Bee Leask

So there I was, just casually sitting on a veranda having a coffee in the heart of Kathmandu, surrounded by noise, dust and the most amazing feeling of pride in myself for what I had just achieved. Just a week earlier I had been trekking and mountaineering in Nepal and successfully summited Island Peak and I was now enjoying a few days in Kathmandu before I returned home to the inevitable “come down” after any epic trip. I was worried as I now had nothing to focus on after a very busy, and action packed year, but I needn’t have worried, because at that moment (with some rare free wifi) I checked my emails and saw that my next challenge was already awaiting me, and even better, it was back in my beloved Scotland.

Summit of Island Peak with my Shetland flag.

Due to my genuine love of an adventure and the outdoors, and my successful instagram page, the lovely people at Ourea Events had got in touch. They were offering me a ‘journalist’ place at the start line of the Cape Wrath Ultra in order for me to help them spread the word about this amazing event!

I was excited for an event that I hadn’t even heard of before, but that’s probably due to not being an ultra runner. They had me hooked regardless with, “We understand you aren’t really a runner but always up for an adventure!”. I said yes before I had even really seen what I was letting myself in for. As it turns out the Cape Wrath Ultra is 400km (249 miles in old money) taking you from Fort William to Cape Wrath over 8 days! Gulp!!

After a few excited and worried emails back and forth, I was signed up!

At the finish line of my first ever triathlon, Mallorca

I should explain at this point that I really don’t class myself as a runner. My running background is limited, and slow, to say the least, having ran only 3 half marathons in my life, 2 of which were this year. With the furthest I’ve ever “ran” being the London Marathon in 2012 (if you could class it as running). But anyone who has followed me, especially in the run up to my first Ironman 70.3, will have seen that running was not my favourite part, but I got there, I also couldn’t swim, but I learned. I have also never climbed at altitude but flung myself in at the deep end with that and headed to Nepal. My point is, I know I’m not the fittest or fastest person ever and that’s ok, but what I am is stubborn, determined and as Ourea Events identified… always up for an adventure!

So my plan is to get out and about in my beloved Scotland, hopefully hike a few hills and run down them, run some tracks and trails, and just get outdoors and be active whilst exploring and discovering new parts of Scotland. I’m hoping to pick the brains of every trail runner I know and hoping that some of them will let me tag along for a run sometime… But as with all of my great plans… I don’t really have a plan, other than to run, run and run some more!

So I’ll be at the start line of the Cape Wrath Ultra on the 24th May 2020 wearing my first ever pair of trail running trainers, ready to run/jog/walk/crawl my way to Cape Wrath. Whether I make it the whole way remains to be seen, but I am excited for the challenge and excited to discover a new sport and find some exciting trails, and I’m excited to take everyone with me on my wee journey to the start line. You never know I might even make it to the finish line!

On the Aonach Eagach ridge, Glencoe, Scotland

Bee is a Shetland born, Scottish outdoor enthusiast and adventurer who is always looking for her next challenge. Already aiming to climb every munro and visit every island in Scotland, she recently completed her first ever triathlon, Ironman Mallorca 70.3, which she learned to swim for. She has also recently trekked to Everest Base Camp and successfully summited Island Peak at 6189m. But her real passion is in exploring her beloved Scotland, having recently cycled the Hebridean Way, walked the West Highland Way and ticked off 105 munros. Bee is a keen paddle boarder, outdoor swimmer, wild camper and Scotland lover. She is keen to encourage everyone, especially women, to get outdoors and see what they are really capable of.

Follow Bee’s journey to Cape Wrath on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.