Running the Loch Ness Marathon

 
I did it. I survived the Loch Ness Marathon in Scotland, and can make another check mark on my list of international marathons completed. Of course there was more to this trip that just the race, but that was certainly one of the highlights for me.

That probably sounds crazy. And yes, I did get my picture taken with Nessie. She's out there somewhere.

Where do I start to talk about the marathon? In the morning, all runners had to catch the bus at about 7am. We were then transported to the start of the marathon, which was about a 45 minute drive. You get off the bus, and are surrounded by nothing but nature. Seriously. No towns, no people (other than the runners and race organizers), and a few sheep. Even if you wanted to back out of the race, there was no where to go for miles. Kind of a genius idea.

Race morning was freezing. Once we were dropped at the starting line, the wind picked up and got even colder. An hour of standing in the cold is no fun under any circumstance. They did have hot tea and coffee available to kill time and help warm, but it was still bitter cold.
 
 About 4,500 people from all over the world ran this course.

As the race commenced, we were serenaded by a band of bagpipes. Then we were off. The course went along a 2 lane windy road, up and down the hills, all around Loch Ness. The weather turned out to be perfect. Sunny, blue skies, a nice cool breeze, and highs in the 60's made this a perfect running day. The race was well organized, people were friendly, and the scenery just picturesque.








Now, I was pretty nervous about the race. Training did not go well by any means, especially through a triple digit southern summer. I wasn't sure how this would go. Surprisingly, I felt great the entire time. A few blood blisters formed on my toes, but once they popped I felt much better. I knew I was not prepared for the hills of this race, but I didn't realize how underprepared I was. So many more hills than people let on.

Because this route is a bit remote, spectators can't really cheer you on until the last few miles when you enter the town of Inverness. Yet every little dwelling we passed by throughout the day, people were outside their doors cheering us on. Scottish people are so great! There were a few motivational signs along the way, but mostly I just loved being out in nature. Best part, no mosquitos!!!! Not one mosquito bite! I think I might move there just for that. I sang along to my ipod, I ran and walked, and I just enjoyed the moment.

Then I hit mile 21, and I was ready to be done. My calves started stiffening, my blisters were killing, and I sick of  all the hills. Those last few miles felt like an eternity, but not nearly as long as that last one. Anyone who's done a marathon knows the final stretch seems endless. Luckily, the crowd is the biggest at the end. It's hard to not feel motivated when lots of people are screaming for you to keep going.

Finally, the finish line was there and I could stop running. Yay! Once I got my medal, I headed straight for the portaloos. Hours of drinking lots of water had finally caught up to me.
So far, this is my favorite race to have done, despite the fact it was my worst time ever for doing a marathon. Even though I wasn't prepared, this is probably the prettiest course to do. I hope someday to do it again, this time more prepared for those blasted hills. And I even have bragging rights. How many people can say they ran the Loch Ness Marathon?

Next on the list in 2016, Athens Greece. Will I make it? Only the funds will tell.

Less Than Two Weeks Away

It's here it's here it's here!!!

My crazy, marathon running in Europe trip is here faster than I can believe! Am I ready? Not at all.

I leave for Scotland in less than two weeks, determined to run a marathon. This will be marathon number 3, and I've never felt so unprepared in my life. Training for a race in the south during the summertime, with horrendous heat and humidity, has been beyond terrible. I wish, more than you can ever know, that I could stand to run on a treadmill in the air conditioning. I just can't do it.

So I've been up at 4am, drenched in humidity, and covered from head to toe in mosquito bites. And I've never felt so unprepared in my life. Running has been a struggle, combined with a common running injury that involves a lot of low back pain and physical therapy. This race will be the biggest adventure ever. I know exactly what I'm getting into, and I'm nervous.

In the end, I refuse to back out now. So ready or not, here I come Scotland. No matter what happens, it will be an adventure. And who knows? Maybe I'll discover my super power in the process.

Australian Parks

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The last day spent in Australia was reserved mainly for seeing the parks and gardens of the city. There were so many of them, all beautifully maintained. Across the street from our hotel was a beautiful little place that I could go running in. The weather was beautiful and it was a lovely end to an amazing trip. I will just let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

  






   
 



 
   

Walking Tour and . . . an Australian Gaol

 

Melbourne is a large bustling city, full of underground places that are easy to miss at a glance. We took a walking tour of the city in order to get more of an insiders view. 

 

                    We were able to learn a little more history about the buildings, and funny antics about scandalous paintings and other such things you wouldn't normally hear about.

The city reminds me very much of Austin. It is very big on supporting local businesses and artists. We were taken to some interesting places off the beaten path to see these local artists and other architectural gems.

We were also taken to some rather unique and very local shopping districts that were easy to pass by. It was a fun way to spend a few hours viewing such a large city. They certain love their coffee shops and outdoor cafes. I can't say that I blame them. They also love to show off their graffiti alley. Some of it is pretty amazing.

We spent the second part of the day at the local gaol. It was surprisingly fascinating. Of course it was a little creepy too. Every room you wander through had pictures and the story of one of the inmates incarcerated. I certainly wouldn't want to spend any length of time in such tiny cells.
 For an extra fee, and on certain evenings, you can do a haunted jail tour. Essentially a tour guide tells ghost stories, trying to scare you to death. The idea of paying someone to scare me has never made much sense. I opted out of that. Plus we weren't there the night it was offered.
The other night tour you could do was to be locked in one of the cell rooms, in the dark, for an hour.

While locked in the dark, you listen to all the strange and uncomfortable sounds that would go on in such a place. Again, I was not tempted. A regular boring day tour was interesting enough for me.



The other aspect of the tour was to get booked, finger printed, and locked away in a separate 30 minutes tour. I haven't been locked up in an overseas jail before, and decided it might be time.

They give you a card with a name, and details of the what, where, when, and how of your arrest. I was arrested in the park for stalking. It was a beautiful day to do it after all.


They separate the males and the females, and lock you in a cell room for about 5 pictures. Then you're allowed out to take pictures and such.
This area of the jail included   an exercise room, padded cell, and of course an area to take your mug shot.

The officer booking us was about 5 feet tall, and had so much sass and personality we laughed the whole time. It was a fun way to spend an afternoon.