Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Scottish Relays Handicap team with Andy T and Sarah. First leg and felt dead from the start, struggled round trying to stay in contact, can't remember the last time I was this tired at an O race. Beaten by Jennny Ricketts on the run-in..... (though she is a World Schools Champion). Need some serious recovery this week.

Scottish Champs M45L, Auchingarroch. 2nd to Charlie Adams (Bilbo faster still on M50L).
Good race for state I was in (v v tired). Caught Rob Lee early (3 mins) and had battle with hi m- helped me to keep effort level up, though beaten by Trevor on the run-in....
Pleased with performance after a fairly long tough week.

a bit of jogging.

rest day

Running the Highlands Day 5 Morvich to Skye, first part along road to Dornie - big climb up old road - great views. Taking this section easy as pacing Thalea. Second section also on road to west of villages - including a mile on the main road (not nice with traffic thundering past). Third part on tracks (and bog :-)) up into woodlands and to viewpoint above Balmacara. Cross road by old caravan site and then path through plantation and onto the BOG - great for me, but not so great for tired road runners! Ploitered along to Kyle then carried straight on to bridge and a bit of a wind up down from the top. Good day, but weather grey and drizzly for much of it. No swim in the sea at Tingle Creek after - too cold and wet!
Good group - fastest overall of the three trips I've made. Think they all enjoyed it and will spread the word.

Running the Highlands, Run Across Scotland Day 4
Glen Affric to Kintail.
The big day - no turning back, no back up. Great weather, cool a few light showers and little wind - some a tail wind! Group was great today, close together and all being sensible. Carried a lot of extra kit - duvet, spare fleece, spare thermal, spare gloves and LOT of chocolate, energy bars etc! None was needed as our enforced instructions meant all carried more kit/food and no emergencies.
Quickest time for a group - no slow ones at all. Sat in cold water for a few minutes at end to ease legs - worked a treat.
Great day to be running and impressed again by the scenery.

C • Route? 1

First bedroom big enough to stretch (and found time to do it).

Running the Highlands, Run Across Scotland Day 3.
Tomich to Glen Affric.
Easy day taking slow runner across the woods to Loch Beinn a Mheadoin. Slow pace till other caught up and then took another runner to the end, but pace very easy and pleasant. A couple of light showers at start and finish and a hail shower at mid point but mostly very nice and sun out at times. Pretty sheltered from wind.

Running the Highlands, Run Across Scotland Day 2
Drumnadrochit to Tomich. Weather forecast bad but morning was great - set off in sunshine and only a couple of light showers. During lunch rain became steadier and soon after we set off for afternoon the rain increased and the wind picked up. Leaving the woods above Corrimony the conditions rapidly deteriorated and became dreadful. Driving rain coming in horizontally and strong head wind meant running was slow and painful. Quickly put on waterproof trousers to save legs from the stinging of the rain. At turn of main track realised the 3 leaders had missed the signpost (they had run past with heads down in the rain and completely failed to spot it). I carried on with the 3 with me and we sheltered behind an old cottage/bothy (I stripped my top layers off and added a thermal to my t-shirt and waterproof jacket). All cold and soaked through by now so decided to carry on and get these 3 back to Tomich, then think of others. I hoped they would have sense to turn back at some point and perhaps meet Ben who was coming along later after dropping off the slowest runner/walker at Corrimony. We reached the woods and immediately got some shelter from the wind which brought great relief. The descent to Tomich was fine - windy but quick. On reaching hotel spoke to Neil and he set off for Corrimony in the bus while I loaded up with extra clothes and food and returned up hill. Not quite sure what to do when I reached the forest - whether to assume the runners would be on the correct track or to head north to meet the wrong track they had set off on. Anyway plan not needed as I met them near the top of the hill, Ben had met them as they ran back towards Corrimony (cold and underdressed). He spread his spare kit and food round and escorted them back to Tomich. Good outcome but lessons learned included - make sure guests know to stop regularly if they get ahead, insist guests carry enough kit (they were underdressed despite instructions), insist guests carry more food in case of emergencies.
Epic day - I haven't run in such bad conditions for a long, long time.