So this is it. The last week. One of the longest weeks which promises so much: scenery, completion and elation.
Rest day in Inverness was just that: rest. Breakfast in the hotel; a coffee, scones and lunch at the Botanical Gardens opposite; and a nap. My school friend Seb, who now lives in Aberdeen, came along to stay overnight and join the fun on Sunday. The thought of two more 38+ mile days played on the mind - could I cope?
Week 4 Statistics:
- Distance: 206 miles
- Moving Time: 60 hours, 6 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 4868m
Cumulative statistics
- Distance: 992 miles
- Moving Time: 300 hours, 44 minutes
- Elevation Gain: 26923 m (3 x Mt Everest)
Day 30: Fort Augustus to Kiltarlity - Monster day
Back to Fort Augustus to rejoin the Great Glen Way. Seb mountain biked it. The hard climb up was well worth it - to see the infinity loch that is Loch Ness.
We passed the Nessie museum - but didn't see anything mysterious. Leaving the loch to head north along forest tracks that just kept on going up and up, like an Esher staircase.
Day 31: Kiltarlity to Lubfearn - back to the forest
Along to Muir of Ord for a coffee, and past the distillery. Helped a local lady who fell over the curb on her way to the distillery to meet her friends. I did check she hadn't been on her way back from the distillery after sampling the delights (!). She hadn't and was fine. We walked her the 200 yds to her friends in the cafe.
More forest tracks that went on forever leading to a carpark in the middle of nowhere.
Day 32: Lubfearn to Lairg - All hail Alladale
I forgot to set my Garmin off - so there's a mile or so missing at the start. Expecting more forest tracks, the weather held to reveal the most fantastic valley ever - Alladale. I'd never heard of. No major footpath. Isolated. But beautiful - with a lodge located at the head of the track (self catering - available for hire!).
It was just how you imagined an isolated highland valley. Perfect.
Back on the road, passing a shedded snake skin, to Lairg, via Loch Sutherland and Carbisdale Castle.
Day 33: Lairg to Kinbrace - bog day
Lairg is on the banks of Loch Shin. The local store amused me. I really could have done with it about three weeks ago.
Surely today can't surpass yesterday's treat? Well, after 12 miles of road, we turned off and into 'bog day'. Three or four miles of bog-hopping. That was fun.
And then we reached the head of the pass which revealed Loch a' Bhealaich and Loch Choire. Wow. Wow. Wow.
This ultra is the gift that keeps on giving. The video from a drone that Jamie, one of the other participants, made, captures it's majesty far better than my photos ever could.
A dragon fly enjoys the peace and quiet.
But then there's a 15 mile track to navigate. The sort where you can just about see the whole 15 miles and it takes forever. We're treated to a view of the weather in the distance which just looks like a daytime aurora borealis.
Day 34: Kinbrace to Mybster - tricky tracks
A 35 miler loomed. Still a long way. It felt like JoG was in touching distance but still so far away. Again, roads to start with, then forest tracks, and more tracks.
The monotony broken for the last 4 miles when the family arrived and joined me. I had my bag and poles carried. Luxury - especially for my aching back. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Day 35: Mybster to John O'Groats - this is it
The day has finally arrived. I can't believe it. It's been so long in the coming. Not only the five weeks. It's the 18 months since I signed up and didn't sleep because I'd committed to something that seemed impossible. And two years since my friend Matt from my running club completed the same event and I was mesmerised. On his return I said how I'd love to do something like that but hadn't even done an ultra and couldn't consider doing anything like that. 'What's stopping you?' he asks.
And here I am.
I still can't believe it. The energy and anticipation in the minibus is high. But the weather's not playing ball. Wet.
The morning is roads. It gets wetter. And colder. Lesley joins for a bit. Stories are told as we all reminisce.
A celebration lunch at 17 miles warmed us up. Tea and sandwiches. We all received an orange arrow. The ones that have guided us to all the 100+ pit stops over the weeks. The orange arrows of joy.
And then the gift gives even more. A boggy path over the cliff tops doesn't matter as it reveals the flagstone cliffs and Stacks of Duncansby.
To Duncansby Head lighthouse. I don't want this to finish. But I so want it to finish.
A 2 mile trot into John O'Groats and it's over.
My reflections - If you want to do something that seems impossible, surround yourself with people who will support you and from whom you can learn; take time to research and prepare; then change that mindset from impossible to possible.
I'm no ultra runner. We can do anything if we want to and are privileged enough to create the opportunity. I may not have completed every mile - two half days or 32 miles lost to shin splints. But it doesn't matter. I'm on the mend and feel I couldn't have done any more. And I finished on a high.
What do you want to do next? What's stopping you?
LE Petit JOG
Le fin!
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