Knockargety night race

The 2nd Deeside night race at Knockargety, Tarland and I was keen to podium in my category at least and maybe even get an overall place as no Dan Whitehead to be seen! 

However, Peter Hendry and Stuart Pringle were both running and I didn't see Calum Dempster at the start so i thought it could be on! Stuart had raced the day before at the Lochaber winter series so I thought he'd be tired and I might get the better of him as I've been going well recently on shorter courses.

It was a cold night, perfect for a race! 

This is a flat trail race through woods, single track, landy track, road, felled tree stumps, heather, grass etc etc. Very fast running and care needs to be taken as several of us found out, Stuart receiving 3 injuries! We both rolled an ankle each in the first couple of kms on tree routes but not bad enough to stop.. 

So from the start Peter, Stuart and myself sped off waaaay too fast but it was enough to build a gap for a while with everyone else behind. Then the inevitable happened at this pace.. I could hear somebody behind me and I had no idea who it was. I certainly wasn't going to look. The footsteps followed for a while until finally overtaking me and it turned out to be young Calum Dempster again who beat me by 1 second at Cnoc Dubh when he took 3rd overall putting me in 4th two weeks before. Calum was on top form and disappeared quite quickly in front.

Peter had a good lead on Stuart who was slowing by now with his race the day before starting to take its toll. I had now caught up with Stuart but he was still pushing on so I decided to hang back with him as there was nobody that close behind us and I knew if I overtook I would speed up but only for a short time. It was great and we had a wee chat here and there and pushed each other on.

Then Stuart had some bad luck, he hit his head ducking under a fence which alerted me to the hazard so I missed it, then not long after he ran straight into a felled tree stump giving him a nasty gash on his thigh! Ouch!! He was now hobbling in front and with a head torch getting closer to us from behind, somebody else was catching us so I passed Stuart and put in a wee push and got a bit of a lead on him. I kept it up until we got back to the carpark at Tarland Trails and Stuart had managed to gain on me and caught me and passed me! The hardy bugger was on fire! I stayed on his heels though down the road towards the finish and found a last spurt of power and just managed to pip him by 1 second!!!! 

I finished 3rd overall and 1st V40 with Stuart 4th and 2nd V40. It turned out Calum had caught Peter and won with Peter runner up. 

The post race was at the local cafe in Tarland where I caught up some folk and shot the shit. Prizes were veggies so i got a bag of tatties and a Lindt chocolate rabbit! Yaldie!

Brilliant race and another great battle with Stuart. 

Dess Woods next 17th Jan. Ooooosh!

Tattie and chocolate prizes.

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!!

Braid Cairn, Glen Tanar

The Deeside Corbetts still summon us just now with minimal snow and short travel time.This week was the turn of Braid Cairn, a child summit of mount Keen and Corbett.

Goes without saying any run begins with coffee and what better place to stop off but Spider on a Bicycle in Aboyne where I bumped into Zicky who were off to solve mysteries with their bike gang (actually they were off to bike a route on the Fungal). Good wee catch up tho..





The problem with the Mount Keen area is monotonous landy track no matter which way you go in.
Our route started from Glentanar car park then taking the more southerly track following the same course as the Water of Gairney between Clachan Yell and Little Cockcairn then at Black Craig take the south fork on the track and ascend Gathering Cairn first then onto Braid Cairn. Return was the reverse and the quickest way back.

The guts of the first 10kms is on what seems never ending Landy track. Once you clear the Forest of Glentanar and head out onto the open hills the views are great. At the ruined shelter at the fork under Black Craig it's onto single track and some nice techy steep running up to Gathering Cairn.

Black Craig and Clachan Yell from Gathering Cairn

The forecast as ever was bullshit and what started out as a nice blue skied, dry day although a bit breezy, turned into a full on blizzard-fest up top! Gusting 50mph and -10 wind chill with horizontal sleet and hail and often zero visibility made Cairn finding a bit tricky!

Braid Cairn

We got some short glimpses of Mount Keen but it was mostly hidden in cloud and the snow flurries. It was bad enough at Gathering Cairn and we still had to nip across the plateau to Braid Cairn where it was more exposed.

