Training Log Archive: SarahD

OMG what a horrible day. Completely soaked and frozen before I even went out, after coaching newcomers round the white course. Seriously lacking in motivation even to start, but somehow managed to get myself there and with E's assistance of having got my start time wrong, did a rolling start straight through to the front line. Wasn't with it at all to begin with and stood the wrong side of the boulder at 1 forever, before realising I was in the right place. After that ran completely on autopilot and it mostly worked pretty well. Feet eventually warmed up after 25' or so. Only error was at 18 (1'+) and generally felt very proud with myself for having ground it out in such grim conditions.
Got back to the car to a dead battery just to round the day off nicely. Ribs still sore, especially last night, but not really any worse running.

Pain in the ribs where I knee'd myself on falling through the snow bridge yesterday.

Legs feeling not too bad after yesterday. Ribs a bit sore on breathing deeply.

Aboyne SOUL. Pretty good race. Overshot junction at 3, and missed best route at 12-13, but otherwise neat and tidy. Managed to push hard and enjoyed it. Good course planning.

Arrived at Loch Muick car park in a whiteout and -0.5C. Sat in the car for a few minutes deciding what to do, by which time it started to brighten up and plan A was on the cards again. Cycled round the loch to the block of trees at the foot of the Glas Allt, then headed on foot up towards the Dubh Loch (cp37). From there carried on up the glen beyond the big crags before striking north up the hill towards Carn a Choir Bhoidheach. Into the snow by this stage which was difficult - very variable in depth and mostly quite soft. Disappeared down a few holes before getting firmer footing as I climbed higher. Quite a few mountain hare and ptarmigan on this side of the hill, and also what I think was a dotterel (didn't get quite close enough but shape and size were right). Now into the cloud and glad that I'd thrown a compass in at the last minute. Found the summit of Bhoidheach and from there took a careful bearing to the Stuic (cp36). Thankfully found it before the nearby dodgy looking cornice. Then it was across the plateau (at a sensible distance from the edge) to contour below Lochnagar to the Glas Allt track. Snow was quite deep across here making for slow going, then I lost my right leg through a snow bridge over the source of the Glas Allt, jarring my left knee into my chest. More hard going before meeting the Glas Allt track and an easier run back off the hill. Stopped for the photo at the foot of the falls (cp39), then back to the bike. Glad to see it by this stage.
Turned into a bigger day out than I anticipated, but I was actually really lucky with the weather in the end, and the run had a good proper mountain feel to it. Fun :-)

To the foot of the Glas Allt and back after - rather more slowly.

Home - Craiglash - Glassel - back rd to Learney Hill - Tornaveen - S'dyswells - P'murchie - DW - home
Cracking wee route on the back roads. Chilly wind blowing across me most of the time.
Better for this.

Best chance to fit in a long run this week, but I didn't really feel up for it. Kind of compromised with an intermediate length run that turned into quite a long one, because I was so slow! From Redburn headed up onto Culblean Hill to bag cps 68 and 67. Hoped that the run would raise my spirits, but unfortunately it just got me really cross. This hillside could be wonderful (the reserve next door is) but instead it's been bulldozed with hideous tracks and burnt to a crisp. AND THE LANDOWNERS GET AWAY WITH IT. Grr. Remind me not to bother next time.

Home to Mortlich (cp85) and back the same way. Felt an awful lot bouncier than I anticipated. Lovely bright morning and a great run. Felt quads and calfs still sore on the steep climb, but otherwise in pretty good shape.

With AR club at Dess. Ended up with the 3 faster girls who were really going quite well. Good chat too :-)

Much needed. Quads really tight. Added interest of a hungry Zeb, prowling round me in circles and nibbling at my hands. Thankfully never got to the baseball bat stage.