Training Log Archive: AliMas

Arrochar Alps

Didn't have much expectation after hitting some big hours recently so just wanted to get round, see if I could enjoy myself, and would hopefully still do better than at Jura.

Chill start along the track with Doug T then we started climbing quite nicely up Ben Vorlich and caught a couple of people. Tried to cling onto Doug in the clag on the ridge but he pulled away before the summit which was a little frustrating as I didn't know the line down for the big descent and faffed a little. Got to the dam not too far behind and could see the front group on their way up, they weren't too far ahead but I lost sight of everyone in the clag and then drifted onto a naff southernly line. Ended up trudging solo through some quite rough and craggy stuff, maybe wasn't the worst line in the world though as meant I got a bit of path before the top, think I was just climbing v slowly and was sad I was on my own. Happy to finally get to the top and quickly caught Kenny Richmond on the descent (who had come past me on the climb but I hadn't seen him). Had a good bearing off the top and think Kenny was probably grateful for my compass work. Final two climbs were both pretty ploddy but was pleased no one behind was catching and got a good boost seeing Sasha on the top of Ben Ime. A little sad not to know the best line down from the final top as seemed to make quite a big difference time wise and the way I went down made my feet v sore. Definitely would've been worth recceing this race but ah well. Not too bad a run, enjoyed it, and another very cool race to have done.