This afternoon I put on my 2007 WHW Race top (the one I earned by running the race rather than sweeping the final stage) and set out to run my favourite section over the Devil’s Staircase to Altnafeadh and back as my own little personal tribute to Dario. And, while I’m by no means in race shape right now, my legs did feel that little bit lighter through thinking I’d better keep going and make a good job of it for him! So, when asked (as I reached the cairns at the top of the Devil’s on my way home) if I was going for a PB, I was able to reply that, no, I was a long way outside that but I was running today for a special reason, and explain what that was.
As soon as I was able to get a mobile signal after that (pretty well at the footbridge in the dip where you turn left towards the Penstock), I tried to text Ian because I felt like sharing. But perhaps I’ve got the wrong mobile number for him in my phone?
The camera was an afterthought in the sense that I backtracked from my front door on the way out to pick it up. But there are two pictures here, with the first taken at the start of the descent to Glen Coe on the outward leg and the second at the start of the descent to Kinlochleven on the way home. And I’d like to invite all my readers to look at them and spare a quiet moment’s thought for a man who changed lives.
Pete, that sounds like a very moving run. I am on holiday for the next 2 weeks and plan to get out at some stage on the route to be able to reflect quietly. Thanks for thinking about me when you sent the text – hopefully you have the right number now and we will be able to keep in touch. Take care. Ian
Comment by Ian — 18 July 2009 @ 12:54 pm