Distance: 8.66km/ 5.38miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, dry
Another day of hill reps (actually carried over from last week when I was sick) and I use Crowhill Road again after jogging there for a warmup. I alternate 9 hard climbs (taking me 1.40 at the start and about 1.55 at the end - a little faster than last time) with a 2 minute jog down. Nice views from the top to compensate from the pain!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
20/4/09 - Glasgow (Anniesland)
Distance: 10.87km/ 6.75miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Warm evening
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Warm evening
19/4/09 - Edinburgh (Cramond Brig)
Distance: 7.04km/ 4.37miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Warm and sunny
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Warm and sunny
18/4/09 - Two runs
Glasgow (Pollok Park)
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Clear, cold wind
A pleasant morning... if you stay out of the wind. I'm not sure how I'll go today with the after effects of the virus still affecting the breathing a little so I go off slower than usual. This is also a sound tactic as the organisers are trying to coral the runners a bit more at the start so we are out of the way of cars arriving at the Burrell Collection, and with another big turnout the start is a bit of a cavalry charge. I'm soon going well though on the first long slow climb and in touch with a young guy who was well ahead of me last week, and I continue to feel OK as the race goes on, even if the lungs are working hard. For the first time the low part of the course is dry and not the usual slippery area of mud and I have another runner right ahead to pace me so I'm only mildly surprised to get another Parkrun PB (by 3 seconds) of 18.50. Not as good as Tracy, she breaks through the 30 minute barrier with a 67 sec PB!
Bishopbriggs
Distance: 25.43km/ 15.8miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
Today's schedule is a 3 hour run at a "very steady" pace, whatever that is. I guess somewhere between "easy" and "steady". I take the race as 30 minutes so I need to put in 150 minutes this afternoon. We explored the old railway from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane on bikes yesterday (40km/ 25 miles) and I decide to run north from Bishopbriggs today (which will get me a good hill climb) and pick up the trail in Kirkintilloch.
First I run along the canal to Cadder and take the path over to Balmore before picking up a very quiet back road north towards Lennox Forest. When the road becomes a steep stony path I have a tough uphill section, then pick up a trail with excellent views southeast which brings me to the forest. I have a history of getting lost here on Scout hikes (not always my fault) but the forest roads are easy to follow until I suddenly arrive at a cleared area on a north facing slope where any roads or tracks have been obliterated. I can see Lennoxtown so I'm where I should be (the sun was useful for keeping basically north through the trees) and luckily I see an old path at the bottom of the slope, so I hop and jump over the remains of felled pines and pick it up.
This quickly brings me east and north down to the old Lennox Castle (until recently a mental hospital) gates where I pick up the road east and down to the rail trail. By now I'm tired and regret forgetting a sugary snack or money for a drink (Scotland is not well supplied with drinking fountains) but the rail trail is easy, running flat and shaded along the course of the Glazert Water river with quite a bit of old railway architecture to look at (including a quite complete - for a line that shut in 1963 - station at Milton of Campsie and the remains of an extensive bridge that once carried another line over this one). By the time I reach Kirkintilloch I'm really down on energy and walk for a short while on the canal bank before the familiarity of this stretch back to Bishopbriggs allows me to pick the pace up to a reasonable jog for most of the way back. I'll remember energy and water next really long run though!
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Clear, cold wind
A pleasant morning... if you stay out of the wind. I'm not sure how I'll go today with the after effects of the virus still affecting the breathing a little so I go off slower than usual. This is also a sound tactic as the organisers are trying to coral the runners a bit more at the start so we are out of the way of cars arriving at the Burrell Collection, and with another big turnout the start is a bit of a cavalry charge. I'm soon going well though on the first long slow climb and in touch with a young guy who was well ahead of me last week, and I continue to feel OK as the race goes on, even if the lungs are working hard. For the first time the low part of the course is dry and not the usual slippery area of mud and I have another runner right ahead to pace me so I'm only mildly surprised to get another Parkrun PB (by 3 seconds) of 18.50. Not as good as Tracy, she breaks through the 30 minute barrier with a 67 sec PB!
