Ballater 1

I've called this post Ballater 1 because there's no way I'll get it all written up before I have to go to dance class, but I need to make a start before I forget what I actually got up to!

We set off in Norman the van last Tuesday, making it to Craigendarroch, next to Ballater, in time for dinner with Al's folks. They have a time share in a lodge, which is basically like a very posh version of Centre Parks. It was nice and quiet - no kids, but lots of bunnies and red squirrels. I basically flaked out that night, having worked like a demon to get stuff done before going away. But the next morning saw us restored enough to join Al's dad on a lovely walk. We did a route that was about the same distance and terrain as McLeod's Maidens on Skye, though it was circular instead of out and back, and it wasn't raining as much! In fact it hardly rained at all. It started in woodland, then cut through to another valley - apparently the cut-through was a rare example of a valley formed by water melting out of a glacier rather than the ice itself. Al had fun telling us all about glacial geography. The washed away stream bank revealed a type of deposit (micrite?) that was typical of having melted out of glaciers because all the rocks were different sizes. And kames, which is where pools of water form inside a retreating glacier and leave a heap of deposit at the bottom. See, I was listening!

Al also pointed out that all of this was just theory and no one knew what really happened. He told the story of his geography lecturer who spent 10 years studying an unusual circular pattern of rocks in Iceland. Was it some sort of frost circle? No, it turned out a 1940s expedition had used them to pin down their tents.

Anyway, we looked at the glacial deposits and also stopped to admire an all terrain vehicle left by the track - complete with fresh blood: it was culling season for the red deer which overrun these hills. We saw two deer who had managed not to get shot, making great leaps across the heather. A lovely sight, but then so are the patches of land fenced off to protect them from the deer - the increase in vegetation when it's kept away from the munchers is massive. We also saw a small brown bird which we later identified but I now can't remember what it was. It and its mate bobbed up from the heather presumably to distract us from a nest. And we heard Capercaillie. We didn't see any that day, but saw some no the drive home.

The walk finished alongside a gorgeous river, with yellow and orange-leaved trees surrounding slabs of rock that sent water cascading downstream. At one point there was a disused fish ladder next to a tumbling waterfall. Beautiful.

Back at the lodge I took advantage of the bath while Al fell asleep. We had a lie in the next day but when we did get up it was to run up the Craigendarroch hill behind the lodge. It was another gorgeous route through the autumnal trees, but very steep. Before long the path became steep rock steps, each as high as my knee, and I was walking (albeit swiftly) rather than running. However I was still the same speed as Al who was running but taking teeny steps as a result of the slope! Hard work: got the lungs and heart going and proved, as if I needed it, that it is my cardiovascular fitness rather than my little legs which I need to work on. it was only 10 minutes to the top, where we were rewarded with a view across the hills and a bench. Then a 20 minute run down the other side (steep downhill) and back round (gradual uphill). We probably climbed about 200 feet in all, which is nothing. Sad to see how unfit I am at the moment, but exhilarating to get back out there. Must do more Arthur's Seat runs and get off the roads this year.

In fact, while we're on the subject, I'll set down my aims: to run the 2008 Edinburgh marathon in under 3 hours 45 minutes and/or faster than Al. My strategy is to improve my speed training. I want to do more in-between races - at least two half marathons and some 10ks - to really check my pace and give me milestone targets. So I need to do at least a 1 hour 40 half, preferably 1 hour 35. And I'm going to do more hill running. Because a) it gets me off the roads so saves my knees and other joints b) it is more interesting and you get better views c) it gives the cardio benefits of sprinting without the joint strain d) it avoids repetitive injuries like my ITBS because the surface is rougher and e) it really hurts so it must be good for me.

Rob, you are my running guru. If you're reading this let me know if you agree!

Told you I wouldn't have time to finish this. Tune in later for more walking, plus horse riding and a great restaurant recommendation!