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!

Pinnacle Ridge Extreme 2019

This is the official promo vid for Pinnacle Ridge Extreme race 2019 which I finished 2nd at.
Loved this race and will be back next year to see if I can get a PB!

Teenager With Altitude Fell race, Lake District (25km/2300mtrs)

A weekend split down the middle with a bad race day and a good training day!

Teenager with Altitude Fell race on the Derwent Fells near Keswick. A tough AL race in the English calendar run by the Cumberland Fell Runners. This race was recommended to me by Dave Kerr who was recommended it by Graham Briffet so I'm blaming Graham for this one! Hahaha

Let's get the excuses over with first.. I had a terrible sleep the night before this and I was lucky if I got 2 hours sleep no joke! I was in a strange bed and did my usual psyching myself out and just couldn't drift off.. Anyway I felt awful at the start line which is steeeeeep!!









It was a very hot day and I struggled from the off. I probably started too fast as usual and blew up a bit but I had spells of energy and at some points I ran well.

Some great underfoot fast running but I just wasn't firing in the heat and felt so bad!

I finished in 4hr 4 mins 52nd/140 overall. A bad day but I just had nothing in me. 

It was a great race looking back and I wish I could've pushed harder but even though I was knackered I did enjoy  it and the atmos was really good before and after the race with a great bunch of folk.

Dave Kerr was also there who did well and was in the prizes in our category. We were also in the same camp site so we had a few beers and some good banter that night!

Dave picking up V40 prize

Me and Dave

REDEMPTION

The next day I was keen to get some more running done at a more leisurely pace and I was particularly interested in some scrambling. Dave recommended Sharp Edge on Blencathra and Rupert recommended Striding and Swirel Edge on Helvellyn so off I went.. 

Sharp Edge Blencathra

Another incredible day to be in the hills with amazing views! The run up to Sharp Edge was excellent with a good path all the way then it was hands and feet for the scramble up Sharp Edge which was straightforward and just what I was after. 

Looking back down Sharp Edge

Sharp Edge

I did a loop here and descended down the other side of the lake and back to the van to get going again and shoot over to Helvellyn

Another lovely climb up onto Striding Edge in blue skies and sunshine! A busy place this one, I had Blencathra to myself (it was 9am there!) but now later in the day and all the walkers were out in force. 

Striding Edge

Striding Edge was actually quite runnable and I stuck to crest the whole way. Most walkers sticking to the lower paths I was jumping around above their heads!

This was the most technical bit, down climbing off the main ridge before the last scramble up to the summit. Still easy but care needed not to tumble off..

Swirel Edge and Catstye Cam

Summit done and down via Swirel Edge, more down climbing and then a nice path all the way back down. I didn't do Catsrye Cam as I was now running out of time and I knew I'd get it at Pinnacle Ridge race.

Some idiot

Pano of Striding and Swirel Edges

What a day and this made up for yesterdays race disaster! I'll be back here later on in the year for the first ever Pinnacle Ridge Extreme race!