National XC Champs, Falkirk

After Carnethy last week this was part 2 of "do the races I missed because of the brain haemorrhage" week.  The national XC champs are on a 12k undulating course in Callender park, Falkirk.  I normally love this race but the apocalyptic weather forecast slightly dulled my enthusiasm for it.  I originally had grand plans to do the race as part of a long run, perhaps coming back towards Glasgow along the canal after the race.  But a hard week at work and the freezing rain meant this plan was quietly shelved in exchange for doing a few extra laps of the course to get some bonus miles in.  The race turned into a bit of a suffer fest for me as my stomach went to pot on the 2nd lap and lap 3 was just hanging on in the hope of reaching the portaloos in time.  Though in these conditions I don't think anyone would have noticed if I had just let rip down my legs.  Fortunately there were some good performances from the other Bellas which lifted us to a fairly respectable 11th team which isn't a bad result at the nationals especially as many of our xc speedsters were absent.

Looking forward to a nice week of training with no races to distract next weekend.

Carnethy5

I should really get my arse in gear and reactivate this blog with some race reports, so here goes with a Carnethy 5 quicky.  I am back in business after the minor hiccup that was 2014.  Training has been going well in the last month after sorting out my IT band problems so I was well up for Carnethy5 hill race last weekend, especially as last year I was absent due to being camped up in ward 65 at the Southern General.  This year the race fell on Valentines day, so I offered Elsie the chance of a romantic post race meal at Beeslack High School, unfortunately I was rejected and had to spend it in the company of Bellahouston Road Runner's David Stakes (always a pleasure).  Weather was perfect for a fast time this year, but there wasn't quite enough in the legs for a sub 60 run this year, but feels like fitness is heading in the right direction.

Great to head home with a specially brewed beer to celebrate the 45th edition of the race too.  Not a bad wee beer.

Off to Falkirk tomorrow for the national XC champs, looking like a wet, wet, wet one.

Joining Team Nathan

Really happy to say I've been asked to join Team Nathan UK's ultra team this year.  I'll be in very good company alongside WHW legend Paul Giblin, Team GB runner Fionna Ross and Antonia Johnson.  Team manager Stevie Bongo has already delivered a big bag of swag which I'm really excited about.  As well as Nathan the team is getting support from Feetures, Honey Stinger, and Osmo Nutrition. Pearl Izumi will be providing shoes and clothing.  Elsie is very unhappy about the prospect about of me taking up even more space on the shoe rack...