Bishopbriggs
Distance: 25.43km/ 15.8miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
Today's schedule is a 3 hour run at a "very steady" pace, whatever that is. I guess somewhere between "easy" and "steady". I take the race as 30 minutes so I need to put in 150 minutes this afternoon. We explored the old railway from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane on bikes yesterday (40km/ 25 miles) and I decide to run north from Bishopbriggs today (which will get me a good hill climb) and pick up the trail in Kirkintilloch.
First I run along the canal to Cadder and take the path over to Balmore before picking up a very quiet back road north towards Lennox Forest. When the road becomes a steep stony path I have a tough uphill section, then pick up a trail with excellent views southeast which brings me to the forest. I have a history of getting lost here on Scout hikes (not always my fault) but the forest roads are easy to follow until I suddenly arrive at a cleared area on a north facing slope where any roads or tracks have been obliterated. I can see Lennoxtown so I'm where I should be (the sun was useful for keeping basically north through the trees) and luckily I see an old path at the bottom of the slope, so I hop and jump over the remains of felled pines and pick it up.
This quickly brings me east and north down to the old Lennox Castle (until recently a mental hospital) gates where I pick up the road east and down to the rail trail. By now I'm tired and regret forgetting a sugary snack or money for a drink (Scotland is not well supplied with drinking fountains) but the rail trail is easy, running flat and shaded along the course of the Glazert Water river with quite a bit of old railway architecture to look at (including a quite complete - for a line that shut in 1963 - station at Milton of Campsie and the remains of an extensive bridge that once carried another line over this one). By the time I reach Kirkintilloch I'm really down on energy and walk for a short while on the canal bank before the familiarity of this stretch back to Bishopbriggs allows me to pick the pace up to a reasonable jog for most of the way back. I'll remember energy and water next really long run though!
16/4/09 - Bishopbriggs
Distance: 22.41km/ 13.92miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Overcast
The running schedule has been messed up with a virus that hit me Monday, but I feel up to running today and decide to go with a long(ish) easy run, the distance determined by how I feel. I start on the canal to Kirkintilloch and loop into the centre through residential streets on the west side of town. Feeling OK I rejoin the canal, then cut east up Hillhead to Harestanes and winding my way back on the paths through and area of scrubland then along the Luggie back to the canal and the return to Bishopbriggs.
A combination of pleasant running conditions, a very easy pace and feeling good mean my mileage is higher than I'd planned so I feel ready to get back on schedule come the weekend.
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Overcast
The running schedule has been messed up with a virus that hit me Monday, but I feel up to running today and decide to go with a long(ish) easy run, the distance determined by how I feel. I start on the canal to Kirkintilloch and loop into the centre through residential streets on the west side of town. Feeling OK I rejoin the canal, then cut east up Hillhead to Harestanes and winding my way back on the paths through and area of scrubland then along the Luggie back to the canal and the return to Bishopbriggs.
A combination of pleasant running conditions, a very easy pace and feeling good mean my mileage is higher than I'd planned so I feel ready to get back on schedule come the weekend.
12/4/09 - Two runs
Bishopbriggs
Distance: 12.86km/ 7.99miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Overcast
Rather than complete my long run a few hours after the Parkrun as I've done recently I opt to add a 90 minute run on Sunday morning before the hash run, which should give me 150 minutes running as specified in the training schedule. So as not to tax the pathfinding sectors of my brain so early and to get a hill or two in I do a simple loop along the canal to The Stables then back on the road into Bishopbriggs. Finding myself with about 20 minutes to spare I add a second loop up to Huntershill then back down through Woodhill and home. In just about 90 minutes.
Edinburgh (Corstorphine Hill)
Distance: 5.85km/ 3.64miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 15°C/ 59°F
Weather: Clear and sunny
The day has cleared up wonderfully and is spectacular in the sun. We begin by criss-crossing a park before heading up to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded mound rising to 170m (550ft) and with a network of paths at the top. Most of the run involves wandering these trails with a confusing set of checks and false trails, so my estimate of mileage is on the low side. We emerge occasionally above grassy slopes where families are rolling easter eggs and finally find our way to an old tower on top of the hill from where trail heads generally north and down back to the stop. 55 minutes running in great conditions.
