Training Log Archive: SarahD

Travelling home.
Great week even if the weather wasn't perfect (looks like we didn't miss much here in that regard). 7/7 for running and stretching and a few good new route finds.

Did another stretch of the cycle track from Lago di Chiusi in the opposite direction, N towards Arrezo. Out for an hour or so again. Must do the whole route (65km) sometime...

Monte Cetona traverse from S to N. Steady pace up the hill feeling tired but reasonably stong. 28' to the top. No view today with the cloud down on the summit and didn't stop as the wind was pretty chilling. Started feeling really good on the descent / traverse, running relaxed, so pushed the pace a bit as I got lower down. Wore road shoes and tendon felt fine - terrain / O shoes seem to be the problem.
Still my favourite Tuscan run - good hill climb and great forest paths with lots of variety. Felt brilliant at the end.

Very wet morning, but I optomistically decided it would clear up just like yesterday so we headed down towards Monte Rufeno. In fact it just got wetter. Parked at 'gate 6' on the N edge of the forest. Had half planned to try and follow the 'red' route shown on the (crappy) reserve map, but knew it was likely to take too long (particularly as the markers have mostly completely faded). Followed the tracks through nice oak woods and descended quite a long way before deciding to try and cut across through the forest to the return leg of the circuit. Terrain wasn't bad, but didn't seem to be making rapid progress and was worried about keeping J and E hanging around too long. Eventually picked up some small tracks that took me back to my outward route and got me back to the car not too late. Totally soaked through and glad of my winter running kit. Felt ok running, except that tendon was niggling quite a bit.
Warmed up with a much deserved cioccolata calda in San Cascioano di Bagno.

Grey and wet morning, so decided a trip over to Perugia was a good plan. Had cleared up quite well by the afternoon so stopped off in Castiglione del Lago on the way back for a much promised trip to the beach for E. Feeling lethargic and heavy after pizza and beer at lunchtime, but managed to convince myself that a short run would be worthwhile. Didn't feel too bad once I got going and just ran round the edge of the lake and back, mostly on grass.

Cycled with J and E on a bit of the new Chiusi - Arrezzo cycle route along the Val di Chiana. Perfect for E as it's traffic free and flat. Started at Lago di Chiusi and headed towards Chiusi then back the same way. Out for an hour or so - good leg loosener.

Started at Torreone above Cortona and followed an ancient paved route up through the woods to a ridgetop. Brilliant path - nice gradient for running, fantastic woodland / scrubby heath and easy to follow. Was off the edge of my map by the time I reached the road, but ran back along it for a mile or so until I spotted a good looking track heading down into the trees towards Cortona. Decided I was feeling lucky, so followed it and amazingly it did take me more or less straight back down, although I was a bit worried I'd dropped too much height.
Great run. Feeling good up the hill despite being late in the afternoon.

Map run on the Monte Amiata O map. Started from the usual spot above St Abbadia and tried to run an old training course but with a diversion to finish at the S end of the map at Piancastagnaio. As J guessed, the vegetation mapping is quite badly out of date (2000) and there was a lot of brash and thicker scrubby undergrowth to contend with. Still some lovely parts on the higher areas, into the beech wood, but rough and tough elsewhere. Really enjoyed the run though. Felt like an adventure, but one that I was in control of as I did at least have a (fairly) decent map (not common in this part of the world). Loved the bit down towards Piancastagnaio which was new to me. Saw two wild boar towards the end - startled the first one from its hiding place behind a rock and the other ran off from the side of the track. Slight niggle from my tendon during the middle of the run, but settled down again.
Enjoyed a sunny picnic and a soak in the thermal springs at Bagno Fillipo afterwards.

Got dropped off on the hill from Sarteano up towards Pietraporciana. Managed to pick up the right track up the hill after a few false starts along dead-ends. Up in 20' or so, then checked out the middle track between the hills, as much as anything to add in a bit more hill effort. Still looking for some extra time, so headed up the hill to the N of the bbq parking area and picked up some nice tracks. Wasn't sure quite where I was going, but after a while realised I was starting to head down a spur in the wrong direction. Thought I knew where I was, but after circling around for 10' or so realised I didn't have a clue and had a bit of a panic as I didn't want to drop off the wrong side. Eventually picked the right path and dropped down to meet J and E 10' or so late.