Training Log Archive: SarahDIn the 31 days ending Dec 31, 2023:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sunday Dec 31, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 6:00:00 [3] 29.09 km (12:23 / km) +1323m 10:05 / km
ahr:133 max:184
Another end to end that’s been on my bucket list for a while… Loch na Gainmhich to Kylestrome via Glen Coul & the Stack. Forecast looked promising & managed to get off for a relatively early start. Dropped J at Inchnadamph then left the van at LnaG with J kindly coming to retrieve me from Kylestrome. First section over towards the Eas a Chuil Allain is on a rough rocky path at the best of times & today it was icy & snowy too. The mist was clinging in round here, despite everywhere else seemingly being in sun, but it occasionally managed to break through giving some atmospheric light. Started the descent into Glean Beag on the CW trail trod, but cut off part way down to save some height for climbing up onto the Stack ridge. Found an ok ascent line up a rocky rib (thanks to having done a bit of research) though I was still a bit worried it could get tricky once I climbed back into the ice & snow. Once onto the top (on the high point above Loch nan Coireach) I was out into the sun & the views were just superb. A bit heavy going (ice, snow & peathags) along towards the Stack but nothing too challenging. Very pleased to find myself at the summit of the Stack after having eyed it from afar for many years. The descent back down into Glen Beag was mostly ok, though I had to weave round a few rock bands to find a safe route. Once I hit the bottom I rejoined the CW trod which felt like a motorway after the gnarly terrain I’d just negotiated. Quick lunch stop at Glencoul bothy, then it was round to Gleann Dubh and back out to Kylestrome on gradually improving paths and tracks. Absolutely cracking day and a fab way to end the year. Just a wee bit pooped now though :-))
9 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Saturday Dec 30, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 3:35:00 [3] 23.44 km (9:10 / km) +860m 7:45 / km
ahr:132 max:162
Ledmore to Lochinver . With storms incoming, a low level route with a tailwind seemed like a good option for today and have been wanting to do this route for ages too. Whilst I knew the track from halfway through is fine, I had a feeling the first half could be a v slow bog wallow. In fact it turned out a lot better than I expected but there was a lot of ice about, so I was being pretty careful- falling & twisting an ankle could have some serious consequences on a day like this. Really enjoyed heading into some wild wild land and getting a different perspective on Suilven etc. As expected the wind was pretty strong, but not too problematic from behind, and the rain stayed off throughout. Made good time through to GC lodge, so came back over the hill and down to the R Inver from there. Pleased with that- decent use of a marginal day :-)
4 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Friday Dec 29, 2023 #
12 PM
Running 1:05:00 [3] 9.05 km (7:11 / km) +269m 6:15 / km
ahr:130 max:174
Stop off at Contin on the way north. Lovely run round the bike trails etc. This is one of the places that always makes me think of Norway / Sweden. Nice day with some great light. Legs predictably heavy from night O, but good to give them a stretch out.
7 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Thursday Dec 28, 2023 #
12 PM
Running 27:46 [2] 2.87 km (9:40 / km) +36m 9:06 / km
ahr:119 max:138
Jog out to the Island on the Dee with JS & KH to round off J’s #100 on the CP challenge. River still v high, but easy enough to access via the flood channel with a short knee deep splash.
5 PM
Orienteering 1:45:20 [3] 7.45 km (14:08 / km) +422m 11:01 / km
ahr:131 max:158
A late decision to do the Birsemore DNC after postponement of the DR night race. E laughed at the prospect of me lobbing myself into Birsemore in the dark when I hadn’t orienteered forever, and he did have a point, but I had no great expectations. In short, a lot of it went absolutely fine, but when the controls didn’t pop up, I didn’t know what to do & had zero confidence. Took 20’ to find #4 where the reflector had been forgotten and was about to give up when I happened to spot the dangling pin punch - a genuine needle in a haystack job! Anyway it was all good fun, reminded me how tough O can be, and I did st least complete the course!
Running warm up/down 31:50 [2] 3.94 km (8:05 / km) +46m 7:38 / km
ahr:127 max:166
Wee w-u loop out the river bank with J
Wednesday Dec 27, 2023 #
Note
(rest day)
Truly pish day, but had planned it easy in any case.
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023 #
11 AM
Running 2:00:00 [2] 11.69 km (10:16 / km) +656m 8:01 / km
ahr:124 max:160
A Shadey Clachers loop from the AA box. Looking too nice a day to let it pass. Track a bit icy low down but that soon gave way to snow as I climbed towards Clachnaben. The section of single track has got quite overgrown too, so progress felt even slower than it might have been. Icy cold wind on the summit tor, but some beautiful wintry views. Back over Mt Shade & then managed to take a rubbish line through the heather- don’t know where all those old trods have disappeared to! Knees got well and truly iced from the deep snowy heather . Pleased to hit the forestry track back down to the car!
