Glen Callater swim/run

An absolute cracker of a day in Glen Callater for an awsome swim/run. I was trying a new Huub back pack/tow float I scored off Kev Watson at Total Endurance and by far this is the best pack I've used as the straps are brilliant for running and very comfy unlike the Swim-Secure and the LOMO efforts. You do pay for the privilege tho, not cheap at £80 compared to the £35/£25 for the other 2 but the difference in quality is vast. For just a basic tow float though without running both the cheaper options are fine.

Huub back pack and Loch Callater

       

A Ptarmigan was kind enough to take this photo for me ;)

I ran in my Planet X Tri suit which for the money is the best Tri suit I've used, I just can't see past it and wonder why people pay so much for other brands. My shorty wetsuit and other bits and pieces were all in the Huub and I took my Inov8 bum bag purely for my phone, nutrition, car keys etc.. I found this the best way for easily accessing things without stopping to take the Huub off. I'm used to running in a Salomon race vest with loads of front pockets and places to stash stuff but that's not an option with these float bags. The bum bag was double dry bagged for the swim.


                          

I ran first using my cut down Orca TRN and bagged everything including shoes for the swim. I really don't like swimming with shoes on and I'd rather dry feet for the runs.
Orca TRN cut down wet suit
Orca Skull Cap
Predator goggles
Ear plugs
Full dry body cover (was a beautiful warm day but you just never know!!) Jacket and trousers
Buff
Gloves
light weight quick drying towel
Shades :)
Phone
MF jellies x 3
500ml MF RAW

                                                 


The run from the A93 Glenshee road up to the Loch is quite dull landy track but being a belter of a day I was happy to get some sun and plod away. Once you get to the loch you peel off to the left (East) towards Carn an t-sagairt Mo and Cairn Bannoch. I was heading for the latter and then onto Broadcairn. This is a great area and there's some very good fast running to be had on good trails over towards Lochnagar and Dubh Loch.

Loch Callater on the climb up towards the Beallach

Descending from the shoulder of Bannoch into Allt an Aitinn

Tolmount to the left and the back of Carn a Turc 

Wet time

Looking back towards Tolmoun

This was a lovely swim. Colder than expected as it's not a particularly high loch. I swam through a bit of weeds but really not much. There was an occasional chop but nothing much and I pretty much had the wind behind me all the way. The swim is 1.6kms and it was over pretty quickly then I just had the 4km run out and dried off in the sun.

Total route 1.6kms swim - 26km/1200mtrs run.