Training Log Archive: SarahD

Easy spin out the SD road from Ballater to HBH. Scone & coffee and some fun remoulding focaccia to fit in my running vest, then back by A93 somewhat faster (tail wind and chasing cyclist). Tired from yesterday.

Long one with JS & Nevis to explore into Caenlochan and Glen Isla. Started from Devils elbow below Glenshee. Up onto Glas Maol then dropped into the top end of Caenlochan glen. Steep descent and a bit skitey in places but managed to avoid both crags and hard-packed snow patches. Picked up a path down the river side to follow down the glen for 5 or so km. sadly clagged in by this point as the glen is really impressive and would have been good to get a better view of it all. Left the glen at Tulchan to climb back up onto Black Hill then follow the ridge on up over a few lumps to the top of Creag Leacach eventually. Well knackered by this point (even N) so we turned for home from the first top, dropping steeply back down off the west spur. Great outing and explore of some new places, even if it turned out a bit dreich.

From Baddidarach over to Achmelvich for a very brief dip in the sea, then back the same way. Tired legs and walking most of the hills, but still a lovely trot over there. Sea wasn’t as cold as expected and the air not too bad either once we were tucked out of the wind. Croft half way over has a menagerie of cute and very friendly animals that all wanted a tickle behind their ears - pigs, mini goats, dogs and chickens :-)

Lochan a Choire Ghuirm and Glas Beinn with J from the north by Loch na Gainmhich, in a couple of km on the path then past Loch Bealach na Bhuirich and up to the Choire Ghuirm. A bit dull overhead, but brightened enough to give stunning reflection of the hills in the water. Steep and slightly skitey climb up onto Glas Beinn with a thin layer of snow and icy in places. Then back down the nose of the hill with a stunning outlook over to Quinag. Fab.

C • One of my 3

Exploring in the dark from Baddidaroch. Out the path towards Achmelvich then hung left along to a wee lochan above Camasnafriaraich. Then it got interesting…. Combo of rock, willow, scrub and crags making it hard to find a sensible line through the various lumps and bumps in the dark. Various bits of blind vegetated scrambling ensued but eventually got myself onto the line of hills leading back towards Bddch and picked up the track leading down from the old Croft. Suspect there are lots of trods that can be more easily followed in daylight which will be discovered in due course. Fun!

DR on the green. 6x3’+90” plus w-u / w-d. Legs felt heavy but solid effort. Lovely night and over-heating in thermal and tights. Tick.

Lovely recovery spin on the bike. Round Auchenhove, up to x-Rds and back by Bogentassie,& Lumpy. Beautiful morning and very mild. Legs not feeling at all bike fit tho!