Jekyll and Hyde at the Royal Lyceum

First visit to the Royal Lyceum in quite a while to see a 70 minute solo performance by Forbes Mason. An impressive performance rather than particularly enjoyable for Colin whilst Cherry found the lighting and use of strobes very unpleasant. 

Vogrie 10k Trail Race

A busy race schedule booked last year before my heel problems re-emerged. I was feeling pretty confident after the good showing at Feel The Burns. Sadly after just 1 km the heel became sore and was quite unpleasant for the next km. It eased a bit thereafter helped by the greater variations in gradient. Decided to finish the run but to take it really slow and easy to minimise any damage to the foot. Lucky with the weather and a really nice course so still enjoyed the run. 

Feel The Burns

My fifth time running in this lovely long winter event. Assembly is at Selkirk Rugby Club with the start a short distance away. Temperatures very cold but thankfully clear blue skies. Confidence was low as running volume has been very low recently as I give my heel time to recover.

It is a good long steady climb towards the 3 Bretheren and the Southern Upland way for a lengthy undulating run at a decent altitude. Eventually you reach a long gentle downhill slope over a couple of miles. The hardest and roughest bit is the approach to and ascent of Foulshiels Hill. I arrived there in pretty good shape and stormed past many runners on the steep ascent. A final pleasant descent of around 15 minutes or so. Finished in around 2 hrs 30 minutes for my 3rd fastest time of the 5 outings. Very pleased with that and to be still feeling pretty good at the end.

Haggis pie, soup and tea back at the clubhouse.

Greenmantle Dash

9th time I've run the lovely wee race in Broughton in the Borders. A short sharp run with a bit of everything. Wet cold river crossing, muddy field, very steep climb of around 200m, tricky descent, fast run on muddy field then along a 400 m section of road to finish. My slowest time by a good margin which I can blame on the Triathlon yesterday.

 

New Years Day Triathlon

Second time I've done the Edinburgh NYD Triathlon (last time in 2018). A glorious sunny day - just a bit chilly.

Not quite sure how they do the order of the swims but certainly not the fastest first. I was 76th off the start of around 400 competitors. Felt like a pretty solid swim - passing some getting passed by some. 

Took the softies option for T1 with a visit to the changing room to dry and dress properly for the cold outside. A short run on the freezing tarmac in bare feet to get to the bike.

A good bike ride passing many on the way up the hill. Taking things very carefully on the descent.

The run didn't feel good after the bike efforts but that is always the way in triathlon. Finished quite strong.

Overall time was 1 hr 39 mins 43 secs - 161% of the winning time. Bike and run were both pretty good at 149% of the fastest time in each.