A good run on the Holyrood 5K loop. Over 500 people out today and I was fortunately quick enough to reach the finish before queues started. Very pleased with the time of 24.18 - very comfortable on the climb but starting to fade a bit in the last mile.
Enjoying getting out to lots of local races. This was a very straightforward urban course that I managed to do very cleanly and in a good time coming 8th of 23 which was very pleasing.
Previously did this route in winter after heavy storms which felled many trees and blocked much of the planned route. Pleasant conditions today but the sun not quite coming out as much as hoped. A nice loop from Braeval car park over the hills to Loch Venacher and then through Queen Elizabeth Forest Park back to the start. Loops of climbing and generally decent off road surfaces.
Around 1 hr 45 mins.
Second time I've done this race associated with the village flower show. A nice wee race that is more like a trail race than a proper hill race. A very gradual ascent along road, then trail then path up to the high ground but no particular clear summit before a steady cross country run back down. About 3 minutes slower than my time 6 years ago although times I think generally slow today in the very windy conditions.
After the race drove down to the coast just east of Dunbar and did a short bike ride from Whitesands to Skateraw. Quite pleasant if you avoid looking in the direction of the power station and cement works.
A nice urban orienteering event based around the Astley Ainsly estate. Legs not on top form but good fun.
A train through to Glasgow to spectate at the BMX finals at the BMX track to the west of the city. 42 races across Quarter, Semis and Finals for Junior, U23, Elite, M & F. Fast and furious with a lot of nasty crashes keeping the medics busy. Good views of the races. Not a bad spectator sport and got through a lot of action in a couple of hours.
First time I've managed to do this nice fairly easy race in Peebles. Took the bus down and back which worked pretty well. The race instructions could have been a bit clearer on the facilities at registration but managed to work out changing and what to do with my bag.
A nice race which started with a runnable climb some rolling and then very steep climb to Cademuir summit. Largely rolling on the way back with one climb steep enough to be walked. 40 mins and 21 secs - 154% of winning time. Just 59 runners in the 6 k but also a 3 k happening a bit earlier.
Nice to be back racing in the hill. First race since Jan 2022.
Another easy run on a very humid morning to visit Braid Hill summit. Haven't been here in ages and what a treat it is. A really stunning 360 degree panorama. Photos really can't capture it.
Train through to Glasgow and then a long walk out to the Chris Hoy Velodrome. A bit of a queue to get in before enjoying around 2.5 hours of watching the bikes go round and round in circles. Some crazy events like the points race and madison which are pretty difficult from a spectator perspective. Other events likes the 1k TT aren't terribly exciting. Glad to have made it along even if it isn't something I'd rush to watch again.
With a return to running I'm planning a revisit to the seven hills of Edinburgh which I've not been to in a while. This was third attempt at a good run around Blackford and the Hermitage taking in the walled nature garden. Previous attempts cut short by a need to get back to the toilet. Reminded how fabulous the views are from the summit and enjoy the flow of running on trails - something I rarely feel when on the bike. The walled garden was looking OK - quite a wild look with a lot of herbs.
An early start for a 7 am check in to get kitted up in turquoise volunteer kit. After a bit of standing about got asigned a job at a crossing point just before the start near the parliament building. Not a huge crowd out as not really that exciting to watch the start of the event. Start was at 9.30 and I was pretty much finished by 10 am so not very taxing. Some freebies of coat, shirt and bag for my efforts.
Cycled down to Figgate Park for this park run. Felt very slow at first before finally feeling like a decent run pace in the last lap of 3. 25 mins and 6 seconds which isn't a very fast time but not terrible.
