Training Log Archive: AliMas

Overnight Camp

Overnight camp was cold, we ate slightly too chewy food, then attempted bed at about 19.00, we didn’t sleep that much, it was cold.

Day 2

Gave Tim the slightly heavier pack just in case we had a repeat of the day 1 antics but for some reason I was feeling positive we could have a good day. Almost missed our start as thought it was chasing but we made it near enough on time feeling readyish to go. It was a creaky start for the legs, but they loosened off after a while and we were moving okay. Caught sight of the leader’s pain train ahead on the way down to #5 which confirmed we were doing alright. Took the round route to 6 with more on paths which I think was a good call as it was just nice for legs to be moving even if it was a little slower time wise. Climb up to #7 was a tough slog then had some good legs for a while taking nice lines, caught sight of Jim and Nic again going up the wall climb after #11. Tricky control into #12 which we got nicely and could now see we were on their tails. Followed their line down to the wall to #13 since the bracken seemed minging but looking at the splits it can’t have been too bad and contouring would’ve been better. When going along the wall, Nic randomly emerged from the bracken right behind us so we had some racing again. We rotated the lead a couple of times due to a little miss from us on #14 then the four of us were in a train until after the nasty climb out of #15 where they were just stronger and pulled away. Cruised into the finish having had a good day, both evenly paced today, kept strong for most and zero voms so happy with that.

Aim before the race was podium and to be honest we were closer to Albon and his friend than I might have expected so given what happened on Day 1 I think it was a good result, and of course, we’ll be back.

OMM 2018 Black Mountains

A big race for Timothy and me this one, with quite a lot of effort put in to get ourselves in good shape for it. My final lead up wasn’t ideal with a lingering cough/cold and a slightly suspect knee but overall the prep was good, and we were confident that we could perform well without having to do anything particularly special. After our experiences at the LAMM we made sure to pack plenty of food and just take the hit with a little bit of extra weight. It was going to be nippy, but we decided against taking any clothing, accepting that the night would be not be pleasant whether we had an extra layer or not.

Day 1

Had a little faff on the first control making sure we got the right small path up through the bracken, but we settled into things nicely and were running well without it feeling like too much of an effort. Caught sight of Nic and Jim on the way to #5 which was a good boost, but we also didn’t want to get too carried away. Punched #5 just behind them then had some fun taking different lines and routes, which were all similar, until #10 where we managed to pull away. My compass broke on the way to #9 but luckily the visibility was all good so didn’t really need it. We had a slight wobble to #11 nicely bashing through some gorse beforehand then took a good line round and down to #12.

On this leg I noticed that I felt bloated and didn’t feel too amazing but wasn’t really bothered and thought it was probably better to be full now and have energy later anyway. Then on the way to #13, just over 3 hours in, having just popped in a few jelly babes, I was suddenly and violently sick. Oh, that’s not great. Tim took my bag and we quickly continued to plod up the hill, both hoping that I would feel better again sharpish. I obviously needed to replenish my stocks to avoid dehydration and bonking so drank a bit of water and nibbled a very small amount of cereal bar. A few minutes later having just passed a team, I was very suddenly and very violently sick again, numerous times, completely emptying my stomach. Oh dear, this was bad now. It took a couple of goes but I got off the floor and when I did I felt like Thomas Wilson night out levels of spacey with ringing ears too. I also was not overly keen on eating again right away. We continued up the hill with Tim doing an excellent job of keeping me positive and letting me set the pace. I don’t remember when but at some point around here it had started to snow too which was very picturesque.. Neither of us said anything but I think after the second vom retirement had crossed both our minds. Luckily #14 was downhill and we took an okay line, which I’m slightly surprised about since Tim was letting me set the pace and I was just running down without much clue of what was going on. Jim and Nic came back past us shortly after this one and the next leg was quite the suffer and we bled a lot of time. About half way through the leg, roughly 45mins-1hour after the initial vom, I managed to stomach a shot block, and after that we picked up a bit and I could give Tim some relief from double bagging. From there on in it was just a grind trying to limit our loses as much as possible. It was tricky finding a balance between eating and gagging, as well as, a balance whether it was best for Tim to take my pack or not.

In the end it was quite surprising how close to the leaders we finished, wouldn’t have been possible had Tim not been so strong so huge kudos to the big man and thanks very much for looking after me.
It’s a frustrating thing to have happened as clearly, I let the team down but I’m not exactly sure why it happened. At first, I thought I must have over eaten but I hadn’t actually eaten that much so maybe it was the water, maybe it was something I ate, maybe it was the something else, who knows.

Easy along the Pontypool canal with Tim.

Easy lap of the Seat with Tim and Andy.

Easy on the Seat with Tim and Matt, also bumped into Richard. Good stuff.

2x 5(1) on KF

Planned on 3 but breathing felt quite difficult on the second so called it a day. A little frustrating really.