dog. Then as the path cut off the main road, I tripped over a step and the dog water bottle went flying out of my rucksack and ricocheting off the ground while I crumpled to heap! Poor Winnie, who was just clambering under a gate, freaked out, stood up, knock the gate off its hinges and bolted away up the path! Thankfully we were both okay! The path climbed away from the road up through a field into the forest. We climbed up 1,245 ft to the viewpoint clearing, took a photo and cruised on through the woods.
The rest of the walk took us through more woods, across a moor, through another forestry commission road then down an overgrown path, onto a road past some houses then over another moor, through a mixed forest and down into Inverness!
I passed a few people but it was a very quiet path with not many views to report. Thankfully I love trees and there was a huge variety of species, each with a different quality of light penetrating to the ground which looked like a green velvet carpet in some areas and barren rough terrain in others.
Once in Inverness we passed through a small estate, along the Caledonian Canal briefly then down to the River. The island we passed through had lamps like those in Narnia and lights strung between them. Oh the romance!
Would be nice for a romantic trip back here in the future!
The path left the River and headed up to the finish at the castle! Woop woop we made it!
Thanks to Claire for being my support vehicle and welcoming me at the end with a pear cider and a bowl of water for Winnie! Once reunited with Candy we got a team photo taken at the finish post!
ooof
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Day 4 at the little sister camp [in a Geordie accept](we’ve moved to the highland riding centre and Borlam campsite at Drumnadrochit and I am in my horsey element!)
Today has been more challenging I’ll not lie.
Winnie and I left the crack of early.. We arrived at the Invermorriston car park and were hoofing up the steep Great Glen path out of the village by 8.20 a.m. 3 hairpin bends and a long ascent in the first mile awoke the calves with a shock! Off the back road and into the forestry commission road the ‘talk to the hand’ sign reminded us not to climb on the log piles. Chance would be a fine thing! Winnie and I were focused on the end game of 15 miles and subsequently stomping forth!
The forest road led to a turn down to a path and a sign post indicated we could go right along the great glen way or left towards the stone chair… Against my instinct of conserving phone and leg power we headed left and up a hill to the seat and a stunning view point down to Loch Ness. A lot of today’s walk hid the view behind the trees so I’m glad we made the effort to climb up to the seat.
The path led down and joined another forestry commission road then the great glen ascent commenced up and up hairpin and more hairpins through the forest to amazing view at the top of the hill looking down to Loch Ness but no monster her just flies!
With the sun out it was taps aff and a fantastic route fit for a mountain bike descended along the loch until we reached a gate and had to ascend again through a small linear community. It was Tarmac roads along towards Drumnadrochit until the path cut away to the left and gentleman caught me belting out ‘sweet nothing’ by Florence Welch and Calvin Harris! Woops rein it in!
So nearly there but my wee left toe was yelping with a blister and I decided to head directly to the tent and not do extra milage by going to the other side of the settlement and thus I will have to complete the full nine yards tomorrow (18 miles) to complete the challenge!
The dogs are exhausted and sleeping in the tent porch after our 18 mile walk from North Laggan to Invermoriston today.
We amazed even ourselves with a 0900 start!
The fist bit was an old railway line then we walked alongside the canal until 9 miles and Fort Augustus. The weather improved from overcast to sunny and by lunch we were walking in vest and shorts!
With the heat increasing it became necessary to get Winnie to learn how to swim to keep her temperature down. By throwing sticks just beyond her reach in deeper water she gained confidence!
Meanwhile Claire’s feet were paying the price of wearing boots yesterday and were now covered in blisters. There was a lot of painful silence as she concentrated on getting back to our abode. I totally agree with her decision to call it a day, dress her feet and relax after the 9 mile point.
Me Candy and Winnie enjoyed a short lunch break, some water (coffe and millionnaires shortbread for me) then walked past the locks and on up out of Fort Augustus where a decent forestry commission road led us up and along the hillside next to Loch Ness. Only a short rainstorm caught us and we escaped the forecast thunder and lightening. It was hard dining half the walk alone with no tunes but soon we arrived back at the Audi in Invermoriston glad to have made the 18 miles! After picking up the other car and after brilliant shower, dinner was at the Lock Inn tonight- crab salad yum!
Cheers! Just enjoying a wee vino now and looking forward to day 4 and a walk to Drumnadrochit 😉
Up early today and thought the weather looked awful so it was tempting to stay in bed! It rained all night and there was a wet patch just next to my sleeping bag. (Leaky ground sheet honest!)
After a few minutes we had a change of heart and decided to pack up and move north… An hour later we were sipping costa lattes making our way up the A82 to Fort Augustus.
We pitched the soaking tent, unpacked and drove back to Lagan where we parked one car outside a kind gentleman’s 3 garages (he was off up to Inverness for the day he told me when i enquired where to park round her). All aboard the other car, it was twenty minutes to Gairlochy. By this time it was noon, ‘start the strava app!’ And off we climbed up through a forest path along side the loch.
The path wound up and down alongside the Loch in and our of forestry commission areas.
Highlights included meeting a woman with two blind dogs… Overtaking a group of three proper (carrying tents) walkers… Then loosing Candy and having to use a dog whistle app to get her back, and overtaking the walkers again, arriving at the composting toilets but unable to use them as we didn’t have a key and finally reaching the first parked car at the end if our 14 mile day!
We headed south back to the start to collect the other car, headed north home to our tent and enjoyed dinner at the Bothy next to a staircase of Lochs in Fort Augustus.
Hoorah! first 10 miles of the Great Glen Way have been enjoyed!
We arrived last night, pitched the tent, popped in to town (Fort William) for a chippy and crashed out. With only a short walk planned for day one we had a leisurely morning cooking pasta for lunch and brewing coffee.
We started the Great Glen Way in town around noon.
2 Dogs Jog and I blog 