Finding normality when life is ever-changing, isnât easy. Â Perhaps thatâs because normality is ever changing and this has to to be acknowledged and embraced. Â Mamma J passed away on the 7th of May.
So - the new normal. Â I thought I would have lotâs of energy and drive, but that is proving a little elusive. Â However, the Ben Race is just under 12 weeks and there are now no excuses for failing - laziness is apparently not a valid excuse.
Running Girl is doing a good job of policing the situation with regular calls to arms - some rejected with legitimate excuses, some rejected on account of fake excuses and some taken up, though not quite enough. Â Itâs a big hill and with only 3hrs 15mins to complete the race and a reducing confidence in falling downhill at speed -Â in what was already a deficit of confidence - I need to get much stronger in getting to the top in well under the allowed 2hrs. 1hr 15mins to get back down (including all, and any, kissing and drams) is just not enough time.
One attempt at running over the Melantee to halfway and down the Ben path was interrupted by the traumatic call that Mamma J was very unwell - more than 2 hours away. Â With Running Girl and Spook taking over anything else that needed doing, and one dear sister able to be with MJ within 20 mins, it was as smooth a journey to be by her side as could be achieved. Mamma J loved the blog and loved it even better if she was featured - so this oneâs for you, Mum. x
The next attempt was sabotaged by a small glass of wine at the opening of the local art exhibition and a detour to the neighbours on the cycle home which resulted in Spook and I holding each other up as we tried to cover the short distance to our home, which had got longer since we  left it.  The midday run next day saw Spook still a little sozzled, and me with heavy, whisky filled limbs and a slightly sore head in the stifling midday heat, trying to crawl up the Melantee, knowing that Julie and Running Girl were somewhere ahead of us and looking pretty sharp as they topped up their training for their 21st Ben Race.  You get a prize for that.  The Connochie Plaque - and they will be the joint 2nd women to receive it - the first being Mandy Goth 2 years ago, aged 55, who recovered from breast cancer to keep running and was also diagnosed with Tachycardia and told she had to give up running the year before her 21st race. All being well for our Lochaber women they should see their aim achieved by age 45. Huge respect for Mandy Goth.
 By the time we reached the top of the hill, the inebriation had lifted and what I at least recognized as something akin to normality, returned to our head and limbs.  It was a revelation that Melantee turned out to be just what we needed despite serious reservations at the bottom.  (Melantee serves us well in times of need http://itsmosblog.tumblr.com/post/97914190502/melancholy-melantee.)
And the 3rd attempt was on the 10th of June as the country pondered what on earth had happened in the General Election.
A lot of steam can be blown out on this climb........
Julie took the photo on her way back down as this is just a wee jog for her. Â But Spook and Running Girl paid the price of persuading me out onto the hill as they sat on a windy Melantee summit waiting for me so that they could push on up to the Halfway Lochan.
You know thon way when you puff your way to the top and flop on your belly at their feet and theyâve got so bored and cold that they run off as soon as they think itâs polite to do so?
The first part of this now regular wee adventure is gloriously quiet.  And then you get to the Ben âTouristâ path, and it all changes.....
All the way to this point of their walk the weather had been fairly warm and breezy. Â Just round the corner above them it was a very different climate and only going to get colder.....I loved the diversity, though Spook said he was going home to make sure his kit bag was packed in case there was a Call-out to rescue the Damsels.
And lessons to be learnt - the night before Polling Day, the Ben looked like this at 10pm. Â Spook said our biggest mistake was to not be heading up there at 9pm. Â You canât afford to miss the sunshine and it has rained ever since. Â At this time of year in the North, there are 2 days within every 1, and itâs best never to take the sun for granted.Â