4 PM
Stretching 20:00 [1]
Monday Dec 25, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 53:00 [2] 6.23 km (8:31 / km) +293m 6:53 / km
ahr:137 max:171
Christmas Mortlich with J & some Deesiders. Lovely start to the day :-)
Sunday Dec 24, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 4:10:00 [3] 30.02 km (8:20 / km) +1276m 6:52 / km
ahr:140 max:176
Long run with RB. From Aboyne up the Fungle to Guard then over to GT & out Firmounth. Over Deuchary, down to Birse Castle then back over to Glencat. Carnferg, Birsemore hill & a wee loop round the Loch to get it up to 30. Felt pretty sluggish from the get go, but managed to grind it out, albeit slowly. Pleased to tick this one off - doubt I’d have done the full thing if I’d not had someone to run with :-)
9 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Saturday Dec 23, 2023 #
12 PM
Running 58:26 [2] 6.28 km (9:19 / km) +179m 8:09 / km
ahr:121 max:136
Grim day - wet snow turned to rain, +0.5C. Got dropped at the track end on the Gairnshiel - Crathie road & ran over the Maim to meet J & E at HBH. Was getting zero grip on the soft snow, so not much running up the first bit of track. Trotted a bit on the easier gradients then slid my way down the other side. Actually really nice just to get some fresh air. The rain had almost stopped and there was no wind. Better than cycling any how !!!
8 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Friday Dec 22, 2023 #
5 PM
Running 1:35:00 [3] 7.62 km (12:28 / km) +698m 8:33 / km
ahr:130 max:173
Morven winter solstice with DR. Seemed tame enough at the bottom, but maintained Morven’s reputation for being a bit blowy with full on Arctic winter conditions at the top! Relaxed plod up with a few folk ahead to do the trail-breaking higher up. Was well kitted out and managed to stay warm even while hanging around on the summit. Briefly lost my fingers after digging the compass out, just to make sure we headed off the top in the right direction - wouldn’t have been the first time we’d got it wrong! Then a lovely run down through the snow, back to the calm of the lower mountain. Fun night & a decent turn out :-)
Thursday Dec 21, 2023 #
4 PM
Running 1:30:00 [3] 13.27 km (6:47 / km) +399m 5:54 / km
ahr:154 max:181
Evening social on Scolty & Goauch. Got there early to do a bit extra as well as easing out the aches & niggles before we set off together. First up Scolty, then across to Goauch. Ran into yet more clear felling off the west end . Back by the tracks. Decent outing & def enjoyed it more for having got myself moving before everyone else joined in!
10 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Bit of cramping going on….
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023 #
10 AM
Stretching (Piloga ) 15:00 [1]
1 PM
Running 1:45:00 [2] 10.52 km (9:59 / km) +541m 7:56 / km
ahr:120 max:146
Easy pootle up Peter Hill with SS & N. Not much in the legs! Timed it nicely as the sun came out but bit of a chill northerly on the top. Return by the Feughside path.
9 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Tuesday Dec 19, 2023 #
10 AM
Running 1:05:00 [3] 10.02 km (6:29 / km) +55m 6:19 / km
ahr:123 max:138
Relaxed trot round LK in the sun. Experimenting with a double - will see how that turns out later!
6 PM
Running 1:03:00 [3] 9.9 km (6:22 / km) +7m 6:21 / km
ahr:131 max:181
10’ extra w-u with J then DR on the green - pyramid session. Something like 2x85”, 2x2:45’, 1x4’, 2x2:45’, 2x85” with ~50% rest between. Felt fine at the start but started to fade sooner than normal as the session wore on. Still a decent effort though, so I’d count that as a success in terms of the double. Good day’s work :-)
9 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Monday Dec 18, 2023 #
11 AM
Road cycling 1:10:00 [2] 24.5 km (2:51 / km) +251m 2:43 / km
ahr:122 max:173
Mild enough for me to dig the road bike out again! Chill spin up to Aboyne then back by S Deeside / Ballogie / DW. Legs feeling fine today.
3 PM
Stretching (Piloga) 15:00 [1]
Sunday Dec 17, 2023 #
11 AM
Running 1:40:00 [2] 11.48 km (8:43 / km) +437m 7:19 / km
ahr:129 max:162
Shuffle up the Pan and down HBR feeling pretty weary. Decent weeks’s work in the end though, especially as I was feeling pretty low on energy at the start of it.
