Training Log Archive: Nathan

Was really up for this race as soon as i woke up. Wanted to do a lot better than i had done the previous day. Was first English starter in my class with Harrison and Adam 5 and 10 minutes behind me. I tried not to let this bother me but it did a little, yet i think this helped me as the slight nerves it gave me spurred me to do even better. Number one was ok, heading round the path and looping in up on to the hill, but i think the left path may have been easier (the control was in the middle of 2 V shaped paths). Exit from number 1 lost me about 20 seconds i thought, tried to go a bit too straight and got caught but then out on to the path, across the open following the line of a hill an then a bearing off the path which lead me nicely in to the control. Straight again to number 3 and nailed it and then the same again to 4 as there had been forestry work and i found a ride that lead straight to it. Number 5 had a few route choices but i thought i coped quite well, aiming through all the green and open etc, to hit the path near the lake and then work in from there, worked a treat but was a little tiring bashing through all the rough stuff. Headed straight across the open to nail 7 then up the spur/ridge in to 7. Straight again to 8 then path route to number 9 letting myself stretch my legs and looped in off the back of the road. Lost time on 10 (20secs) because i was too far right. Paths to the open then across in the green for 11 then long looping path around the forest in to 12. Straight through to 13&14 both of which were fine barring another mishap on 14 (15-120secs) as i was too far right. Took the straight route rather than going round to 15 which i lost time to the others on (40-50secs) and straight again to 16 again losing maybe 20 seconds. Straight through the green to the path for 17 and then straight again to the last control.
Was 1st in the interland competition, but Ali Masson who was our reserve beat me by about a minute and 30, which looking at the small errors i made could easily have been caught up, but fair play to him and well done. Was about an minute and a half ahead of Harrsion and 3 minutes or so ahead of Adam. Was really pleased with my race but would have liked to cut out the 20 second errors and 40 seconds. Still, onwards and upwards.

Running with drills for warm up.

Joggin back to the bus with the others.

First race of the interland weekend, used is as training as much as anything else but ended up racing it. Fine through 1 and 2 and then 3 was a near miss of ten seconds, as was 4. 5 was fine, mistake on 6 lost about a minute then 7 and 8 were clean. A minute and a half lost on 9 and then probably 2 mins lost on 10. Back to 11 was fine and then finish. All mistakes were due to low concentration and not checking the map or giving myself enough time to get in to the area

Jogging and drills with adam and then a gentle jog after.

Travelling to interland

Bit of a stressful day, exam results A's in GCSE sciences (all 3) and a C in AS economics. Headed out along the roads to the fields, extended loop around to frolesworth along the roads. Feeling very up for this weekends races in Holland.
This week my knee has felt far better so touch wood it's getting better.

Few more drills to improve my economy

Played a football academy today that play footy every day so drawing 1-1 was a massive result, scored the opener

http://www.inov-8.com/new/global/Product-View-Bare...
genuinely considering buying these for o-ing

Run with harriet through the fields mostly, a bit more recovery work to keep myself ticking over ready for the weekend. Didn't really feel that up for it but enjoyed it when i got out there. Out towards Dunton Basset on fields, through the village, then more fields through to Stenburgh Mill, an back to Leire. Knee felt a bit swollen and painful on the run but nothing i couldn't manage with. Also strangely now that I've stopped running, it's gone down a lot and is barely noticeable pain which i haven't had before, so this looks like a positive.

Lovely day for it, headed out just as the sun was setting. Headed out down the road on to the playing field then up through the road to the road again. Back along the road again, left at frolesworth back along the bumpy road to leire. Really enjoyed it. Legs loosened up from the weekend after about 200-300 metres which was nice as it meant i could just run. Knee hurt a little but was much better than it has been on roads for a long time, still doing exercises but looks like it should be getting better. Could have pushed a lot harder today but forced myself not to as it wouldn't help me. Really looking forward to Holland with the ROM and Interland this weekend.

Used as i guess a warm down but starting to do these a lot more in the next few weeks as knee support affects running style so tried to adapt my running style on my recovery run and then used drills to just tweak it a little so should improve over the next couple of weeks.