5 Mile Handicap

Latest club race, 8 of us set off in reverse order, the route is about 1/4 of a mile short, finished in 34:36, 4th over the line, 3rd on time, good fun, short speed session without too much expectation.

Duathlon

Only 5 of us today, 4 mile run round the Vale and about 7 mile bike ride up the Horseshoe and back. Transition in Stuart Macs, good fun, not last but that was because one person took a wrong turning!

Riverbank 5k

7 clubbers and 3 guests ran this years 5k, starts at the back entrance to Cameron House, through Lomond Shores, on to the cycle path to finish at St Martins. Steady run gradually increasing the effort pleased to finish 4th just over 22 minutes.

Racing again, Stoneymollan, Clachnaben

Thursday evening saw the clubs Stoneymollan Hill Race, my first club race this year. 7 of us ran, 1st lady won easily beating my handicap system. The rest of us within a couple of minutes except one guest runner a bit further back and one lost soul, who jogged in a bit later still. Saturday and the long drive towards Banchory for the first SHR Championship race, Clachnaben,a rough heathery muddy trudge sponsored by Deeside Brewery. Three hills in succession, Threestane, Mount Shade and Clachnaben with its distinct rocky summit tor. Set off at the back, planned to keep it steady until the climb up Clachanben, just about managed. Mostly blue skies with a couple of small snow showers blowing through as we went round, chilly once out the forest and onto the hills. 14k/8 miles and 700m/2300' of ascent, provisional results show I finished a few seconds faster than 2012.

Tea, coffee, home baking and plenty of the Sponsors Product at the finish.

Sunday's recovery run, slow run up and back to the Fort.