20/09/2012

Day 20 Loch Maree to Applecross

 

With a good night's rest, I felt about 30% better, but knowing that I still had a long way to make up kept prodding me in the back of my mind.

Again it was mountains but I had to get back on track, after all this was meant to be my running day from Applecross.  After finally making Applecross 50 miles later, I wanted to do at least the first leg of running before the day was done, and I didn't have long as it took me over 6 hours to get this far.

The reason why I wanted to do this run was that it was the most challenging run I will face on this trip and I wanted it badly! Running over Bealach Na Ba or also known as "The pass of the Cattle" is one of Scotland's most notoriously treacherous roads with its steep winding narrow road leading up to 2053ft within 6 miles then down for another 6 miles. As this photo would suggest:

The next two photo's is the pre and post summit shot's:

I must admit that despite being 40 miles behind schedule, having cycled 50 miles through mountains then run up a mountain to summit at 2053ft and having your head where eagles fly, somehow put things into perspective.

We found a lovely quiet spot to sleep, eat and chat about the stunning surroundings before it all starts again!

This would bring the combined distance covered to 1749 miles in 20 days and going.