Training Log Archive: Nathan

Easy 90 on the southern trails. Pretty uneventful, ran along the beech for a bit to see some jellies but otherwise just a bit warm. Felt miles better today, still a bit leggy but no pain.

Easy 20 pb, sluggish. Not sure how I'm going to respond running faster later.

Sprint in to Spring 4, RMIT Bundoora - 1st.

Very flat on the WU and head wasn't all there before hand, definitely still recovering from the weekend. Settled ok but was never really planning and took some poor routes on 3 and 4. Settled again after 5 but it still felt a bit of a grind. Overall not terrible but felt a little out of touch and lacking flow, running was a grind but held on for the win.

Hanging training and shadowing.

Easy pre breakfast with a detour for some oats.

Shoved some tunes on and got on with it. Out and back on the cliffs. Pain has subsided but felt knackered.

Got back from Gippsland late and was just wiped out, ran out of time so no point in going out again.

Easy PB. Legs marginally less painful but ups and downs hurting.

Super stressful night and day. Working at a camp in Rawson and got out for a run before dinner. Hadn't realised how much I dropped and didn't enjoy the climb back too much. Legs fairly shot but don't feel any worse for getting out.

4 Peaks day 4 - Mystic Hill, 1st.

Absolutely appalling weather, clag way way down, windy and absolutely bucketing down. Kinda loved it though, crazy weather to end a crazy weekend of racing. To be honest, a tiny bit of vanity crept in here along with a good dose of just seeing what I could do after 3 hard days of racing. Set off with intent and was solo from the line really. Made sure to be sensible on the first climb, tapping out as much as was reasonable then working hard on the walking sections after. Hit the fire trail and tried to push on but jelly legs hit a little here and it took me a little time to get working. Really tough 2nd climb, walked the 2 steep sections and ran the middle marginally flatter bit to hit the rounded top with a decent lead. Meandering climb round felt tough but got going on the descent from Mystic on to the ridge line which actually turned out to be the hardest bit of running all week! Pushed hard on the rolls down and just tried to keep moving on the ups. Hit the very top and knew it was all down so chucked myself off and dashed down the steep/treacherous descent through the woods. Water and rocks made this really dicey but got through unscathed and out to the open section and down through the woods back to the road. Half had Pete's time in mind from last year and didn't realise the course was a little shorter than advertised so didn't think it was on until it was nearly too late. Got it by 1s but missed out on the CR by 1s! Still, can't complain given the conditions and the 3 days before.
Absolutely awesome weekend of racing, definitely my highlight so far and nice to have gotten the overall and 4 wins. Would definitely be keen for more of this kind of racing in the future.

4 Peaks Day 3 - Mt. Hotham, 1st.

Miserable day with the clag right down and a bit of a chill. Had a comfortable lead going in to the race but quickly broke with the decided tactic with the boys and ran my own race again. Bryan wasn't running the last day so set out with purpose so I decided to go with him and see what would happen. Tailed him along the river, keeping relaxed and checking any significant attacks. Played the sit and kick game nicely today. Let Bryan lead the first long, sitting on his heels up the steep climb up to the ridgeline then made sure to close the big attacks he was making on the flatter section quickly. Hit the bottom of the "wall" feeling alright and decided to make my move here. Stuck to my planned tactic of walking it all and it worked a treat, climb was relentless but pushed myself to keep moving up it and the gap quickly grew. Loved the ridge run at the top, didn't absolutely flog myself but just rolled with it to the finish. Probably my favourite day, brutal slogging climbs, epic.