Training Log Archive: LiamB

Working the day after a race like that in a shop with so many stairs is not fun...

Bloody hell that was tough!

Paced this well too. Not done much proper long stuff for a while so wasn't sure how well I'd manage to hold things together. Started very relaxed and even stopped for a wee after 4 mins during which several hundred people overtook me. Not too fussed and kept things easy and worked my way through the field on the first big climb. Started to pass some decent runners towards the top and was still feeling good. Devil's ridge was fine. In the clag and I didn't really remember it from when I ran it before so didn't actually realise I'd been over the main but as I was expecting something scarier.

Chilled out on the first big descent to save the legs. Hit the road in about 1:40. Starting to feel a bit tired so took the next section easy and had plenty to eat and drink. Diversion on the south side of the river because of the landslide was fairly horrible. Really boggy and rough and added an extra wee climb. Feeling pretty good as I hit the bottom of the other massive climb of the day so managed to pull away from the guys I was with and reel in Rob Sinclair. Towards the end of the 45 minute uphill slog started to feel cramp coming in. Found out just after the top that I was in 5th place at the time. A bit of a shock. Hadn't had any clue of position for the whole race and had assumed I was a fair way down the field.

Next couple of tops were a bit of a struggle. Michael Jones from Will's club who I'd overtake on the climb came through and left me and Rob who were both struggling. Working together with Rob to push over the last few smaller hills. Running out of water so not helping the cramp. Relieved to finally hit the top of Am Bodach and ready for the descent back into Kinlochleven. Legs starting to feel a bit better but not great on the descents so couldn't get any speed in. Rob pulled away to put 5 minutes in me and I just tried to keep going as well as I could to the end. Didn't see anybody until right near the end but just behind Michael at the finish and Tom Martyn appeared not far behind me.

Very happy with 7th. If I really wanted to make a go of this sort of race I'd need to do some more proper long distance training and try and get more runs in with equally ridiculous amounts of ascent and descent to help my legs get used to it. Haven't written anything on here about it but feel like since Ben Nevis I've crashed a bit mentally. Been struggling a bit in the last couple of weeks with motivation and at times running felt like more of a chore than fun. Hopefully another really positive result will help to get me back into the swing of things for now.

C • Mental Crash 3

Very easy leg loosener before uni

Nice and easy in the Pentlands on a really nice day. Pretty hot. Easy on some trails then steep up Caerketton. Went round the scree then straight up the rocks at the front. Home via Craigdon picking up some gas to cook my dinner tomorrow.

Gentle jog in the Pentlands. Resting up for the weekend now.. Right calf a bit tight at first but feeling much better in grass than it did on the road yesterday

Easy run to see if I had hurt anything last night. Not the hamstring but groin very tight today but felt it loosened off. A few strides at the end. Not feeling any worse running quickly

Short. Running late

First HW session. On the meadows now. Good group out. More meadows triangles. Decent group running together on the first couple of reps then just me and Colm on the last ones. Nice to have someone of the same pace to run with for this sort of session. Definitely felt I was pushing more than normal and the paces were good.

Bit of faff getting some people's stuff from my car then some more with Colm.

Groin a wee bit tight after but not too bad. Calves a bit tight too. Too much of this road running nonsense. Need to get back on the hills.

Steady run from campus after lectures. Feeling good again. Best I've felt since the Ben. A few lazy days have helped. Pace was decent and felt comfortable.

Went to Athletics circuits after but after not very long something started to feel a bit tight and not quite right in my right hamstring so stopped. Hopefully nothing.