Training Log Archive: philm64

Rodway Mangotsfield 6 miles "off road" race - billed as "A PLEASANT MULTI – TERRAIN RACE OVER 6 MILES ON TRAFFIC FREE TRACKS AND FIELDS" - so as it's been raining i assumed it would be muddy so wore my O shoes (mud claw). Oh - about 75% of the course was on tarmca cycle tracks. Pace at start very easy, was right at front, "jogging". Felt great but as the road sections continued (to my dismay) so I suffered. Lost contact at half way with the chasing group & the leading woman caught me - she clearly a good road runner. Then we hit mud but then i fell over heavily. This was pretty much the death knell, though once i'd recovered I caught the chasers again in more mud (I LIKE MUD!), and was in joint second with 2 miles to go. Sadly it was all uphill road running, and my Mud Claws were wrong for this, so i foldedl totally. 5th, 2nd Vet, winner 90seconds ahead. had to have first aid on gashed knee & shin after - totally caked in mud . never mind - won a £70 easy runner voucher -to go on a pair of suitable shoes.....?

BOK Saturday Leigh woods green course - as a warm up for tomorrw, took it very easy & just trundled / jogged around course. Nice. Concentration slipped near end & lost 30 secs due to not being fully awake, but otherwise, very pleasant and the fastest course I've done in Leigh woods - it kept away from the mud-slide slopes - excellent. Mark Burley was about 100seconds quiicker, but he lost 4 mins at the last control! Legs fine, everything felt great. Bring on the 6 mile off road race tomorrow....

usual gym weights session at lunchtime. plus cycle there & back. good.

band practice. no sport.

Undercover rock roped indoor climbing with Sam Bloor - enjoyable - led 2 6a+ routes, so quite pleasing but miles off last year's form. no biggie. then pub. beer & crisps. which is what its all about. felt good.

Back early from Cardiff, running before 5pm. Headed out with no real plan but wrapped up in 4 tops, hat & gloves, but immediately felt very fit & bouncy. Ran hard up hills to reach Redcatch park where i did a lap & a half on the hard grass, including a measured 100m at a fast pace in 21.5 seconds (slower than my half marathon pace from 1990!). Underterred I kept it going, lapping the Nothern Slopes, which was great on the grass, and only started to suffer after 25/26 mins. Tried to maintain some semblance of form in Victoria park at the end, but it was difficult; last minute was very slow on purpose - warm down. 44 mins.9.2 km 142m climb / 5.75 miles. A great training run. Have decided to do Rodway 6 mile XC race on Sunday now. I'm ready!

http://www.mapometer.com/running/route_2873045.htm...

Knackered . Course in Cardiff- early starts. Grim. Rest.