Training Log Archive: Magic

Easy ride to loosen the legs out a bit. Had to change my planned route as the police had blocked the road down to Ponty off (had 5 police vehicles and a helicopter pass me on the way), don't know what was happening but it must have been quite serious. It turned my easy exploration of the local minor roads into an easy exploration of the local mountain tracks.

Actually much easier riding than I was expecting across the common and I quite enjoyed just pottering along. Passed a bloke in a Ford Transit on top who was well stuck on the byway. Now the only reasons I could only think of to drive a Transit up there are if:

1) you want to do a bit of off-roading - in which case getting stuck is part of the game;
2) you blindly follow a sat-nav - although the track was quite obviously not a suitable place for a van; or
3) you are fly-tipping - then you deserve to get stuck.

None of these scenarios enticed me to stop, so I didn't. Or perhaps there are more???

Event: Pedol Cwm Penant (British Fell Champs Long)
 

Râs Pedol Cwm Pennant, 25km, 1800m.
A counter in the British Championships so a big field out. Only decided to do it yesterday and having never done a race of this size, didn't know what to expect.

Thought I may still be a bit tired from last weekend, but not as much as I was, really didn't enjoy the running at all as the legs were heavy and wobbly right from the start. Hoped they'd feel better after the first climb, but no, and instead my stomach started cramping and I had a stitch for much of the way. To make it even more fun I twinged my ankle quite badly about two-thirds of the way around.

Very mild day but plenty of mist on the tops, so no views available to be distracted by. Shame as when you did get a glimpse they looked quite special.

Can't say I had fun, but it was a great route (apart from the road at the end) with some great trails (and potentially, views). Would like to do it again when my legs are more responsive - think I should have been at least 10 minutes quicker.

IW. Started slow but caught another cyclist who wanted a tow so had to get moving to drop him. Almost ran over a baby blackbird.

HFW. Tried to push on again and pretty pleased with the results. Slower through town and not moving as quick as yesterday, but a solid effort. Pat on the back please.

C • Surely 2

IW. Taking it easy int he morning sunshine. Traffic and lights were most agreeable.

HFW. Legs were just spinning effortlessly and the lights were nearly as kind as this morning. Quite possibly a PB for the commute home.

Easy evening run up the Garth to overcome the day's traveling. Tired but not too bad once warmed up and it was a glorious and warm evening. Maybe getting back to work won't be so bad after a most enjoyable break...

An Teallach ridge with Ciara (walking for about 7:15). What a cracking range of hills and some really fun scrambling bits. Quite a long but easy walk in and then a good climb to the tops. Lots of fun climbing to the top of most of these before heading to an outlier to west for lunch.

Unfortunately while here we could see (and hear) thunderstorms to the east so hasted back to the ridge, bagged the second Monro and got off the ridge as quick as we could. Not all that easy due to a rather inconveniently located snowfield, but successfully negotiated just in time for the rain.

Something of a surprise after so much sun but it made the walk out very atmospheric - it also somewhat increased the presence of midges. Another great day in the Highlands.

Cracking recovery walk (walking for 3.5 hours) in the low hills south of Ullapool (from Gruinard bay). Followed a gorge inland past some cracking contour and rock detail before resting on a wee hill with a stunning view of the surrounding hills. Nice walk back along a river before a snooze on the beautiful beach. If only all recovery days could be like this.