Running, idiocy and injuries

Hard to believe but a year has almost passed since the last Mighty Deerstalker event and Saturday passed was the second occurrence. Once again, mad bastards like myself trooped down to the grounds of Traquair House in order to run through bogs, up steep hills, down bike trails, through rivers and pipes, all while trying to light the way with a woefully underpowered headlamp.

The route was largely the same as last year with the bonus of not having the second section of river wading. However, the heavy rainfall of the previous days had left the ground completely sodden and sections that had previously been well compacted dirt were now two inches of wet mud. My next purchase for fitness is definitely going to be a pair of spiked running shoes.

I’d been trying to persuade Sandy to run the Deerstalker as well but he wasn’t particularly up for it but offered the chance to pair up for the Glentress Duathlon on the Sunday instead. Bizarrely I agreed. The run was a lot of fun but my legs were absolutely fucked by the time I’d finished the first of two loops. The second half was very much a head-down-and-get-on-with-it affair rather than being able to appreciate the run. I’ll be fitter next time.

I managed to remain injury free at both events before coming home to the parent’s house and hurting my back lifting down a box from a high shelf. Stupid boy. Mind you, forced convalescence surrounded by magazine racks filled with copies of Manga Mania isn’t exactly a hardship.