Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Injury update - Hip flexor and knee extensor tears

After hearing a 'pop' on Saturday morning during the first real 'test' for my leg, I was keen to find out what I had damaged this time. After examining my leg thoroughly, Ross said that I had torn my hip flexor from the sprinting on Saturday. He said that the muscle was most likely damaged/weakened during the initial injury and it was only a matter of time before it suffered a similar fate, so it was good that we had identified the problem by stress testing my thigh. He also found that my knee extensor was torn also.
I was given more stretches, told to take it easy for the rest of the week and to continue with the recovery programme. I'm totally devastated with this latest injury setback. Realistically, I can't see me climbing again this year and I think it's best to focus on a return in January 2011 - this time I'm not going to rush back until my leg is fully healed and well rested. All very frustrating!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Further Leg Fail

This morning I was keen to try some easy sprints in the park, as recommended by the physio. After a very thorough and gradual warmup of 20 minutes or so, I began with some very gentle 1/2 to 3/4 pace 40 metre shuttles. Things were going well and I was feeling good... until the 6th or 7th shuttle. Just as I started to get into my stride, I felt an unmistakable 'pop' on the outside of my thigh/hip. It wasn't sore but I stopped immediately and drove home to ice it asap.
It is now quite sore and stiff and I've clearly pulled or torn something else. It is in a slightly different place at my thigh/hip to the other muscle I injured previously. Needless to say, I'm pretty deflated and frustrated right now but I'll have to wait until Wednesday for the diagnosis from Ross. Let's hope it's not too serious...

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Injury and Recovery update

Over the past few weeks I have continued with the weekly physio sessions at SPACE and the daily stretching. I have also been jogging around Harrison Park five evenings in the past 10 days. It's been hard and a little painful at first but my injury is beginning to drive me insane so I am super keen to get back as soon as possible! I'm not enjoying the down time at all - I can't climb so I have been trying to entertain myself with lots and lots of pull-ups.
As well as the jogging and stretching, I have been trying to have a hot bath most evenings in an attempt to loosen the muscles - which seems to work well. Ross has said that he wants me to progress on to some short shuttle-style sprints at 3/4 pace this week - to further stress the muscles. He seems to be pleased with my dedication and progress so hopefully I will be back in action in the next couple of weeks.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Acupuncture = pain

For the past week I have been performing the stretching programme I was given on a daily basis. My thigh is still extremely tight, despite my best efforts to stretch the injured muscles. Although painful, the stretching has seemed to help slightly. After stretching, I have been applying ice immediately afterwards which has helped to relieve the pain.
Today I had my second appointment with Ross at SPACE and he spent the first few minutes pressing hard on my injury sites. The pain was horrendous and made me feel quite sick - but I could see the point of it. Ross then decided to try some acupuncture, as he was finding it difficult to target the deeper injury site in my sartorious - and he said it would be less painful... but it wasn't!
The next 20 minutes or so was agony. After positioning several needles in my muscles, Ross began to 'tweak' each of them until it hurt. As he moved the needles further into the injury site, each movement was like someone holding a naked flame on your skin (only deep inside your leg) for a few seconds and then fading until the needle was tweaked again.
I'm not gonna lie: it was quite painful, but my leg is feeling much better and is certainly less tight this evening. After a hot bath, I noticed that I now had some bruising at the injury site on my sartorious in the middle of the front of my thigh.
Ross has given me some more stretches and has said that he wants me to start jogging lightly - getting there... slowly!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Thigh injury - 3 x grade II tears

Since injuring my right thigh on Monday, I have been treating it religiously with ice and plenty of regular Ibuprofen - it is still very painful.
This afternoon I visited SPACE for a full damage report on my injury. I was assessed by Ross Mayberry and he soon found the extent of my injuries after a rather painful assessment! He told me that the primary injury was to my sartorious but I had also badly injured my tensor fasciae latae and my psoas major muscles. He explained that all three muscles were damaged by the way I had kicked the ball: across my body with my right foot. He said that the injuries were quite bad and he estimated that each muscle had sustained a grade II strain (tear) so I was looking at 6-8 weeks recovery time at least.
My heart sank - that meant that I would be out for the first part of the winter season at least and it would probably be nearer December before I could attempt any winter climbs this year. Ross told me to continue to rest and he gave me some stretches to try and get some movement back in my leg, which was now very tight and stiff indeed.
All I can do is follow the good advice and try to get back as soon as possible... gutted!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Leg Fail

