Training Log Archive: SarahD

Long run up Clachnaben (doing reps) then onto the next wee top, drop down to the Feugh at Charr and back round the side. Great run and a long time since I've been down that side. Was hard work after the hill reps, especially the up bits (more than I anticipated). Won a mental battle with the last climb back over to the car park.

17 x 1' + 1' from the edge of the trees to the top. Not quite as tough as Morven but bad enough, especially the last few steep ones.

Half way to school and back x 2

Trying to be super-woman and failing again ;-(
Up to the mast on Meikle Tap by the long way and straight back down again. Had left work an hour late and brain was frazzled, so a bit of a plod but good to squeeze it in.

C • Footprints 2

Half way to school and back after convincing E that he could set off home on his own.

Steady trot round H'head

5 x 4' + 2' with DR in Glen T. Not really feeling up for it, but just got on and did it. Hamstrings still a bit tight.

To start of intervals feeling v sluggish. Back via mill pond at end.

Lap of H'head. Must have been some rainstorm on Sat in Aberdeen - lots of paths ripped out and accumulations of debris.

Cairngorm and Cairn Lochan with J and E - a stolen day in the mountains. Out for 3h+. Great.

Section of the Dava Way from N of Grantown to Dava with J and E, then back the same way. Track surface a bit variable - would be great with a small investment.

Monster hill session of 28 x 1' + 1' up Morven with J. Wasn't sure I was going to make it all the way and glad of the company to make me stick it out. Legs were total jelly by the top.
Just need to do this every week...

Steady up to the lone pine on the diagonal track (12') to start hills, and back down from the top (29'). Track down the face seemed much better than it has been - less loose gravel and rock.

Down to school and back x 2

Hill of Fare from E end to mast. Up the long way (33') and straight back down (16'). Felt v sluggish at the start (work to blame) but much better by the end.

no time

5 x 4' + 2' at Glen T with DR. Hadn't really planned to do this but got sucked in and it was better than I expected. Hamstring abit tight still but ok otherwise. Midges were THE WORST EVER ;-(((

To and from intervals. Back by the millpond.

Down to the village(14') to do some messages and back again (18'). Legs really haven't felt too bad since Sat, but they sure weren't too keen on running again yet. Hamstrings the tightest bit.

GWC. Targets were (a) to beat my pw from 2 years ago and (b) to get through the race without cramping. Was successful on both counts (just), so got to be happy.
Started steady and felt great up the first climb (don't remember running all of it in the past). Also felt good and relaxed along the next rocky / boggy section and down to Shenaval. Caught Andrew D and had a natter through some of this. Also passed Matt S having split his knee open ;-( The bog between the 2 river crossings was drier than ever and easy soft running. Took a bit to settle on the track on the far side of the rivers but still feeling ok up the start of the climb and passed a couple of people. Second part of the climb felt slow and by the time I went over the top I was going through a rough patch. Felt a twinge in my calf which had me worried as this was the first signs of cramp I had two years ago in the same spot. Eased off a bit and soon settled down again and then felt good all the way down to the causeway. Was aware by now that muscles were tiring (2 1/2 hours in) and tried to stay relaxed and not push too much. The next section to the check point feeding station did seem long and slow and I was wanting more fluid as I'd drunk all I was carrying. Must have slowed some more and was passed by a couple of runners heading across the bog path towards the forest. This was where I cramped badly 2 years ago, so was relieved at least to still be going in relative comfort. Didn't recognise much of the forest track which was muddy and tedious, but after refuelling at the forest end, got into a steady pace down the track and picked back a couple of places. Final section along the road seemed hillier than I remembered but as always soon passed and was pleased to see the finish clock still sub 4:20.
Feels like real progress to have been able to enjoy a long race for the first time in several years. Need to build on it now and try and get a bit of speed back - need to do a few more races for that. Definitely need another target to motivate through the autumn....

C • Nice 2

Short jog in Aboyne along the DW

Easy jog with J round the woods. Just about warmed up by the end.

Ticking over round H'head with a few reps. No time or need for more.

6 x 1' + 1'

In Embra

Crathes brown course. Running felt ok but v scrappy on the navigation. Good course.

Needed a decent warm-up to wake myself up.

Up Lochnagar with J and E by the tourist route and back by Glas Allt. Never seen so many people up there. Cloud swirling around the tops unfortunately but fine otherwise. Good walk and good pace - out for 4:50 total.

Went out to do some hills but felt rubbish - lethargic and low on energy - so just jogged / walked round the woods and back. Not been v relaxed this week and sleeping poorly so R+R more important at the mo

Steady lap of H'head

10 x 2' + 1' along the DW from Aboyne with E pacing me on his bike. Felt ok.

To and from start of intervals

Recovery run round the H'head playing fields. At the end of the first lap noticed my shoes weren't where I'd left them. Found them in the undergrowth some metres away - never saw any kids but they must have seen me! Might have to be a bit more careful at hiding them. Tired but running ok.

To and from H'head

Down to Potties for F+C then a waddle/ wobble back after. Got well and truly dropped by E fuelled on STP ;-}}

Emotionally drained after last nights olympic antics and felt like I'd raced for the medals myself this morning. Set off from Corsedarder monument at an easy pace and after 20' or so was feeling ok. Across the caper zone and up onto Lamahip, down to FofB, across the Feugh then back up through Finzean forest. Couldn't find a map at home and made a few wee navigational errors. In ok shape by the end and nothing niggling.

Olympics have been distracting me from this the last few nights

Up to Aboyne to the games with E and back again. Felt a bit of a woos not to run the hill race but enjoyed watching others. Knackered by the time we got back - 6 x across the bog and stream and back to get both bikes and E over (bridge can't come soon enough), then a real slog back up the hill home. Reckon we've got a tough new training facility outside our back door.

From home up to Shooting Greens on the DW, hill reps, then back the same way. Back in 35'. Lovely day and a joy to be out cruising on the bike.

4 x 4'+ 4' on the hill from Slewdrum Woods sign up to road at SG. Warm up was the bike ride and a jog down to the start. Splits were 4:05, 4:07, 4:12, 4:01. Felt strong and hamstring fine whilst running.

Headed out to do some hills, but realised there was nothing in the tank, so just an easy run instead. Waved a branch above me going across the fields and buzz kept his distance. Dropped down to return by the DW.

Some moves to try and mobilise the back

Round the fields at H'head.

To the fields. Hamstrings uncomfortable again. Need to do some work on my back.