Falkland Hill Race

With both heel and knee finally feeling pretty much better I felt ready to run in a short hill race. Falkland is about as small as they come with a direct ascent from Falkland Village to the summit of East Lomond. There is absolutely zero undulation in the route - up all the way to the top and vice versa.

The village was very busy with a traditional music festival and village fair so parking was difficult. Lovely atmosphere in town. Very low key race with race numbers issued at a bench near the town centre.

Game plan was to take it easy and be very careful particularly on the downhill to avoid too many bangs on my joints.

I tucked in at the back and took it as easy as you can with climb of this type. Passed quite a few people on the way up. A few seconds on stunning views at the top before head down for the descent - first over grassy ground then onto the path. Lost quite a lot of places to fast descenders but everything was feeling pretty good no issues with any parts of my legs.

Time of 33 mins 9 secs was pretty descent and only a little worse than my only other run here 4 years ago.

Rough Bike Ride and Foot Orienteering

Headed out to Dunbar to try my first foot orienteering since the spring last year. It was just a short 24 minute street event with a continued focus on not doing too much too soon and damaging my heel. Came first of 3 on the short course. Quite an easy course but good fun and should be able to get a fairly regular midweek evening dose of Street O  around Edinburgh over the summer.

As it was a longish drive out I did a pre-event bike ride into the back country of the Lammermuir Hills. Started at Pitcox with a short road section before hitting walking routes into the hills which were pretty unappealing cycle routes. There was a giant windfarm which didn't make for very pleasant riding.

Tweed Valley Mountain Bike Orienteering

Third MTBO event of the year. Starting at the Cardrona Forestry Commission car park where the same event started last year. Made the decision to start on the easy low controls and to avoid Glentress with a final homeward section on the Gypsy Glen trail. The low stuff was certainly a good plan although the Gypsy Glen trail was very slow as it reached very high ground on rough trails with widely spaced controls. Finished 7th overall which was pretty decent.

1 km long railway tunnel between two of the controls. Made it in 20 metres before deciding NO. Just NO. No way ! Longer alternative route above ground.