2020 so far..

It's been a while since I've blogged, there hasn't been much to say, there still isn't..

Before the Chinese Flu hit the world, I was already injured from Knockergety night race in December and it was still lingering when lock down started in March. Training was curtailed to local lower hills but even if I could have gone into mountains (honest I didn't...ahem..) my ankle was limiting my mileage and climbing ability.. However if you're going to be injured and out for races then this year is the year to be broken! 

Standard

Carn a Mhaim

I had entries for 4 UK/Ireland Skyraces I needed to compete in the series (Snowdon, Arran, PRE and Mourne) and they were all cancelled except for Mourne which is coming up in October. This will probably be the one and only race I'll do this year. I also tried to get into Trofeo Kima in italy so I could tick off the triple crown of balls out Skyraces (Tromso and Glencoe being the other 2) but failed so it will have to wait for another 2 years being biannual.. 

The Big 4

Devil's

I ended up getting an MRI for my ankle and was diagnosed with ITFL impingement. Multiple physio appointments and much rehab later and I'm only just starting to fire again and getting back to some sort of proper training. That's been the longest lingering injury I've ever had and stemmed from an ankle roll which at the time didn't even seem that bad. It was my continued running on it though that tipped me over the edge. I have obviously lost a lot of what I'd built up last year but I'm getting stronger and stronger every week.

Macdui looming

I have managed to get out quite a bit though in the last couple of months and back to proper mountain running. I've had some big days in the Gorms, Glencoe and Torridon and I've got a few things lined up still to come. Just can't get enough just now!

The Gar

Good old Lochnagar has taken a fair hit and I was probably up there every other weekend for weeks either running or swimming. FWIW I either biked in from Ballater or parked in one of the extended layby's a long the Glen road. I didn't go near the car park until things had returned to normal (well, if there's ever going to be a normal) but the level of stupidity by drivers I witnessed up that Glen road and at Linn of Dee was astounding! Where have all these outdoor enthusiasts suddenly come from!? Somehow COVID has turned average Joe who sits in front of the TV eating pies into a mountaineer! It's hilarious!

Geallaig

It's been amazing getting back into the heart of the Gorms and onto big climbs after months of Bennachie, Kirkhill and Scolty.

The other change in my life this year has been moving out to Alford. It's great and much nearer bigger hills. Ballater's only 30 mins away! My new local week day runs are Corennie, Coilabhar, The Coreens, Pressendye etc.. Most of my mid week training is on these hills.

Sgor an Lochain Uaine and Braeriach

Cairn Toul

Lochain Uaine and a future swim I think

Carn a Mhaim center and Cairn Toul to the left

I also swam and mountain biked a lot to stay off my ankle which has been great and good cross training. The summer has actually been really good with extended periods of warm sunny weather so the lochs and sea have been pleasant. You just have to be willing to follow the sun wherever it is so I've had a few last minute, up early and out the door trips!

Muick

Pronie

Muick

Davan

Loch Builg

Davan

Muick

Cove 

Dinnet Bridge

I also bought a new bike this year, it's mental and I love it! I've really got more and more into biking during lockdown and have had some great days out. In fact I'm in danger of doing more biking now instead of running! It's really good cross training and gives my ankles a break, plus I can still be in the hills.. 

I'd like to do more big mountain days on the bike and find some nice long, continuous down hills.. Alford is great for biking too with loads of trails not too far away.

All in all apart from my ankle, lock down actually hasn't been that bad but only because I now have loads of local hills out here. I've kept busy and as fit as I can with a lingering injury that just would not go away!! I do feel like I'm coming back now though and am just zoning for Mourne Skyline, then loads of training over winter to try and come back strong for next year! Yaldy!

Conachcraig from Glen Muick

The Corbett ticks continue with Conachcraig (850m) bagged on Sunday in some interesting conditions!

As is now normal with timekeeping outwith my control ;) and with the added factor of the morning after the night before, we didn't have many daylight hours left to take on something bigger so it had to be local and fairly short.

This has to be the most overlooked Corbett I've done as I've probably passed it more than 50 times on my way up to Lochnagar!

Looking NW from the Clais Rathadan track towards the Braemar hills

From Glen Muick car park in quite pleasant conditions (blue sky, no wind) we followed the main Lochnagar tourist path through Allt na guibhsaich up the Clais Rathadan track but when you get to the fork where you would turn left and up towards Meikle Pap and the Gar you simply turn right (NE) at the cairn and follow a faint trail up onto Conachcraig.

Cuidhe Crom left, Meikle Pap center and the Gar just out of sight to the right and behind

Just as we cleared the forest at Allt na giubhsaich and its shelter it was obvious the day wasn't going to stay quite as still as I'd hoped! It got progressively gustier as we climbed and by the time we were at the split on the Clais Rathadan track it was very blustery with frequent freezing, driving snow showers creating whiteout at times.

Getting breezy!

A lull between Conachraig and Caisteal na Caillich

Once we summit-ed Conachcraig we carried on a bit further NW over to the summit of Caisteal na Caillich which was actually not bad running underfoot considering the snow. The issue was the arctic blasts into the face!

The photo opportunities were too good to miss and I couldn't stop snapping! UNREAL scenes were developing in and out of blizzard conditions.

The Gar

Close up of the corrie

The Gar center behind and with MP in front and Cuidhe Crom on the left

The money shot and the reason why I do this!

Between Conachraig and Caistal

 

Running in the mountains is always special no matter the weather. Summer is great and nothing better than moving fast in minimal clothing and gear whilst getting a sun tan..  HOWEVER to really know you're alive and for a more intense experience with scenery that competes on a global level, Scottish winter running is unlike anything else! And it's only just begun!