Lions face and Mount Keen behind

This was the worst bit and we got battered here, bare legs pelted with freezing wind and hail! As soon as we found and touched the Cairn we were off, no photos nothing, just a big fat U-turn back to Gathering Cairn and directly down to the broken shelter off grid through deep heather!

Then all that was left was the 10kms back out to the van and another mad rush to catch Spiderbike for 2nd visit this time choosing Lentil and Coconut soup by the wood burner.. bliss!

Ace day, mad weather and although mostly landy track it was good and fast running and another Corbett bagged. Route was 30km/4000ft!

The route

Morrone, Carn nan Drochaide, Gong and Viv!

Saturday afternoon we headed out to Braemar for the first of the weekend's runs. Short of time we opted for the very accessible Corbett - Morrone Hill which overlooks Braemar. This is the same hill as the Braemar Highland Games hill race, a short but steep out and back.

Unfortunately I forgot my phone so didn't get any pics but it was a short run in snow, ice and low cloud, around 700mtrs. We did get some nice views south towards Glen Callater but no visibility to the North. There was a fair bit of snow higher up and the path had some ice on and off from the very bottom to the top. I wore my Salomon SG's but my Artcic Talons would have been the better choice.
We were going to do a loop but we really were short of time and had plans at night so one out and back speed rep was all we could manage.

Saturday night was great, a fine meal at the Buchanan Bistro, good banter, serious life chats, a couple of character taxi drivers and far too much wine!

Sunday was a lazy morning and late start again but we went back out to Braemar this time deciding for the Corbett Carn nan Drochaide from the Lynn of Qoich.

River Quoich, another classic Deeside spate paddle

The weather was Ok, not much wind, cold but not like Morrone the day before.

As the estate are rebuilding the road that was swept away in the crazy floods a couple of years back, we had to park further back up the road. After an initial landy track climb you drop down into Glen Quoich and cross the river at the new bridge built by the Cairngorm club.

Morrone Hill

Once you clear the forest at the Quoich it's a flat 2km landy track until you turn north at the Allanmore cottage and onto the lower slopes of Creag a Chleiric following a very overgrown landy track up to its summit.

 This was good running turning steep and no give right up to Creag a Chleric.

Braemar down on the left, Morrone centre and the Glen Callater and White Mounth hills at the back

Then drop down and across to the rocky side of Carn nan Drochaide. There is a faint trod which we followed for a short distance but then went off grid which was more direct so it was into deeper heather, rocks and some snow up onto the summit.

Approaching the Carn nan Drochaide cairn

Looking SE to Carn nan Sgliat and Creag nan Leachda on the other side of the A93

Ben a Bhuird (1179m) towering behind!

Looking over to Glen Quoich and our decent

This was a great route and still very runnable unlike the higher hills just now which are becoming more difficult with deep snow. Reports of the higher munros in this area and over towards Lochnagar the same day sounded like very difficult running.

After the run we stopped past the Bothy at Braemar Mountain Sports for food before we said our goodbyes and I carried on over Glenshee towards Blairgowrie and Perth having some fun on the way as I was in the car (van still off the road) and then onto Glasgow for the night as I was going to see a gig.

Gong and Steve Hillage

What a night at SG3 in Glasgow seeing one of my all time favourite bands and idol live, the legendary, hippy axe man himself - Steve Hillage who was being supported by a distantly related version of his band Gong. It was amazing and a great nostalgic trip! ;)

The maestro himself

Jazz club - Niiiiiice!

After the gig and on my way back to the hotel I stumbled upon this jazz quartet playing in a pub so I popped in for a listen and a couple more shandies! ;) They were brilliant!

Absolutely blinding weekend from one extreme in the snowy hills to another in Glasgow city center listening to the most amazing prog rock!

Mike and the Mechanics taking away Viv with a blown turbo!

Now Monday morning was another day! Up reasonably earlier and I was zooming up the road from Glasgow to meet Mikey who was picking up my van from Stoney to take it away to fit a new turbo. Getting it onto the trailer was comedy gold! For a start the smoke belching from the van was like thick fog and eventually blinded the whole street while the minor road block we had created started getting a bit heated as folk started losing patience with us! This pretty much brought the Stoney Marina to a stand still for half hour! Pffffff..

