The last half of 2012 has seen me suffer badly from tendonitis deep within my knee and my fitness was waning as quickly as my tummy was swelling 😉 but all is not lost as finally during the 6 weeks prior to Christmas I made it back to some form of pain-free consistent training, happy days. And as I am about to go under the surgeon’s knife on the 18th of January I decide on a final burst of effort and set myself a special little Xmas Holiday Challenge , to run the Borders Abbey Way over a long weekend.
The Borders Abbey Way is a 65 mile long trail that circumnavigates the best of the Scottish Borders, taking you on your way between 4 ancient Abbeys. It’s a trail that I have used in part but never really followed it in its entirety so I thought why not give it a go and it’s always good to put a goal down while looking for a new adventure 🙂
the Borders Abbey Way …. follow the post 😉
There is nothing extreme about this trail as it travels over hills and through forests . then across farmland and by riverside path for the rest. It is however exceptionally beautiful and constantly varied in its journey. Never was I bored, at every turn there was always something different appearing on the Horizon. In fact I was actually buzzing for the next stage to see what was there , and I live here !! Yes , it is THAT good.
Jedburgh Abbey
Running it over a long weekend the daily mileage was reasonably comfortable , and the climbing shallow and easy-going, so even without loads of training I was able to enjoy it all. A hill runner would run this route in its entirety , a cautious trail runner might on occasion walk the odd hill but still enjoy the trail either side. I recommend this to everyone from walker to Ultra runner. It is a fantastic journey from start to finish and one that I will return . I will have to be patient though as I have an operation and a fair bit of training to do before then , but at least now I know the “Way” 🙂
Melrose Abbey ..
Kelso Abbey
Back in no time:)
Nice one Mark – great pics! It’s amazing what’s on our doorstep. The Scottish Borders sure is a perfect location!
cheers Kenny , it sure is 🙂 plenty to do when get involved !!
Thanks mate. may make this my Feb challenge. Do it in 2 goes:-) May, I said !
nice one Johnny , its a cracking trail
Looks cracking ;o)
hey JB ,its no hill race but its a brilliant trail
Nice one Mark, Santa brought me fantastic Salamon Speedcross III for Christmas so I might need to try them out on this (section at a time 😀 )
Hey Vix 🙂 nice one !! A great shoe . I look forward to getting some cross country runs with you then . I’ve got loads up my sleeve 🙂