Distance: 12.86km/ 7.99miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Overcast
Rather than complete my long run a few hours after the Parkrun as I've done recently I opt to add a 90 minute run on Sunday morning before the hash run, which should give me 150 minutes running as specified in the training schedule. So as not to tax the pathfinding sectors of my brain so early and to get a hill or two in I do a simple loop along the canal to The Stables then back on the road into Bishopbriggs. Finding myself with about 20 minutes to spare I add a second loop up to Huntershill then back down through Woodhill and home. In just about 90 minutes.
Edinburgh (Corstorphine Hill)
Distance: 5.85km/ 3.64miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 15°C/ 59°F
Weather: Clear and sunny
The day has cleared up wonderfully and is spectacular in the sun. We begin by criss-crossing a park before heading up to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded mound rising to 170m (550ft) and with a network of paths at the top. Most of the run involves wandering these trails with a confusing set of checks and false trails, so my estimate of mileage is on the low side. We emerge occasionally above grassy slopes where families are rolling easter eggs and finally find our way to an old tower on top of the hill from where trail heads generally north and down back to the stop. 55 minutes running in great conditions.
11/4/09 - Glasgow (Pollok Park)
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
The best weather yet for a Parkrun and this week's turnout of 186 runners reflects the good conditions. I run a pretty good race with a number of guys around me to actually compete against, and put in a quick finishing burst to keep ahead of a guy who is catching me fast. Another Parkrun PB of 18.53 reflects the effort.
Instead of running this afternoon we get the bikes out and ride 66km (41 miles) on the canal to Falkirk and back. With the bonus of a couple of pub stops!
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
The best weather yet for a Parkrun and this week's turnout of 186 runners reflects the good conditions. I run a pretty good race with a number of guys around me to actually compete against, and put in a quick finishing burst to keep ahead of a guy who is catching me fast. Another Parkrun PB of 18.53 reflects the effort.
Instead of running this afternoon we get the bikes out and ride 66km (41 miles) on the canal to Falkirk and back. With the bonus of a couple of pub stops!
Friday, April 10, 2009
9/4/09 - Bishopbriggs
Distance: 16.67km/ 10.36miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, blustery
The training plan calls for an easy 90 minute run, and what could be easier than running on a flat canal towpath? Unless the local troublemakers enforce a stretch of tempo running by aiming airguns, catapults or random missiles... A run on the canal southwest does not take you through the best bits of town but today it was a very pleasant route.Starting on the south bank I pass Bishopbriggs golf course, skirt the back end of Milton and cross to the north bank path at Lambhill Bridge. From here I continue past a lot of new flats to Stockingfield Junction where I cross onto the southern spur of the canal and run as far as the Nolly Bridge at Firhill. On the return leg I stay on the north bank the whole way that brings me past Possil Wildlife Reserve and Possil Loch.
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, blustery
The training plan calls for an easy 90 minute run, and what could be easier than running on a flat canal towpath? Unless the local troublemakers enforce a stretch of tempo running by aiming airguns, catapults or random missiles... A run on the canal southwest does not take you through the best bits of town but today it was a very pleasant route.Starting on the south bank I pass Bishopbriggs golf course, skirt the back end of Milton and cross to the north bank path at Lambhill Bridge. From here I continue past a lot of new flats to Stockingfield Junction where I cross onto the southern spur of the canal and run as far as the Nolly Bridge at Firhill. On the return leg I stay on the north bank the whole way that brings me past Possil Wildlife Reserve and Possil Loch.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
8/4/09 - Bishopbriggs
Distance: 12.2km/ 7.58miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Gusty wind, spitting rain
Back to the reps, today's plan is 10 repeats of 2 minutes. The wind is gusting so some laps are easier than others, but generally I start strong (nearly 1.5 laps in 2 mins)and slow up quite markedly as the weekend's efforts take their toll. The legs are also pretty sore by the end but I get through the session.
