Training Log Archive: Becks

Another session from home, this time an old Middle race from the Moor. I was much better today, although I had a serious wobble mid my Part 2 (their part 1, started with part 2 as that was closest to home). Was visualising well (obviously easier when you know what things look like already!) and planning ahead okay. Stopped still once when I didn't have a picture of what was going on, and got it straight. Legs were tired today, it's been a bumper year for heather and some of the stuff was thigh high. Haven't had time to re-perfect the heather lope while I've been here! Just an easy loosener tomorrow before heading down to London I think.

My part 1: http://sprintseries.org/doma/show_map.php?user=bec...

My part 2: http://sprintseries.org/doma/show_map.php?user=bec...

Control count: 179/2000

Did some orienteering on the two maps at home, but Garmin dump will probably have to wait until I'm back in New Haven now. Almost time!

Spent the whole day cooped up in the back of Jen's Ford Ka, and when we got home at just past 4 decided I had time to get out. Grabbed a map from a recent event and did the first part of the course, till it ended just past the end of our street. Surprisingly tricky for an area I know so well! Most of my failings were confidence, though number one I just never saw the junction despite being in the right place. Number two there was lots of new rhodo, so difficult to pick on that particular mapped blob. After that I warmed up, although there were a few places where new rhodo growth got in the way of my flow. Glad to get out, it's been ages since I ran here on a map so it actually felt new enough to be useful!

Map: http://sprintseries.org/doma/show_map.php?user=bec...

My house used to be on both of these maps, but they've cut it off recently. Boo!

I wanted to orienteer today, but I am super tired and life is about to get hectic again, so I think I will play it safe. Sorry Brooner! In good news, my Visa should be landing at CJ's on Monday, with one day to spare before I head back to the USA.

I also noticed when looking at Mum's photos that despite having lost a lot of weight, mostly visible around my shoulders, there is still weight to lose around my core. I think that getting back into the gym will help this, but might have to be careful about what I eat again for a while too.

C • eating 16

We ended up walking a long way today anyway, am shattered! Being outside is hard work. But it's been a great week.

Another mostly fantastic run! Down from the top of the Bealach Na Ba (very steep in places, making down quite hard work), then dropped off into the woods. Dropped off too early though, and ploughed through knee deep mud a lot of the way (that was the not fantastic bit of the run) through the woods, going down a few dead ends with storm destroyed patches of forest at the end. Then onto the vehicle tracks and bumped into the family just south of Applecross. Stunningly clear day with views in every direction for miles. The Cuillin looked splendid. Hopefully, yet again, my Mum's photos will do it more justice than mine.

After running and lunch at the Applecross Inn, I failed to go swimming in the sea at a gorgeous coral beach. I made it to almost waist height, but I really needed a half naked Grassie running towards me yelling to make me go for it!

Really fun run on the north end of Skye. It was more like a slow intervals session, as I had to keep stopping to take photos. I started by running to the top of a ridge opposite the Quiraing, then back down to the road, where I picked up lots of styrofoam cups and plates, then along the Quiraing path to meet up with Mum and Dad. Great place to be, fantastic scenery, very changeable weather as you'll see from the photos that are currently uploading! We walked for about another two hours after I met Mum & Dad, including a very steep ascent to "The Table" - a flat piece on top of huge square shaped slab of rock, that is almost smooth enough to play bowls on. Fantastic day!

C • spectacular 4

Yey! Jen and Pete headed over to Kyle, so I went with them and ran back. There was sooo much water everywhere but it was brilliant fun splashing through the bogs and at one point, running through the lake the path had disappeared into. Legs felt tired but it's ages since my body felt so alive. The first bit was really fun, and the second bit down the hill on the road was weird, because I ran into a Dutch Porsche Rally. No kidding.

C • Can't believe 4

Well deserved rest day, sleep in, a bit of shopping and sitting around waiting for Katia to pass. Luckily she's travelled further south, so we're not expecting the weather to be quite as bad as they were saying a few days ago. Fantastic to be with the family (including twenty year old Buddy the cat, and a lovely train ride last night including some traditional music played by some local teenagers.

I will take some photos when I get some better light, promise! I forgot my proper camera and my phone camera is no good in this gloom.

For those Western Connecticut softies who think the ferns were bad at Sessions Woods, look at what I've been facing up to for the past week!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/faintgirl/6141689878/...


More photos from the short time when it wasn't raining here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/faintgirl/sets/721576...

C • Mega-ferns! 1