Back to back long runs on the Deeside Way

This weekend was one of back to back long runs, to last 3 hours on the Saturday, and 2 hours on the Sunday, which I had planned to do on the Deeside Way and Tarland Way respectively.

The weather on the Saturday was very sunny and warm, with hardly a cloud in the sky.  I held a pace of around 9:20 miles for the first two hours, slipping to 9:35 by the end of the run.  On the way out I ran past two very distinctive birds with black tipped white wings and a bright orange beak, and the view on the approach to Ballater was dominated by Lochnagar.  The view on the return was of the aerial activity from the glider field.

I woke on the Sunday feeling quite nauseous and tired, opting to run on the Deeside Way again to avoid some of the hillwork on the Tarland Way, which was probably a sensible choice.  The weather was somewhat cloudier and far more humid, spending much of the run sweating profusely.  If anything else I think that this is probably evidence that my hydration is working better.  I opted during the run to knock a half hour off, but despite feeling ill the pace was good throughout, holding around 9:20 miles, and slightly negative splitting the return from just past Dinnet.

I had hoped to spend much of this weekend running up in the Glen Tanar estate, but time and illness prevented this.  All in all though I have to be happy with the two runs this weekend.

There are plenty of positives to take:

1. Good pace throughout two long runs
2. Hydration and fuelling worked well
3. Much better second run when compared to other post long-run sessions – such as following London Marathon.