So... today I thought it would be a good idea to play 5-a-side football at lunch; how very wrong I was...
I took a shot at goal and immediately felt a burning pain in several places in my right thigh; I knew it was a bad one straight away. I'm struggling to weight it and walk on it and I've been icing it every hour this afternoon and this evening. It's quite painful so I've been hitting the pills quite hard.
I have an appointment at the physio on Wednesday so I'll get the full damage report then but it's not looking too good right now...

Sunday, September 19, 2010

D of E Bonze Practice Expedition - Boys Weekend

This weekend I was back in Glenisla training a group from GWC their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition. This time it was a group of boys. Once again I collected them from Peffermill on Saturday morning and headed North towards Angus.
I dropped the lads at the side of the road at Holm of Needs and saw them safely onto the track leading around Craiglea Hill to the (now derelict) Fornethy Residential School. Someone had mentioned to me that there may be a few fallen trees in the school grounds that might block the tracks so I drove round and headed in to check it out. Sure enough, the trees were lying there like matchsticks across the track but could be safely negotiated by a short detour around the other side of the school.
The boys heading into Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
The boys heading into Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
The Gorse nightmare through Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
The Gorse nightmare through Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
The boys heading into Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
The boys heading into Torrax Hill Wood, Glenisla
After guiding the boys safely to the B954, I shadowed them as they headed East along the path into Torrax Wood. The boys found it tricky to find a way through so I helped them negotiate the large number of gorse bushes that were blocking the way, before heading around to meet them at the bridge over Melgam Water at Loch of Lintrathen.
Looking Southwest towards Loch of Lintrathen from Brankam Hill, Glenisla
Looking Southwest towards Loch of Lintrathen from Brankam Hill, Glenisla
Random boulder on the side of Brankam Hill, Glenisla
Random boulder on the side of Brankam Hill, Glenisla
I then drove down the road and left them to follow me over the hill to Hilton from Purgavie Cottages - and follow me they did... very very slowly! Eventually they met me at the bealach between Strone Hill and The Carrach. The sun was now beating down on us and we made good progress along the track through Gairlaw. I thought it best to walk with them and try to push them on bit, as they were way behind schedule. As we passed a couple of ruined farm buildings at Gairlaw, I looked up to the side of Mile Hill and saw that a white horse was galloping straight for us... and I also saw that there was no wall or gate between us! There wasn't time to think about what to do but even if there was, I'm not quite sure what action I would have taken! To my relief, the horse skidded to an abrupt halt right next to us and started nodding it's head and swishing it's tail in a very friendly manner; clearly the horse just wanted some friendly attention from us. It followed us along the track until we closed the gate behind us, much to our amusement.
The boys passing through Gairlaw, Glenisla
The boys passing through Gairlaw, Glenisla
A ruin at Gairlaw, Glenisla
A ruin at Gairlaw, Glenisla
Random horse in Gairlaw, Glenisla
Random horse in Gairlaw, Glenisla
Random horse in Gairlaw, Glenisla
Random horse in Gairlaw, Glenisla
I shadowed the boys East through Garlow Wood and I helped them cross the Quharity Burn to Auldallan before jogging back over the hill to the minibus. The lads eventually made it to their campsite at the bridge over the Quharity Burn just to the South of Westerton and Balintore. The boys had done ok but were extremely slow considering the fine weather. Tomorrow's forecast wasn't looking too inviting so they were going to have to pick up the pace to make the coach back to Edinburgh.
The boys heading down into Garlow Wood, Glenisla
The boys heading down into Garlow Wood, Glenisla
Today was a real dog of a day and the lads set off later than planned. I saw them onto the track heading North past Westerton and on into Glen Quharity; giving them clear instructions to take the path to the left just after the trees through Craig of Balloch.
A misty day at Backwater Reservoir, Glenisla
A misty day at Backwater Reservoir, Glenisla
I headed round to Backwater Reservoir where I parked up at the side of the road and headed up to the top of Little Ley to watch for them coming over. I waited and waited but there was no sign of them and the clouds were getting lower and the rain heavier. I knew they had most probably missed the left turn and continued on into Glen Quharity but with visibility so poor, there was no point in wandering off into the mist looking for them. I wasn't too concerned, but another hour passed and there was still no sign of them.
Dead deer, Glenisla
Dead deer, Glenisla
I drove up and down the road to Glenhead at the side of the reservoir. I then decided to head up through Harran Plantation and try to gain some higher ground. I headed through a break in the forest that was clearly used frequently by the deer. I made swift progress and was soon on the summit of Corwharn but I could still only see 50 metres in any direction. Giving up, I jogged back down towards Drumshade Plantation and then onto the track heading back down to Glenhead Farm.
Heading through the trees in Harran Plantation, Glenisla
Heading through the trees in Harran Plantation, Glenisla
When I reached the minibus, I found a note on the windscreen from Tam that said my group had been found wandering aimlessly at the side of the reservoir. Clearly they had gone badly off course at some point! Ah well, at least they were safe and sound - the debrief could wait for later in the week back at GWC - an eventful weekend!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

