North Berwick Law Hill Race

A beautiful summer evening for this fantastic little race from the harbour of North Berwick to the top of the Law and back. Great crowds cheering you into the finish.

Ran reasonably well but quite a lot slower than my last effort at the race.

Holiday in Italy

A great 2 weeks spent at a house in the Euganian Hills roughly half-way between Venice and Verona. Lots of sightseeing and some lazy days as well.

Greenoch Cut

A big day out with Hannah. Got up very early for a train to Glasgow and then a second train out to Drumfrochar Station. From there we walked up into the Muirshiel Park and found the Greenoch Cut a long, now disused aqueduct that supplied Greenoch with water in its industrial heyday.

It was a nice flat walk with stunning views that eventually made its way up to the Greenoch Cut Visitor Centre near the large reservoir. 

We finished a circular walk for a total distance of around 10k within the park and total distance during the day of 9 miles.

Pentland Walk

Gentle walk with Hannah on Thursday evening. Just over 3 miles in length.

Lairig Ghru 2014

This was my fourth run at the Lairig Ghru Hill Race and it remains one of my favourites. With my form having been very mixed this year I didn't go into the race with a lot of confidence and aim was really just to make sure I beat all the cut-off times and finish within the maximum of 6 hours.

Alarm woke me at 6 am and quickly into the car for a long drive up to Braemar. The weather was pretty nice at the start. Running in my inov8 mudroc 290's. Plan was to head off at a good pace and keep going as long as my legs would carry me before the rough terrain would bring me down to walking pace.

Nice smooth run through from Braemar to Marr lodge along the road. The last time I'd run I had tucked in at the very back but this time was pushing along at 160 bpm heart rate and had people behind me. The terrain moves to runnable trails for the next section through to Derry Lodge. I was beginning to feel a bit of fatigue after an hour and was glad to fill up my water bottle at the river as it was getting hot. Was at the checkpoint at 1 hr 20 just ahead of the 1 hr 30 cut-off.

Kept moving at a modest pace over the next section through the Luib river crossing and did the first walk up the steep section immediately afterwards. The terrain starts from this point to become rougher but is runnable until you approach the boulder fields. Tiredness meant I moved into intermittent run and job mode for this section. In my fitter days I would have still been going right up to the steeper ascent to the boulders.

Got shouted at/encouraged by Charlie Ramsay to keep running and photo is courtesy of this hill running legend.  http://www.ramsaysround.com

After a bit of walking I reached the boulder field and made some quick progress here passing around 6 runners who were struggling with the slippery rocks. The weather changed for the worse at this point. It seems to always be raining on this high mountain pass. Coat on and slow progress over the rough ground over which I couldn't have run even if the legs were able.

After some great views emerging over towards Aviemore and Rothiemurchas I reached the downward    

trails through the forest. Struggled here to move at any pace even with the help of gravity. Reached the bottom of the slope and the final trail home at around 4 hr 50 mins and a tight but achievable final section. Set off at a fast walk in the hope that this would let legs recover. Made occasional efforts at running pace but was toiling. Was finally helped along by running the final section with a couple who helped me get into a reasonable rhythm. I finally fell off their pace a half mile from the finish but after a short break gritted my teeth and pushed on the finish and a happy arrival to cheering crowds in Aviemore.

A tough but really enjoyable journey. Nice soup and cakes to celebrate at the end and then a scenic bus drive lasting around 90 minutes through Boat of Garten and Tomintoul before getting back to Braemar at 6.30 pm and arriving home by around 9pm.

Whilst the time was slow I was never particularly uncomfortable and feet and legs recovering reasonably quickly from the battering. Definitely one to do again.

Traprain Law Hill Race

This is one of my favourite hill races. It takes place at the pretty village of East Linton on the day of their annual village fair. The race is very scenic along the River Tyne then through the river and a steady climb up to the Law where there is a short rope assisted climb to the top. A short grassy run down the hill then tracks back to the river and return the village. The conditions were hot this year and whilst I felt I was running fine the time was very slow at something over 57 minutes.

Tweedlove Skinny Sportive

A very early start this Saturday to get down to Peebles for this 45 mile cycle. Really nice route in the Scottish borders on mainly very quiet but scenic roads. A few decent climbs to do. Nice stop for coffee and cakes at the half way spot in Biggar. Total time of 4 hrs.

Beinn Bhuidhe

Weather was a bit mixed for this munro. A long 5 km run in was good training for my upcoming ultra at the end of June. Went fairly well with a reasonable run in and a reasonably strong run back at the end. The climb was mainly grassy until the summit ridge and nice for running back down. Total time taken 3 hrs 50 minutes.

SOSOL at Culteucher & Dron

Nice event just south of Perth in some of the medium sized hills. Mainly open hillside with just a few bits of plantation and the odd tree. Navigation was pretty good but didn't have a lot of energy in the legs. An interesting hill fort and some nice views.

Did a quick cycle round Loch Leven to try out the new path which now offers a traffic free path all the way round. It's a little bit dull at times and probably wouldn't recommend as a walk. For a leisurely 2 hr cycle quite nice.

Dreghorn Handicap Race

It turned out to be quite a nice evening for a fairly easy run in the Pentlands. Did reasonably well coming in the top 5 or so. Good route taking in a few minor summits and finishing with Allermuir and a sharp descent back to Dreghorn.