Mikey hero tho was able to pull the engine that afternoon ready for the turbo which I was now on my way to pick up. My plan was get the turbo and then nip out to Bennachie for a quick blast before meeting Mikey again later on to give him the turbo.

Engine oot

Mither Tap on Bennachie

Here's where my day really got crazy! After my run and back at the car getting changed I was sitting on the passenger seat pulling jeans on and I sat on the car key and the car locked. I unlocked the car and threw the key on the drivers seat thinking nothing of it.. I then got out of the passenger side of the car and shut the door... you know where this is going don't you!?

BEEEEP I heard! This is when I knew I had fucked up! I clearly hadn't unlocked the car when I thought I had thus locking my key in the car! Noooooo!! It's Ok I thought.... I'll phone the house and arrange the spare key to be taken out but how could I do that when my freekin phone was also locked in the car!? Shite!!

Oh, I only had a T-shirt and a wafer thin OMM top on.. I was freezin, it was minus something with ice on the ground and starting to get dark and not a soul about in one of the more remote carparks at Bennachie.. At least I managed to put my jeans on!

I had just run out of hope and started running towards Chapel of Garioch when an older gentleman drove into the car park. I think he might have been God! I was able to borrow his phone and call who else but the one and only big Kev who came to the rescue AGAIN after towing my van from Inverurie to Blackburn 2 weeks ago when it first broke down. He picked me up, took me home to get spare key and then back to the car!
What a diamond!

Finally I was back on track although running massively late to meet Mikey to deliver my turbo down at Asda Garthdee..
Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, nipping on to make up time, I ran a very debatable red light while crossing Great Western Road on Anderson Drive! Oh wait, is that blue lights behind me!? Yes it fucking was!! I pulled over waiting for Jeremy Beadle to jump out of the bushes but sadly not only a pair of fucking jobsworths! After the usual condescending good cop, bad cop bullshit and bringing up my slightly shady driving history, I was finally back on the road but with 3 points on my license and a £100 fine! Thanks for that... Just to put this into perspective.. I've had an exceptional amount of shit to deal with this last month (REALLY!!) and it seems like there's some sort of conspiracy going on against me! I'm waiting for some sort of earthquake or volcano to erupt next!

Anyway, one of my more full on weekends I've had in a while. All good now though, Mikey finished Viv and she's back running like a dream!! Booooom!!

Knockfarrel Hill race 8kms/380mtrs

The short races keep on delivering!!

Considering I've had the craziest season of long plod races I'm surprised at my recent speed. All I've done this year is long training days in the mountains, AL races or Skyraces.. Either everyone is getting slower or Sonic the coach is managing to squeeze some more effort out of me! ;)

Myself and Stuart

I'd never done Knockfarrel before and since I'd been going well recently with Morven and Meall a Buchaille I thought I'd have one more crack at a shorter race before retiring for the year so off Stuart and I went up to Strathpeffer to check out this short and fast race put on by HHR!


Running slightly late and once we eventually found the shinty club it was quick reg, quick change and warm up run up to the start line!






It was cold with snow on some of the near by tops and we were warned of ice! The sun was out at least.
Stuart and I lined up right at the front in vests brrrr!! Seconds later we were flying a long the first flat trail for a few hundred mtrs until a sharp right onto the first short climb through a part frozen, cow trodden, dubby field. Loved the leap of faith over the burn!
I was probably top 6 or 7 for the first few kms. The 2 guys in front slowly started pulling away but when the first steep climb came onto Knockfarrel I was back right behind them as we all bunched up, pulling up on heather and grass up onto the summit. I knew Stuart was right behind me having pulled away from him on the field.

A white capped Ben Wyvis in the background

Stuart only a few seconds behind

Ord and Smiff battling it out!

Javier sweeping

The steep climb onto Knockfarrel really saps it out of your thighs and once on top trying to accelerate my legs felt like lead!
However I managed to get some power from somewhere and got in front of the next 2 runners sitting around 5th now. There were a couple of lead swaps here and there across and down to the foot of Cnoc Mor. This was a sketchy decent on a steep, wet techy trail and the sun in our eyes! I had no idea where I was putting my feet but kept up with the Moray guy in front eventually getting past him on the last climb.

