Running 6:00:00 [3] 42.8 km (8:25 / km) +1170m 7:24 / km
Cateran trail part 1. Trusting the weather forecast it seemed like there was a weather window from midday today until early afternoon tomorrow. Set off from Spittal of Glenshee just after 11:00. No rain but cloud right down. Have previously run the first section over to Enochdu on the old relay, but didn't remember a right lot about it. Climb was over soon enough, but everything was v wet underfoot, so even heading down over seemed to take an age. Sun was coming out by the time I reached Kirkmichael in 1:45 and time for a bacon roll / coffee at the shop. Next stretch to Bridge of Cally looked pretty flat on the map and I hoped to make good time. Ha ha. It was lovely but it wasn't flat and it was v v boggy. Best part of 2h to cover this stretch. Then it was onto the road for a bit, but seemingly always heading up over. Then when we reached a flat bit the path disappeared into a jungle of undergrowth- more slow going. By the time things improved I was struggling to keep any sort of run going. So Alyth in 5:45, big slap up pizza at a pub then waddle back up the hill again to find somewhere to kip. Tired, a bit chafed, and at least one blister, but hopefully will feel perkier in the morning. Tough day.