Training Log Archive: Big Jon

SOL 2 Faskally, short brown. Decent run, a couple of hesitations and some wobbles (some due to fallen trees blocking chosen routes.... I min down, fairly satisfied since I walked a lot of uphills today and my legs were not sparkly anywhere on the course.
Nice new map with squeaky clean contours (based on Lidar data).

Lochnagar (guiding runner). Tourist track up and down via Glas Allt. Steady climb to just above statr of footpath, then met snow patches - good condition but slowed, Ladder was completely covered in a snow rampart so traversed into rocks for second half. Plateau largely clear across to second climb, large snow patches - but good condition. Low vis so a bit worried about finding route back so careful to link back to path where possible. 2 other guys at summit - with large overweight black labrador. Return into wind - really cold - just as well I had taken spare gloves and hat as I had to lend them out! Some big snow patches on descent alongside Glas Allt including one from bridge to waterfall - burn completely covered.
Great run and good to reach the top - but it was touch and go at times as to whether we carried on - the wind was strong and cold, visibility was low (30-40m) and guy wasn't all that happy - his uphill legs gave up on ladder and we had to walk uphills from there. But he perked up on track on descent and was doing a pretty decent pace along Loch Muick. His first Munro....

Wee run to loosen legs, down Deeside Way, up to Dess Woods and back on main track. Feeling OK, no major aches.

Guiding for RtH, Balomoral Estate, long Ripe Hill loop and cairn pinball at end - Albert, various marriage ones, purchase cairn and John Brown. Found a new track I'd never been on before with a cool little bridge over a meltwater channel. Cool day and damp, almost cleared at west end, but not quite - the guy still hasn't seen Lochnagar!

Rest day - had planned to go for an easy 20-30 mins but life got in the way!

Guiding for RtH, Cambus , Cnoc Dubh, visitor centre, Vat, drove road, Loch Davan, hut circles, Kinord, across to railway and back along Deeside Way. Feeling good after initial 15 mins. Guy is a decent runner but he was flagging a bit by the end.

Jogging round at schools x-c race to marshalling position and back a couple of times.