Saturday 27th May 2023
A very surreal feel to the day all day for me. Waking early and trying to think of things that Debbie might need had me going into almost a flutter mode. But I knew that I needed to stay the calm, solid one, which I did. Debbie was breathing those big heavy sighs that I remembered from the time she was running her 10th Comrades marathon a few years back.
That morning in particular, surprised me because until that year, she'd always been the solid, calm one when it came to running. I had been the newbie, doubtful one and yet here she was, deep sighing again this morning. A gentle nudge to make her breathe out hard, thus forcing some of the nervousness out (it works- try it) and sometimes the external awareness of sighing helps the brain catch up with the body.
We set off on an ideal morning for a long run, towards the bus station. It was quiet, being 6am in the village but as we neared the pick up point, we saw the runners, mostly men and all in shorts. We laughed, greeted and watched as all the nimble bodies packed their personal support bags in the belly of the bus. Debbie was in freeze mode, with that almost-grimace of a smile. Remembering her boiled eggs, and knowing it best not for her to eat them on the bus, she chomped them down in a mechanical way. Then the kind bus driver asked if we were getting on, to which we gleefully said 'no ways, thanks'. The doors closed up and off it went.
Then it was my time for deep sighs. What on earth is she thinking? But the surrealism continued as Marlene and Etienne and I set off on the West Highland Way route for a run. Okay, I'll rephrase that... a jog. My body remembered after 2km that I'm very unfit and can't run and talk at the same time so Marlene ended up walking while Ettienne kept his pace up ahead, returning to check on us every now and then.
The route is stunning and in fine spring form and it was great wishing all the hikers a 'Bonnie Walk' and greeting all the dog walkers a happy morning.
Later, we boarded a train into the city of Glasgow for the tour bus trip. The city was buzzing with football matches, tourists, and weekend shoppers everywhere. The thought that I was sitting with my friends in the Gregg's fast foods for a lunch, while Debbie was 100 miles away running up to Kinlochleven is just so amusing. It's like one of my crazy dreams from years ago.
My feet started to complain badly as Marlene was in full shop mode and I almost felt bad sitting on my bum with Ettienne hoping that Marlene gets her 'fill'. I'm so far removed from shopping now with limited backpack space that it was almost amusing, if my feet hadn't screamed at me. I dared not think about what Debbie's feet must be doing.
Fortunately Debbie has sent some voice notes (which is so unlike her-but cold fingers...) at various check points and she sounds in good spirits. The hard technical part starts now as the sun goes down, fortunately it's a very clear night, so the light sky will definitely be a plus. It's almost 11pm and the part of the endurance race when hallucinations and things may happen. I haven't experienced this as I don't do such distances, but I'm familiar with my own hallucinations, lol.
I'm almost feeling a bit bad about going to sleep now, but some journeys must be done alone and this is hers, not mine. I almost fell asleep in the return train trip so I think it might be a quick nod off.
Comments