Wow!
The Illuminator, if you weren’t aware, a 15mile trail run through the lovely Glen Tanar estate is a fantastic and challenging run. It’s for an awesome cause, The Braemar Mountain Rescue Team. This was the second year completing it and I’ll certainly be back.
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The course starts on the long straight road heading over the river Dee before entering the trail at roughly 1km. Preview of the course terrain was important as I knew the first climb came at roughly 3-4km in lasting around 2km. It came. It was hard but the sound of the pipes in the middle of a pitch black forrest inspired the final push.
The next section is a lovely techy trail leading out of the sheltered woods into open terrain which both under foot challenging and with the wind building definitely a character builder 🙂
From here gradually winding down towards a small river crossing (you don’t have to go in water if you have a good spring in your step) and forwards into a light zone with refreshments… the flapjacks were amazing as was the warm blackcurrant juice.
The rest of the run meanders towards the 20km mark… I had earmarked this as the pinnacle of the run… a 1km climb. Again knowing this was coming allowed the mental preparation for it. Top tip – marching with the arms really helped to get up this hill effectively and efficiently! The top came and a long muddy down hill section takes you past “rest and be thankful” (where I was thankful but no time for rest :-)) onto the start of the course and down onto the road. The long straight takes you back under the finish arch to a well earned cup of Venison Soup.
A massive shout out to all the volunteers who without it wouldn’t be possible. The amazing Rebels, Metros and all runners!! Huge kudos to my sister smashing her distance personal best and first ever trail…. super proud of her #thisgirlcan
So things I learnt –
- Gels – SIS gel every 5miles worked
- Checking the map before running allows mental preparation
- Pacing the run allows a strong finish
4. Venison soup is dear!
Training week one over. Some modifications to the plan already but listening to the body is important and being flexible with the intensity also a key factor in injury prevention. Finding my gait changes are starting to make a difference on the strength at the end of a run, cadence very consistent throughout also. The time I did was 2:18:51 which was a great exercise to test re-fuelling, running under fatigue, evening long runs and recovery running the next day.
Monday is a rest day…..zzzzzzzz. Onwards with the #project345
- Did you run the illuminator?
- What were your highlights?
- Top tip for future runs?
Thanks for reading!
Run Long and Prosper
James
SPEAR:RUN