Today, 19 Harriers traveled to Loch Ard, just outside Aberfoyle in the Trossachs for the "Not the TTC" Sunday run. The idea was to keep the spirit of the Trossachs Training Camp going with a long easy run in beautiful surroundings. Two routes were planned, an 11.8km loop and a 21.8km loop. The purpose of a long run is to carry out one and a half to two and half hours of easy, aerobic running. The distance does not matter, it is time running at an easy effort that makes the difference. Therefore, those running at a slower pace on the shorter loop got just as much training benefit as those running at a slightly faster (but still easy) pace on the longer loop. Russell and Frances led two packs on the shorter route, whilst Eddie and I led two packs on the longer route. As the pack leaders had carried out a recce last Sunday, there were no navigational mishaps this year!
Both routes were extremely undulating and scenic but with excellent, firm forest roads underfoot. The weather was the most settled of the weekend with overcast skies and no wind. Those of us on the longer loop got a little bit damp at the highest part of the course as we were at the same level as the clouds briefly.
About two and a half hours after starting, all the packs had arrived back at the forest car park where we had started and everyone seemed to have enjoyed the run (even those who had been coaxed into the longer route pack). We all headed a mile or two along the road to Aberfoyle where we descended on the cafe in the main car park, taking the cafe owners somewhat by surprise, for soup, burgers and coffees before hitting the road home.
All in all, this was an enjoyable outing for the Harriers and is something that we can perhaps repeat every few months through the winter to provide a change from the streets of EK and to keep the motivation for the vital long-runs going.
Alan
