Club training reports…
Random Tuesday Reps Report
As far as I’m aware, there is no manual for hill reps, you just make up a routine that totals 20 minutes, and hope you don’t lose anyone (well, not more than one, absolute tops).
Given it was dry and not windy, it seemed it was about time to make it a reps “journey” up Allermuir. It was a decent turn out for a Tuesday. Slightly belatedly I did a count, and found there were 11 of us.
Not quite remembering the recipe used by the ‘master’, aka Gordon, we set off on a 30, 60, 90 ladder, aiming to finish at the top after the 20 minutes were up. After each rep, the deal was for those at the front to come back to the second last runner.
Well, after 15 minutes we were all admiring the panorama plaque, and the only way was down. This was despite delaying tactics, resetting the time on my watch, and not blowing the right end of the ‘stop’ whistle a couple of times.
So now something else was needed. We invented a new rule: Down 1 minute, back up for 2, and circle back round again if you manage to do that. For the historical record, the algorithm to really make this work has to be way more nuanced.
Anyway, it did the trick, everyone was still there, and most showed off a bit of leg for the photo. It must be Spring.
Pete Cain
Does a Wednesday run get any better?
Having skived off running for a month, I was wondering if this was really a run for me. Fortunately, having put my name in the box, I left it too late to wimp out. Gordon was ‘fresh’ back from Goatfell on Sunday, and sporting a fine new top. Perfectly suited to the evening’s conditions he insisted. Despite being 5 deg C warmer than yesterday, Julia wasn’t entirely convinced, but we all agreed it was shorts weather.
Thus a dozen of us set off as if for Swanston hill reps, with Phillipa noting she’d never been through the T wood before. There followed a short debate about the name. Something to do with the golf course, or originally a Darjeeling plantation your scribe wondered. But no. “It looks like a T from any direction”. If I were being picky, I might point out that would be “any direction except from above”. However, I bow to a greater wisdom that says “T wood” is catchier than “+ wood“.
Does this look like a “T” to you?
After a zig and a zag by the ski slope, we carried up and over Caerketton to Allermuir. While the rate of ascent proved too much for a couple of runners, the remainder enjoyed a warm and gentle wind at the top of Allermuir. Just enough to cool you down.
Allermuir. Even Amber’s smiling.
Gordon hit the perfect note by then steering us round Castlelaw and down to the “Glencose door” the gentle way. After the semi-suicidal route of the recent handicap, this met with universal approval.
A postcard from the Glencorse door
Briefly running alongside the reservoir, some were heard to suggest a wee dip might be nice. Terrible as it was to miss this chance to turn warm body parts to ice, we instead took a sharp right back up the hill. Here there was a split in opinion about how many hills was a good number to climb of an evening. Gordon and the Enthusiasts, a little known 70s prog rock band, took off to add Bells and Harbour. Oliver and the Mere Mortals, a session band rumoured to have played on the OGWT, swung north-west to claim Capelaw and also snuck in Green Craig in the vain hope of being able to say they’d done one Gordon hadn’t. They woz spotted though, so that ploy didn’t work.
The last section took us on a favourite route home, where another photo op presented itself. The response to “give me some action” wasn’t quite that expected. The last of the animation sequence (if it works) required the more detailed “give me some running action”. It was that sort of night. 7 miles and 4 hills in, and still all smiles.
“Give me some action”
About this point the Mere Mortals realised they had donned virtual bunny suits. The Enthusiasts were gaining on them. Engaging downhill overdrive, the Mortals made it home without being overtaken. Not that it was a race, of course.
One of the routes: A bit more than 8 miles and 1700′
Taking the politicians’ approach and answering my own question: “Does it get any better? “No, I don’t think it does”.
Thanks again to everyone who joined in, and to Gordon for organising us.
Pete Cain
Weds run – Traprain Recce
Wednesday’s social run took us to East Linton with Dorothy and Billy Elliot showing off the new (improved) Traprain Race route. This will take place on Sat 11th Jun and is a Carnethy organised race. Turn up with a vest and your entry is free.
14 of us included a 14 month old (dog) and an 80 year old (legend) in Keith Burns trotted through the village and along the river with beautiful wild flowers lining the avenue. The river crossing was as fun as usual with one of us taking a dip. You will discover why on race day.
After the scramble up Traprain you return to the river and cross a bridge. Here is the change. You now turn left here, NOT right. You then discover the new weee hill. Oh what fun that will be on race day! The run back into East Linton descending through fields is sublime and fast with a sprint finish across the park to cheering crowds… Bravo for the changes.
Good luck and be safe this weekend on the Corbetts. You can still join in if you want.
Mark Hartree
Wed training – social run
This week a group of runners (accompanied by a couple of dogs) assembled at Bonaly to make the most of the Wednesday evening sunshine. It was Stella’s first ever go at being a run leader with Carnethy and she did a fantastic job! We looped around three reservoirs before ascending onto Capelaw and Allermuir. As usual it was a great evening spent out in the hills with Carnethy.
Pippa Dakin
Wed training – social run
First Wednesday Training run after the clocks changed and the lighter night did not disappoint!
Setting off up Poets Glen and new farm tracks parallel to Ranger Rd, the route to Bells Hill approaching from its most appealing NE flank resulted in (well planned) spectacular views of the setting sun. Snow was promised and delivered. The flurry arrived with perfect timing to make the Black Springs approach atmospheric.
A memorable story of an encounter with an Owl from Peter on the track peppered with a few sweet spots / stops was a extra treat.
With momentum building we descended on muddy trods through fields and woodland to the Lymphod estate road. A favoured section, even though I fell in the mud 🤪
The 4 dogs were all great company. Bowels emptied, bonds build, Barra bullied, barking and bonkers!! I dog sit Roxy any day…
Craig Addison
Craig organised a great run up Bell’s Hill, through any number of bits of woodland on the way there and back. Eight runners were added to by four dogs of various breeds and dispositions. From the eminently sensible to slightly barking, after a short delay due to Edinburgh council spending the remainder of their road budget in a frenzy of activity, we all set off in good spirts from Currie Kirk. The site of which has been a church since 1296, don’t you know. Being a bit before even my time, I can’t vouch for the accuracy of that statement.
The run included variation in terrain, scenery and weather conditions. It got quite wintery halfway round, with a burst of snow/hail. Mark said he liked that bit. Your scribe’s fav was the springing downhill bit from Bell’s Hill.
With the clock change last weekend, this was the first run in end to end daylight. It meant we got some great views of ground and sky.
*Post Run Pub Visit
For the third time in as many weeks, the run finished within a short walk of a pub. The Riccarton Inn hadn’t run out of gas and has friendly & helpful staff. Mike and Mark were able to get some cracking chips without leaving the building.
It seems likely we shall make use of this starting location again before long. Thanks again to Craig for an enjoyable run.
Pete Cain