Training Log Archive: murraystraining

Regular readers of my log will have noticed that I've been doing long Wednesday tempo runs with Ross Houston as he prepared for the Frankfurt Marathon. His relentless high mileage approach (140+ over consecutive weeks), dedication to the weekly Dalkeith railway progression run and Harrison Park Sunday Run culminated with an outstanding run in Germany today. Despite 40mph winds and a fall in the first two miles (blown over?) he ran perfectly even splits to improve his PB by just under a minute, taking it to 2:18:29 and more importantly under the Scottish Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 2:19.

I wish I could say I never doubted him but after a couple of ho-hum runs in the Glasgow 1/2 and English 6-stage I feared he had overdone it or peaked too soon (like the day he ran the second half of a 14-miler on the railway in 35:40). When I saw the forecast for Frankfurt with strong westerly winds I feared the worst so I was over the moon when news of his finish time reached me as we were driving home this afternoon.

Ross is a great example of what you can achieve with a long period of focus and dedication, an analytical approach and a good attitude. I'm proud to have been part of his journey and hope it goes on a bit further - like to Glasgow next summer.

C • Good words 6

Another late night, this time at Badaguish for the fantastic Mowbray birthday party. Tess wanted to do some orienteering but my head isn't in an orienteering place at the moment so we went to Inshriach south where she faffed about in the moraine while I headed up onto the plateau to bag a couple of summits (Mullach Clach a'Bhlair and Sgor Gaoith). Very runnable route, I particularly enjoyed the trail beside the Feshie and the descent on a very well made path back to Auchlean. Conditions not great - thank goodness I have a good jacket ;)

C • Would that be 5

Candle burnt at both ends as I was out on a work do last night while Tessa had a 7am alarm to get up to Aviemore in the morning. Rare Sat am in Edinburgh for me - ran the RR in the opposite direction for a bit of variety.

Scumbernauld jogging.

First leg of the National XC Relays. AnDoug took it out ambitiously fast for a guy who's been injured for months but faded after the first mile. Butchart took it over and dragged Lachlan Oates away with him at the top of the hill and they gained 50m on me. I closed back in on the next climb but they flew away again on the descent. I pushed hard on the final loop to limit my losses and secure 3rd. 12:04 is ridiculously fast for this course - 7 years ago I won first leg and was 4th fastest on the day in over 13 minutes! It was soggy but not really muddy this time and it felt like there was more good grass than previously. Fourth best leg time again today with only Ali Hay running faster on the later legs (12:01) but it's not fair to compare really. Definitely felt tired so it might be worth focusing on the 4km xc in a couple of week and seeing what I can do with a fresher head?

Jogging and back to the school. Right knee a bit sore - has been niggling from single leg squats on Thursday night.

Corstorphine loop with extension to Kaimes Road and Carrick Knowe. Really like this extension!

For some reason I've got a mental block about going and re-running Chepls' Loop. There's something about the hill up to Greenbank Road, the busy traffic at Comiston and the familiar trudge back from the meadows that puts me off in the morning. So I ventured south west instead, to Colinton Dell. And it was marvellous.

Trainspotting at Leith Central Station. New route - needs a bit of an extension.

Inverleith. Who needs easy days to start feeling fresher?

HFW

Season closer on the Dalkeith railway. A feel good happy go lucky cruise along the familiar route at a marathon taper friendly distance and pace for Houston's benefit (despite the best efforts of Ray to push things on a bit). Until next year, hallowed tarmac.

Clock loop. Tired.

Eastern 10. Feeling smoother by the end.

Usual.

HFW.

RR. Friday night comedy on a Monday morning - Banksy is actually George Osborne, genius.

C • Banksy 1

Midi-MASH on my own. Cloud level below the top of the crags so pretty annoying running with a headtorch. Kept it to a fairly low level easy run - Crags, Dasses & Dry Valley climbs.