Training Log Archive: ndobbs

Corte to Santa-Lucia-Di-Mercurio

Enchanting village up in the hills across the valley and visible from much of Corte, this was on my to-do list all week. With a name suggestive of extra-terrestrial worshipping Christians how could I resist?

After two days of clouds and showers, today was as lovely as forecast, warmer than earlier in the week. My running shorts made their first appearance since September and the sleeveless top was sufficient. Started off, like three days before, with the descent from the farm into town, then past the railway and the Oliveraie, over a minor hill and across some fields before hitting the climb. En route I met sheep, cows and mouflons. After reaching the top of the spur, there was 2.5km without miild ascents and descents before reaching the village. Had a stroll around, fantastic views of the surrounding mountains, some quaint houses and a church, smoke coming from a few chimneys and even a couple of people, but no sign of any commercial premises (bar the church). Sat down by the fountain, drank a bit and enjoyed the sunshine before heading back.

Outwards I was 1h16, sped up on the way back, having fun on the fast bits. Much of the downhill was steep enough to be slow, however. For fun, sped up to 3.30/km to see what the HR would do, only went up to around 150 - on the uphill, going slowly, it was in the 160s...
Towards the end it was all slow :)


One of the nicest runs in a long time, scenery, the sunshine, the smells, sensations, all was great!!

went to l'Ile Rousse today by train and bus... lazy day, walked around the rocks, had lunch, strolled along the beach, did a little maths, ran back for the bus I nearly missed :)

Lovely dinner in l'Oliveraie this evening, Goat, gratin and french beans... a drop of house red... chestnut and hazelnut pie to round it off...

Corsica is great!!!!

vallée de la Tavignano, Corte

Jog up this fantastic rock-enshrined valley, accessible only to pedestrians, along a stony path fifty to a hundred metres above the Tavignano. Only crossed a few people (including one runner!), and only made it halfway up the valley. Towards the top there is "refuge de la sega", closed in winter, and then another few hours walk to civilisation. Brought a 25cl bottle with me which I refilled at a couple of tributaries.

Tired but good at the end :)

After eating a small bit and resting, walked into town for more food.

Climb guestimated with the aid of a map... Garmin ain't much good: 1550m climb according to the 305... great.

Corte, Corsica

1h25 up a hill, 45 down... another hour+ walking around town and to and from the farm

Big climb, from under 500m to almost 1200... stopped when I came out into sunshine on a col between more upwards towards the snowline and an outcropping... glorious views. Knees were wobbly on the downhill. Sunny, not particularly warm (at over 1100m in the shade there was frost on the ground).

C • I don't think I've ever see... 2

bus to Corte after a half-decent night's sleep on the ferry.
from railway station to the farm, in and around town (Corte, Corsica), then an hour and a half up the Restonica valley. Lovely.