Training Log Archive: Nathan

Turns out our gaffle was 300m longer. Started well with the pack, took the path with Will and the others to 2 then lost time on 3 to work hard on 4 to catch up. Pathed again when I should have gone straight on 6, hesitant on 7 with codes. Recaught the pack on 8, slip with hesitation on 11, slow hill on 12 then was ahead of Will and Matt at spectator and trying to close Andrew. Hesitant on 14, Matt got ahead, Will steadily caught me on 18 then beat me in, twisted ankle on run in.

Not a bad race, definitely slow but came in the middle pack. nav was better but still mistakes.

Out from home mulling over the weekend. I don't know what to do with training but I think my focus will be strength and endurance. Orienteering will be a bit of a detox, start fresh in the summer and try to build confidence up slowly, maybe hit the blues at local events if I go at all.

A bit in assembly getting the legs going, then round the model after the bus, drills before start.

British long champs 11.3k SL

Yet another poor race. Started out ok, poor route and circle on 3 meant I dropped 2 mins possibly. Then steady through the next3, slip in the circle on7 and working up the hill to 8. Fine to the road crossing apart from 3 really. Mistake then on 12 after the crossing and slow on 13 to make sure. Up off the hill to 14 and saw Aidan chasing me down which just ruined me to be honest. Couldn't be bothered from there. Moving ok through 14, 15 and 16 but not quickly, just plodding along, I simply couldn't make myself. Aidan got ahead on 19 where we dropped 4 minutes together and by that time I was sorely fed up and more or less done, physically and mentally. Moved through to spectator but was being sick after that, completely bonked and just crawled in to finish.

This is a brief evaluation, I've done more for myself and in my head but generally I just didn't enjoy it which made me run worse. As I've been told before, I'd lost the race before I started because I told myself I wasn't good enough. Physically I know I have to be in the right shape with training I've done, but I realise I'm not strong enough running especially on hills. Orienteering wise, my map contact and entry is weak and that leads to me dropping time I've noticed. 2 long races in a row now that have mattered and I was rubbish. Haven't been happy with a run since Lakes 5 day 2. I don't really think I've said what I want to here and to be honest I don't know if I can. I have almost no confidence with orienteering so apart from pre entered races I think I might have a break for a bit. I don't know.

Couldn't face going out, shin quit painful.

Easy k warm up, then steady run around the dunton loop, feeling quite run down.

Kept it pretty easy but felt like tough work. Calves quite tight and just generally a bit uncomfortable. Revision is taking priority now to be honest, training will dip for a month or two so will probably do more speed work/short stuff to keep the intensity. The odd long one but generally short.

Revision commitments

Rolling and an easy day