Just before the last decent back down to the field

Jack Travellyen wasn't far behind and I thought he was closing in until I looked back half way across the bottom field but he was too far back to do anything on the last flat trail back to the finish. 

Stuart was just a few seconds behind Jack.

Home straight!

Stuart

I crossed the line in 45:50, 5th overall and 1st V40! Boooom!! Stuart was only seconds behind finishing 7th overall and 3rd V40. Next Deeside in was Smiff having got passed Ord on the steep decent through the trees from Cnoc Mor.

Back at the shinty club for coffee and cake was great and catching up with the usual suspects and folk I'd not seen in a while was good craic including Graham Briffet and hearing his grim tales of the OMM he and Dave Kerr had just competed in coming 2nd overall in their race!

Prize giving  was a free pick and I chose the Shiraz out of the chocolate, Rosey and beer. No brainer! ;)

The Deeside homeless and some guy having a fit

Another quality day racing but probably my last race (I know I said that ater MAB) this year. Although the Lochaber winter series was mentioned today.. hahahaha.. Just can't stay away from this racing lark! Which reminds me, off to enter some Sky races! Shazzaaam! :)


*All race photos courtesy of HHR

Morven Hill race (8km/640mtrs)

My first short race since Clachnaben (8th/78, 2nd V40) back in April. I was dreading this hard, steep speed session after months of distance training and longer races!

I also wanted to make the effort since it’s my club’s race and Morven is special to me as it was my late father’s stomping ground as a Scout in the 1950’s.

The weather was favourable for a tempo run in the hills - Clag, drizzle and cooler than it has been recently! Perfect!

I knew the usual front runners would be turning up and although I doubted I'd be near the front I had tried to cram in some last minute speed sessions recently with Sinco pushing me plus I have been going well this year on longer courses so I was keen to see where I was on a shorter course. 

Hamish Battle and James Espie up front

Start line and we were off. I started well up near the front probably sitting 7th by the time we got to the old house and then started to climb. Jacob Adkin, James Espie and Hamish Battle all pulled away quickly followed by Javier and Lawrence Ramsay. Stuart Pringle and myself were 6th/7th for most of the first climb.  
Stuart not firing on all 4 waved me through but I stayed back conscious of blowing up but once Neil Walker passed us both I decided to pass Stuart while I was going well. I slowly pulled away building a small gap between us.

Alan Smith - LEDGE

1st lady and my mate Diana Macdoanld

Winner - Jacob Adkin

I caught Neil on the first flat and then I was on my own for a while with very poor visibility until I saw a faint figure in the Clag.. I hoped it was Lawrence or Javier. Nearing this figure, I only realised in the last 2 or 3 mtrs who it was! It was Richie "bad boy" Ingram in jeans and a pair of yellow wellies on his way up to see the summit Marshalls! Once I stopped laughing I composed myself and carried on to the summit. Pffffff

Steve Ord and Richard Bad Boy Ingram

Jim Savage - Ultra beast

Neil Walker - Deeside visitor

Mr Valdes going for a hug!

Round the cairn and on my way back down I passed Neil and Stuart on their way to the summit. They were closer than I thought, I knew I had to push as Stuart's a fast descender and would have been pushing to catch me. Once I got to the split at the first Marshall to descend round the side of the hill I opened it up and didn’t look back catching 5th place Lawrence a km or so from the finish. Javier was too far ahead. 
love that last section, very technical and very fast running over the rocky, heathery, narrow, deep trail.

Stuart Pringle almost home

Myself coming through the finish

I finished 5th overall and 1st V40.

Deeside also took the team prize with James Espie 2nd, myself 5th and Stuart 7th. My haul for the day 4 local Ales, a block of Lairig Ghru cheese and the 1st Vet shield.. Yaldie!!

My haul

Usual bants back at the Logie Coldstone hall for coffee/cake and to catch up with folk I've not seen in ages. Love hill running peeps, always great craic whilst looking like the homeless! Shaaazaaam! xx

Myself, Diana and Alan

Phil Kammer LEDGE also!