With less than four weeks to go until I take on the challenge of my first Highland Cross, I headed down to Glen Affric today to put in some serious miles using part of the route.
I’ve done the run round Loch Affric before but decided to extend it by running out the the youth hostel at Alltbeithe – the halfway point of the 20-mile foot section of the 50-mile duathlon.
Today the hostel also marked my halfway point and, at nearly nine miles in, would give me a good idea how I’d feel in the latter stages of that long run. I ran from the Loch Affric car park along the north side of the loch first then, after reaching the hostel, returned on the actual route via Athnamulloch and the ‘yellow brick road’.
It’s fair to say my 17.5-mile run today was pretty tough but in spectacular scenery like this I was able to enjoy myself as I mentally ticked off checkpoints along the way. I averaged just over 10-minute miles (including a few stops) which is okay for me on this terrain – I’d be happy enough with that on the day.
The thought of cycling the 30 miles to Beauly after that run was quite daunting but I’m heading out on the bike tomorrow to prepare myself for that next leg!
Here are a few photos from today’s run through glorious Glen Affric.
