Training Log Archive: bethh

~50k? Had planned a nice loop around the east side of Loch Ness on small roads but once I got to the viewpoint (as per, no view), the road was being redone so it was pretty gravelly, and decided I didn’t want a puncture so went for a nice out and back loop along the A82....

Im absolutely knackered, this van life is tough. A couple more days before some R+R back in Edi before the World Trials

Was gunna be longer but got on my bike and just felt knackered so turned around and yogad instead

Lochcarron Hill race at their Highland games.
Was literally driving past it and was a guaranteed £50. Was a bit grim with about a mile on flat road before heading up the hill, I haven’t done something fast and short for a while...4th to the top and maintained that position but lost time on the descent as per wussing around. Nice to see Ewan looking strong uphill too :).

Up and down (including jogging around thinking I’d do the mile race to get another £40 but turns out the “open race” had only one prize fund for both sexes - unfair! - so didn’t do it). Then us top 4 hill runners tried to get more dolla by doing a 4x100m relay- fair to say it was pretty embarrassing...

C • Open race 2

Briach Nan Frithe, Skye
Umming and ahring as to whether to bother running today as didn’t think I’d get to any Cuillin Munro due to the clag and rain, but set off anyway. Made it to the top, did the ridge scarmbly loop and wasn’t even scared. Yay!

~40k with a hefty climb up the Trotteridge Pass (like a mini Applecross with a few hairpins). Clag came in on the northern part and literally couldn’t see 5m in front of me which was pretty sketchy on a single track touristy road (made it back alive though). Sure would have been nice views if I could see...

On Skye ! Very tired, hoping today will recuperate me for my last few days of vanventures :)

68k 1300m Applecross loop with Saz.D
The “hardest climb in the UK” and it didn’t feel that bad... just the rest of the cycle I don’t think I’ve ever bonked so hard (40-60k was death). So many little steep climbs and lots of stopping and starting to let cars pass. Don’t think I’ve ever been so tired taking everything into consideration, need a rest day tomorrow.

C • Torridon 2

Spidean Coire Nan Clach
Super proud of myself for doing this loop. About 70mins up the valley and then hit the wall of scree that I convinced myself to scramble up... then I got to the top of this and wondered why I put myself through it because although the view was spectacular I was soooo scared I almost vomited....from there I just went along the ridge as quickly as I could (again pooing myself) and so didn’t get Ruadh Stac More (would have added about 2k of ridge)- just wanted to get down... the last 2k along the road I was seeing stars as I hadn’t eaten anything (didn’t want to stop obv). So proud of myself for pushing through and doing it though!

Tom Ma Gruaigaich
No connection on phone and last time I looked at the weather early doors had the best forecast, so after a bagel I set off intending to do the Ben Alligin loop. Got to the top of Tom (927m) in <45 mins then tried to put a brave head on a do the ridge over to the next one.... but couldn’t see a thing and the inner wuss easily took over so I headed straight back down again..!

Spidean A Choire Leith
After I got down from the first the cloud was clearing and I felt alright, so after another bagel I headed up the valley to bag another. Would have loved to have done the whole Liathach Ridge but even the ridge to the top of Spid was scary enough and wouldn’t be able to do it on my own. Felt good on the uphill, but the descent from here was not fun as very rocky (basically walking but still logging as tough on the quads)!

Cycled the other way along the road from where I’d based myself - little did I know it wasn’t the easy spin I was hoping for and had to go into my lowest gear (don’t think I’ve ever done that) to get to the viewpoint.. worth it though!!