Training Log Archive: Big JonIn the 7 days ending May 26, 2013:
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Sunday May 26, 2013 #
pace run race 1:28:00 [5]
Leg 60 with Alan S. Tired at start and struggled on climbs, dropped on climb and savage descent.
Right from 2 minutes into the run I felt wasted and pushed harder than ever to try to save some face and stick with Alan on the flat. At the break of slope we passed a wee bothy - no sign of life (overlooking Loch an Laoigh) We agreed he would push up hill and down descent to try to gain some time. He gradually pulled away up the hill - a lovely little track on a spur and I finally reached to top - boosted by seeing him walk on one occasion! Views were staggering to the north - to Torridon hills, vast walls of black rock and acres of scree. Stopped to take a few pics then headed down the old stalkers path...... Savage switchback through the cliffs at the top of the slope then a fast whiz down zig-zgs, unfortunately it was about 5km from here and it felt a looooooong, loooooong way. Finally reached edge of forest and reaching a forest road checked on map, cut over fence, stream and second fence to get back on the same forest road I had been on - I'd cut off about 100m distance.... Along this track and across the River Carron (very low) then fought through gorse patch to road at Lair. No sign of others so assumed Alan had changed over already... then he appeared from my right pelting along the road... he had gone the wrong way on forest road and added about 1.5 km on to run! Sarah and Clare appeared at this point and we handed kit over. What an amazing area - must return to check out the bothy and hills to south and north of Strath Carron.
Right from 2 minutes into the run I felt wasted and pushed harder than ever to try to save some face and stick with Alan on the flat. At the break of slope we passed a wee bothy - no sign of life (overlooking Loch an Laoigh) We agreed he would push up hill and down descent to try to gain some time. He gradually pulled away up the hill - a lovely little track on a spur and I finally reached to top - boosted by seeing him walk on one occasion! Views were staggering to the north - to Torridon hills, vast walls of black rock and acres of scree. Stopped to take a few pics then headed down the old stalkers path...... Savage switchback through the cliffs at the top of the slope then a fast whiz down zig-zgs, unfortunately it was about 5km from here and it felt a looooooong, loooooong way. Finally reached edge of forest and reaching a forest road checked on map, cut over fence, stream and second fence to get back on the same forest road I had been on - I'd cut off about 100m distance.... Along this track and across the River Carron (very low) then fought through gorse patch to road at Lair. No sign of others so assumed Alan had changed over already... then he appeared from my right pelting along the road... he had gone the wrong way on forest road and added about 1.5 km on to run! Sarah and Clare appeared at this point and we handed kit over. What an amazing area - must return to check out the bothy and hills to south and north of Strath Carron.
cycling 1:35:00 [2]
To start with AS. steep hilly track, walked large sections. Felt desperate at the start - like my last nights sleep on 7 hours hadn't happened! Gradually warmed up into cycling when it was flat, but off the bike at any hill nad walked up pushing bike. Alan meanwhile was cruising up the hills on a worse bike than mine! We passed the 300 col (Bealach Alltan Ruairidh) and had a great descent to the river Uisge Dhubh and Bendronaig Lodge. A long wait here (we had left deliberately early) for Dave and Ruth, but the familiar adrenaline rush as they ran towards us and off....
Saturday May 25, 2013 #
pace run race 1:20:00 [5]
Leg 31 with Donald K Tough climb brutal descent then fast track - added 2.5km due to late next runners.
Up after 2 hours sleep to shovel in some porridge, toast and tea, then into the car to drive to Glen Lednock. Frosty dawn light and sun not yet over hills when we arrived (having passed Marie and Greg en-route). Tough start up the hill and very quickly became apparent that Donald was stronger on the uphills than me. I struggled on as best I could and he held back to avoid dropping me by too much. Near the top of the climb we reached sunlight and I felt a surge of optimism and new strength. A peaty-hag ridden traverse then an incredibly steep land-rover track descent did further damage to my legs.... Onto the main track in Glen Almond and fast running to the changeover point, only to find the next pair missing. Nothing for it but to carry on (albeit at a slightly slower pace!). We eventually met them 2.5km down the Glen - they had got lost on drive to the area! Handed on to them and mounted bikes for 10km ride down to the car at Newtown Bridge, then home to Strathyre in time to pack up and head up to Pitlochry through the tourist traffic.
