In order to bump up March's milage I went for a run in Griffin Forest, leaving from the Hermitage at Dunkeld. I know from experience that running in the forest is pretty boring, but this time I took the dog and Graeme, who plans to run the Maggie's Challenge in May so was looking to get some training in.
We started off in light rain which soon blew through, however the rest of the day remained pretty damp. After a couple of miles and a big climb we entered the forest and quickly discovered that the snow had not disappeared from here. As the track was shaded there was still a good foot of soft icy snow lying on it, which made the going hard. Thankfully after a about a mile of it (which took ages by the way) we came accross forestry operations and the daily passage of vehicles had churned up and removed the snow.
Graeme battling through the snow
I had planned to run out, do a lap of Loch Kinnard then run back, but at the junction of tracks it was apparent that the snow on the track round the loch was even worse than it was at the start so we ran on to the road, had a bite to eat then just ran back. To miss the snow on the return leg we dived off down the hill past a load of ruined farm buildings picking up the Rumbling Bridge road again, then back through the Hermitage to the end. Graeme had an good run and I struggled to keep up with him in the last mile, he should skoosh Maggies.
My left hamstring was a little tight particularly going uphill but the pace felt pretty easy going and we covered 23 miles in 3hrs 39mins averaging a speed of 6.4mph, which given the terrain, mud and snow I was delighted with.
We started off in light rain which soon blew through, however the rest of the day remained pretty damp. After a couple of miles and a big climb we entered the forest and quickly discovered that the snow had not disappeared from here. As the track was shaded there was still a good foot of soft icy snow lying on it, which made the going hard. Thankfully after a about a mile of it (which took ages by the way) we came accross forestry operations and the daily passage of vehicles had churned up and removed the snow.
Graeme battling through the snow
I had planned to run out, do a lap of Loch Kinnard then run back, but at the junction of tracks it was apparent that the snow on the track round the loch was even worse than it was at the start so we ran on to the road, had a bite to eat then just ran back. To miss the snow on the return leg we dived off down the hill past a load of ruined farm buildings picking up the Rumbling Bridge road again, then back through the Hermitage to the end. Graeme had an good run and I struggled to keep up with him in the last mile, he should skoosh Maggies.
My left hamstring was a little tight particularly going uphill but the pace felt pretty easy going and we covered 23 miles in 3hrs 39mins averaging a speed of 6.4mph, which given the terrain, mud and snow I was delighted with.
Route showing proposed and actual
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