A Slow Start

I decided to get off my backside on a recent trip to Aviemore and did my first run since August  ln Tuesday - wahay !! It was only a little over 4 miles, and rather embarrasingly I found it a bit harder than I thought I would, but it was a circuit around Loch an Eilein, so the scenery was fantastic -

Loch an Eilein, castle in the foreground, snow covered Braeriach in the back

The next day was a snowy ascent of Cairngorm, the snow was right down to the car park and we passed a few hopeful people carrying snowboards up the hill. It was a cold, crisp, clear, beautiful day and the summit cleared of cloud just as we approached, giving awesome views. The descent was a blast running straight down, through the snow, it only took about half an hour. The following day, after a stormy night, it looked like most of the snow had been scoured off the mountain by the wind - the ski centre may have to wait a bit longer.....

On the summit of Cairngorm

WHW 2011 - Here I come !

Not had much to write about recently, mainly because I haven't run a single step since August - Ooops !! But I usually have a big chunk of the year off in the autumn, so not really been missing it.

Bought a new bike on the cycle to work scheme so been getting out on that quite a bit -

For those interested it's a Van Nicholas Mistral frame & fork with mainly Ultegra components with a few FSA bits. It's made of titanium, which is pretty much indestructable,  so in theory this should be the last bike I ever buy.

Received an e-mail today from Stan Bland of the WHW organising committee confirming that I have a place in next years race. I don't normally really start training for the race until the New Year, but I'd really like to give 2011 my absolutely best shot, so I guess I should get off my backside and start gently pretty soon. The thought of getting back into race shape is not one I'm particulalry relishing !!