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Gusty wind, spitting rain
Back to the reps, today's plan is 10 repeats of 2 minutes. The wind is gusting so some laps are easier than others, but generally I start strong (nearly 1.5 laps in 2 mins)and slow up quite markedly as the weekend's efforts take their toll. The legs are also pretty sore by the end but I get through the session.
6/4/09 - Glasgow (Shawlands)
Distance: 12.63km/ 7.85miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzle
A long hash run tonight. We begin in Shawlands running east around residential streets towards Landside, before reaching a stretch along the River Cart and eventually looping back to Pollok Park. Here we skirt the east side of the park before spending a while trying to find trail in an area of football pitches, eventually finding our way to the Burrell Gallery. A check point here has us confused and regroups the pack before we pick up trail again for a long fast stretch with minimal checks past Pollok House, skirting the west side the park near Haggs Golf Course and heading back east to pick up Haggs Road. From here trail leads us on a zig-zag course past Shawlands Station and quickly back to our start. A tough run after yesterday.
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzle
A long hash run tonight. We begin in Shawlands running east around residential streets towards Landside, before reaching a stretch along the River Cart and eventually looping back to Pollok Park. Here we skirt the east side of the park before spending a while trying to find trail in an area of football pitches, eventually finding our way to the Burrell Gallery. A check point here has us confused and regroups the pack before we pick up trail again for a long fast stretch with minimal checks past Pollok House, skirting the west side the park near Haggs Golf Course and heading back east to pick up Haggs Road. From here trail leads us on a zig-zag course past Shawlands Station and quickly back to our start. A tough run after yesterday.
5/4/09 - Two runs
Edinburgh Half Marathon
Distance: 21.1km/ 13.1miles
Altitude: 55m/ 179ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Cool windy morning, warming later
My first real test of the marathon training and I feel pretty good as I get the bus close to Meadowbank Stadium and walk maybe a km in the early morning (I was out last night with Hash friends but headed home after one pint and quite a bit of non-alcoholic hydration). I'm soon organised for the run with number attached (they'd run out of safety pins when I picked it up) and timing chip secured to the shoe so I go out into a blustery and cold stadium for a lap of the track (to say I've done it) before retreating to the warm. We are supposed to group by expected finishing time in the middle of the track for a 9am start but they are slow to move us and we endure a cold 20 minutes before a pipe band leads us out onto the road for the start (conducted by Chris Hoy, triple cycling gold medalist). I take what seems like 15 seconds (officially 29) to get through the start and then enjoy the usual task of getting past the slower runners who insist on getting to the front of the pack (while this annoys most quick runners the disorganised start here was not conducive to getting us all in the right place so I won't complain... but why don't the results for all runs get sorted by chip time so there is no advantage of pushing up too far?).
It is a quick opening 2.5 miles as we drop from about 55m down to the sea (there is a map here and the route is on MapMyRun.com) and I go through 2 miles in about 12.15 (no km markers here) and settle down to hit 4 miles at about 18.45. The run along the sea through Portobello is very pleasant with a considerable tail wind making conditions seem quite warm. I have settled into a good pace by now, I think in the next 6 miles I maybe get overtaken by three runners and catch two, all the while staying a little behind three guys running together.
Around halfway we leave the coast for a while in Musselburgh and hit the out and back part of the course where I reach 8 miles in about 50.15 and make it past 9 miles before the leader passes in the opposite lane. The wide turn-around at 10 miles (about 63 minutes) has a sharp uphill followed by a rough few metres on dirt and the even rougher discovery that the headwind is going to be stiff. The three runners ahead of me have split with two increasing their lead and the other dropping back with me before I pass him at 10.5 miles and I'm encouraged by seeing all the runners streaming on their way out, but the wind means it takes all my effort to keep a good pace. At the toughest point just before 12 miles three things lift me: a hasher shouting on-on when he spots me, a stretch with a little shelter and a runner who passes me and allows a little slipstreaming. I run close with him for most of the rest of the route which brings us past the long straight of the Musselburgh Racecourse before leading us onto the course and up to the finish where I outdistance him in the final sprint and finish as the clock says (I think) 1:24:58, outside my best but a good time for this point in my training (and the passage of 18 months!).