Unfortunately tho there will come a point where running is impossible and it's time to either dig out the axes and crampons or skis! Until then though I'll keep running as long as poss up high. Boooya!!

The route was 13km/580m although we did a bit more repping some bits.

For once we were back to the van early and zooming into Rocksalt and Snails in Ballater for a fine bowl of curried carrot, lentil and apple soup in front of the wood burner! Incroyable!!




Oh meant to add I was running with a couple of new tops and thought it was worth mentioning..

I wore an Inov8 Tri blend short sleeve under an Inov8 ATC Merino LS hoodie! Game changer!
So summit temp was -4 and wind chill was anything between -10 and -15 brrrr.. however I was absolutely fine in the above combination until the snow really started blasting me and I was getting wet so I did pull on my OMM Sonic smock for a bit more protection but even then the Sonic is wafer thin and I was toastie.

Inov8 Tri blend T SL

I really liked the hood on the ATC although sinch cords would have been even better but to have a hood over a buff was great. As for the built in pullover mits, absolutely brilliant and I used them over my hands the whole time. I did put gloves on when it was really bad and blowing on top.
I was never too hot and never too cold - Goldilocks! Merino feels so good next to the skin, smooth and cozy but also light weight.

Inov8 ATC Merino LS Hoodie

I'm not a big perspirer anyway so I wasn't too surprised I was dry underneath back at the van but I was totally dry! Very  impressed with the wicking performance.
Fit was perfect, I chose medium (5,9/70kgs/slight build) and it was great, not skin tight and not loose, I have a short upper body and longer legs so it sat a bit lower on my bum which is great for me and another layer over my bum.
I've actually just ordered another of each as they're on offer on Sportsshoes just now. The Tri blend T is half price!!

The Gar

A wee blast on my local - Lochnagar..

After Morven and with no more big races for the rest of the year I was just looking for a steady 10-12 miler with plenty climb. There's only one place that fits the bill that's not too far away..

From Glen Muick car park I had a good climb up to Meikle Pap and then chose to descend into the corrie so I could nip up Black Spout, Left branch through the hole! Never gets old that one..

I've been shaking off a tight right calf for a couple of weeks and after a 19km beast of a tempo run with Rob on Wednesday night (I was hangin!) it has turned into a proper niggle!

I've got Meall a Buchaille race in 2 weeks so hopefully I'll get it sorted.. I'm having Deja Vu! I was recovering from a similar calf issue last year same time. I picked it up on Ben Nevis hill race which I carried into Glencoe Skyline, 2 Breweries, Pentland Skyline and I only recovered just in time for Meall a Buchaille!

I like to scare the tourists!

Corrie path

Lochnagar

Black Spout

Blown tyre

This woman was my savior!

Total route 20km/1500mtrs..

Great day and great run only to be spoiled at the very end driving out of Glen Muick heading for coffee, not paying attention I hit a boulder and blew the front passenger tyre! This was only the start of my issues!

Because I've got after market alloys on the van the bolt heads are 17mm instead of the stock 19mm and I didn't have a 17mm socket to get the bolts out!! Nooooooo!

Luckily and thankfully after stopping the next 5 passing cars the 5th one driven by an elder lady complete with hippy hat and a great sense of humour produced the goods with a 17mm socket... ya belter!!

Van jacked up and wheel off I went to get the spare from under the van.. Next issue... One of the bolts holding the spare wheel up under the van was a locking nut and I didn't have the key! Fit!??

I managed to scramble further under the van to undo the brackets of the metal work that holds the wheel and with my new elderly friend digging up the ground under the van with her bare hands to get the clearance I needed to drop the wheel I finally got it out! 1 hour to change 1 wheel and I missed the Ballater coffee shop - Raging!!

LSD reps and some arse sledging!

My trusty LSD route at Glen Muick. It's a 27k/1800mtr scrambly route taking in Black Spout on Lochnagar, Stuic Butress on the Stuic and Central Gully on Creag an Dubh Loch. 

With remnants of winter still lurking Black Spout was out so I sneaked in a quick blast up to Meikle Pap before heading for Cac Carn Beag on the Gar stucking to the main path. The Stuic looked Ok so made my way across.

Lochnagar corrie and Black Spout at the far side still snowed up

The Stuic was fine and I enjoyed a good hard power hike up through the rock and onto the plateau.

 I love the run from here over to Dubh Loch, surprisingly runnable off grid through heather and bog. 

Dubh Loch from the bottom of Central Gully (Creag an Dubh Loch)

The Gully looked fine and I thought I'd get up no problem however the further I got the more snow I could see at the top of the Gully. I kept going as far as I could.

Looking up Central Gully

Unfortunately the very top was blocked with hard neve and my Inov8 X-Talons really weren't up to the job of acting like crampons. I used a couple of sharp pointy rocks to move out a few mtrs kicking steps but it was just too dodgy! I had to retreat back down, it was the only safe option.

Almost the top of Central Gully

Looking back down Central Gully, quite steep.

On a positive note I notched up another 500mtr ascent having to go back down and back up to Broadcairn.

Finally onto Broadcairn Plateau

Once I descended down to Loch Muick from Broadcairn the usual route is just plod back to the carpark round the Loch but I was here for the climbs so back up to Lochnagar I went via the Glas Allt Sheil path. I also repped Meikle Pap for the 2nd time and then finally back down to the carpark. Beast of a route and great training for the what's to come this year!

Total route 40km/2500mtrs.