Scottish Six Days: Day 5 - Roseisle

Well what can I say what an amazing race.  Certainly my favourite area of the week.  Parked at RAF Kinloss and had a 3km walk to the start in the heat.  Happy to have an early start as it was already very hot for my 10:46 start.  Looking at the map I find it difficult to draw my route so this entry might be shorter than normal.  What I can say is that #1 came up very quickly and if I hadn't noticed a fellow Cornwall member punching I might have run right past, thanks Bernard!  Took the beach option to #5 but couldn't find the path off the beach as it turned out I cut in early straight to the path junction and into the control clean.  The whole course was very technical and there was no time lose concentration. It was good to find a breeze as I turned out of  #11 28 mins in and no major problems just a few hesitations.  This forest was super quick under foot and there were defiantly going to be some fast times.  Really nice plan to #17 and really well executed.  Misread the map at  #20 for the only major mistake of the day, expected the Reentrant to be on the west side of the hill.  Eventually relocated off the open area near the path to the east, 53:49 gone.  Went direct to #25 but dropped short to control in depression, really hot in this open area so glad to get back in the forest.  Slight miss to #26 ran hard to #27 but legs and lungs complaining a bit now 77:25 still a slim chance of dipping under 80mins.  Pushed through the last 3 controls and went as hard as I could down the run in.  8.6km in 80:03 in 33rd place.  Overall 39th with best 4 results to count.  Still possible to push up the results if I have a good run tomorrow!

Last day 9.2km 485m on Coulmony and Belivat





Mark Lockett
07779643449

Scottish Six Days: Day 4 - Loch of Boath

So how were my legs after a rest day, stood on the start line I wasn't sure.  My goal for the day was to have a clean, well paced run.  Going off to hard was not  an option today on my 8.2km 230m course.  Took the safe path option to #1  then used fence and hill to guide me into the control.  Good running pushed me to take the straight line option to #2, #3 and #4.  Thought about the track option to #5 but decided against it.  Crossed the ditch in the open area but drifted left and didn't cross second path.  Decided to relocate to fence line to the west, saw the fence and track before I got there and was able to pick new knoll to south of track as new attackpoint.  Cut through light green on the way to #7 which wasted a bit of time .  Clean through to #13, but fell waist deep in water crossing ditch in open area, girl in front only went knee deep, she must have special powers or could it be my lead lined shoes? Couldn't get the ground to fit the map after the fence on the way to #14 and drifted past.  61min gone at the road crossing decide to push and be confident looking for a sub 80min run.  Slight hesitation at #18 but clean through the rest to the finish. 79:18 and 33rd/52, best result of the week and the legs are feeling good.

Abbie walked around her course in the rain and blasted down the finish run to beat her daddy.  

Tomorrow the forested sand dunes of Roseisle.




Mark Lockett
07779643449