Friday evening was the usual gentle warm up through the neighbouring Coilhallan Woods, covering just over 5 miles. I didn't have the heart to tell those who thought this run involved a big climb that Saturday's ascent was considerably greater and Sunday's even bigger again. Probably best not to know! The Lade Inn once again provided dinner and refreshments to the usual high standard and fun end to the Friday. We even discovered that we had a poacher in our midst (or at least Russell discovered that) when big John scoffed Russell's haddock and chips.
Saturday morning, pre team photo, was the big T-shirt reveal, an event that had been preceded by a 3 week long campaign of misinformation and red herrings by T-shirt supplier Eddie. Somehow many had got it into their heads that the T-shirt was going to be a green and white striped affair and emotions were running very high with many already consigning the T-shirt to the bin before they had even seen it. Surprise, surprise, the T-shirt was a much less conspicuous hi-viz yellow number to the relief of many and just as well given the Saturday morning mist!
A variety of routes were planned for Saturday morning for the 4 packs but due to some misunderstandings, disorientations, etc, a different variety of routes to that planned were actually run. In the end, the first 3 packs all ended up doing improvised versions of the longest 10.7 mile route and big ascent. Frances' pack didn't really mind the extra miles and altitude and Eddie's pack really enjoyed seeing the golf course!
A new caterer provided the buffet lunches this year and was very well received. Post lunch was very busy with a seminar titled "Training Broken Down" followed by power naps in the sun, followed by running drills and core stability (followed by more power naps in the sun), followed by a threshold session on the railway and finally (for some) a swim in the river. Everyone was definitely ready for the Lade Inn that night where game keeper Russell kept very close tabs on the poacher.
Sunday was overcast but mild. Perfect for the long runs. Russell's pack was driven to the furthest away point of the route at Brig O'Turk and left to run back, a task they managed happily as they avoided the great ascent. The other packs were on either a 13 or 15 mile circuit of Loch Venachar, making use of the brand new (but high altitude) path which now allows a complete circuit of the loch rather than an out and back run as in previous years. The big ascent came at about the 8 mile point of the run and was a challenge for all but at least got most of the climbing over with in a short distance. Once up on top, the views of the loch and the route we had just run were stunning. Several people pointed out to me that they thought it strange that although the route had to be overall downhill from that point, there was still a lot of climbing. Welcome to the Trossachs! It couldn't have been too bad as the swimmers were back in the river again at the end of the run. With everyone back and accounted for, soup and sandwiches arrived and were devoured. Another successful TTC was over.
Thanks to our club sponsor, EKGTA Ltd, we continue to be able to put this weekend on for a reasonable price. However, we could and would not put it on at all without the support of the members and the club's coaches, Frances, Eddie and Russell, who put considerable effort into planning and preparing for this event. Thanks also to Janet and Mark who give us free reign over their fantastic hostel for the weekend, a better venue would be hard to imagine.
The first batch of photos from Frances and me are in this gallery. If anyone else has photos to add, then please pass them to me on a memory stick at the club.
Alan
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