9 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Saturday Dec 16, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 4:30:00 [3] 26.75 km (10:06 / km) +1650m 7:43 / km
ahr:128 max:165
Looking a bit wild for the high tops, but in search of a good bit of distance and vert, so came up with a lumpy route from Tullich to HBH. Out over the east Gairn tops, cross the valley then all the way along the Geallaig ridge. With just a teeny bit of poetic licence we’re claiming it as 12 hills of Christmas: Tullich Mast (465m) • Creagan Riabhach (547 m) • Craig of Prony (532 m) • Hill of Candacraig (529m) • Lary Hill (525 m) • Mammie (498 m) • Clashanruich Cairn (490m) • Carn Dearg (594 m) • Creag na Creiche (673 m) • Geallaig Hill (743 m) • The Maim (601 m) • Bakehouse Hill (465m). Mostly on some sort of path with just a few off piste sections. Into a mighty strong headwind for the second half, so all in all a tough old workout. HBH earned! With KH, ME, RB & BS
8 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Friday Dec 15, 2023 #
11 AM
Running 35:58 [3] 4.3 km (8:22 / km) +9m 8:16 / km
ahr:119 max:158
Cambus recovery for tired legs, keeping to the flatter ground. Did 3 laps of Cambus kettle with 30” strides to try & snap out of shuffle mode. It kinda helped I think.
8 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Thursday Dec 14, 2023 #
10 AM
Running 2:15:00 [3] 15.0 km (9:00 / km) +528m 7:39 / km
ahr:126 max:177
Lovely long-overdue catch-up outing with FB from Grantown. Didn’t really have a plan when we set off other than a vague notion to go over the top of Beinn Mhor. Linked together various bits of track before heading off piste to climb the hill from its north end. Fair bit of heather bashing here, but picked up a nice bit of single track (thanks to AB!) back to the woods, then finished up running on paths through Beachen, using the old O map. Lots of chat. Fab :-))
6 PM
Running 58:00 [3] 6.73 km (8:37 / km) +357m 6:49 / km
ahr:125 max:172
Trot up the Tullich handicap route (using poles) ahead of the racers, to man the track junction at the top and make sure we didn’t lose anyone. Timed it rather well so I wasn’t standing around for long. Felt better than expected after this morning. Lovely evening and a nice wee route.
10 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023 #
10 AM
Stretching (Piloga ) 10:00 [1]
Loosening up pre run. Not done so much of this in the last couple of weeks & back is feeling stiff again.
11 AM
Running 56:02 [3] 8.17 km (6:52 / km) +192m 6:08 / km
ahr:129 max:163
Lunchtime trot round Dess with ME. Had planned to do a bit more but was without wheels & my legs were feeling last night’s hills, so saving a bigger day for tmrw.
8 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023 #
4 PM
Running hills 1:15:16 [4] 9.1 km (8:16 / km) +339m 6:58 / km
ahr:128 max:154
Solo sessioning tonight. Long w-u round the woods then 3 x sets of 5x1’+1’ hills on Dess big hill. Jog back down to bottom between sets. Didn’t feel great when I set off, but the session seemed mentally quite easy.
Didn’t fancy tonight’s DR session for various reasons. Think this was more useful for me.
Didn’t fancy tonight’s DR session for various reasons. Think this was more useful for me.
8 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Monday Dec 11, 2023 #
Note
(rest day)
Family social. Back at it tmrw.
Sunday Dec 10, 2023 #
9 AM
Mountain biking 23:51 [2] 4.68 km (5:06 / km) +101m 4:36 / km
ahr:115 max:144
Up GT to start of middle track between bridges
10 AM
Running 3:30:00 [3] 18.97 km (11:04 / km) +688m 9:22 / km
ahr:123 max:157
CP67 #100 Naked Hill!
Not quite the planned triple celebration that had been planned with ME & KH. It was a truly ming day. Rained pretty much the whole time, except when it turned to sleet / hail, and there was a stiff breeze on top too. Hands & feet got well frozen from pretty early on but was too cold even to take my gloves off & swap for some dry ones. There was no question of any nakedness at the top - a quick selfie at the high point and we were carrying our prosecco back down again. Feet eventually returned shortly before we got back to the bikes.
Not quite the planned triple celebration that had been planned with ME & KH. It was a truly ming day. Rained pretty much the whole time, except when it turned to sleet / hail, and there was a stiff breeze on top too. Hands & feet got well frozen from pretty early on but was too cold even to take my gloves off & swap for some dry ones. There was no question of any nakedness at the top - a quick selfie at the high point and we were carrying our prosecco back down again. Feet eventually returned shortly before we got back to the bikes.
2 PM
Mountain biking 15:49 [2] 4.16 km (3:48 / km) +6m 3:46 / km
ahr:119 max:147
Oooot. Should have put the waterproof overmitts on before setting off on the bike. Had to get K to help me take my helmet off at the end!!!