Up after 2 hours sleep to shovel in some porridge, toast and tea, then into the car to drive to Glen Lednock. Frosty dawn light and sun not yet over hills when we arrived (having passed Marie and Greg en-route). Tough start up the hill and very quickly became apparent that Donald was stronger on the uphills than me. I struggled on as best I could and he held back to avoid dropping me by too much. Near the top of the climb we reached sunlight and I felt a surge of optimism and new strength. A peaty-hag ridden traverse then an incredibly steep land-rover track descent did further damage to my legs.... Onto the main track in Glen Almond and fast running to the changeover point, only to find the next pair missing. Nothing for it but to carry on (albeit at a slightly slower pace!). We eventually met them 2.5km down the Glen - they had got lost on drive to the area! Handed on to them and mounted bikes for 10km ride down to the car at Newtown Bridge, then home to Strathyre in time to pack up and head up to Pitlochry through the tourist traffic.
pace run race 1:09:00 [5]
Leg 38 chasing Ewen K up Glen Tilt. Tired & hot
Arrived at Pitlochry in time to grab a bit of water, fresh route map and head off to Blair Atholl to await Jane who was soloing leg 37. Feeling a bit tired so agreed Ewen would just run his own pace up the Tilt with both sat phone and tracker and I would do my best to stay in contact. He gradually pulled away and had nearly caught the next pair (who were cycling up the Tilt) by the changeover (which meant they had no recovery time!). It was a baking hot sunny day and the hill seemed to grind on for ever. Eventually reched the changeover just in time to see Ruth and Staphanie heading off up the glen. Pleased to have held Ewen to 2-3 mins lead.
Arrived at Pitlochry in time to grab a bit of water, fresh route map and head off to Blair Atholl to await Jane who was soloing leg 37. Feeling a bit tired so agreed Ewen would just run his own pace up the Tilt with both sat phone and tracker and I would do my best to stay in contact. He gradually pulled away and had nearly caught the next pair (who were cycling up the Tilt) by the changeover (which meant they had no recovery time!). It was a baking hot sunny day and the hill seemed to grind on for ever. Eventually reched the changeover just in time to see Ruth and Staphanie heading off up the glen. Pleased to have held Ewen to 2-3 mins lead.
pace run race 1:18:00 [4]
Leg 44 very tired, with Derek. Decent pace bit not dying! Dusk again
After leg 38 I crawled back to Pitlochry and showered, had a one hour nap, ate more food (a delicious prawn pasta dish) and drank litres of water. All to soon had to leave for next leg, but Derek drove car and I was able to rest a little. Had plenty of time at start and I finally drank enough to re-hydrate. Set off in the dusk again and had a lovely cool run over through Glen Banchor to Laggan. Much of the way was trackless, just trying to pick good lines through the rough grazing and avoiding the worst of the marshes and heather. Good work at end to pick up a better track off than marked line and down almost in darkness to Laggan. Farmer turned up almost immediately to accuse us of leaving gates open and threatened to "track us down" if he found any open and "I've got your number plate" - we didn't tell him it wasn't our car! Late drive to get to Great Glen Hostal nad 2 huge plates of lamb tagine. Finally a whole 7 hours in bed - more than over the previous 4 nights.
Worst over now - 5 legs down, only 2 to go. In the past 25 hours I have run 45 km, 4-40 hours running, 2 hours biking, 5 hours driving and 3 hours sleep. Not good for health!
After leg 38 I crawled back to Pitlochry and showered, had a one hour nap, ate more food (a delicious prawn pasta dish) and drank litres of water. All to soon had to leave for next leg, but Derek drove car and I was able to rest a little. Had plenty of time at start and I finally drank enough to re-hydrate. Set off in the dusk again and had a lovely cool run over through Glen Banchor to Laggan. Much of the way was trackless, just trying to pick good lines through the rough grazing and avoiding the worst of the marshes and heather. Good work at end to pick up a better track off than marked line and down almost in darkness to Laggan. Farmer turned up almost immediately to accuse us of leaving gates open and threatened to "track us down" if he found any open and "I've got your number plate" - we didn't tell him it wasn't our car! Late drive to get to Great Glen Hostal nad 2 huge plates of lamb tagine. Finally a whole 7 hours in bed - more than over the previous 4 nights.
Worst over now - 5 legs down, only 2 to go. In the past 25 hours I have run 45 km, 4-40 hours running, 2 hours biking, 5 hours driving and 3 hours sleep. Not good for health!
cycling 1:00:00 [2]
Cycle out to car down Glen Almond, very scenic, very god quality track, shame about the legs... Managed to keep up with Donald and time passed fairly quickly.
cycling 1:00:00 [2]
Cycle down Glen Tilt with EK. Horribly tired...
Glen Tilt - the less said the better! Hot, long, slow on bike that was way too small (so all runners could ride we only took medium bikes - none that I rode had high enough saddles.....). Ewen gallantly held back to avoid me more embarrassment by riding away from me. Nearly down he commented that my bike had no suspension - which explained my sore arms, aching shoulders and general beat-up feeling!
