Training Log Archive: Jethro

Tar road up past Carlenrig - it had been gritted so was fine. Then tried the forest road on the left side of the Teviot valley - it had a slight covering of snow but it wasn't tracked or icy. Bit of a beast of a climb to start with then levelled off - turned when the track got a bit rutted with lots of frozen puddles. Got a bit interesting on the way back when my light died at Gideonscleuch - luckily it was a clear night. Not too impressed with the Brightbikes light - the mount on the light has already rattled loose twice and that was only about 45mins on full charge and not even on full power.

A layer of ice everywhere and my mountain biking skills wouldn't have been a good combination!

Ankle still a long way off running as I discovered yesterday when I tried to chase some cows that had escaped. Had hoped to do BNC & SOL1 but that is looking less likely. Can maybe aim for CST at Doon Hill on 17th Mar? Had also hoped to defend my SHR V60 title this year and even have a crack at the British Fell running champs but not sure how realistic any of that is now.
Orienteering perhaps less of a priority this year as I don't have the incentive of aiming for VHI selection - it is the same weekend as Teviothead show so I wouldn't be able to go - fellow Scottish M60's take note - get yourselves fit and healthy!!!

Back out on the old bone shaker - on the tar road up past Carlenrig and down to Merrylaw then onto the forest roads on the north west side of the upper reaches of the Teviot valley. Not a road I had been on before but a good surface and not all one long boring slope as I feared - a succession of gentle ups and down as it negotiated several small side valleys (Rashie Grain, Yellow sike, Lang Grain, Mid Grain and Deep Grain). Road ended before it reached Teviot Stone - the source of the Teviot (will explore once ankle better!) Explored a newish looking side road which dropped down into the valley bottom hoping it might join up with the road on the other side of the valley to make it into a loop. It didn't but there can't be much in between - will explore in daylight sometime. Returned the same way - the Blackcleuch Brae was a bit of a killer on the way back.