Training - Wednesday 31st August 2016

Head to Helm to join John's group for another good session. Drills to start, 8 undulating reps and then some warm-down exercises. I work hard, enjoy and feel strong. Stop off to have a chat with the wee fella Barnus on the warm-down run.....I will never stop missing 'my man' :-(

Swim - Tuesday 30th August 2016

Legs need a rest today, so no running: but head for a swim after work instead.

Langdale Horseshoe Recce - Bank Holiday Monday 29th August 2016

Legs tired today but feel the need to recce Langdale. It's a glorious day, can't be right as it's Bank Holiday !!, but need to make the most of this. 

It's hard going but we get all the right lines and trods. Out for about 4 1/2 hours, need to be quicker than this in the race but on a day like this why rush. 

Ride - Sunday 28th August 2016

Home late last night from Scotland trip so a leisurely start today. Decide to head out from home on bike after lunch. Down through Kendal Green to Burneside and then, soon after, bump into Paul from Helm. He's also out for a steady ride and as we are both heading in roughly the same direction we ride together. 

Paul mentions a pint at Staveley, I feel I need to do a few extra miles to deserve that so we head down Kentmere and back; it's then into Hawkshead Brewery for a pint of Damson Stout and then an even more steady ride home. 23 miles, I'll settle for that today. 

Ochil 2000's - Saturday 27th August 2016

So I headed up to Stirling last night, a great caravan site just outside the town, in a walled garden !

It's only a short drive to the Uni, where race registration is; very civilised, it's at the sports centre with excellent changing facilities and a cafe. As always I'm early, so take advantage of the cafe. Then it's the bus to the start at Glensherup. 

The race was due to be 18 miles and 1,500m of climb but due to forestry work the race will be a bit longer and 200m more climb ! It's a hot day and very clear, that's a good start. 

So at 12pm we are off, about 70 runners head up into the forest on a good track before breaking out onto a the open fells. The race visits all of the Ochil 2000' summits, plus an extra wee bump at the end.....not that it felt very wee !!

I run well, a good steady pace and climb strong. Far too many summits and checkpoints to name but after Ben Ever the race changes; up to that point it was on good grassy paths but now there's a large tussocky and boggy section to cross; I actually get a good line through here, picking up two places and then climb to Blairdenin Hill. 

From here is where the route changes, two extra checkpoints, first Colsnaur Hill and then a deer fence crossing. It's great downhill running through these two checkpoints but now down at sea level on the road the last wee bump is a struggle. I feel a bit sick, too hot and dehydrated but I dig in and chat to a Carnethy lass, that helps and we keep each other going to the summit of Dumyat. 

The finish is in sight, the Uni about 2k away. It's more good downhill running to the forest and then an intricate, and fortunately flagged, route through the forest to the road. The Carnethy lass pulls away, my legs have given up by now. And after some confusing roads through the Uni I am very pleased to see the finish. 

It's a great race, a bit tougher than expected, but that's no bad thing. 

Results

Swim - Friday 26th August 2016

Heading North later but manage a quick swim in a crowded pool at lunchtime.

Circuits & Pilates - Thursday 25th August 2016

An early start and another tough circuit session; then Pilates in the evening - this must be doing me some good.