Training Log Archive: Rosco

I fear business may be bad in the West of Glasgow - there was no queue before the Kingston Bridge today! This meant I wasn't last for pilates for a change.

Feeling relatively fresh considering my weekend antics. Definitely better with the beats.

Lard's epic birthday run through the Ochils.

Unusually, I was a bit late and the guys had already set off when I arrived at Glen Devon. (Thanks to Janine for her chauffuring services getting me there at all.)

As I crossed the wee bridge over the river at the start, I encountered a man and a very large dog. In my experience, very large dogs are really pretty nice, so I wasn't bothered until as I ran past it growled and then bit my arse! A bit miffed, I said, "Oi! Your dog just bit my arse!" and the guy went, "Oh, yeah, sorry. It's because you're wearing a jacket." !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The mind boggles.

Anyway, with a massive fanged rip in my running tights, blood dripping from the chunk of flesh torn from my behind, I set off to catch up the boys. I spotted them up ahead after about 10 minutes, but it was over 50 before I actually caught them. Very slow going through the deep snow. Really wild up there, so I was delighted to learn that we would be bailing. Especially since I was less than ideally equiped for all eventualities. Our weary group ended at the pub in Alva and enjoyed burgers/chips and hot chocolate. Great adventure though, which thankfully did not become a complete epic.

Event: EUOC Burns Weekend
 

Race 1: Devils Burdens Relay, Leg 3 for FVO, with JonX

Chickened out of doing leg 1 with Jamie, for Ochils and instead joined Team Abitcrocked, in calf protection mode.

Leg 3 is really an awesome leg. Last year I really enjoyed it as I left pretty much nothing, this year I really enjoyed it as a more leisurely cruise: Jon set the pace as I didn't want to push him into doing anything silly to his achilles. We were still in the happy position of passing loads of teams, and we chose exactly the optimum route, which made me an annoyingly smug orienteer. Or it would have, but I was well behaved and bit my tongue. Definitely the correct decision not to run with Jamie though, as I could feel my calf up West Lomond - not ready for full-on racing yet.

C • Is there an optimum route? 4

Race 2: Edinburgh City Race

Didn't really feel in race mode for this one and nearly waved at JonX as he approached the start and I set off for 1. Perhaps that's why I missed 1 and then didn't actually do any leg planning until I was heading for 9. The Burdens had definitely taken the edge off my running as well. Nevertheless performed steadily throughout the course with only a couple of wrong turnings.

Delighted to sneak in ahead of the large grouping on the 46/47 mark. Would like to think I would have been more around 42 if it had been my only race of the day.

The course was quite a bit easier than last year, I'd say, but I doff my cap to Scotia's effort of 35 mins. And he looked like he was cruising when I spied the lad...

Pleased that my years of racing experience have taught me the merits of warming up before and down after each race.

Awesome haggis and cranachan (and a wee bit o'whisky) fuelled me for the ceildh dancin'. Great fun and call me old, but it was great to catch up with everyone. Was a little sleepy by the end of the day...

Couple of wee runs planned for the weekend...

Was meeting my buddy Scott in town for a few drinkies so he could tell me all about the 50 mile ultra marathon he'd just completed, so I thought I would head over to Scotstoun for a wee swim. To kill time, decided to walk over. Unfortunately got a bit lost (couldn't find the Clyde Tunnel!) so ended up not really having much time to kill after all. The Clyde tunnel was well scary! No like.

Scotstoun was mobbed so I decided on a walk to Byres Road instead of the swim. Then, to complete my city adventure, got the clockwork orange into town. Had forgotten how cool it is.

C • hell yeah 1

FVO Night Race at Polmaise.

JonX planned a tricky start to the race with lots of short legs in the low vis quarry. Was a bit paranoid we would be going straight into a gaffle, but we weren't. Was quite far behind on the way to 1, but had got myself into 4th as we exited the quarry section and started heading up the hill. Fraser was toiling up that hill and then Spongey headed off towards 22 from 7 and I found myself in the lead. I then managed to take the world's worst bearing for 8, tried to compensate but had no idea whether I over or under compensated. I just knew I hadn't compensated the correct amount. Decided to head for the path and bounce back in from there but struggled to even find that. Thankfully as I faffed, I spied the usual front 2 of Forest and Fraser leaving the flag. (When I collected some flags later I did the same leg and spiked it. It really wasn't difficult. Dork.)

Anyway, it wasn't a big issue as I legged it down the path, actually feeling fast for the first time in ages, and caught the guys up. They didn't seem to be going full on and with Spongey a concern, I decided to try and put the pressure on a bit. My run to the circle and hunt tactics didn't quite pay off at 9 and neither did my run right round to 12 tactics. The tactics were sound, just poorly executed. Nevertheless, Grump and I seemed to be on our own in the lead as we headed to 13. We managed to lose the path and then I didn't even notice we had crossed the stream. Jammily I stumbled upon 18 and then, relocated, Forest and I parted to our separate gaffles. Immediately I screwed up 14, a re-entrant, by coming off the path way too early and then also 15 was a faff-fest. Got myself in a major fankle on the way to 19 as I completely lost my place on the map trying to work out what the feature was. It was a clearing. The Virgin Vet was there, but only on his first gaffle, but then there too was Spongey. He got a bit ahead of me down the hill, but I wasn't too bothered as surely Grump was miles ahead by this point? Totally overshot the wee quarry for 24, but not as much as Spongey and at the finish - with no sign of Grump - victory was mine!

Definitely a case of being the least bad.

C • Donkey 3

Was all set for intervals but The road was long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to who knows where, who knows when, but I'm not strong - so By the time I got to Stirling I was really late and also famished so -Skipped the light intervals, turned carwheels to the door, I was feeling kinda foodsick, but still required more. Was keen to Run to the hills, run for my life, but didn't.

Instead I finally completed my year planner. It may be a busy year....