Training Log Archive: Ollie

Took the advantage of excellent weather forecast to do a tough, demanding day in the Cairngorms. From the Coire Cas 620m carpark 0830, Beinn Mheadhoin 1245 (via Coire Reibeit and the Shelter Stone) which had a short scramble at the tor at the top, just passable without crampons as it was snowy rather than icy, then crossing the River Avon by the mouth of the loch (Ed fell in), then Bynack More 1530 (at sunset), Bynack Beag, then finally crossing the River Nethy in the dark, a 150m climb up beside a gash in ridge, and a tricky navigating section (at night, but with moonlight) to the 520m carpark at 1800. Blue sky all day, some wind and spindrift in places but generally much more pleasant than yesterday. However there was lots of soft snow so, where the wind hadn't blown it away, the going was slow and tiring. Route: http://www.strava.com/activities/234238473

I was suffering from the final part of the climb to Bynack More. Mint cake at the summit helped somewhat, but with hindsight should have split from the others at the River Avon crossing and finished by climbing Cairngorm via the saddle at the head of the River Nethy - would have avoided the excess walking and darkness, and maybe stopped the knee injury from flaring up the following day (although I had thought it was sorted). Unfortunately (for me) the rest of the group was fitter, so the pace was demanding. I need to keep these sorts of days in soft snow to less than 20km, as a rule.

The two Munros west of Creag Meagaidh. Quite of lot of snow, generally pretty soft so quite slow going. Cloud cover at 800m and whiteout on the summits. Pleasant below the clouds with atmospheric views over to Loch Trieg. Route: http://www.strava.com/activities/234465223

Edinburgh parkrun. Cold, frosty on the tarmac so a bit slippy. Pushed a bit harder today than two days ago.

Edinburgh parkrun. Cold and calm, so ideal conditions, but my knee injury from October isn't quite fixed, so ran carefully. Joint felt a bit stiff but no pain so think I'm nearly mended. 400+ people and started quite near the back, so took 10-15 seconds to cross the start line.

So far off the pace that even my (non-running) brother beat me! I have a long road to recovery...

C • 4:24 = slow? 2