Training Log Archive: White Kenyan

Went to All Euro Day with Angus. Needed a rest too.

WU with Dante - feeling much better but a little tight now and then

Mt Barker post 4 Peaks - 1st

Wasn't sure on whether I would be able to run at all earlier in the week, but legs felt much better after two ice baths yesterday in Angus's pool. Some punter took it out quicker than I wanted but just sat on him with Dante and then just eased myself round. Crusiy.

5.50; 5.50; 5.40.

WD with Dante and Simon

Mt Barker Park

Shadowing Toby and Lucy

Mt Barker PS

3 similar courses head to head rotating between all 3 each round on one of my new maps. Good fun and hot in the sun.

2 x Woorabinda. Feeling much better after some ice baths today.

Two broken men (me and Joe) plodding around Yarra Bend with Suki.

Very heavy legs to Collingwood, along the Merri and back.

4 Peaks Day 4 - Mystic

Horrible rainy day but was felling good despite the three races before. Ice baths in the river working a treat along with good stretching. Knew 2nd was pretty much secured - Joe now in 3rd and about 4 minutes down. Once on the climbs I was struggling in the Saucony Swerves - they had treated well the other days but today was going to be tough on such steep climbs and with so much rain. Took a little slip heading up the start of the major climb coming of the track and the group got slightly away. Could see the GB bum cheeks (shorts) of Woodley getting further away in the group and I began to think I might somehow lose 2nd in the GC. They were working well in a group and I had one guy in front as a carrot. Just woke hard despite being grim to the top and got him and left him on the landing strip at the first summit. Then pushed on downhill and on the undulations to the base of the final climb. Chucking it down now and really misty but caught sight of one of the guys who was in the group which kept me pushing hard. Things soon got steep with mini rivers running down the tracks due to the heavy rain and Woodleys GB bum cheeks, pushed hard and was within a few metres of him at the top. Thought he would get away on the downhill due to me feeling tired now and my shoes but knew 2nd in GC was now confirmed so a sigh of relief after my earlier worry. Really struggled in the Swerves on the down hill which was really steep and wet to start with so Woodley got away. Skepski over took me here I was struggling that bad - but fair play to him he was having a good day which he deserved. Pushed on down the hill once possible but legs were getting really tired here. Just had to keep pushing. Once out the woods, a bit flatter in comparison and had to push on to keep moving. La Sportiva guys at bend in the track and later commented to say me, Joe and Nathan where the only ones to take the direct racing line down the earthbank - orienteers!! Things began to flatten out now and I flat like I had triathlon legs once on the flat but pushed on to the finish knowing I was almost there and to minimise my time lose to Joe. Horrible rainy day but a great sense of accomplishment after all 4 races and so happy to do a 1-2-3 on the podium with Nathan and Joe - a little bit of history for the Scholars! Won a Lowe Alpine bag which was great as I needed a medium sized bag as I only have a small OMM bag or massive backpack. More BBQ hot dogs after. Great low key but professional event.

4 Peaks Day 3 - Mt Hotham - 3rd.

Easy and flatfish first 6k along the valley basin. Had planned to all run together but Nathan took off when Byron had a go as he was not running tomorrow. In a group of 4 with Joe, Ash and Baldy. Me and Joe got some distance gradually before the climb. Through the river and up the first climb - like a wall. Joe took things on and I used him to carry me up. I was mostly power climbing/walking and pretty much the same speed. Got a sense Joe was tiring a little so was just about to take over when he gave me the nod to take over, but he was pretty knackered and popped slightly. So just had to go alone from here. Worked on up the hill to 60 minutes as I knew this is where it would flatten out, so it was just a case of getting to 60 minutes. Then pushed on along the ridge but it was pretty over grown. Could see the olympic cross country skier close behind but was not worried as had easily beat him the previous day - he was strong on the hills. Due to the nature of the second climb and the real wall, we came together here. Power climbing up to the top was real tough and steep. Kept getting false tops and tried to start running too early on multiple occasions but once we left the trees knew we were onto the steady ride climb and past the worst of it. Started running and he soon popped to my surprise, thought we were going to have a battle to the finish - more of a climber than a runner. Running along the ridge was great, no spectator views compared to yesterday but up in the clouds and had a real perspective of how high we were. Getting filmed by the La Sportiva guys here and was just loving everything in the moment. Had a real sense of this is the reason why I run which happens every now and then when everything adds up. Let out a battle cry Tommy H style and pushed to the end albeit with some cheeky GoPro footage to capture the moment!Big stage out the way relativity hassle free, my approach into breaking it up into sections worked extremely well. GC looking good. Knew 2nd was pretty much secured. Nice hot chocolate in the hut at the top.