Training Log Archive: Magic

Final day in Loch Ard, and a rough one it was too (7.45 hours). Tidying up some bits to allow a link between two nice areas, but the link wasn't very nice. On the positive side it was a stunner of a day, nothing but blue sky all day, though the weather seems to have forgotten how late in the year it is as it was cold a frosty in the morning.

Another test run up Dumyat with Lard and Rog, who was pushing a good pace up the hill. Much drier today so opted for the same shoes, Rog went for dobs and the extra grip was hugely obvious as I was descending behind him. Will have to see how wet it is on race day. Up a few minutes quicker than last week which was promising as it didn't feel any harder. Also not so sore from the decent, though I didn't push it that hard either.

Easy evening cycle at Carron Valley, not been here for years but not much beyond the car park has changed (though there is a new accent trail). Still useless technically but it was a nice evening to try and improve matters.

Last day in the woods at Tulliallan (5 hours), only the college to do now. Had the dubious honour serenaded by bagpipes throughout the morning... At least the sun was out today.

5 hours in Tullliallan, another short day will finish the woods. Lots of wiggly contours today and nothing more than a blank page as a base map, slow progress. Hope it's some way accurate...

Forgot my GPS :-(

First WEE of the season in Plean. Don't think I've been here for years, but it hasn't changed a whole lot. Tried to run fast but my legs (especially my hamstrings) were stiff sore from the Dumyat effort on Saturday, so it was more a case of trying to be fluid rather than fast. Failed epically on one leg when I went down the wrong path - how many years do you have to play this game before you stop doing stupid things?

Legs seized immediately after stopping, really had to struggle to get running again to loosen them out. Think it did the jog though.

The forecast promised heavy rain all day, and yet in the rain shadow of Dunblane it was sunny all day. Annoying, as I didn't venture out to get more mapping done.

Back at Tulliallan for a good long day in the woods (8.45 hours), was hoping to do more but got rained off at 6. Some cracking woods but such a shame that it hasn't been mapped earlier as there is a lot of wind damage and it's all been thinned, so a year ago it would have been glorious woods, another year or so and it'll be nice again though.
Found a mountain bike that was so far into decomposition that it most have been one of the first of it's breed, also mapped my first ice house which will make a lovely control site (providing you don't go all the way in...).