South Black Hill Race

Colin and Max went off to the Pentland hills for a race from Silverburn village. Max had a shortish race up a track and valley and back down again. Just 4 runner but was a close fought ascent to the turn with Max making it in first place. On the way back Helen Rodgers stretched her legs and zoomed ahead getting home around 3o seconds ahead of Max. The two other runners followed a few minutes behind.

Colin ran in an exciting race to the summits of South Black Hill and Scald Law with an interesting finisg going up and down scree slopes in a quarry.

Lairig Ghru

Got up very early on Sunday morning for a long drive through to Braemar and the 10 am start of the Lairig Ghru hill race - my longest event to date. 28 miles passing through a high mountain pass amongst the Cairngorm munros. Ran extremely well for the first two and a half hours - being very careful to take it very easy on any uphill stretch. With so much rain the river crossing was a bit of an adventure and at least one runner was washed of her feet. There was a very long stretch on unrunnable boulders near the highest point where the path largely disappeared for 3 or 4 long hard miles. After 20 miles there was a great downhill stretch through the forests of Rothiemurchas. Managed to keep running the whole way to the finish and a very pleasing time of 5 hrs 13 minutes.

Rain Rain Rain

Seems to have rained all week ! Max and Colin went out for an orienteering run in the rain on saturday afternoon at John Muir Country Park. We got very wet. The sky's cleared briefly to allow a quick barbeque.

Seven Hills of Edinburgh

Colin ran in the Seven Hills race on Sunday morning. Got round the 14 mile course in 2 hrs 38 minutes - around 10 minutes better than 2 years ago. Pictured covered in mud after an unsuccessful climb up (and fall down) a muddy slope at Blackford hill.

In the afternoon we all went to Almond Valley Heritage Centre.

LAMM 2007 - Glen Lochay

Ian and myself had our second attempt at a Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon. The destination of Glen Lochay was announced on Thursday and we headed off on friday afternoon to the location near Crianlarich. We got round Day 1 in blistering heat in just over 10 hours. About the same time as last year but beating around 8 teams rather than our near bottom result of the previous year. On Day 2 Ian ran out of energy near the end and we had to walk in without completing the course. Ian had to resort to getting the mountain rescue landrover back to base camp.

Pentlands Long O

Colin was out in the Pentlands on Sunday for a long orienteering event. Around 20 km as the crow flies - took 3 hrs 45 minutes to get round. Good time at around 136% of the winning time.

Puffin Cruise

Went out on Sunday morning for an RSPB cruise on the Firth of Forth. Sailed past the many islands off the coast and saw puffins and many other seabirds. Nice lunch at the Hawes Inn and saw the raft races which were on at the same time.

Loch Leven Half Marathon

Colin was out running again on Saturday - this time at the Loch Leven half marathon. Conditions were tough with rain for part of the run and then driving head-winds in the last 3 miles. The course was very scenic with lovely views of the loch but fairly hilly. Got round in a reasonable time of 1 hr 46 min which was 9 minutes better than 2 years earlier but 4 minutes off personal best for the distance.

Penicuik 10k

On Saturday Hannah played footie against South Queensferry and won 5 - 2. Colin ran in the Penicuik 10k in the afternoon getting round in 47 minutes - coming 96th of 190. On Sunday we went to Lauriston Castle for the Japanese Summer Blossoms Event.

Max is 12

Max had a birthday trail party at Blackford Hill. The trail was fun for everyone although the weather was really bad. Everyone squeezed into the car for the lunch and cake.

Great Edinburgh Run

Max and Hannah were running in the Mini and Junior Great Edinburgh runs at the Meadows. Hannah was on first in the junior run and got round here 1.4 km course in 8 minutes 24 seconds. Max got round 2.4 km in 10 minutes 40 seconds coming 106th boy of the 191 male runners.

Colin went orienteering at Vogrie in the afternoon and everyone else came along for a play at the playground and a round of crazy golf.

Mount Keen

Max and Colin headed off to the most easterly munro. A fairly long drive that took us up the long scenic Glen Esk to the head of the Glen. A long walk in up Glen Mark with some stunning scenery with sheer vertical rock faces at the side of the valley. A long hard slog followed to the top of the hill to be rewarded by views of Lochnagar in the distance and the snow studded Cairngorms beyond. Total time to the top was 3 hrs followed by 2 1/2 hrs return.

Sammy is pictured - it's his first munro. Max had now done 12. Colin 27.

CATI Orienteering at Colinton Dell

Max and Colin went to the interlopers event at Colinton Dell. Results aren't in yet but early indications are that Colin came in third on the long course. Max was on poor form, missing his turning early on and then struggling in the heat.

Weekend Running

Colin ran in the Hunters Bog Trot at Arthurs Seat on Saturday at lunchtime coming in 51st. Max and Colin then headed off to Bonaly for some orienteering. Max whizzed around the orange course in just 23 minutes.

Hannah and Cherry went off to the Castle with Alexander.

Day 7 - Fenwick to Holy Island

After 6 days of fantastic weather we were hit with heavy sea fog on the last day. The visibility was down to a few hundred metres so rather than getting a great view of the island we had a long cold trudge along the causeway road into town. Arrived around 10.30, after 6 miles, and spent the rest of the day looking at the ruined priory and the castle.

It was a long and challenging walk but we both managed really well.

Day 6 - Wooler to Fenwick

Proved to be the toughest of the days. A long 11 mile slog but felt longer. For the first time we saw substantial numbers of people on the route. The trail has been almost deserted along the way apart from regular meetings with an Irish lady from County Clare called Anne Jones.

Colin is pictured at St Cuthbert's cave.

Day 5 - Kirk Yetholm to Wooler

The BIG ONE. A massive 16 mile stretch mainly over open moorlands with two ascents and a halfway point in the valley at Hethpool in between. Max did really well and we got into Wooler by around 3 pm.

Max and Colin pictured crossing the Border.

Day 4 - Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm

The fourth day was shorter but involved a climb to the highest point, and the halfway marker, of the walk. We completed the 6 miles quite quickly, and easily, and had a boring afternoon in Kirk Yetholm where there isn't a great deal to do ! B&B at Blunty's Mill wasn't great.

Day 3 - Ancrum to Morebattle

Day 3 was a further step up in length to 11 miles. There was a tough section in the middle of the walk as we struggled uphill at Coldhough Bank.

Day 2 - St Boswells to Ancrum

The second day was 8 miles in length and was generally pleasant low lying walks along the Tweed and then through Maxton on towards the Harestanes Centre. Completed the walk fairly quickly and met Hannah and Cherry at a nice garden centre and coffee shop.

St Cuthberts Way - Day 1

Max and Colin set out on the 100 km St Cuthberts Walk on Saturday morning in central Melrose. Hannah and Cherry walked the first day as well but did their own thing on the other days - meeting up some evenings and for 2 nights going down to Keilder Water.

The first days walk was relatively short - 6 miles - although involved a climb up to the col between the two largest Eildon Hills peaks. A lovely walk along the river tweed took us through to St Boswells. Total of 5 1/2 hours to make the trip.

New Lanark

On Wednesday we were at New Lanark. In the more we walked up the Falls of Clyde to see the Cora Linn waterfall and the Peregrine Falcon hide. We then did the tour of the mill before heading home.