That's it for another year

Have had a nice break over Christmas and some v wet runs.
The weather has been sensationally bad the last few weeks with haevy, persistent rain and the ground is now saturated
A run around the circular walk and Maam Rd is now a run through a sream for large parts. However there is always pleasure to be had from a run if you look hard enough. On Christmas day I did the above mentioned run and just as I ran west from the top of the Maam Rd the sun was out and the Strath was pocketed with mist.
I would say that I am struggling with form and niggles. I cant get a run without feeling my calves tight but on the plus side I am running.
Yesterday I ran over E Lomond and back with Sol. It was covered with an inch of snow and it was a cracking run when running was possible. I wouldn't fancy racing up there, it os steep and prolonged and was a brisk walk for me.

Mince pie runs 2012

It was a chrismassy weekend for Strathearn Harriers this weekend.
On Saturday we had a run at the top of Glen Artney
After running with the group from the church carpark then up to Strath a Gleine for 3 miles we stopped for mince pies etc. Then on for another 5 miles before 5 of us ran over Beinn Dearg and completed a circuit into Glen Artney. A total of 10 miles and no problems.
Today I helped out with the junior run.
The junior section has really blossomed and 23 of them were out for a run up to the monument along with various coaches and parents.
I was quite taken aback by the pace and strength of he fastest juniors. I felt a bit of an interloper as I have v little to do with the juniors but was happy to be out for the run.
After a v rapid descent from the youngsters and a much slower decent from me we did the circular walk in reverse.
Again, I felt fine although slow.
So thats 32 miles for the week which is the most miles for quite a while.

Glen Artney run

This year our mince pie run is at the top of lovely Glen Artney.
I hadn't done the circuit planned before so met up with Kerry to run it.
We had a cold but lovely day to do it on the 10th.
The 1st 5 miles is on good tracks and stunning. Then we went into the woods. About halfway in the track stops and progress is only possible through a firebreak. This was horrendous. Just deep mossy/boggy progress, sinking up to knees in places.
We finally made it out and into the glen Again it was lovely but rough going up to the old slate quarry.
Finally once we had made it there we were able to run again and had a nice trot down into Glen Artney and back to the car.
It was an 11mile outing and took 2h 39min so v slow with 2 miles taking almost an hour.
A great day out.

Some sort of progress

Had a great week in LaGomera. Running wasn't great but the weather was and I ran most days.
A couple of days after returning I had yet another twinge in my right calf. I seem to have been plagued with these.
Last Sunday after what turned out to be a 20mile week I had a massage which I hope will help.
This Tue I managed 10K on the treadmill so will do X country this Saturday and hope for the best
Weather has been wintry the last few days so I haven't run outside for the last week or so. It is good to have the option of a gym

Looking forward to some sunshine

Off to La Gomera for a week in 2 days.
Cant wait to feel the sunshine. My main aim has been to make sure I can enjoy some running out there. I have done 2 v short runs this week and wont run now until on holiday.

Steady progress

Not much to mention. Have done 3 runs this week, today's being the longest at 3.5m
I am also going to the gym.
Starting to thnk about 2013. My main ambition atm is to really crack the munros. I have reconciled what I have done and after triple checking it I have 56 to do.
I am planning on taking some extended leave next May of 5 weeks so that should give me enough time to do 30-40 of them. Well we will see.

Hopefull

Managed a v slow v short jog on the treadmill yesterday. Was really surprised to be able to do even that. Have been good going to the gym 3x/week and have done a couple of 10 mile walks with Liz. Hope it isn't a false dawn