Something of a marathon.....

 So what were you doing when the clocks went back this weekend?  You probably enjoyed an extra hour in the land of nod, snuggly tucked up in  a warm bed.

Venue for the marathon - on a good day....

Loch Boltachan one of the marathon checkpoints of a good day

Me, myself, I......along with over 2500 other people..... had more than our fair share of breathing space in the great outdoors this weekend. For us it was a night of camping in the glens north of Comrie listening to the elements raining down on us.  To add insult to injury we were awoken at 6 am to the wailing sounds from a lone piper and a regular 'morning campers' from a megaphone.

Crazy?  Maybe.  But that is what happens when you decide to participate in the Original Mountain Marathon. This amazing event  held for the first time in hills around Comrie is a real challenge of fitness and navigation skills. The last time I undertook this event was some 25 years ago, so what possessed me to do it again?  As a fellow runner commented "it's good to do something outside your comfort zone at least once a year".  But I think it was more a case of 'just because it is there'.

Working in teams, you carry kit for an overnight camp at an  unknown destination and in our case, visit as many checkpoints as possible in a limited period of time.  First though, you have to register and confirm that you will carry the minimum kit list including tent, sleeping bag and food for 36 hours so choices have to be made as to what goes in and what stays out.

My brave team buddy exiting registration

My partner for the marathon contemplating what to put in the rucksack

All this ends up in the rucksack...

In preparation, I tried out various combinations of clothing to see what was warmest and lightest then weighed up the options on the food front to see what gave most energy for weight.  Meanwhile, my partner for the event  pitches up with hairbrush and other toiletries.  It was amazing to see how her kit eventually squeezed into her rucksack.  I must confess though, I was very grateful when we arrived at the half way camp for the cheeky wine she had slipped in. A little heavier than my choice of luxury item - yahtzee dice...

Lots of hard work goes on behind the scenes into making such an event a success so thanks to all the marshalls and helpers out there.  Maybe I'll seek them out again next year, then again, I might just seek to share some breathing space with fewer people.

How would you choose to get your breathing space?