Author: clarehappiestoutdoors

I'm a keen runner, hill walker, occasional yogi, fan of Pilates, and most importantly, lover of the outdoors! I'm not a munro bagger - I just enjoy being out and about. Married to Bruce (@BruceRussell16), a better photographer than I, who currently provides the majority of the hill photographs - thanks Bruce!

Hill of Rowan

Racing tomorrow, miles in my legs this week, and a husband keen to get up a hill, thankfully the routes he offered were easy. I opted for the shortest of two, Hill of Rowan. Down Glen Esk, we headed for Tarfside where we parked. Along this road is a Folk Museum with a fine tearoom. … Continue reading Hill of Rowan →

Toughing it out

Today was the first run of the plan where I’ve really felt I’ve struggled to hit and maintain the pace required. All things considered I guess this isn’t that bad - after all, I’m now onto the eighth consecutive week of training and last week was one of the highest mileage weeks in some time; … Continue reading Toughing it out →

2019 Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half Marathon

I love this race. It’s my PB course. This year had to be different though. Training for a marathon, the training plan advised I run this at the sharp end of long run pace rather than as a race. Had I known I wouldn’t be racing in all honesty I’d probably not have entered as … Continue reading 2019 Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half Marathon →

Long Run & Clachnaben Walk

After yesterday’s wind we woke to a calm day today. Unfortunately this also meant ground frost and disappointment for the golfer of the house (no winter eclectic competition due to winter greens). Thus, he fancied a hill day instead. The runner of the house had other ideas though, in the shape of the first 16 … Continue reading Long Run & Clachnaben Walk →

Stonehaven’s Delights

Having done my long run yesterday, the intention for today was to head for the hills. Bruce, having been out yesterday and experiencing the powdery snow that made walking challenging, was less than inclined to head back out for more of the same today. The decision was therefore made to run an easy 6 miles … Continue reading Stonehaven’s Delights →

Ice, snow … the joys of winter training

This week the weather has been somewhat irritating. Being Winter ‘bad’ weather is to be expected; sadly it does not assist in the enjoyment of winter training. Making it through our long run last weekend, only having a short section of icy ground that was avoided by running along the verge, I felt positive about … Continue reading Ice, snow … the joys of winter training →

Marathon Training is Underway with the Hanson Method

Marathon training is now underway for London. After much deliberation, browsing of plans and reading reviews and blogs, I have opted to shake things up a little. I was a bit disappointed in my last marathon attempt, Fort William, finding myself a few minutes slower than the year before despite having completed a longer marathon … Continue reading Marathon Training is Underway with the Hanson Method →

Lumphanan Detox 10k: the baseline

With a total of 66.72 miles run in December (35.83 of which were during the last 8 days of the month) I was less than convinced about the prospect of running at all well at Lumphanan. However, with marathon training looming large on the horizon I felt I needed to get a baseline in order … Continue reading Lumphanan Detox 10k: the baseline →

Last Outing of the Year: Pressendye

In an ideal world we’d have finished the year as we started - on a munro. However, the weather had other ideas, and with the prospect of blustery tops and cloud we decided to stay lower instead. The plan was therefore to head for Ballater to do the Seven Bridges Walk. No arrangements had been … Continue reading Last Outing of the Year: Pressendye →