Training Log Archive: Spur

Sprint at FVO Callendar Park evening event (Falkirk). Pleased to avoid undergrowth with this option. Had a good clean run until near the end when failed to read 'under bridge' description. Oops. Next event the 6 days!

Leg 6 for Clyde at the Harvester, at Blakeholme in the Lakes. Promotion to the A team got me out of a night leg. After a pretty poor sleep, had my breakfast at 4am to prepare for expected departure but overheard Tam and Steve discussing some 'challenges' in the forest and realised things were extending somewhat so went back for a snooze. Emma got back about 6.30am so had some more chocolate and headed to the start with some warm clothes. Donald was out a while too, so ended up in a mini-mass start at 7.45am. 'No heroics' was the pre-race guidance, so stormed off at the head of the pack...then realised I had no idea where the start kite was....so slowed to look at the map. Found 1 fine, and spiked 2 on a longer leg, fine so far, but tough underfoot and night could have been mayhem. Generally ok to 3 and 4, took a safe path route to 5 but missed it (1 min) looking off the wrong path bend. Slightly lost composure and took a slow direct route to 6 when longer path may have been easier but ok to radio control 7. Saw Rupert FVO just behind me then got distracted and made a hash of the easy 8, going up early onto the wrong spur (4 mins lost). Met by Ken Daly INT going up to the final loop but got ahead of him and had a clean fast final loop through the bracken. Should have been under 50 mins but happy not to make any major howlers and the team finished 6th ahead of FVO B and INT.

Harvester - Walks to and from the camping and to and from the arena.

BBQ at Balloch. Quite hard work with lots of summer foliage.

Lazy cycle alongside Mary running.

Cycle orienteering in a balmy Airdrie. Visited 26 control points and got back with 2 mins to spare, so well timed. Arnis got a puncture.

First try at footgolf at Palacerigg. Shot a 92; practice required, not kicked a football in 10 years! A few sore muscles afterwards.

Jog round a lake to the Old George Inn for half a pint, then back!

Same time as the last mile. Ok considering yesterday's pre/post match refuelling.

Mile training run. Scope for improvement but not enough sleep last night.

C • That a strava thing? 4

Mains estate urban in the rain (with some muddy woodland and marshy fields thrown in!). Fairly clean run, took a couple of safe routes to avoid risk of getting stuck in undergrowth.

Joined Terry for Stag training at Coatbridge in the pouring rain. Used 'Beat the Street' card, with a street map, to register at fixed units on various lamp-posts, set out for a NL council health project. Visited 12 controls; mostly good although 3 were in the wrong place vs the map, and one unit not working. Lower leg tightening after previous hill run descent. Good work-out.

Fullarton Woods, ran a recent orange course map!

Spectating Mary's first 10k in the west end of Glasgow, by bike.

C • Well done Mary 2

Helensburgh Highland Games hill race. Steady but average start then managed to get past 3 runners on the boggy open section after coming off the path, and despite a few walking breathers, managed to get a 300m gap at the top in 9th place. Hammered it down the grassy hill and ploughed through the bog, still with a decent gap over the Westie behind me, but he gradually closed on the path through Duchess Woods and was only 50m behind when I came into the arena. Had to really dig in for the lap round the field, and held on to finish 9th. Pleased with that.

Stag evening at Tollcross. 3rd control surrounded by a sea of high nettles that I had no desire to immerse myself in, so abandoned it and jogged around a bit.

C • Thats 1