No running and no riding ! - Thursday 30th June 2011

Not much to say other than I don't run and I don't ride today !

Dockray Fell Race - Wednesday 29th June 2011

Is it on or isn't it on - it is, thanks Joe.

This is a reincarnation of an old race and a longer version of the Dockray Hartside race. A low-key, £1 entry, race and only 37 runners, 9 or so being Helm - a fiercely contested Championship race !

I run well and love the route, the cloud is high and there is a chill in the air. I can see Robin lead the way and me and Garry have a tussle. I manage to pull away and stride out and finish in 8th place. Robin wins.

A great race and quick beer afterwards in the pub - thanks Garry for driving.

Lunchtime run - Tuesday 28th June 2011

A hot and sunny day so I head out from the office along the river and back along the canal - easy running but very enjoyable.

Also manage a bike ride in the evening, back along the Lyth valley - good to be out in the fresh air.

An easy day - Monday 27th June 2011

I had planned to climb more munros today but my knee is troubling me and my achilles are tight - I covered almost 100 miles in the last seven days !

So I head home early and take advantage of a sunny evening for a bike ride along the Lyth valley -  pleasant way to stretch the legs without any heavy impact.

Lairig Ghru Fell Race - Sunday 26th June 2011

This is the second time I have raced this, Braemar police station to Aviemore police station - 28 miles.

A record entry of 151 racers, previous entries had topped just 82. Russ and I had raced this three years ago so I had a target time of 4hrs 34mins to beat.

A heavy downpour at the start made clothing choice difficult but I decide on windtop rather than waterproof. It always amazes me the contrast in what people wear and carry - I'm sure I wear and carry too much but prefer this to not enough.

The route follows the road for a few miles and then cuts down through Mar Lodge before picking up a track to Derry Lodge (now ruined). Good running and the rain eases, I make good progress but can feel my 20 mile day from yesterday !

The path is obvious but rocky so full-on concentration is required. The route basically goes steadily uphill for 18 miles and then steadily down for the final 10 miles.

Near the top of the pass the route crosses two boulder fields, these are not much fun but at least the rock has dried. I am 28th at the top but am soon passed on the rough decent. Aviemore looks a long way away from here.

However, as soon as I pick up the forest tracks my pace increases massively; I go into over-taking mode and manage to keep this pace on the last few miles along the road. I finish in 3hrs 51mins, a noticeable improvement on my previous time. I am placed 24th.

A good race followed by good post race refreshments and a hot shower. The coach journey back to Braemar ia long but scenic - a great race, thanks to Deeside Runners for excellent organisation.

Cairngorm Munros - Saturday 25th June 2011

I only have 2 munros left to climb in the Cairngorms so these are my mission for today.

Short drive to Linn of Dee - had decided not to bring bike so have an extra six miles to walk but the distance will do me good.

A little wary of leaving the camper, this parking area has a reputation for cars being broken in to and the amount of shattered glass in the area shows this is true !

So walk in to Derry Lodge and then head into the mist and drizzle to the first summit, Derry Cairngorm. Nothing to see here and chilly on top so head straight on to Britain's second highest mountain, Ben Macdui. Only see three people on the summit and decide to not stop long. Head off on a bearing to pick up the stream which I follow down until the ground eases off on the left.

From here I follow one of the few ridges in the area to the summit of Carn Mhaim, my third munro of the day and last remaining one in the area.

A long but easy walk out from here, over some of the ground which I will cover in tomorrow's race.

A good day out and two more munros ticked off.

Heading North - Friday 24th June 2011

So heading to Braemar for the weekend....but decide to start with a bacon & egg roll and latte at More Cafe. Then lunch in the new Tiso store on the edge of Perth.
A good journey in the camper, get to the campsite in Braemar in good time and head out for an early eveing stroll - a great place to be.