Training Log Archive: Indiana Jones

Lairig Ghru race Braemar to Aviemore. First race since early March and good to be back finally. Nearly made a disaster of it but glad to still get the win and run a decent enough time.

Started in the final starting block with Jason (who's been training like a beast and was pumped up for the race) with nobody else for 15min in front. The road section felt super easy and I dropped him within a minute or two. Couldn't see Jason by the time I went around Mar Lodge so was feeling relaxed. There apparently had been a sign at the track which cuts across towards Derry Lodge but it'd fallen down. I should have known where it was anyway but thought it was a bit further on so kept running and didn't see it. It was too late to go back by then so I went on until the next turn before Linn O' Dee then came back to the route and saw a tiny white dot ahead which was Jason.

Thought I could hammer it and catch him by the Luibeg crossing so stopped for a pee then went for it. I didn't seem to gain much by Derry Lodge and couldn't work out how far ahead he was so ended up faffing around and switching between trying to catch up and plodding because it was still so far to go and I was hungry. Still wasn't making any progress until we hit the gradual climb to Pools of Dee then suddenly he was there at 25.5km. Got back to race mode and opened a gap over the top. He knew I'd gone wrong so was probably smashing the earlier section which is why I didn't make any ground!

From there on it was easier to pick off the earlier starters and enjoy the course until the end. Ran relatively well in the final part but didn't take any risks so finished without any issues. Happy with the time anyway. Reckon the detour was bang on 4min lost which isn't that much but it just broke my focus, until then the running felt effortless and smooth. It would have been nice to be close to the record and be pushing all the way to the line so hopefully there's another good opportunity.

C • Record 2

Easy loop around Corsee then on the Deeside way and home. Did some strides in the second half and got the legs moving well.

Direct route to Crathes then on the single trails with a few relaxed strides. Everything fine and foot good again (until rolling the ankle!) but hopefully no harm done.

Getting a bit restless and stiff with the reduction in running but it's definitely helped the foot settle. Realised I had a big swollen bruise above the ankle which was probably from climbing up the scree on Saturday. It was right on one of the tendons so probably irritating the foot, all fine now though. Ended up jumping on the treadmill for a bit yesterday evening starting off walking on 12% gradient then doing a bit of jogging plus a 5min jog in the woods after.

Deeside line and Crathes loop with a few extra bits and up to the allotment. Legs fresher today and foot a lot better too.

Easy one over Scolty and Goauch with a bit of trail I hadn't done before. Foot feeling a bit better today after a bit of JC treatment yesterday. Race week niggles.

Warm up on the Deeside line and in the park. Cool down back from the top of Scolty

4 x 5' (2' easy) on the Blackhall road then a bit of uphill tempo to the top of Scolty. Planned to just do a 3-5min uphill rep after the flatter ones but then decided to continue to the top despite my legs giving up after the 5min. Took a rep or two to get in to the flat ones but the speed came back.

Big loop of Crathes on all the nice single trails. Moving a bit better today and some improvement in the foot.

Easy loop on the roads plus a few easy strides. Foot still not great but eased off in time for the strides.