Training Log Archive: Duncan

Got a good group out to Worlebury Woods against all advice. Had planned on doing the blue but ended up shadowing round the Yellow and Orange. Didn't get into the brambles that everyone else was moaning about so felt like I missed out! Need to go back for the proper experience. Cheers to James H for the lift.

Cold. Was regretting committing to this on the way there but glad I went.

Wasn't that bothered where I came but top 3 was the aim, just didn't really want to have to race for it. Was getting some water before the start so missed it and had to start from the back of the field. Got to the front at the foot of the first uphill and there were a few of us all together. Put a bit of effort in up the second uphill to get a gap along the top which I managed to extend surprisingly so was feeling pretty comfortable. On the road descent though I got caught pretty rapidly, we had a hard race along the flat but I couldn't keep it up over the last hundred meters and finished 2nd. 2s off the PB though in the cold. Don't really think I could have won.

Trained to Abergavenny and rode 5km to Pantigelly with Matt and Chris (first time fell-racer).

Did the race in first year finishing 3rd so I knew roughly what to expect. After a bit of a cock-up at the start (again) I was okay up the steep tarmac but was still around a lot of old guys even though I definitely wasn't taking it easy. Steady up the track with Ben G while a couple of guys were getting away.

The gap was getting dangerously large as we got into the open so I had to put a fair amout of effort in to jump across but I managed it just in time before we got onto the fell proper. I switched into BOFRA mode at this point - shadowing the leader all the way to the top which worked well.

Should have overtaken him right at the top but wanted a rest so let him begin the descent in front which was a mistake as he was fairly decent and I could catch him but not pass him. Coming round the side I slipped on some frozen mud and he got away. Was faster this time on the descent and managed to catch him back up, tried to hide from the wind to the side of him but he was pretty sharp and closed that one down.

Before the mini-climb I knew I didn't want to race him along the ridge so put in a good hard effort about a third of the way up to try and shake him off. At first I didn't think I'd got it but then he did seem to drop off.

Forced myself to keep my head forward on the remainder of the descent so the same thing wouldn't happen as earlier in the day. Happy, good trip, Matt was 12th and Chris was in the top half. Def wanna get to some more before Christmas.

C • well done 8

BOK-UBOC Intervals. 1min, 2min, 3min, 4min, 3min. Maybe a little fast on the first but def wasn't pushing as hard as Tuesday on the later ones. Need to do some long runs.

3x control pick, Line, Timed course. Me, Matt, Mark, Ali, Abi, Tristan, Ingy, Alex.

First proper interval session since before JWOC. Wanted to go last week before Oxford but ran out of time. 7*800m. Started off steady and was a lot more comfortable than was expecting. Was doing about 2.50s and peaked at 2.42. Surprised at how well I was running, managed to push harder than I thought I would, need to find my times from last time I did this session.

Went down to Coombe Dingle with John but Dave wasn't there so we just did the warm-up from my old program.

From the water tower, Ladies Mile, Suspension Bridge, nice bits of Clifton, Triangle > Roo Bar.