D of E Bonze Practice Expedition - Girls Weekend

This weekend I have been assisting with a group of GWC girls Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice expeditions based in Glenisla, Angus.
I collected my group from Peffermill playing fields on Saturday morning (after their Hockey match) and headed North to Glenisla. The group were already packed and I had met them briefly on Wednesday night at school to go through putting up tents and cooking with stoves.
The girls setting off along the road, Glenisla
The girls setting off along the road, Glenisla
The girls making their way up the difficult terrain from the Alrick Burn, Glenisla
The girls making their way up the difficult terrain from the Alrick Burn, Glenisla
I dropped the girls off on the minor road, just West of Brewlands Bridge, and I helped them navigate and negotiate their way over the Alrick Burn and pointed them up towards Meall Beag. Then I left them to head over the top of Cairn Gibbs, then onto Knockton before heading East to the minor road above Redlatches. I headed back to the minibus and drove around to the minor road and walked in to meet them at the top of Knockton - I had quite a long wait!
Looking North towards Brewlands Bridge and Mount Blair from Knockton, Glenisla
Looking North towards Brewlands Bridge and Mount Blair from Knockton, Glenisla
Looking East from Knockton, Glenisla
Looking East from Knockton, Glenisla
Once at the road, I sent them Northwest to the bridge over the River Isla. Again, I drove round to their campsite in Kirkton of Glenisla, just opposite the hotel. I crossed the bridge and expected to see the group somewhere on the hill above me but there was no sign of them. I found them a little way to the East wondering rather aimlessly and puzzled as to how they were going to get across the river to their campsite; they hadn't listened to what I had said.
Once at the campsite, the girls were very efficient at getting their tents up and the stoves going. It had been a good day - the weather had been good and the girls had done well - so I was happy.
Mount Blair from Knockton, Glenisla
Mount Blair from Knockton, Glenisla
The second day saw the girls heading along the easy forestry tracks around Crock and Craigie Law. After checking the condition that they had left their campsite, the girls passed me on the forestry track where I was having a little trouble with the minibus...(!)
The girls heading into the mist up the forestry track around Crock, Glenisla
The girls heading into the mist up the forestry track around Crock, Glenisla
They left the forest and headed over the South shoulder of Badandun Hill to the track leading West to Little Forter and past The Knaps. After sorting things out, I headed round to Meikle Forter to meet them at their finishing point.
Forter Castle, Meikle Forter, Glenisla
Forter Castle, Meikle Forter, Glenisla
Looking Southwest from the road through Folda, Glenisla
Looking Southwest from the road through Folda, Glenisla
The girls had been very lucky with the weather but had done well on their first expedition and I knew they would be fine on the real thing next year - well done!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Allermuir, Capelaw and Harbour Hills

