Injured - AGAIN!!

Well it happened like I knew it would. Over training, cramming mileage always ends in injury and teers/tears! 

With Mourne Skyline 3 weeks off  I was hurrying through a last minute training plan to get some speed back after a year of injuries! I missed Mourne last year so I was really keen to tick it off this year. 

It's a 35k/3370mtr mountain route taking in 10 peaks in the heart of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. I've been to Ireland a few times working but never ran here so I was really excited to get into these Irish Beinns!

Race profile

Mourne Mountains

I had one more long-ish run to do before cutting back mileage. I was after 20+ miles with at least 7k feet and I couldn't go far because of other commitments so there's only one place to get the climb that's close to home.. good old Beinn Chiochan or Lochnagar as it's better known.

The mighty Gar

Being my local (good) Munro I've done this hill too many times to count but it never gets boring if you're willing to mix it up a little.. I'd recently done the White Mounth route twice and I couldn't be bothered doing my other training route LSD (Lochnagar, Stuic, Dubh Loch) so I opted to stay closer to the carpark and rep a different route.

The corrie

The route is from Glen Muick carpark and first takes in the Corbett Connachcraig, then Meikle Pap summit and onto Lochnagar summit via the (dangerous in clag) corrie rim path. This was only half the route. 

I then dropped down the Glas Allt/waterfall path to Loch Muick then U-turned back up to Lochnagar, over to Meikle Pap and finally back over to Connachcraig for 2 reps of each peak giving me 35k/2300mtrs. A bit short on climb but it would do.

Lochnagar in the background from Connachraig last winter

So that was the route and I was fired up for it. Training had been going well. I'd been hammering in hill reps and loads of speed work but I knew I was over doing it trying to push the mileage too quickly. I'd started proper training too late because of my lingering ankle issue from last year and COVID related bullshit! 

No races, no motivation to train. I was running plenty but only for enjoyment and I wasn't pushing it. I had built back up my speed in recent weeks and I was happy with my short speed game.. I just needed mileage. 

Glas Allt Sheil path 

So in the first 2 miles of this, my last long run before Mourne, as I pushed off my right calf crossing a burn I felt that un-mistakable PING of a muscle strain/tear!!! Nooooooo.... I've been here so many times, I knew the outcome but I was clinging to Mourne, it was the only race still on after all my others were cancelled so I kept going. When I warmed up it didn't feel too bad and I stupidly completed the route. Obviously I should've walked back to the van!

There's no way I was going to recover in 2 weeks so made the decision not to go over to Ireland. I was gutted! However in a twist of fate they cancelled the race 2 days before race day anyway because of the new COVID restrictions! Yaldie! Result for me, I was the only happy runner that day! 

I've rescheduled the flights for May next year to go over and do the race route and that week coincides with the NW200 Superbike road race up in Portrush to make more of a holiday our of it.

I was relieved Mourne was cancelled and I could just chill and slowly recoup and work on getting fit again with no races coming up. I threw myself into biking. mostly MTB and while on the Pitfichie downhill course a couple weeks back in the pouring rain, banked over in a corner, the rear tyre let go on a tree route and I low sided slamming into the deck with my chest and heed taking the brunt! Booom!! 

Big slam, couldn't breath, seeing stars and I was on my own! Convinced I had a collapsed lung or similar and after 10 mins on my knees gasping for air and trying to think straight I managed to crawl off the course onto the main track and gingerly peddle single handed back to van and straight to hospital!

Clumsy

                 

Usual pish from the doc, "cracked or bruised ribs, rest and take these mental painkillers"!!

I've also been here before many times and am no stranger to chest injury.. I know the drill.. It takes me back to a memorable trip to Balfour hospital in Fort Bill years back after a bad landing kayaking on Eas a Chathaidh, a rapid on the river Orchy and had to be carried out. 

I landed the drop on my left edge up against the wall and I was bent over to the left with my rib cage taking the blow on the rim of the cockpit! It was absolute agony! The diagnosis was actually dislocated cartilage between 2 ribs and I was given crazy strong painkillers that incidentally the doctor who treated me was also taking for back pain! I could tell, she didn't have a clue what was going on and kept fumbling around dropping her stethoscope! Then she tells me not to drive or operate any machinery! Thankfully I don't think she was doing any major surgery  that day!

