Up & down in the Borders.

The Sunday run group really excelled themselves at the weekend. The plan was to do a steady 1hr 30 but at the deciding junction the sun shone & the lambs were frollicking around in the fields & we all felt wonderful. We took in an extra loop which meant that by the time we got back to the cars we had made it to 2 hours. An excellent result for everyone, once again it just shows how far you can go in a group with the right pacing. Don't worry if you are thinking of coming along - there are shorter cut offs but you might just surprise yourself. NOTE - if you are coming please bring some fluids with you, especially if it is a hot one. We can drop them at junctions so no need to carry bottles for the entire run. Alternatively do what I do - drink 4 pints through the morning before you start then spend the run doing efforts to catch up after stopping in every gateway for a pee.

Myself & Gen headed down to Peebles on Sunday evening to stay with Kenny & Kirsty & take in a couple of bike rides. The first Sun pm ride was immediately cancelled due to the 2 hour morning run & the fact that the wine was open.
We headed out on Monday am from Peebles for an excellent ride - the best part of 80 miles around the Borders & littered with some good climbs & sweeping descents. We managed the Talla Hill (VERY steep - ouch) the Berry Bush (long), Witch's Knowe (steep finish) & the Paddy Slack (long & looks downhill but is actually uphill). Also managed to squeeze in the 'Large Mocha', the 'Huge Fruit Cake' & the 'Raspberry Ripple Cone' which were particularly memorable. Need to spend more time in the saddle again as my biggest problem on this ride was my sore a**e which for me is a sign of not enough biking.
Having finished this arduous ride we had to resist the urge to curl up & sleep in a corner & whizz back to Ek for JogScotland & then down to Chatelherault for the Harriers 8 mile trail run.
To be honest we might have pulled out of this but for the fact we had bullied Mandy into going so we pushed on. Gen ran with Mandy who seemed to run the entire route non-stop with relative ease, despite the ups & downs. I trotted round much more comfortably than I thought I would too so quite pleased.
Not sure if doing the 10 mile TT tonight is the best idea - might re-assess that nearer the time (& also see if the wind drops).
Happy Training!!
C.