Taking advantage of a cracking evening, I headed up to Dreghorn Junction and parked the car near Chuckie Knowe. Time was against me but I managed to blast straight up Allermuir Hill and had a great view over to the Scald Law ridge.
Looking South to Scald Law from the side of Allermuir Hill, Pentland Hills
Looking South to Scald Law from the side of Allermuir Hill, Pentland Hills
Looking South to Scald Law from Capelaw Hill, Pentland Hills
Looking South to Scald Law from Capelaw Hill, Pentland Hills
Sunset from Harbour Hill, Pentland Hills
Sunset from Harbour Hill, Pentland Hills
Sunset from Harbour Hill, Pentland Hills
Sunset from Harbour Hill, Pentland Hills
I then headed West to the bealach and up to the summit of Capelaw Hill and then on to Harbour Hill. I managed to snap a few nice pictures with my phone before the sun went down and I made my decent down to Torduff Reservoir and looped back round to the car - a lovely evening.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

The Cairnwell Munros

My folks are over for a long weekend and Emily and I are staying with them for two nights in the Dalmunzie Castle. As usual, Dad was keen to bag a hill of description but we didn't want it to be the main focus of the weekend either, as we were staying in a rather nice hotel for the weekend after all!
Saturday was looking like a decent day, but it wasn't looking too good while we were having a late breakfast. However, as we headed towards Braemar, the clouds lifted completely and were replaced by a blazing sun and bright blue sky. As the weather was favourable and we didn't have much time, I set our sights on the easy round of The Cairnwell Munros from the Glenshee Ski Centre.
Carn Aosda from the main Ski Centre car park, Glenshee
Carn Aosda from the main Ski Centre car park, Glenshee
Herbie checking out the route for the day, Glenshee
Herbie checking out the route for the day, Glenshee
We parked up at the Ski Centre and were soon making our way up the stoney path to the summit of Carn Aosda. It was very easy going and straightforward. Not the most interesting of summits but on such a nice day we had a great view of the hills all around us. Herbie even recognised the An Socach ridge from earlier in this year - I was most impressed.
Looking Southwest towards Carn a' Gheoidh and Loch Vrotachan from the summit of Carn Aosda
Looking Southwest towards Carn a' Gheoidh and Loch Vrotachan from the summit of Carn Aosda
Herbie nearing the summit of Carn Aosda with The Cairnwell behind, Glenshee
Herbie nearing the summit of Carn Aosda with The Cairnwell behind, Glenshee
We pressed on quickly, as it was extremely windy on the top. The wind continued to hammer us as we made our way down to the bealach above Creag a' Choire Dhirich and past Loch Vrotachan. Here, we had a good view of the way up to The Cairnwell summit - which we would be back for later on. The landscape was more dramatic and far more scenic than I had expected, as we first headed to the top of Carn nan Sac and then on to the summit of Carn a' Gheoidh (passing a couple of Arctic Hares).
Loch Vrotachan, Glenshee
Loch Vrotachan, Glenshee
Heading along the top of Creag a' Choire Dhirich towards Carn a' Gheoidh
Heading along the top of Creag a' Choire Dhirich towards Carn a' Gheoidh
The Cairnwell from Creag a' Choire Dhirich
The Cairnwell from Creag a' Choire Dhirich
Herbie at Carn nan Sac
Herbie at Carn nan Sac
The summit of Carn a' Gheoidh from Carn nan Sac
The summit of Carn a' Gheoidh from Carn nan Sac
We paused at the summit to slap on some more suncream before retracing our steps and heading for the ugly summit that is: The Cairnwell. It wasn't long before we were heading up the steeper scree and approaching the summit buildings. However, it was a bit of a struggle as the wind was absolutely hammering across us and made the final few metres quite challenging indeed. As soon as we reached the top, we took shelter behind the buildings and admired the view to the East across the Cairngorms.
Heading back towards the summit of The Cairnwell
Heading back towards the summit of The Cairnwell
A little blustery on The Cairnwell summit!
A little blustery on The Cairnwell summit!
An Acrtic Hare on the side of The Cairnwell
An Acrtic Hare on the side of The Cairnwell
As we headed back down to the car over the grassy, we passed more hares darting around. Herbie was buzzing that he was able to increase his Munro tally by 3 so easily and I was really happy with how the short day had gone. The walk was actually a great deal more enjoyable and scenic than I had expected - very underrated. On the way into Braemar for some grub, we spotted a large heard of Red Deer in the heather at the side of the road - a great day.
Red Deer in Glen Clunie
Red Deer in Glen Clunie

