27 June 2013

3 sleeps and counting!

Had a pretty restful week as far as the running goes. Half on purpose and half because of a sore calf muscle (getting the excuses in early!) Regarding the sore calf, I've purchased a pair of calf compression guards, a snug fit (they're meant to be) but hopefully will do the job.

Feeling very excited about the race, latest numbers are 186 competitors, and from the Scottish Hill Running website, that's the biggest ever number of runners there's been for this event.

Kit check tonight, the kit on the left is obviously gonna be what I'm wearing (shorts or trackies depending on the weather), the kit on the right is what I'll be carrying with me.

Is this all I need or, Do I need all this?

Any runners reading this, if I've missed anything vital please let me know!

Mon the Lairig!

22 June 2013

Well there's only a week to go! Had a fantastic training run with Tom (runs downhill like he's on a tarmac path) Sutherland today.

Tom drove us up to Linn O Dee car park outside Braemar. From here we cycled in to Derry Lodge (this is the first cut-of point in the race next week). 

Left the bikes there and we ran in to the Lairig Ghru for me to get my head around the terrain, ascent, conditions. We went as far as the Corrour Bothy (or just shy of it) before turning round and running back to bikes for the return cycle.

Fantastic day and very much appreciated the time and effort provided by Tom, it's set me up perfectly for the BIG ONE next week!

 

15 June 2013

Wow...Barry Campbell dropped me a Facebook message asking if I fancied joining him for a run on Saturday morning (a 10 miler). Fits is perfect so I said yes.

We set off at 8am from Bells Sports Centre, down through Norie Miller, out to the Dundee Road alongside the river, lovely sunny morning.

Crossed the A90 at Kinfauns and then it's up, up, up! Man what a workout. As we got to the main road at the top Barry says, "To the left is the short way back, we're turning right!" Up again and around Deuchny Woods.

Big thanks to Barry for taking me out, great preparation for the Lairig Ghru, which is 2 weeks today!

13 June 2013

Some run tonight, GPS watch battery went flat as I was leaving the door, couldn't find my iPod (in jacket at work!) so off i set...nae watch, nae music.

And what a joy! Ran down the cycle path to North Inch, up through town to Fire Station, along Feus Road, up Crieff Road to the Tulloch then hame.

Amazing the sounds you hear and also how clear your head is when you've no distractions. Not saying it's preferable to no music, but it's certainly not as much a turn off as I thought it would be.

Have to say as well, great to see so many people out running and on bikes tonight, after such a long bleak spell, people really are making the most of the weather when it's nice.

Planning a decent run on Saturday morning, and that will be my last lengthy run as my tapering kicks in.

Mon the taper!

10 June 2013

After my weekend exploits on the trails, it was back to the pavements last night. Legs were feeling very tight to start with, so took it nice and easy down the Dunkeld Road into town.

Once I got to the North Inch, the legs were feeling good, so I had a decent fast run around the Inch, I then extended my run to go home via Feus Road and Crieff Road. 6.5 miles in 54 minutes.

Feeling nervous/excited about the Lairig Ghru race now, less than three weeks. Been reading some of the online information (of which there is surprisingly little!) and trying to get my head around what I'm about to do.

8 June 2013

Hoped to do a long run today, and boy did I get that. Ran from home, up Newhouse Road, to Broxden, down Glasgow Road, then took the path along the back of Craigie Hill Golf Course, that brings you out at Craigie View, up Glenlochay Road, onwards to Buckie Braes and finally to the trig point.

Mon the trig point!

It was a sair fecht in that heat, nearly uphill all the way too!

Got lost! Ended up in a field full of sheep, hasty exit and then home via South Inch, Tay Street and cycle path.

13.2 miles all in, took me 2hours 14 minutes.

Tell ye what, see for the Lairig Ghru...mon the drizzle!

6 June 2013

How times have changed, normally at 8:30pm on a Thursday night I'd be half cut. Tonight, I set off for a six mile run to Luncarty and back! Great run, my side feels much better and I was running miles around 8:32/8:35 all the way, delighted with that..

Lairig Ghru update, Susan, Megan and I are now booked into some digs in Braemar on Saturday 29 June...nae backing out now!

4 June 2013

Mad mental busy day at work made tonight's run all the more worthwhile, although I never got out until around 8:30pm I was determined I was going!

Ran a different route for a change. Out to Inveralmond, then along the cycle path to Almondbank, and back in the Crieff Road, just over 54 minutes for 6.5 miles. Never felt pushed, actually was cruising and it felt good.

Rest day tomorrow (26th wedding anniversary!) then start preparing for my long weekend run before pulling it back for the Lairig Ghru race in just over three weeks time!

3rd June 2013

Had a wee 7 miler tonight, out for an hour.

I've had a sore rib for 2 weeks so been taking it easier than normal, but no ill effects tonight thankfully. Gonna have to up the mileage this week and get a bid run in at the weekend.

Also gonna watch the diet and be in the best shape I can for the Lairig Ghru race. Although I am allowed toats with cheese and peanut butter afetr a 7 miler right?

27 days...and counting!

1st June 2013

So here we go, we've arrived in June 2013.

The Lairig Ghru race is on 30 June, so we're in the final weeks of preparation! What do I need re: hydration, food, music, better start getting sorted eh?

Today I swapped shoes for my bike and cycled to Loch Ordie and back from the Cally Car Park in Dunkeld.

Lovely weather, and also a great lunch thanks to my wife Susan :-)

Mon the Bike!

Lovely Loch Ordie