Saturday Dec 9, 2023 #
9 AM
Running 2:50:00 [2] 16.75 km (10:09 / km) +800m 8:12 / km
ahr:123 max:172
Oof that felt like hard work. It was always looking like a bit of a dreich day but my head was up for getting some miles in. With a visit to BMS required, Morrone seemed like a good starting point & I had thoughts about heading north from there, but in the end a horseshoe to the west over Carn a Drochaide & Carn Mor gave a bit of a compromise. My legs didn’t feel too bad yesterday, but a day of essentially not moving a huge amount is not the best recipe for recovery. Today they just felt shxxxed. I could also feel the tweaking in my hammies that I was aware of near the end of the CD race, so was going as gently as I could on them and the rougher sections of the run were especially slow. Still at least I got out there and did something and hopefully they will now recover better after a bit of exercise.
Actually stayed dry for the duration, though in the cloud for much of it.
Actually stayed dry for the duration, though in the cloud for much of it.
4 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Friday Dec 8, 2023 #
Note
(rest day)
In Embra.
Feeling less damaged than anticipated :-)
Feeling less damaged than anticipated :-)
Thursday Dec 7, 2023 #
6 PM
Running warm up/down 20:38 [3] 2.49 km (8:17 / km) +64m 7:20 / km
ahr:134 max:147
Warm-up
7 PM
Running race 47:43 [5] 7.31 km (6:32 / km) +240m 5:36 / km
ahr:160 max:185
Cnoc Dubh night race. Ming night but a cracking orienteer’s (do I still class as one?) course - single track, ice, bog & fallen trees; all the fun in the dark :-) Set off hard, chasing BS, and feared I had over-cooked it, but managed to hold it together, just. There was a big black gap in front of me but I could sense a whole stream of people breathing down my neck. Chuffed to hold off a couple of the younger ladies to finish 3rd F & 1st F50. Time not comparable with previous versions of the race due to changed start / finish as well as conditions on the night. Hardest workout since, well, the last DR night race!
10 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Think I’m gonna feel those hammies tmrw….
Wednesday Dec 6, 2023 #
11 AM
Running 1:00:00 [2] 8.18 km (7:20 / km) +71m 7:02 / km
ahr:117 max:149
With J. Trot round icy tracks in Bellwood then across the road & back round Aboyne Loch. Felt really cold, but dry & nice to get some fresh air. Cold not really developed any further & legs starting to feel a bit fresher after a few easy days.
5 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Tuesday Dec 5, 2023 #
12 PM
Running 53:07 [2] 6.32 km (8:25 / km) +83m 7:54 / km
ahr:136 max:173
Loop of Crathes on icy tracks as plan B for catch up with SS. Bonus company of JS & N too which made for an all round good social. Easy pace, though dobs did the biz with grip.
Cold not seemingly any worse, so will hopefully just fizzle away.
Cold not seemingly any worse, so will hopefully just fizzle away.
3 PM
Stretching (Piloga ) 10:00 [1]
Monday Dec 4, 2023 #
Note
(rest day)
Got a bit of a cold :\
Sunday Dec 3, 2023 #
11 AM
Running 1:35:00 [4] 14.53 km (6:32 / km) +520m 5:33 / km
ahr:130 max:177
Redburn- Culblean loop from Cambus. Just a dusting of snow at Cambus & felt pretty ok trotting steadily over towards Redburn. The link path to the bottom of the moor was harder than ever to spot & transpired there were quite a lot of trees down over it, but nothing that couldn’t be dodged round relatively easily. Once I reached the open did a set of 10 x 30” strides to get the legs moving a bit faster. Slow plod up the hill trying to run as much as pos, but the vert from earlier in the weeks was def making itself known here! Bumped into RB & Jack at the top of Culblean - looking very beautiful by this stage (the hills not Rich or Jack!), but bitterly cold as soon as you stop. Back down by the MTB track then finished with a faster km effort in Cambus. Happy with that. Legs not exactly sparking but good enough to do some useful work. Easy few days now.
5 PM
Stretching 10:00 [1]
Saturday Dec 2, 2023 #
Note
(rest day)
Managed it this time!
Wee walk up Mortlich to stretch the legs
Wee walk up Mortlich to stretch the legs
4 PM
Stretching 20:00 [1]
Friday Dec 1, 2023 #
Running 3:00:00 [3] 11.6 km (15:31 / km) +1077m 10:36 / km
ahr:118 max:155
Sgurr nan Eugallt (Corbett) & Sgurr a Chlaidheimh. Feeling pretty tired last night & was very prepared to have a rest day but when I saw the sun on the hill it was too tempting. The legs actually felt fine too and by half way up the draw of the circular route had grabbed me. Lots of ice about so taking things pretty carefully and almost came a cropper a few times. Another Brocken spectre as a wisp of cloud came over near the summit, and yet more amazing views. Descent back down involved a bit of weaving between rock and ice slabs, but otherwise fine.
Feeling very spoilt from the last few days :-)
Feeling very spoilt from the last few days :-)