Training Log Archive: Spur

Up and down the Tottenham High Road.

C • singing.... 1

Arthur's Seat Brown course mayhem. Forgot my Garmin watch so distance is course length. Impaired by blister under foot from yesterday so tried to go round steadily and focus on navigation and slowing down on the map scale changes. No major mistakes so did ok on that. Enjoyed the first middle style section. Thought the special feature was going to be the very top of the Seat. Couldn't believe it when I checked control description approaching 14 and it was top of climbing frame. Hesitant despite recent visit to a climbing wall, but managed it. Leaving 16 to the north I found a gap in crags to be somewhat dangerous but managed to slide down it without injury. On the long leg pondered the road option but thought it looked rather long, so went straight. Should have taken it, as steps down hill were really slippy and had to walk to avoid mishaps. Slowed right down for micro-o and got it right (46th on this section). But fading physically for the last loop. Strange things going on with gorse on approach to 27. DaveR motored past towards 32. Almost slipped down the hill at 33. I did say I was going to revert to blue this year. 58th out of ~80.

Edinburgh urban race. Pretty clean run and happy with route choices, including an epic 2k leg. Went back out of 5 then round the back of Calton Hill from the south, thought this was ok. Only a couple of very minor alleyway misses. 28th/56 MV.

Jog around Shawlands with Mary.

Lunchtime wander to take a few turfs.

Stag Score at Strathclyde Park. Got all the controls north of the start but missed a few in the circle wasting a few minutes and got back slightly late, so lost some points (but not as many as John and Rafaela). Too far north of 63 despite taking a line straight off a path junction, overshot 65, too low for both 42 and 54. Arms ripped to shreds so glad I wore my new o-goggles! 10th place.

Jog around Pollokshields with Mary.

Trying out the climbing wall at Braehead. Hard work, the rope drop was quite fun though.

Jog around West End with Mary.

Cycling to and from Pollok Park.

Stag Winter Score at Pollok Park. Don't think I had the shortest route and faffed a bit with a couple of decisions but generally running ok and finding controls ok. 12th place.

Control collecting by bike.

Hasty cycle to opticians after missing the train !

Bagging some turfs on the way home. Two in the Gorbals are now building sites.

Queens Park perimeter. Only 16 seconds off my time of 4 years ago so not bad. In a moment of madness I have entered a marathon later this year.

C • Which marathon, and when? 2

Balloch running the AGM course. Found it quite tricky in places especially without kites. Good practice, thanks DonP.

Up and down Sheaval. Sunny and still, but wet and heathery underfoot in places. Sat at the trig point for a bit, admiring views in the sunshine!

Wander on the beach with Mary and Ben. Oystercatchers and sanderlings still out in force.

Potter about on the beach towards Kildonan with Ben. Lots of birds on the beach.

Jog around machair back via Frobost. Glorious sunset. Happy New Year!

C • On the Uists! 1