I'm disappointed to note that my timing chip has gone when a helper comes to remove it. Looks like no official time for me. In fact I do get on the list so another helper must have removed it while I surveyed the scene, caught my breath and drank the water passed to me. Overall I get a chip time of 1:24:36 (gun time 1:25:05), good for 52nd place and only 30 seconds outside a PB. After the run there is a delay in getting our bags out so I rest in the sun before heading out for the Lothian Bus back to London Road and the short walk to Jenny Ha's.
Edinburgh (Jockhash)
Distance: 6.95km/ 4.33miles
Altitude: 60m/ 195ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Windy and pleasant
After maybe a 90 minute break I'm running again, trying to keep it steady but not stop long enough for the legs to seize up. We begin in the back lanes south and west of Cannongate, negotiate some major streets and run past the redevelopment of the area around the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. After running across "The Meadows" we take a while to find trail before veering basically east towards Holyrood Park.
Close by we get a confusing circuit of Edinburgh University's Pollock Halls of Residence before a squeeze through a narrow turnstile brings us to the Park and the lower slopes of Arthur's Seat. Here a confusing series of false trails keeps us guessing as to which track to take but eventually most of the pack find a very scenic spot below the Salisbury Crags where a keg of beer awaits. This break is enough to persuade me that my legs have had enough, so the rest of the trail is done at a gentle walk.
Distance: 21.1km/ 13.1miles
Altitude: 55m/ 179ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Cool windy morning, warming later
My first real test of the marathon training and I feel pretty good as I get the bus close to Meadowbank Stadium and walk maybe a km in the early morning (I was out last night with Hash friends but headed home after one pint and quite a bit of non-alcoholic hydration). I'm soon organised for the run with number attached (they'd run out of safety pins when I picked it up) and timing chip secured to the shoe so I go out into a blustery and cold stadium for a lap of the track (to say I've done it) before retreating to the warm. We are supposed to group by expected finishing time in the middle of the track for a 9am start but they are slow to move us and we endure a cold 20 minutes before a pipe band leads us out onto the road for the start (conducted by Chris Hoy, triple cycling gold medalist). I take what seems like 15 seconds (officially 29) to get through the start and then enjoy the usual task of getting past the slower runners who insist on getting to the front of the pack (while this annoys most quick runners the disorganised start here was not conducive to getting us all in the right place so I won't complain... but why don't the results for all runs get sorted by chip time so there is no advantage of pushing up too far?).
It is a quick opening 2.5 miles as we drop from about 55m down to the sea (there is a map here and the route is on MapMyRun.com) and I go through 2 miles in about 12.15 (no km markers here) and settle down to hit 4 miles at about 18.45. The run along the sea through Portobello is very pleasant with a considerable tail wind making conditions seem quite warm. I have settled into a good pace by now, I think in the next 6 miles I maybe get overtaken by three runners and catch two, all the while staying a little behind three guys running together.
Around halfway we leave the coast for a while in Musselburgh and hit the out and back part of the course where I reach 8 miles in about 50.15 and make it past 9 miles before the leader passes in the opposite lane. The wide turn-around at 10 miles (about 63 minutes) has a sharp uphill followed by a rough few metres on dirt and the even rougher discovery that the headwind is going to be stiff. The three runners ahead of me have split with two increasing their lead and the other dropping back with me before I pass him at 10.5 miles and I'm encouraged by seeing all the runners streaming on their way out, but the wind means it takes all my effort to keep a good pace. At the toughest point just before 12 miles three things lift me: a hasher shouting on-on when he spots me, a stretch with a little shelter and a runner who passes me and allows a little slipstreaming. I run close with him for most of the rest of the route which brings us past the long straight of the Musselburgh Racecourse before leading us onto the course and up to the finish where I outdistance him in the final sprint and finish as the clock says (I think) 1:24:58, outside my best but a good time for this point in my training (and the passage of 18 months!).
