Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Deeside Way, the whole thing, Aberdeen to Ballater. Cars pre-positioned and start at Duthie Park at 0930, felt right hamstring (just above knee) for a while but it settled down. Rattled along the tarmac to Culter, then rougher section till roads towards Drumoak. Stop (15 mins) in Banchory for scone then the Scolty hill (not as bad as feared or anticipated, mostly steady gradient. Whiz down to Potties then grind up the steep hill towards Kinker and the drag from there to home. Stop (50 mins for soup, a couple of toasties, slice of cake and a ginger biscuit (thanks E!) then onwards and downwards. Worst muddiness at the bampots croft next to Aboyne Loch (will have to take a snow shovel along and remove some of the mud) then a few other puddles. Slower towards Dinnet then e spotted a couple of cyclists ahead and the hammer went down - whizzed past them and then another cyclist almost caught us, finally he scented Ballater and blasted it! Stop at the Bothy for cheese scone, pot of tea and a large slab of cake. Job done :-)
Spotted a dead animal on road side near Inchmarlo when driving back into Aberdeen to pick up my car, stopped on way home - 2 dead otters, nose to nose. Possibly a mother and young? Appeared untouched, just lying on the verge inches from the road. Not sure who to report them to... any suggestions?

C • Arthur Boyt? 3

Had hoped to get a run in as right hamstring feeling OK, but spent the day in the garden, sawing, stacking logs, digging, laying slabs, strimming etc.
No more wasp nests :-)

1 hour sawing and chopping wood.

Aboyne and back for end of school term curry.

Rest day - hoping hamstring loosens off...

WeTT at Balnagowan. 3.4km course (stayed on SE hill). Nice running, but handicapped by right hamstring/bum. Struggling to push fast so settled into a steady pace. ! minute down at first regroup point, then first at second (the faster guys went walk about!), slow start on 3rd section but clean and took lead after others all seemed to miss or have a different raffle. Managed to hold on - helped by Josh wearing his cool-image shoes as he had forgotten his O-shoes!
Mostly pretty clean in the O, but a well known hill to me!

tracks (from those who could download watches and sent to KR)
http://www.canny.me.uk

C • Wednesdays 1

Parked car in Charlton Road and ran to the usual parking area (hadn't got permission). Leg a bit tight and awkward, much better in terrain, then awkward jog back after in a torrential rainstorm, soaked!

Half normal stretch and lots of ham/glute stretches.

Cycle to school and back for E's leavers assembly.

Glen Tanar with Deeside Runners, 6x2+1 on 2 bridges circuit. Right bum/hamstring insertion tightened near end of last interval, hobbled back to car. Seems tight rather than pulled so just need to keep stretching it.
Up till there was a decent session, nothing spectacular but holding my own against DH.

Out to bridge for start and back at hobble pace. Several stops to stretch right flute after intervals - really tight and lower leg also tightening up on swing through. JR caught me at bridge and after that muscle eased a bit - either enough stretching or else flatter track or maybe distraction?