Tag: Harbour

Raining in Rothesay

Raining in Rothesay

by TartanJogger ♥ 3 Comments

Today, I found myself in Rothesay. But it was raining.  Bleugh!

The sun was, however, breaking through the cloud over Portavadie first thing this morning:

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I have only ever been to Rothesay once before, and I was hoping to see the Isle of Bute in glorious sunshine, but it wasn’t to be.

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The trip involved two ferry journeys:

1. From Tarbert to Portavadie

2. From Colintraive to Rhubodach

On the drive from Colintraive to Portavadie, I pulled in quickly at Tighnabruaich Viewpoint to take a quick photo, but headed off again pretty quickly to catch my ferry home.

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Maybe my third trip- whenever that may be- will be sunny!

Today’s Stats:

Run: 2 miles, and it felt pretty good

Time: 20:09

Weather: Glorious sunshine

Trainers: Nike FreeRuns +5

This was not part of my running playlist, but it has been stuck in my head all day….

Today’s Life Lesson: take two photocopies of everything. One will go astray….

Did you use any public transport today?

A Terrific TT10K

A Terrific TT10K

by TartanJogger ♥ 6 Comments

I did it! I ran the TT10K, and I loved it!

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I survived my third run in 12 days!

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The weather was very kind to us: it did, unexpectedly, involve some sunshine.

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Yes, I found both off-road sections pretty tough, as they were both uphill, but what an amazing sense of achievement!

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I’m pretty pleased with my time, considering the course, and I was definitely helped along by the really positive marshals and fantastic support.

We’ve been to the Village Hall, to take part in the Tarbert Harbour Authority Centenary Celebrations, and partied with free beer and BBQ! I wish all races ended like this!

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I’ll post a full race report soon, but for now, the hot tub is calling; and I actually have a mud-related blister to tend to (there’s a new experience for me!).

Who’s up for next year? You’d be crazy to miss this one from your calendar!

Today’s Stats:

Run: 10K race: hilly, part road and part trail

Time: 1:06:00 or so. Forgot to end my run on my Nike+ SportWatch GPS at the finish line!

Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells, warm and humid

Trainers: LunarFly +3 GTX

Motivating running track today: This track played just as I got onto the Castle Loop- it’s one of my Power Songs. I LOVE it. And I needed it!

Today’s Life Lesson: Even older trainers and socks can still cause blisters, especially when caked in mud!

What was your first off-road run?

TT10K Tomorrow!

TT10K Tomorrow!

by TartanJogger ♥ 2 Comments

It’s the night before is the inaugural Tarbert 10k run, the TT10k.

It’s also Friday.

It’s also sunny, which wasn’t forecast.

Woop Woop!

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@TheWelshWookie and I went for a short run, mainly to look like runners when we visited the registration marquee because it was such a lovely evening, and I wanted to have a wee stretch/limber before tomorrow.

I took some pictures, just to show how gorgeous it is tonight. The forecast for tomorrow is torrential rain and high winds, so I wanted something to compare with my photos tomorrow!

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We then went to the registration marquee, and I collected my bib for tomorrow:

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It was lovely, being greeted by the ‘caution, runners’ signs on my way home!

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I’m now organised, and ready for tomorrow.

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Bring it on!

Today’s Stats:

Run: 2.5 miles, slow and steady

Time: 27:32

Weather: Glorious sunshine

Trainers: Lunarglides

First running track today: this will get stuck in your brain!

Today’s Life Lesson: if you see me standing in a queue at the supermarket, join a different queue. I’m likely to be in the slow moving one.

What’s the weather forecast for you tomorrow?

Getting Ready for TT10K

Getting Ready for TT10K

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

This Saturday is the inaugural Tarbert 10k run, the TT10k.

I can’t wait!

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There are two runs: the 5k kicks off the day at 10am, followed by the 10k at 11am.

One thing that I’m really, really looking forward to is that I know the route well.  Pretty much every step of it.

But I know it will be challenging: two parts of the run are off road, on trails, which is totally new for me. I’ve never done an official run on a trail before! Also, it has hills. Pretty sizeable hills.

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OK, so maybe not quite a mountain, but still:

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The view from Tarbert Castle
The view from the High Road
The view from the High Road

It’s definitely high enough for me!

Saturday also marks the 100th anniversary of Tarbert Harbour Authority! So, we have another fun filled weekend ahead, including a village barbeque after both runs. The organisation that has gone into setting up this event has been brilliant, and I’m sure it’ll all go very well, as the people behind the run really have put in loads of work, and obviously care about making this a great event for participants, marshals, volunteers, locals and visitors.