I'm disappointed to note that my timing chip has gone when a helper comes to remove it. Looks like no official time for me. In fact I do get on the list so another helper must have removed it while I surveyed the scene, caught my breath and drank the water passed to me. Overall I get a chip time of 1:24:36 (gun time 1:25:05), good for 52nd place and only 30 seconds outside a PB. After the run there is a delay in getting our bags out so I rest in the sun before heading out for the Lothian Bus back to London Road and the short walk to Jenny Ha's.
Edinburgh (Jockhash)
Distance: 6.95km/ 4.33miles
Altitude: 60m/ 195ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Windy and pleasant
After maybe a 90 minute break I'm running again, trying to keep it steady but not stop long enough for the legs to seize up. We begin in the back lanes south and west of Cannongate, negotiate some major streets and run past the redevelopment of the area around the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. After running across "The Meadows" we take a while to find trail before veering basically east towards Holyrood Park.
Close by we get a confusing circuit of Edinburgh University's Pollock Halls of Residence before a squeeze through a narrow turnstile brings us to the Park and the lower slopes of Arthur's Seat. Here a confusing series of false trails keeps us guessing as to which track to take but eventually most of the pack find a very scenic spot below the Salisbury Crags where a keg of beer awaits. This break is enough to persuade me that my legs have had enough, so the rest of the trail is done at a gentle walk.
Friday, April 3, 2009
2/4/09 – Camelon
Distance: 7.74km/ 4.81miles
Altitude: 30m/ 100ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Beautiful evening
Altitude: 30m/ 100ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Beautiful evening
30/3/09 – Kirkintilloch
Distance: 4km/ 2.5miles (approx)
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzly, dull
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzly, dull
29/3/09 – Stirling
Distance: 10.1km/ 6.28miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Clear, sunny
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Clear, sunny
28/3/09 – Bishopbriggs
Distance: 24.51km/ 15.23miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
Due to a night out with old friends yesterday I skip the Parkrun (and any semblance of consciousness in the morning) but still feel up to getting in two hours of a long run on a pleasant afternoon. The route is obvious today, I am setting the trail for our Monday hash run so I run out to Kirkintilloch on the canal, follow the prospective trail and check out some options around town, then retrace my steps on the towpath.
I begin in the middle of Kirky on the canal, then follow the Luggie River through the eponymous park and head up to the Old Aisle Cemetery. Running down through the graveyard I pick up the path that runs alongside towards Woodilee Cottages then cross the field and climb up to the old Woodilee Hospital. There are still some remains preserved of the impressive hospital buildings so I pass them all by before running back down the hill and picking up the bike path back into Kirkintilloch.
Once back in town I pass the new Sports Centre, then cut left to check out the new developments on the south bank of the canal I've mentioned in previous posts, crossing the water by the new bridge and doing a lap to look at the new St Ninian's High School before finishing back on the canal at Townhead and heading home.
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant
Due to a night out with old friends yesterday I skip the Parkrun (and any semblance of consciousness in the morning) but still feel up to getting in two hours of a long run on a pleasant afternoon. The route is obvious today, I am setting the trail for our Monday hash run so I run out to Kirkintilloch on the canal, follow the prospective trail and check out some options around town, then retrace my steps on the towpath.
I begin in the middle of Kirky on the canal, then follow the Luggie River through the eponymous park and head up to the Old Aisle Cemetery. Running down through the graveyard I pick up the path that runs alongside towards Woodilee Cottages then cross the field and climb up to the old Woodilee Hospital. There are still some remains preserved of the impressive hospital buildings so I pass them all by before running back down the hill and picking up the bike path back into Kirkintilloch.
Once back in town I pass the new Sports Centre, then cut left to check out the new developments on the south bank of the canal I've mentioned in previous posts, crossing the water by the new bridge and doing a lap to look at the new St Ninian's High School before finishing back on the canal at Townhead and heading home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)