Basically, it's an extreme ultra running event where the competitors run (yup, I did say run) 250miles in 8 days from Fort William to Cape Wrath (the furthest north-westerly point in the British Isles) over the mountains and through the glens, navigating themselves all the way with no set-out route on the ground for them to follow.
Coincidentally, this time last year I was about to be inspired by another of my favourite ultra runners; Andrew's wife, and my smiliest friend, Lois. Lois was about to run the length of the West Highland Way - all 95 miles of it - in under 30 hours. I remember being knackered just helping out with a bit of support along the way, so I have oodles of respect for Lois and Andrew, and all the other ultra dafties, who attempt these challenges - never mind complete them!
Of course, inspiration doesn't always come from the people who tackle extra-ordinary sporting events. I remember shedding a few tears last year when photos popped up on Facebook of my pal Linda after she'd crossed the line of a 5k run with her friends and family by her side. Linda's journey to get to that place had been a scary, tough and extremely challenging one. But she set herself a goal, faced so many of her fears, and bloody well did it. I was so proud of her then, and I'm feeling a wee lump coming on thinking about it now..!
Emotions were also running high in November last year when I crossed the line of the Supernova 5k at The Kelpies alongside my oldest and dearest pal Karen. Just a few months previously Karen had hardly been able to walk, due to some ongoing health issues, but she took off from the start line that night and there was simply no stopping her! It was an unforgettable moment for me to be with her (once I'd caught up...!) when she flew across the finish line. Karen's determination was awe-inspiring stuff and I'll never forget it.
Andrew, Lois, Linda and Karen are just four among the many, many people who inspire and motivate me - with my husband and my kids being at the very top of the list. And I'll be pulling on all of their stories this time next week when I'm needing a wee bit of courage before I set foot on the plane that's taking me to Tanzania!
It's become a bit of a cliche since the publication of Susan Jeffers' book a few years ago, but 'feel the fear and do it anyway' still resonates with me.
Whether the fear is setting out with a group of women that I don't really know (but who all seem lovely!), to a country far far away; or wondering how I'll manage with the call of nature when I've got issues even using public toilets in the UK...; or thinking about just how sore my bottom's inevitably going to be..; or fretting about how my roomie will cope with the foostiness of my holdall that's been up in the loft for too long and smells like an old lady but I don't want to waste money on a new one; or how much I'll miss Alex as this is the longest we'll have been apart since we were, em, 17; or having niggling doubts about whether I'm physically (and mentally!) up to the challenge of cycling 250 miles over sometimes difficult terrain under the African sun; or any of the jumble of other things swirling around in my puggled head at the moment...whether it's one of those fears or any of the others that are bound to crop up before I leave and while I'm there - I'll be facing them, then doing it anyway.
Yup, I'll be feeling the fear - then I'll be grabbing life by the handlebars and going for a ride!
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(Me and my roomie Sally, the only time we've met, at a recent training weekend. I think I'm saying 'remember to bring a clothes peg Sally!'...) |
