Training Log Archive: SarahD

HMM Day 2. Strapped up my disintegrating shoes with some zinc oxide tape and crossed my fingers. In the reverse chasing start, but still lots of others setting off and a serious crocodile procession for the first few legs. Cloud lifted early making the navigation relatively straight forward, which wasn't going to play to our strengths. Still managed to pick up some time by taking nice lines and spiking the controls for the most part. Almost made a major booboo late on navigating towards the wrong control, but fortunately realised in time and ended up losing very little. D had refuelled well last night and didn't have any issues today, so we kept a good steady pace going throughout. By some miracle my shoes survived and didn't seem much worse than at the start of the day. Didn't enjoy the last 1km along the tarmac to the finish, but was cheered up by team B2, who had passed us way back at the top of the hill 1 1/2 hours earlier, coming past us again. Beat AM and AR on the day, but not by quite enough to overcome the day 1 deficit :-(
Finished overall first F team on the B class :-) but gutted to be awarded the prize for 2nd FV based on the handicap system, whilst the 2nd F (non vet) team were awarded 1st F... wtf :-( At least the results don't lie.

HMM Glen Cannich B class. Great day in the hills. Started from the Mullardoch dam, heading into the hills to the north. Cloud right down early on which made for interesting navigation. 900m+ ridges and peaks were just peeking out above, giving some amazingly atmospheric views. Spiked the first 2 but stopped short and too high heading for 3, losing ~5 min. Cloud lifted soon after to give some cracking views up towards Loch Monar etc. Good line to 4 but then D started to bonk and really struggled for the next couple of hours. Not sure I got the best route choices on a couple of legs here either. D picked up again once she'd got more food and liquid in (couldn't pick up any water for a while along the high ridge) and we finished well. Very happy with our position, especially as we knew we could have been faster. I was delighted with how my body coped - feeling strong, no cramp and felt like I could have kept going for longer at the finish. Somewhat disconcerted to discover that both of my shoes were now parting company with their soles...more than a tad worrying for day 2.
Lovely grassy campsite in Glen Strathfarrar, warm sun, slight breeze to keep the midges down, plenty of food on the go and good craic.

Hanging and collecting controls for ASC. Last session. It's been lots of fun, but woodland is getting very familiar and ideas are starting to dry up, so good to give it a break over the summer.

Maroc WTT at Sluie. Mass start with re-grouping. Just about managed to keep up due to lots of folk faffing. Cut back from 10 with E to preserve energy. Good fun.

Start of the wind down to HMM

Guiding for RTH. Guys pretty tired now, so nice easy pace. From Dinnet round the N side of Loch Kinord then walked up the Vat Burn. Jogged back down the tourist path, then continued round the S side of the loch, including the dragonfly loop. Very pleasant.

Jog over to DAP to meet guests.