Training Log Archive: IanW

Up to Shotover, bit icy on the roads in places still meant wheel slipped a couple of times.

Saturday Series at Shotover, didn't feel particularly fluid physically but the navigation was generally good, admittedly on an area I know well. Some interesting route choice options on some legs meant some discussion after the run. Hills really took it out of me, physically still not quite right.

GPS distance - 6.45km

Training after the Saturday series - prologue run. Navigation was far worse on this one - poor route to #1, #2 was missing, eased past #3, too low and distance judgement was terrible. Almost made stupid mistake on path network to #6, then confused on way to #10 when thought I was on track then saw a (turned out to be the) flag, which was hung on the wrong clearing...

GPS distance - 2.8km

Shotover training Part II - originally was going to be a handicap chase, but practicalities meant traditional chasing sprint was easier. Was just under 3 mins down on Jon & Scott after the prologue, with Matt and Rich in between. Far far cleaner on this run, really quite happy as pushing the running a bit harder. Renegade route choice to #1 took out Rich's 20" lead, sighted Matt leaving #2 and overtook him on way to #4. Round to #9 cleanly, 10" wobble on #10 but saw Jon's back as got higher climbing out. Jon & Scott were in sight at #11, drifted too far right at #12 but found the nicer route down the stream and overtook Jon. One last slog up the hill to the final control, got there but couldn't see kite immediately or work out from map what feature it was on. Quick look around didn't find it, then Scott came crashing through, found the flag and lost his glasses in the holly on the way out - so ultimately a hollow "victory"...

Good training though, and good preparation for next Saturday, which will probably be more visible which will make the chase interesting.

GPS distance - 3.35km

Walk/jog collecting a few controls in, absolutely knackered by the end of things. Fortunately it's down the hill to get home...

Warm up/hanging last few 'controls' for this evening.

Hills session in South Park. 3 sets of 4 x 1' (90" jog down), 3' between sets. Legs felt a bit heavy, ground underfoot quite wet and muddy in places including the steeper bit of slope.

Average distance per rep ~235m

Back home after hills

Some cycling round Oxford in the evening to "hang controls" for tomorrow evening's street event, some minor additions made to the hastily-constructed map near a couple of controls. Will be a challenge to get the lot in 45 minutes...

Run round the shortest hospital loop, still icy in places, Cowley Marsh was indeed a marsh with the snowmelt, really muddy underfoot in other places. Shin complaining a little bit, not a good sign...

In away from the grim weather - even if the squash court was a little cold, it was relative bliss. Plus a bit of stretching after the session as muscles feeling a little tight.