Here’s an idea of the route:

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It’ll be worth it, for views like this:

Here's my usual running route.
Here’s my usual running route.

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Today’s Stats:

Run: Not today, planning on some strength training

Favourite track from today: on of my most favourite songs ever!

With all of this running talk, I forgot my important news: I’m an Auntie again! 😀

My sis had a gorgeous baby boy yesterday, he arrived weighing 7lb 14oz, and looks just like his brothers! My family now has a rugby sevens team: seven boys, no girls!

Can’t wait to meet him!

Today’s Life Lesson: as soon as you walk away from your desk, you can guarantee that an important call will come through, and you’ll miss it….

Does your village/town/city have any running events?

Dabblin’

Dabblin’

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I wrote about browsin’. Today I’m writing abut dabblin’.

Dabblin’ in what? I hear you ask….

Dabblin’ in making my first ever video clip, and uploading it to YouTube. Woo Hoo! Go, me! Learning a new techie skill! I didn’t just upload it to the website in the ‘normal’ way: I uploaded it directly from my iPhone. Who knew?

I'm such a technophobe at times!
I’m such a technophobe at times!

And, so, what’s this major, artistic masterpiece I have lovingly crafted and edited together with skill and determination?

Erm….. it’s a wee clip of two boats that I filmed when out on my walk yesterday. 😉

Would it seem more exciting if I told you that one boat, a fishing boat called Seaspray overtakes the other, Silver Buccaneer?

Would you like to see it? Aww shucks, go on, then…….

Yay!

On another note, I found my race result from the RnR Dublin:

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Today’s stats

Run: just a shortie, 2 miles. @TheWelshWookie came with me, to test out his knees, after Saturday

Time:  21:27 nice and slow

Trainers: Nike LunarFly +3 GTX

Weather: Cloudy

Favourite track from today’s run: Cannae beat a bit of DJ Sammy

Today’s Life Lesson: When sneaking out a fire exit you intend to sneak back in, remember to jam it open first….

What new skill have you tried recently?

Next New Nikes?

Next New Nikes?

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today, I’ve been very domesticated again, catching up on the laundry.

I also went for a short run, to stretch my legs from Monday, and to prepare for Saturday.

Today’s stats:

Run: 2 miles

Time: 20:03

Trainers: LunarRacers

Weather: Warm, and sunny

First running track of the day: Black eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling

You all know that I’m a pretty big fan of Nike trainers, they really suit my running jogging:

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So, I’m sure you’ll allow me to get a little excited over the new Nike free runs:

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These look so, sooooo comfortable! Just like socks with trainer soles!

What do you think of them?

It’s Nice to Have Time Off :)

It’s Nice to Have Time Off :)

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

As I say, in today’s post title, it’s nice to have some time off (so much so, I’m saying it twice!). I finished work at lunchtime today, and I’m off until Monday. I guess that makes today my Friday, then?

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Today’s stats:

Run: No running for me today, as it’s taper time, I’m working on stretching, so I’ll do some yoga and some NTC stretching later.

Time: 30 mins walk, 30 mins yoga, 15 mins stretching

One yoga track I plan to listen to today:  Wonderful Life, Black. Very chill.

So, like the rest of the UK, we’ve had a thunder shower this morning, but only one, fortunately!

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This was the view from my office window today, as the rain started to pour down! 😦 It’s still very warm outside, and by the time I arrived home at around 12.30, the rain had stopped 🙂

@TheWelshWookie and I have been for a walk this afternoon, along the harbour and down to the ferry terminal. Of course, we had to pop into the cafe for coffee and cake!

I’ve had a lovely, lazy afternoon, reading this month’s copy of Women’s Running magazine, which arrived yesterday:

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There’s an interesting article in it about stretching, particularly in warm ups, and whether they are beneficial, or potentially problematic:

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For me, it depends on the length of the run. If it’s a shortie, I’ll really just do a warm-up jog. If it’s a longer run, I’ll start with a set of dynamic stretches: knee highs, butt kicks, and a short warm-up jog. I’ll usually finish my run with a walk home, followed by Kara Goucher’s running stretches from NTC. This seems to work well for me, and I’ve been fortunate in staying injury free (here’s hoping this continues!).

Today’s life lesson: It’s usually sensible to wear a jacket when rain showers are forecast…..

What’s your view of stretching, before or after a run?