Selkirk Mountain Bike Orienteering

Travelled down to Selkirk for some mountain bike O. Pleasant start along the river along some pleasant single track trails. Later hit a very muddy section and further on made a long assent to hilltops around 500m high. A tough slog pushing the bike up. After this it was a case of making it back as quickly as possible to complete just within the 3 hour limit. Pretty tiring effort after the run yesterday. The usual generous selection of cakes was again available.

Penicuik 10K

Nice run on a hilly road race in Penicuik. Good well marshalled event. Ran pretty well coming in faster than last years 10k times but a few minutes worse than my PB on this course. The rain (and hail) came down at around the half way mark.

Stuc A Chroin Hill Race

After recent dreadful performances I was very nervous about this long tough race. 22 km and 1500 m of ascent with a lot of the course over very rugged terrain. Having failed miserably at the Lochaber Marathon with a planned slow steady pace I decided to head off at a good pace and try to maintain myself at a 160+ heart rate for as long as possible.

Things went well in the early stages feeling confident on the long 2.5 miles track at the start. Got a real high on the next rough segment and the first downhill which I took at speed.

This was followed by a very tough ascent straight up to Beinn Each and then a long technical section to the summit, after many false summits. Still pretty strong on the way back and the grassy decent off the main hill went pretty well, passing a couple of runners.

The next ascent was tough and I really slowed down. A few runners ahead accelerated away but others were in a worse state than me. After reaching the high point I was able to keep going over the rough terrain and also managed a good pace on the track back finishing feeling very strong at the end.

Delighted with the performance. About 15 mins better than in 2012 and around 10 mins worse than 2010. Really enjoyed it.

SOL3 at Dunrod Hill / Greenock Cut

Nice orienteering event near Glasgow today. Dunrod Hill is a high area above Greenock with lots of large reservoirs and former water power sources. Did the short blue course today and tried hard to go as fast as possible. Plan almost worked apart from one dreadful leg when headed way off course.

Nice cycle in the hill afterwards. Great area and worth visiting again for a walk.

Ben Lui and Beinn a Chleibh

Set out early to arrive at the mountain around 10 am. A tricky start with a river and railway line to cross and not the most of obvious path to follow. The early part of the trail was very wet and muddy and not very pleasant going until we got out of the forest. The higher ground was better and a good hard slog up the grassy slopes to Ben Lui. There was still a fair bit of snow near the top and it was a bit of challenge to find a safe way through. The descent to the second top was fairly straightforward and a very easy quick ascent to tick off the second munro. We needed to get back to town by 5.30 so it was a fast decent back to the car. Weather and views absolutely stunning. Great day out. About 6 miles of walking, 1200 m of ascent and completed in 4 hrs 53 mins.

North Berwick Law

Gentle walk from North Berwick shore and harbour up to the law and back. Nice spring morning.

Milngavie Again

Headed out on the mountain bike to do the other half of the orienteering course that I didn't get to on Saturday. Really nice day out with lovely weather and great scenery.

Mountain Bike Orienteering at Milngavie

An early start at Milngavie with some early cold rain to make the start quite challenging. The ride through town and towards the first control didn't go very well with it being really hard to locate myself on the map. After finding the first control things were looking up a bit and started to make fairly steady progress. The weather brightened up and enjoyed some really nice scenery with some great views out towards Conic Hill. The map was split into two halves and I think I must have gone for the wrong half needing to head back to base though the middle of the map rather than pick up more controls within the 3 hour time limit. Points wise it was a very poor performance but really enjoyed it. May head back and do the other half of the map some time.

Lochaber Marathon

Headed up to Fort William for my second attempt at this marathon. The last effort was back in 2006 when I got a time of 4 hrs 21 minutes. The weather was poor this time with rain for most of the time I was out. Started off slow and steady with a plan to take it very easy to conserve energy. Going reasonably well at half way but feeling a bit of strain. By mile 16 starting to struggle with mile pace dropping back and then hit the wall and couldn't move my legs. Last 8 miles were mainly walking with occasional spurts of energy. Finished in the dreadful time of 5 hrs and 19 minutes with just 3 finishers behind me.

Not sure what went wrong. Not enough specific training and perhaps a bit too long a run the week beforehand. Feet and joints not feeling great afterwards so will need a bit of a rest.

Deuchary Hill Canter

A cold mist hung over Scotland making for cool but fortunately dry conditions for this tough little race. Got off to a really nice start in the trails of Craig A Barns but then followed a confused group of runners in the wrong direction adding at least 15 minutes to the run. Should have stopped and looked more carefully at map and compass. Thought about finishing early and taking a short cut back but stuck with it and finished in second last place in around 2 hrs 45 minutes. The running was pretty strong though and was able to keep going in the long run in to the finish.

SOL 1 - Devilla

Took on the Black course at Devilla. Really rough ground that I found impossible to run through. Navigation was pretty good though and no major mistakes. Slowest by a good margin but a nice long bit of exercise.

Hannah and Cherry came along for a walk in the forest and a visit to the walled garden.

INTrepid Weekend

A busy weekend orienteering racing and helping out with the events. 2 urban races in Livingston on saturday and then a longer event in woodland and parkland on Sunday.