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Braids

It's been a while since my last blog entry as this summer has been quite busy since returning from our trip to Northern Ireland.
Hillend and Allermuir Hill from Braid Hills
Hillend and Allermuir Hill from Braid Hills
Tonight I managed to make the most of a lovely evening and have a quick blast up Blackford Hill and The Braids. Not much to report on but I did have some lovely views of Arthur's Seat and The Pentlands from the summit trig on The Braids. There was also some amazing rays from the sun coming through the clouds over Craiglockhart.
Arthur's Seat from Braid Hills
Arthur's Seat from Braid Hills
Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me but I managed to snap a few shots with my phone. Hopefully I'll have more exciting things to write about in the near future as August approaches.
Rays over Craiglockhart from Braid Hills
Rays over Craiglockhart from Braid Hills

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Slieve Donard

This week we are in Newcastle, Northern Ireland for my gran's 80th birthday celebrations. Newcastle is known as "where the dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea" and the highest of these: Slieve Donard (850m). Needless to say, when my Dad heard that we would be staying in Newcastle for the week he called me up and asked if I could take him to the top.
The summit of Slieve Donard from the Enniskeen House Hotel, Newcastle NI
The summit of Slieve Donard from the Enniskeen House Hotel, Newcastle NI
Gearing up in the lobby of the Enniskeen House Hotel, Newcastle NI
Gearing up in the lobby of the Enniskeen House Hotel, Newcastle NI
As it turned out there was a favourable break in the showery weather on a suitable day so we made a plan for the ascent. My uncle Andrew and 9 year-old cousin John where also keen to attempt the hike so I agreed to take them too - even though they lacked any suitable gear and, despite my words of wisdom, insisted on wearing jeans!
Looking Northeast back towards Newcastle from Donard Wood
Looking Northeast back towards Newcastle from Donard Wood
We pulled into the main car park and set off just after 9:30am. The path was good up through Donard Wood and as we exited out into the more open hills, the sun was shining down heavily. It was very mild and we all stopped to take a layer off, as we admired the view ahead of Eagle Rock and back down over the trees to Newcastle.
Heavy erosion to the path along the Glen River with Eagle Rock on the left
Heavy erosion to the path along the Glen River with Eagle Rock on the left
Eagle Rock, Newcastle NI
Eagle Rock, Newcastle NI
The path became wider and heavily eroded before we reached the good steps up and around the steeper slopes leading to The Mourne Wall at the bealach between Slieve Commedagh and the main summit of Slieve Donard. It was at this point that the weather changed; the clouds rolled in and the heavens opened on us. Waterproofs went on, for those who had them, while those in jeans simply had to 'get wet' - karma!
Looking Northeast back down the path from the side of Slieve Donard, Newcastle NI
Looking Northeast back down the path from the side of Slieve Donard, Newcastle NI
Heading into the mist on the side of Slieve Donard, Newcastle NI
Heading into the mist on the side of Slieve Donard, Newcastle NI
We were soon at The Wall and following it up to the summit of Slieve Donard. John and I pushed on at our own pace while Herbie tried hard to motivate Andrew at the back and get him to the top, as the rain hammered down.
Herbie and I rather wet on the side of Slieve Donard
Herbie and I rather wet on the side of Slieve Donard
John trying to encourage the older pair to get to the top!
John trying to encourage the older pair to get to the top!
At the top we found a large shelter with a trig point on top of it and after a while, the clouds lifted and we had a view. The highlight for me was the view over to Slieve Bearnagh and it's summit tors. We could also see The Mourne Wall making it's way around the Silent Valley - definitely a walk for the future and a good excuse to come back for a visit.
Looking Northeast down to Newcastle from the summit of Slieve Donard
Looking Northeast down to Newcastle from the summit of Slieve Donard
Slieve Bearnagh from the summit of Slieve Donard
Slieve Bearnagh from the summit of Slieve Donard
We descended the same way and the weather was a lot more pleasant than on the way up. The day went really well, considering the group - a nice walk.