New Socks n Tracks

New Socks n Tracks

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Well, I’ve started off the week with every good intention, with a 5k run, which @TheWelshWookie did with me.

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Today’s stats:

Run: 5k run

Time: 32:02:57 so much for my planned tempo run!

Trainers: LunarRacers

Weather: Warm, and sunny, but cooler than last week

Newest running track of the day: Avicii, Levels

I left my run until later, heading out at around 7pm. I’m really glad I did that, as the sun was still shining, it was warm, but much cooler that it has been all week. I just ran my usual harbour route, which I love. As I walked back along the harbour, there were a few clouds, which was lovely to see. I took a couple of snaps (you’ll be used to this view by now!)

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I had two new purchases, which I tried out tonight. First were my new socks from the Color Run. No, they aren’t compression socks, but I wanted to give them a try anyway:

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My second newbie was a new album I had downloaded from iTunes over the weekend, #HolidayAnthems, which I love. I listened to it driving home from my meeting in Dunoon today, and again while out running! 😀

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It definitely kept me going tonight!

Today’s life lesson: sometimes, the male of the species can be reasonably domesticated…. which is a pleasant surprise (and means no excuses for the future)!

Have you tried out anything new on a recent run?

Village Jogging

Village Jogging

by TartanJogger ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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I had planned to head out for an early run to beat the heat, but I’m afraid that the sun and the heat beat me to it!

Today’s stats:

Run: 7 mile ‘long’ run: definitely tapering now!

Time: 1:10:57 Given the heat, that’s Ok with me.

Trainers: LunarGlides

Weather: Sunny, hot, humid

First running track of the day: Jimmy Somerville- this reminds me of a teacher I had at school, who loved him!

As it is the Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival, I thought that the village would be busy, but it was much busier than I expected, for 9.30am! As I ran along the harbour, past the pontoons, there were lots of walkers, people heading for breakfast, walking dogs, enjoying the early morning sun. There were also lots of people setting up their stalls for the festival later today: the whole area was a hive of activity!

As I headed off of the path, and up onto Garvel Road, I managed to take this picture, and when you see it you wouldn’t know that the village was busy:

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Gorgeous!

As I headed back toward the harbour for the second time, I saw that the pontoons had filled up with lots more traditional boats than there were on Thursday night when I was last down by the harbour.

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Last week I asked, is there always something going on in Tarbert? Definitely yes! 😀

There are loads of activities planned for the day, including climbing the greasy pole. The prize for the highest climber is a bottle of whisky: I’m not even sure I could do it with it still laying flat!

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By the time I reached home I understood for the first time ever what is meant by the phrase ‘sweat pouring off you’. It was! But I’ve showered, rehydrated, and refuelled on some Thai red curry:

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I hope you all have a good run today, and a fab weekend!

Today’s life lesson: jogging in and out of walkers, saunterers and cyclists is not a good look, when you have no co-ordination 😉

What’s your favourite food to refuel with?

Is It The Weekend Yet?

Is It The Weekend Yet?

by TartanJogger ♥ 2 Comments

Evening, all!

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Well, I made a bit of a silly mistake tonight: Usually I go for a wee run as soon as I finish work, mainly because if I didn’t go then I wouldn’t bother that suits me best. Tonight, it was overcast, and about 22 degrees when I got home. I thought I‘d be smart, and wait a couple of hours before running, in the hope that the temperature dropped a little. Big mistake. The sun actually came out, and was beating down on me for all of my ‘speed’ session, and the temperature had actually increased! 😮

Oh, well.

Today’s stats:

Run: 5K slow speed session. 

I did: 1K warm up jog; followed by 6x 300 metre sprints/200 metre recovery walk. I finished up with a 1K so-called ‘cool’ down

Time: 32:56

Trainers: Lunar Racers

Weather: bright and very sunshiny! Again! Woop Woop!

Best running track of the day: Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. It kicked in just when I needed it!

So, as we head towards another weekend, there’s another event on in the fantastic village where I live. It’s the Tarbert Traditional Boat Festival, which kicks off tomorrow night 😀

There are quite a few boats in already, and while I ran along by the pontoons, I could hear fiddle music filling the air, which was lovely!

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The village was pretty busy for a Thursday evening, with people eating at tables outside the cafes, and strolling along the harbour, enjoying the view and the weather. It looks like we’re in for another cracking weekend!

Today’s life lesson: Sometimes I say things to try to make things better, and end up doing the opposite. Mental note- think through what I say before I say it!

What have you said, and instantly regretted?