Myself on Eas a Chathaidh, river Orchy (this wasn't the fateful landing)

So anyway, I can't run and now I can't bike or anything else for that matter because it hurts to even breath.. SAKE! 

I've been to the pool a couple of times and just floated about kicking my legs and it's hard to not just get pissed and eat shite! I had hoped to be training for a winter come back but I'm weeks away now! I honestly don't know why I bother sometimes! Well apart from because - I FUCKING LOVE IT BRUV!!!!!!

Here's a pic of the big 4 to remind us what's coming soon! 

Pure running on 432Hz! xxxx

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!!

Culardoch and Creag Dail Bheag

Back to Braemar for the 3rd time in a row to tick off more Corbetts!

I'm really enjoying exploring these smaller hills nearer home plus they're more runnable than munros just now with less snow lower down.. I'm never fed up of Deeside either with some of the best coffee stops in the country! :)

This week we chose Culardoch and Creag Dail Bheag which lie just North of Braemar and SE of Ben Avon.
Parking at a freezing Keloch car park (-4) on the Invercauld estate there's a 1.5km run on tarmac to begin with then turning right and North into the forest just before Invercauld house..

???

The route is mostly Landy track which is a little monotonous but the views are amazing especially with a little snow..

Once you climb out of the forest and onto the open hills the scenery really is spectacular looking SW over to Carn a Drochaide and down into Mar Lodge estate with the Dee snaking its way down towards Braemar, SE over to Meikle Pap and Lochnagar and then NW to Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon.

Carn na Drochaide to the right, Morrone to the left, Mar Lodge and the Dee center and Glen the Ey Munros at the very back.

Culardoch was first up after the long slog in on the Landy track then a good steep push on single trail up to the trig point. Although the weather was mostly clear with blue skies it was quite gusty and bitterly cold with -10 wind chill gusting up to 40mph on the tops. Thankfully I chose leggings!

Culardoch

Lochnagar with the nipple of Cac Carn Beag and Meikle Pap to its left

Close up of the Gar

My kit list for a slightly cooler day -

Inov8 Arctic Talons, OMM Flow vest under an Inov8 ATC long sleeve and then OMM Sonic smock which I switched between wearing just on my arms and shoulders and then when particularly cold or if stopping for any length of time pulling it down over my pack to my waste. I find this works really well year round and a good compromise between keeping cool when running and warmer when not.

Sheltering behind Culardoch trig point with Beinn a Bhuird/Ben Avon behind shrouded

The wafer thin Sonic does have its limits though and on Creag Dail Beag where wind was particularly bad I briefly pulled on my OMM Kamleika jacket for more protection.

Rab Powerstretch beany and Mountain Fuel buff, OMM Fusion gloves, OMM Flash tights on top of  a crotch-less leather thong (just checking you're reading this!).

Salomon Ultra 8 pack containing everything I would carry for an AL race so full body cover (INOV8 Race Ultrapants, OMM Kamleika Jacket), spare OMM thermal T, map, compass, head torch, bivvy, 500ml water (loads of water courses on route), nutrition was my staple Mountain Fuel jellies and a couple of NAKD bars.





From Culardoch it's back down on to the Landy track and retrace until back at the Bealach Dearg then it's a bit of heather bashing up onto Carn Liath or Creag Dail Bheag as it's now known.

This is where it got interesting on the summit and out of the lee of the lower slopes and into the full weather from the NE with strong gusts and driving blown snow hitting us on our right hand side making difficult running. I had my buff pulled diagonally across my face covering my right eye! The views out of my left eye were great! Unfortunately we only got rare glimpses of the nearby higher munros because of cloud.

Beinn a Bhuird and Ben Avon money shot!

Ruined wall on Carn Liath

Once back at Carn Liath cairn and following the ruined wall south we turned SE zig zagging down through deep heather which was a slow slog and difficult under foot then finally back onto the Landy Track and the tedious run out back to the van.

The long road out

Then another race against time trying to catch Rocksalt and Snails in Ballater before it closed but we lost! I had to make do with the Spanish Board at the Barn in Banchory instead, oh well! :)

Great day out even on killer landy track and well worth it for the amazing views!
The route was 23kms/1200mtrs.

The route

Live long and prosper! ;)