TTC 2017 - Warm Weather Training in October!

Although we were a month later than usual, the 11th annual Trossachs Training Camp got lucky once again with the weather. Only the Saturday morning run experienced a little drizzle but otherwise it was perfect for running and some even managed a little sun bathing.

Friday evening run

Leny Estate provided the log cabin accommodation for the second year in a row and, also for the second year in a row, our friends from Sweden returned for more of the same. This time Johan, Ljot, Mats and Thore were joined by Johan's son Jacob and Ulf.

A full house of 31 were signed up this year although a few last minute illnesses and other problems prevented some from attending unfortunately. The 31 comprised the 6 Swedes, 2 ATHelite Tri Club members and 23 Harriers.

Everyone (almost) arrived in plenty of time to be ready for the Friday evening run which was chosen to be just possible before darkness fell. Under the capable and enthusiastic guidance of pack leaders Russell, Frances, Eddie and myself we headed out past Bochastle and around to Coilhallan Woods for routes of 9 to 13km in length and various severities of ascent. The Friday run is always used as a try out for the pack members to find out who is (too) comfortable and who is not, advising on possible swaps up or down the packs for day 2. All looked reasonably OK on that first run with only Kenny complaining a little about the up hills in my pack. Not a good thing to complain about on the TTC as there are plenty of hills to run up!

Salad! No Way!

Friday evening was spent in the familiar surroundings of The Lade Inn where we were once again treated to more food than we could eat. It was at this point that we discovered that John McBride does not like salad. So I wonder how on earth his menu choice for dinner had salad for starter, main and dessert! Something suspicious going on there and not for the last time over the weekend.

By the time we left the Lade Inn, the rain had started providing a wet mile walk back to the cabins for most.

Saturday morning was damp but fine for running. First task of the day was to distribute the T-shirts and gather for the team photo. Second mystery of the weekend was how on earth Billy Buchanan ended up ordering and XXS T-shirt. Still, it fits him, so I don't see the problem, especially as this was not to be the most controversial item of clothing worn by Billy over the weekend!

The Saturday run routes took us up into the foothills of Ben Ledi, heading towards Loch Lubnaig, a route that normally affords fantastic views up the loch but not today as the cloud and mist were low, adding to the atmosphere but hiding the view. This morning's runs were of between about 11 and 15km in length with the longer runs again having some extra climbs thrown in for fun. Eddie and my pack ran the 15km route out to Loch Lubnaig before returning on the route of the old Callander-Oban railway line. Frances' pack descended a little sooner to pick up the railway line and Russell's pack descended earlier still.

As all of these runs started with a sustained climb over a few miles, everyone found the going tough. But what goes up must come down, making the second half of the run very comfortable, chasing the Leny Water rapids back towards Callander.

After a bit of a stretch, the favourite part of the day for most arrived in the form of the buffet lunches from Cafe Albert in Gargunnock. No complaints there! By this time, we were enjoying our lunch sitting outside in the October sun.

The afternoon kicked off with an excellent core stability session taken by Eddie on the freshly landscaped play area behind the cabins. At this point man of steel, Billy Buchanan, revealed his most dubious item of clothing of the weekend. The pictures speak for themselves.

With everyone's core suitably stabilised, we then moved on to some running form drills taken by me. Over the course of a half hour of drills it was fantastic to see everyone adjusting their running style and improving. I wouldn't say that it was like watching a well drilled parade but every so often it clicked with near perfect style and synchronisation within each group. Impressive!

The final training session of the Saturday took place on the undulating trail at Bochastle under the precarious Samson's Putting Stone. 5 minute threshold efforts are never easy but despite a long day of training, everyone showed total commitment to the session.

We were definitely ready for dinner # 2 at the Lade Inn that evening! What most were not ready for was the outstanding generosity of sorely missed Harrier and ever present TTC'er Davie Herbertson, now living in Australia. Unbeknownst to most, Davie had phoned the Lade Inn through the week and arranged for the first round of drinks to be put on his credit card. What a star! The many messages on Facebook to Davie show exactly how much we all appreciated that.

The refreshments and food were in full swing when Ulf, one of our first time Swedes, stepped to the floor to make a wonderful speech about the friendship of the Harriers and this being the best of many training camps he had attended. We were truly flattered and I was delighted to receive a portable hydration aid (hip flask) all the way from Sweden as thanks. Furthermore, we were cordially invited to Gothenburg for a training weekend next year (watch this space, plans are already being formulated). The traditional Calderglen Harriers Hoodies were our gifts to our Swedish friends although, surprisingly for October, it was way to warm to wear them.

Monica and Frances at the Lade Inn

And so to the Sunday long runs. With Russell unfortunately having to leave us early, Geo kindly accepted the invitation to lead Russell's pack on a run starting in Brig O'Turk and following the trail along the south side of Loch Venachar back to Callander. An 8am start provided perfect, still conditions with the loch like a mirror for Geo's pack.

Loch Venachar looking spectacular

This was a really well matched pack who made great progress and as they were running in the opposite direction to the other packs, were able to acquire a few new members when the packs passed, something that was not planned but which worked really well.

Geo/Russell's pack by Loch Venachar

The other packs were on for a full lap of Loch Venachar, a 16 mile loop with spectacular scenery from start to finish. The weather was perfect with virtually no wind to make the "undulations" more difficult than they already were. For some, this was their longest run ever, for others the hilliest run and for yet others, their fastest pace long run but we all managed it and many, including myself, consider this the highlight of all the running sessions. The reward for completion was another tasty and filling buffet lunch. However, as we had to be completely out of the cabins by 1pm, we were a little rushed. Nonetheless, an impressive quantity of soup and sandwiches was consumed, cabins cleared and we were off home after another successful TTC.

A huge thanks to the three coaches, Eddie, Frances and Russell for total commitment to the weekend and enduring horrendous weather during the recce on mountain bikes one week earlier! Thanks to Geo for stepping in to help at short notice in his inimitable, unflustered style. We couldn't do this for the price without the support of our club sponsor EKGTA; any thanks to them. The Lade Inn always make us feel so welcome every year in an atmosphere and with food that could not be bettered. Cafe Albert travel some distance to provide our lunches but once again did a fantastic job (if you are ever in the Stirling area, try their highly rated restaurant, The Gargunnock Inn, which, funnily enough, is located in Gargunnock, just outside Stirling). The Leny Estate rescued the TTC last year by providing a replacement for the original venue and once again helped the weekend exceed our expectations with luxury cabins for us and the very luxurious cottage for our Swedish friends. Finally, the spectacular scenery of my home town of Callander and the surrounding Trossachs did what it does best without even trying. And then, the final finally, thanks to all the Harriers and friends who signed up in their droves for this event and made it the success that it was. A special mention to Johan, Ljot, Thore, Mats, Jacob and Ulf for travelling across to Scotland and blending in just like the rest of Harriers. Without enthusiastic participants, the TTC would not take place.

Plans for next year are underway. We are trying to get our Leny Estate booking in early to ensure we can move back to September. Watch this space. Watch out also for details of a Gothenburg weekend.

There are many photos on FaceBook but here are some more, a few from me and many excellent photos from Geo and Martin Howell.

Alan

(ps - the only failing in the cabins this year was a report from Billy and Kenny that, whereas last year the washing machine in the cabin was fully automatic, this year, they filled the machine with running gear on the Saturday night, only for it to be still in the machine, unwashed on the Sunday morning. Perhaps Davie Herbertson can explain!