Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Maroc local event at Glen Feardar. Brown, 6.7km. Hot, sunny and hilly. Started and immediately struggled on long uphill leg, finally managed to get into a rhythm and slogged up to the top, then enjoyed some downhill legs across the moor and into the forest. Lost time at a couple of controls due to poor direction and lack of map checking (I had lent my compass to someone who had forgotten theirs and also chose a 1:15,000 scale map...) Anyway left the forest and hit the heather - started to feel really tired and missed another control - too low and doubled back a bit.
Amazed to finish 3rd (9 secs off second), but 11 mins down to Sasha - I did think every time I was struggling that Sasha would still be running... as a motivational tool it worked a bit, but really my legs weren't up to many of the hills, probably about 20 years too old :-)

A bit of warm-up after an hour of helping at start.

Shooting Greens west car park down to Banchory for cafe stop/lunch then back via A93 to Inchmarlo and then river Dee path to west, A93 to Potties and back up to car park. Very pleasant route, Scotty tracks bit rough in places (even on Deeside Way sections...). north bank path lovely and superb woodland in places (good for shelter from a couple of heavy showers). A93 as bad as could be expected but no real bampots driving along today so a bonus.

Really slow session focussing on quality stretches. Feeling much better than last night.

2.5 hours surveying.

Rest day, feeling pretty tired.

6.5 hours surveying.
Saw a pine marten - trotting along a ruined wall about 15m from me.
Also 20-30 red deer hinds with young. Great forest :-)

WeTT Shooting Greens, downhill course. regroup at 4,8 &12. Good battle with JoshD, EMc, JW and LG. Lots of bracken but not yet spread fronds to interlock position so still fairly runnable.
Really enjoyed the session despite tiredness from surveying. Struggled to get back uphill from finish!

Good warm-up along Deeside way then to start. Plus slow grovel back from finish with Josh.

6 hours surveying, midday at lunch-time but mostly a pleasant day. Some nice forest and lovely contour and rock detail.

Short run at Hill of Banchory - hot and sunny.

Last session until August.

Foot of Fungle 2 sets 5x1+1 5 mins between.
Pushed hard from start, feeling pretty tough form 3rd. Second set, hard form start and really dying on last 2. Right leg not feeling 100% but improved from last week.
Hot and sweating like a pig!

Scouts - walk Aboyne to Glen Tanar, low route just over an hour moving time.