Training Log Archive: Mark3

Planned to start quite early, but up at 6am greeted by thick mist, decided to hang around for a bit. Some great inversion views when just the peaks were visible above the clouds. Still misty when I started but above 200m or so it was fine - should've started earlier and so run more in the cooler temperatures. It was HOT. Took the path off Rannerdale thanks to the warning on the map about steep cliffs, but actually looking back at the face, it would've been fine, many people won't straight down with no issue. Made first mistake at stream, didn't drink anything or fill up bottle. Planned to do this at next stream up Grasmoor...but it was dry - and there was no more water for literally hours.did I mention it was rather warm? Grasmoor was an hour of constant climbing and was really tough after yesterday, my quads didn't appreciate it at all. Felt ok at the top though but intimidated about how much there was still to come.
Nice ridge run up and down to Causey Pike. Messed up the last bit of the descent following the wrong person but thought would take the opportunity to go to the river - however it was 20m lower down in a gorge and I didn't fancy getting back up again, so had to wait another 10 mins.
Stopped waist deep in the river to cool off and drink a lot of water.also took my shoes off to take the accumulated rocks out (maybe buy some kind of debris guards? Do they work?) And retie laces better. Probably stationary for 10 mins which is the most I ever have been on a race, but after more than 3 hours without water I needed it.

Really struggling both physically and psychologically up Catbells and strongly thinking about retiring at Honister. Overtook 2nd place from day 1 who said he had a toe problem...and was going to retire at Honister. This made it even more likely that I would too until my competitive steak took over and I realised I'd be one place higher overall if I stuck it out. I think this is the closest I've ever come to giving up without being injured - I just felt dreadful.

After getting more water at the tarn and going down to Honister though, felt a bit better.although it was harsh being able to see the campsite at Buttermere from Brandreth and then still knowing you had a third of the course to go. Probably made some bad nav choices along the ridge to Red Pike against the people who know the area and know where the trods are, but managing to keep moving ok.pretty unpleasant descent and then really starting to feel like an ultra distance runner (ie, running but barely above walking pace) back along Buttermere.
One of the longest, hardest days I've done, and the longest hardest day as part of a multi day event.

7th, still 4th overall. Pleased to finish.

Feeling good for this despite the 3am wake up in order to get to the Lakes on time. Safe route to 1 which was dubious about at the time and thought it was a mistake, but planner's route (gg, no less) thinks it was the right call.controls fairly straightforward as expected.
Grim climb up through heather to Dodd but then some nice ridgelines. It was a very hot day and very conscious of not having suncream on. Glad I had a cap, although note to self, buy a better cap rather than using a free one which has no tightening mechanism. Cap seems to have kept my face from burning but nothing has stopped.my arms/hands unforts.one interesting route choice (hopefully routegadget will appear) and then some hard climbs to the finish.
Had mentally budgeted 7 hours so 7:20 not a bad estimate.didn’t feel injured although hips were definitely tightening up. Stopped to fill water bottle more often than I ever have before in a mm.easily ate 2 packs of shot bloks but only managed 4 energy bars, found it hard to eat enough in the heat.
Strange to be at the campsite socialising in the sunshine rather than huddling inside!Very un-MM like.
Currently lying 4th on the Expert course out of about 40, think this is pretty good.

Fancied the Buxworth 5 but there has been a work meal arranged for ages, and it's Indian, and I like Indian :)

Packing for the weekend - race bag at c.2kgs so should feel light after what I was training with.

Indian (Eastern Revive, Wilmslow) excellent if a touch pricy.

C • Lager? 1

Mostly ok, but some poor route choices caused by not adapting to the map.

It was faster to stay on the paths as much as possible before the undergrowth was often pretty bad. Doing this alright until 6 but then failed to plan my exit route, should've come back the same way but instead forged on and got stuck in grot.

Mistake on 10, control was much further down the slope than I expected. Then good until 19 where tried to go straight across some white which wasn't.

Not bad for an evening event really, but I definitely prefer evening fell races.

Shocking - didn't even win every leg:
https://www.mdoc.org.uk/results-archive/2018/2018-...

Fairly straightforward o.

Bit of a jog around lyme park as I was there anyway. The parkrun hill felt much longer and steeper than it does during parkrun!

Working through my massive to-do list