Glen Tilt - the less said the better! Hot, long, slow on bike that was way too small (so all runners could ride we only took medium bikes - none that I rode had high enough saddles.....). Ewen gallantly held back to avoid me more embarrassment by riding away from me. Nearly down he commented that my bike had no suspension - which explained my sore arms, aching shoulders and general beat-up feeling!
Friday May 24, 2013 #
pace run race 41:00 [5]
Big Relay leg 9 Ran flat out - feeling OK
Route half road and half good track. Before start tried a wee warm-up jog but was too cold so went back into car ! When previous leg runners came into view I had a huge surge of adrenaline and whizzed off, feeling great! Amazing the effect of being in a team effort can have. Stomach was fine - possibly illness was a water borne bug (plenty of sheep at end of Day 3 run - even high up Glen Licht).
Route half road and half good track. Before start tried a wee warm-up jog but was too cold so went back into car ! When previous leg runners came into view I had a huge surge of adrenaline and whizzed off, feeling great! Amazing the effect of being in a team effort can have. Stomach was fine - possibly illness was a water borne bug (plenty of sheep at end of Day 3 run - even high up Glen Licht).
pace run race 55:00 [5]
Leg 22 Milngavie to Glengoyne. Flat out at dusk, one wobble in Mugdock CP. Dark by end, good hard effort.
Previous leg were a little later than hoped for - I think I mistook timings! Waiting nervously near Milngavie railway station and moved to start arch of West Highland Way for actual change-over, Alan raced in, thrust the GPS tracker and sat phone into my hands shouting "Run like the wind" and I was off. Within 200m a fox ambled onto the track ahead of me, turned on hearing my footsteps and continued to amble across the track - obviously my wind-running wasn't all that impressive!
I started at 2140 and it gradually got darker as I ran north into a glorious sunset behind Ben Lomond. The last 2.5km were along an old railway line and here I stuck the head down and went for it - in an attempt to match the "par-time" for the leg, just managed it - but at a pretty huge cost of effort!
Managed to drop a small head torch at the changeover - probably as I got my phone out to phone in changeover time to base (for updating of schedule page). Drive back to Strathyre was lovely in the dark with a huge yellow moon rising over the Campsie Fells to my right. Back to hostel and 2 huge bowls of curry with nan bread - first proper meal in 48 hours.
Previous leg were a little later than hoped for - I think I mistook timings! Waiting nervously near Milngavie railway station and moved to start arch of West Highland Way for actual change-over, Alan raced in, thrust the GPS tracker and sat phone into my hands shouting "Run like the wind" and I was off. Within 200m a fox ambled onto the track ahead of me, turned on hearing my footsteps and continued to amble across the track - obviously my wind-running wasn't all that impressive!
I started at 2140 and it gradually got darker as I ran north into a glorious sunset behind Ben Lomond. The last 2.5km were along an old railway line and here I stuck the head down and went for it - in an attempt to match the "par-time" for the leg, just managed it - but at a pretty huge cost of effort!
Managed to drop a small head torch at the changeover - probably as I got my phone out to phone in changeover time to base (for updating of schedule page). Drive back to Strathyre was lovely in the dark with a huge yellow moon rising over the Campsie Fells to my right. Back to hostel and 2 huge bowls of curry with nan bread - first proper meal in 48 hours.
Thursday May 23, 2013 #
steady run 2:30:00 [3]
Ill last night so missed morning road session, joined for off-road section. A bit weak.
Wednesday May 22, 2013 #
steady run 4:00:00 [3]
Glen Affric to Morvich. started in wind, met hail and driving rain after 40 mins - continued till YH, really pretty grim. Slackened before lunch at bothy and afternoon was almost dry - great descent down glen to Glen Licht House, then plod out. Lot of fresh snow on hills - above approx 750/800m. Now feeling pretty battered - head-wind all day and cold air. Hope weather gets milder for Friday, but not looking like it! 3C forecast for tonight at Kyle.
Tuesday May 21, 2013 #
steady run 1:21:00 [3]
Tomich to Glen Affric car park. Short day (only 9 miles). Feeling good, put in 12 minute burst near end to catch leaders - to make sure they turned to car park and not towards Morvich (18 miles away....). Another pleasant running day - cool, light breeze and dry. Plenty of snow patches on north Affric hills. Tomorrow should be spectacular if weather holds and cloud stays high. Impossible 9 days looks possible now ;-)
stretching 12:00 [1]
Monday May 20, 2013 #
steady run 4:00:00 [3]
Drumnadrochit to Tomich, great day, cool and dry. Took 2nd group till lunch so nice easy pace. 1st group after lunch but all chose to walk in boggy section, so very easy day overall. No ospreys at fishing lochs (too much breeze). Legs holding out well - just a bit achy lower left ham and upper quads. In river after for 10 mins - good cooling of legs/knees (not brave enough to try any deeper!).
stretching 12:00 [1]