Training Log Archive: JCallender

If Jura's the ultimate hill race, this is the connoisseur's choice; long, steep rough nearly all the way, almost absurdly low-key with only 33 people toeing the line.

A scorcher of a day - 24 degrees at the start. I'd been feeling a bit off all week (busy at work, a few bad night's sleep etc.) so decided to do run a conservative race from the beginning. Stayed disciplined with a gel/water every 20 mins and wetting my hat in every stream I passed.

6km trail run - No problem.

Ben Vorlich - Took the path on the way up, ran & chatted with Michael Reid for most of the way. I lost him & Jill Stephen on the ridiculously steep descent to Sloy dam.

Ben Vane - A slog of a climb, mostly on my own with Mike & Jill often insight ahead. Even on the tops it was seriously hot and I was tapps off for the whole race (partly because I dropped my vest at some point on this ascent!).

Ben Ime - Lost a place to Iain Stewart on the descent to the coll. At the coll I found myself completely alone, couldn't see a single soul for miles around, had to take out my map to work out which one of the hills I was meant to be slogging up. It was hard going in the heat and I was still erring on the side of caution with the pacing.

Ben Narnain - This was a tough one. On the ascent the heat started to catch up with me, a sore stomach and slight feeling of dizziness. Cooled down thanks to a breeze on the top. I took the 'short-cut' on the way down but this just meant a slog through a mile of rough moorland, more walking than running. Luke Arnott passed me here and I had nothing to answer with - what little fire I had had disappeared. The final trod through the woods was a scratchy, twisty pain in the neck, I was so over this race.

I completely fucked up at the end of the woods, mistaking the track up to Loch Sloy for the track down to Arrochar and ran half a mile in the wrong fucking direction (the Morgan Donnelly manouver?). On the run back to the right track I had to stop to wretch a bit.

When I crossed the line, I flopped in to the burn and lay down for 20 mins to cool down. A PW by 12 mins!

It wasn't my best day, at no point did I have my 'race head' on given the conditions, it was always going to be a slow one. That being said I paced it well and avoided cramp at any point and finished knackered but still in control. Type 2 fun for sure.

Met Gwyn for an easy run in to town. Felt a bit creaky throughout.

Hyndland > Bearsden > Douglas Academy > Milngavie > City Centre.

Went to bed early and actually manage to sleep through the summer heat - felt a world of difference this morning; a lot stronger.

Office > Glasgow Green > Canal > Hyndland

After two terrible night's sleep I couldn't face the thought of a drive to a club run and then back and then not getting to bed till midnight. So opted for a run home from work and an early night instead.

Struggled in the current UK heatwave; tired, sluggish and weak. The last few miles along the Maryhill Canal felt like Marathon De Sables.

Definitely made the right decision on the night, felt like I'd done tough shift just running home.

Distance is a guesstimate as I left my Garmin at home.

Did a slightly longer run this morning to make up for yesterday's rest day.

Met Ruth at Murano Street for a loop of the Possil nature reserve. Nice morning.

Busy day. Work sucks.

Glengoyne Distillery > Dumgoyne > Earl's Seat > Dumgoyne*2

A sweltering hot day in the Campsies. Timed it to take the last lap of Dumgoyne with Gordy Bulloch at the end of his everest charity challenge.