Run Britannia Week 4: Abington to Fort Augustus

From battling the elements and road rage, navigating countless bridges along the meandering Clyde on the way to Milngavie, and experiencing pure joy as my shins allowed me to tackle Conic Hill on the iconic West Highland Way. From the physical demands of technical terrain near Loch Lomond to the breathtaking majesty of Glen Coe, to the Great Glen itself. Is the end in sight?

Week 4 Statistics:

• Distance: 187 miles
• Moving Time: 55 hours, 57 minutes
• Elevation Gain: 5744m

Cumulative statistics

• Distance: 786 miles
• Moving Time: 240 hours, 38 minutes
• Elevation Gain: 22055 m (2.5 x Mt Everest)

Day 23: Abington to Strathclyde Park - Rain and Road Rage

Rest day over, a 45 minute transfer to start back on the link road to the A74(M). It was two thirds road, and then a glorious third through woods and into Strathclyde Park and the rowing lake. The weather turned for the worst at lunchtime with lashing rain and a cold wind, exacerbated by being on the exposed hill and increasingly speedy cars on the road. It was cold. 

But it was made all the easier when Lesley arrived for the last 5 or 6 miles or so to walk back to the hotel. 

The shins continue to improve with a faster walking pace achieved. Still swollen and a feeling like a clamp tightening with every step. But much improved. 

Day 24: Strathclyde Park to Milgarvie - Bridges and more bridges

A shorter day today - just 25 miles following the meandering Clyde through fantastic country parks right on the doorstep of Glasgow, before taking a right at the Transport Museum, and tracking through Kelvingrove Park to Milgarvie (Mull-guy).  Bridges. Bridges. And more bridges. 

Lesley left after 18 miles to return by public transport to the car at last night's hotel, and then home. I fitted in a few 100m runs thrown into the walk today to test out the shins. I'm moving better but still needing the exoskeleton taping. 

Straight into the hotel in the afternoon for a nap. Ready for the West Highland Way tomorrow. 

Day 25: Milgarvie to Rowardennan - Iconic Conic scenery

The start of the West Highland Way is from a shopping street. It quickly opens into countryside, with snatched glimpses of the hills to come. 

I'd been taped up with the lesser blue tape today. No exoskeleton needed. A good day to test out ascents and descents, so when the option to go up Conic Hill or take a shorter, flatter detour was given, it was a no-brainer to give it a go. It felt liberating. My legs were allowing me to do what I'd come here to do. I kept repeating to anyone that would listen how I couldn't believe I could do this after the state I was in only last week. Joy. 

The final photo is of me with Sam, the physio, who has helped me so much. Sam was the one who I chatted to a year ago when I came to the event for a day, just before I was due to have surgery on my knee and not sure if I'd still be able to do LEJOG.  He gave me the confidence that it would be fine - and it has been. Just these bloomin' shin splints. Thanks Sam. 

And then the descent to loch Lomond, a lovely walk along the shore, to the most lovely of hostels half way up the loch. Bliss. 

Day 26: Rowardennan to Bridge of Orchy - technical terrain 

We were warned that the first part of today, along the northern half of the loch, was sketchy. Ups and downs. Nothing that Hackfall Woods couldn't prepare you for though. Just it went on for 15k. 

And then it opened out, mainly following the A82, but usually the road was just far enough away to not be a distraction from the ever changing scenery. Chips at the pub at the end, and then a quick transfer to the hostel with it's dorm rooms and beds not made for people who are 6' 4". Still, good to have some homemade tea, instead of the same restaurant stuff again. 

Day 27: Bridge of Orchy to Fort William - Glen Coe

I've been to and through Glen Coe several times. It never ceases to amaze. Photos don't do it justice and it's a bit of a tourist honeypot, but the feeling when run/walking there from Lands End beats them all. As you come around the corner, off Black Mount and Rannoch Moor and you catch the first glimpse.  Wow. 

Up The Devils Staircase, behind Aonach Eagach and across to Kinlochleven for lunch. You know you're in Scotland when there's  a deer wandering around the village. 

It was a long hard climb back up and then down to Glen Nevis. Energy levels were low but knowing that I'd nearly completed one of the longest days with the greatest elevation for some time kept me going to the end. To a different hostel (with the same beds). 

Day 28: Fort William to Fort Augustus - wet, wet wet

The end of the week is in sight. A relatively flat day today. All along the first part of the Great Glen Way. 

There's the Caledonian Canal, which leads into Loch Lochy.  So good they had to name it twice.  The rain came down, and then some. 

The rain prevented loads more photos - it was just too wet. But one thing I had to do was return a sacred pool ball that Matt found in Fort Augustus two years ago, and for some reason had picked up as a momento. This Run Britannia baton was handed to me before I started, and my job was to come full circle and return it to from where it was found. Job done. 

My reflections on this week are about recovery and realisation. 

Who'd have thought with ankle and calf swelling and shin pain, made worse by moving, that, with the help of taping and just taking it a bit easier, it would start recovering. The normal thing to do is rest, but just keeping going seems to be working as well. The timing of the shin splints worked out well, with shorter mileage days last week and early this week. And now the miles ramp up again. The feet are doing pretty alright too. No new blisters despite the rain and soaked feet yesterday. 

It's not just seeing all the fantastic scenery that's the amazing thing, it's when you get there and you think about the journey to get here. Not just the 4 weeks so far, it's the 2 years in the making. The planning, the training, the mental preparation, the obstacles overcome. The number of times I thought I wouldn't even get to the start line in the first place, and then doubt at the end of each day that I could start the next day. The realisation of what's taken over my life for so long is brought home by just reaching each and every next step. I still can't quite believe it. 

One more week to go. But it's still the distance from London to Birmingham. And back.  

John O'Groats here I come!