Training Log Archive: LeanimalIn the 7 days ending Sep 19, 2009:
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Saturday Sep 19, 2009 #
Trekking 3:15:00 [2]
After a bit of a milk run to Scotland (Washington - Heathrow - Glasgow) we finally made it to Scotland although missing a night of sleep. Phattys cousin Iain picked us up at the airport and we headed back to his flat in Glasgow to get organized for heading up north. We went to a shop to get a topo map and finalize our trekking plan and one of Iain's mates works there and he has climbed all 280+ Munro's in Scotland (mountains over 3000ft)....and he is only 24! So he recommended we head up to the west coast and go from there. We got our map, some stove fuel, some groceries and packed for the next day.
Saturday morning we took the tube to the bus station and got two tickets to Glen Shiel. The trip took 5 hours with a 40 minute break in Fort William and we were dropped of at a bus shelter in Glen Shiel to start our day. We crossed the road, went down a dirt path and were off into the Highlands. It was beautiful. It drizzled a bit (naturally) and I was a little concerned about walking right through a herd of Highland cattle with their horns and all but Phatty was quite comfortable in shooing them away. I just find it unnerving when they stare at you.....anyway we climbed through a pass and descended into the next valley in search of a bothy.
A bothy is an old shepherds shelter that has been converted by the Mountain Bothy Association into a shelter for hikers. The problem is that it's a bit of a secret society in that they don't let anyone know where they are for fear of people trashing them. So it's all who you know or meet out there or your luck (unless I guess if you are a member of the MBA).
So Phatty and I headed towarda builing marked on the map but were disappointed to see that only ruins remained when we got there. We could see another building across the river so we headed toward that. As we approached I thought that it must be someone's farm house since it was so big and had two fireplaces at either end of the building. Much to our surprise and delight it had a MBA sign on the door and when we went in we were amazed to see it had sleeping bunks, two fireplaces (with wood) and the buidling was so charming. All stone of course and all to ourselves. We got out our stuff and promptly made ourselves at home by lighting the fire and preparing dinner. We had a great evening and the next day set out by shooing the sheep that had started grazing at the door out of the way.
Saturday morning we took the tube to the bus station and got two tickets to Glen Shiel. The trip took 5 hours with a 40 minute break in Fort William and we were dropped of at a bus shelter in Glen Shiel to start our day. We crossed the road, went down a dirt path and were off into the Highlands. It was beautiful. It drizzled a bit (naturally) and I was a little concerned about walking right through a herd of Highland cattle with their horns and all but Phatty was quite comfortable in shooing them away. I just find it unnerving when they stare at you.....anyway we climbed through a pass and descended into the next valley in search of a bothy.
A bothy is an old shepherds shelter that has been converted by the Mountain Bothy Association into a shelter for hikers. The problem is that it's a bit of a secret society in that they don't let anyone know where they are for fear of people trashing them. So it's all who you know or meet out there or your luck (unless I guess if you are a member of the MBA).
So Phatty and I headed towarda builing marked on the map but were disappointed to see that only ruins remained when we got there. We could see another building across the river so we headed toward that. As we approached I thought that it must be someone's farm house since it was so big and had two fireplaces at either end of the building. Much to our surprise and delight it had a MBA sign on the door and when we went in we were amazed to see it had sleeping bunks, two fireplaces (with wood) and the buidling was so charming. All stone of course and all to ourselves. We got out our stuff and promptly made ourselves at home by lighting the fire and preparing dinner. We had a great evening and the next day set out by shooing the sheep that had started grazing at the door out of the way.
Thursday Sep 17, 2009 #
Yoga 1:00:00 [1]
Power yoga core session early morning before work. Couple of hours of work and then off to Scotland for 12 days. Phatty and I plan on bagging some peaks while we are there - 5 days or so up north trekking before heading to Edinburgh for a Ceilidh wedding and then to visit Granny's farm. Should be a blast!
Note
On another exciting note Phatty ordered my Gary Fisher Hi Fi Pro the other day so it should be here when I get back - soooooo excited. Sad to retire big red since she has been so good to me and I will be riding something other than specialized for the first time but am excited about the 29er wheels. We are just anxious to see if I get the same paint job as Phatty (probably) or the new white, green, black colour scheme!!
Tuesday Sep 15, 2009 #
Yoga 20:00 [1]
20 minute power yoga session between patients. I was sweating up a storm....maybe I better do it after work just when Bash or Bent are coming in since they would understand!
Road Riding 1:30:00 [4]
Quick lunch hour ride. What a day! Absolutely perfect temperature but despite putting on copious amounts of 45+ sunscreen I still ended up with some serious tan lines (just to add to the collection).
Note
I should really log this as a 5 (for stress factor anyway). I headed toward what I might consider my own personal hell "Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre" after work to try to find a dress for the wedding in Scotland (yeah a little last minute in typical fashion). I stomped around the mall, elbowing people out of the way, smoke billowing out of my ears, and finally left in a huff empty handed an hour later.
I HATE SHOPPING!!!
I HATE SHOPPING!!!
Monday Sep 14, 2009 #
Yoga 1:00:00 [1]
Yin yoga - front line sequence.
In line skating 1:00:00 [2]
Goose and I headed up to a nice smooth neighbourhood for some in-line but didn't get there until 8pm so I had my nice bright light with me. Goose brought his skate skis which were significantly slower than Slice's speedy in-line skates so as I cruised along he was pushing just to keep up. I should probably log some of this techinique training as a 1. I am still getting comfortable on them but it's about time to start speeding up and practicing turning corners quickly and bailing out on the grass. Nice temperature to be out!
Sunday Sep 13, 2009 #
Mountain Biking 1:00:00 [3]
Up to the Terry Fox run in Palgrave with Goose and Phatty and then back with Coach LD.
Trail Running 51:00 [4]
Heavy heavy legs on the Terry Fox Run in Palgrave. I felt like I had just tranisitioned in a triathlon. Maybe had something to do with all of the Ling of the Mountain riding going on lately, including the "warm-up" ride up there.
In line skating 30:00 [2]
Testing out the in-line skate/poling technique. Felt surprisingly good...now I just have to get this into my training regularly. I fully credit Coach LD and Goose and all of their coaching for skiing for me being so comfortable on them.