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!

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.