Training Log Archive: Big Jon

CPs 18 & 21 - up to cairn first, some lovely runnable forest... but a bit steep. Back to road to get west (bridge upstream still out) then diagonally up through plantation - again mostly really runnable. Came to edge of trees about 70-80m from the Cave, chuffed with line :-)

Creag Choinnich (CP26), parked up in village (and plugged car into fast charger) and a trot up to summit by direct track - managed to keep running for most of it (one steep section then a few patches of snow broke my rhythm). Down to south and back on big track. Never seen the area so wet - normally the limestone outcrops reduce water flow but the snow melt is just pouring down most of the paths :-)

Mount Shade (CP99) from main car park. Track clear at start, woods fine in cut-off then hit forest road - knee deep... Managed to avoid parts by going onto verges, but lots of snow plodging. Hill clear from 20m past fence, so enjoyed a run up the hill. Came back via south track and cut below plantation - old water supply channel along slope with well squashed bracken.

Deeside Way - Boddomend - Dess bowl road loop, back via Activity Park and Dess Woods. Mostly ice free (apart from the tracks through the woods!). Got into a nice rhythm and pushed pace for a km or so towards DAP on return.

Not feeling like it for most of day but got out at 4-30 and quite enjoyed it - down drove and Deeside Way (flooded in places), to riverbank which was a bit of a mistake - had to scramble through trees on slope to avoid flooding - never seen river so high (in person). Bridge over Dess burn partly submerged. Much less snow now.

a couple of hours gardening and ice breaking (trying to clear back yard). Arms tired.

Bellwood from Station square (left car charging). Feeling Ok after warm-up legs definitely better than yesterday. Small paths in woods were largely snow free but bigger ones were horrible - in the terrain quite a bit.

Home - riverbank - Drumnagesk - to WHW road - A93 - Deeside Way and home. Some really nice running on clear tracks but also a lot of heavy slushy snow. A real mix and a bit of a grind at times. Legs still tired - skiing last week?

soft small ball session - always tough. Still feeling Saturday, I think.