Training Log Archive: runnermdj

Event: ESOC CompassPoint Scottish O League 5
 

Nice run up through the woods to the start on lovely paths. Wish whole area was like that!

SOL - Craig a Barns, Brown 6.8km, 410m
Was surprised at the start there were only 10 controls but that meant some tough long legs! Started steady and ok to no.1. Thought nav went ok to no.2 but once near the circle the problems began. Came round the right of the hill to it as it looked lower down on the map that it ended up. Hit two crags with a roddy bush in between so thought great, this is it, but after much clambering about, no control. Eventually found the control after much time lost. Frustrating. Steady through 3, 4 & 5, route ok. To no.6, decided to enter the woods just above the dark green, and go in below the crags. Probably on course to get close but a clearing just to the left distracted me. No control. Many clearings later I popped out on the track beyond the control. Took a bearing and headed back in, back past several clearings I'd passed before. Went off to find the two knolls to the NW and went from there. Eventually found it but the ground around just didn't seem to fit the map, was up a steep slope. Tons more time lost - 11mins! OK to no.7 but a bit fed up. No.8 looked daunting so just hit the track for the first half (probably not the quickest!) and ended up passing near no.2 then across round the hill. Lost a minute or two when pretty close, just too low. OK down the hill to the finish. Frustrating run as didn't feel like I did a lot wrong apart from failing to find 2 & 6 when pretty much there! Maybe route choice could have been better in places but at least I executed the routes chosen ok.

Result - 26th/35

C • Good old Craig a' Barns 3

C • Loch Ordie 3

Ran from Farriers up the landrover track to Ben Buck, Ben Cleuch, Andrew Gannel, KS Gate and down to Tilli shops. Started in mist but soon broke out in to blue skies and sunshine out of the woods.Hardly any wind. Ran the landrover climb at a decent pace then backed off a bit after that. Glorious run. Only saw one other person who was carrying a golf brolly!

Usual AS route - Hymans Knoll, Dunsapie Crag, Nether, Pipers, Crags with Marco & Fionna. Took the climbs steady. Hill was misty but it burnt off as we ran and pretty hot & sweaty work by the end.

Ran along QS & Ravelston to the foot of Corstorphine Hill where I left Marco and Fionna to do the nice bit. Came straight back. Only time for 5 miles.

Was 6.44pm by time I'd registered the last runner and got changed for going up to the start of the Caerketton Doonhiller.Wanted to get up for the 7pm first starter so ran pretty hard up the route from car park to summit. Made it by about 10 seconds!

Caerketton Doonhiller Race - Set off fairly steady but still fairly hard. Ran ok for current fitness. Peak speed according to watch 3.32min/mile! 10th out of 67 with Andrew G going sub 5mins. Impressive! Great fun night.

Warm up run to the canal

Session on the canal with Marco : 6 x 3mins with 70sec recs. Slowly building the sessions up again. Felt ok, though was hard work in second half. Thought I was gettting slower though paces suggest otherwise :

Paces - 5.51min/mile, 5.29, 5.37, 5.33, 5.27, 5.24

Nice conditions.

Warm down run back through Princess St Gardens

Down Dundas St then WoL, cyclepath loop with Marco & Drew. On the brisk side again pace-wise for a steady.