Training Log Archive: Mark3

17th
https://fellrunner.org.uk/results.php?id=5335

A toughie. Did the first half terribly but the second half well, so ended up with a reasonable result.

I don't know the Kinder area that well so decided in advance to stick to the ba-ba™ routes. Apart from once where I listened to Julie! That was definitely a bad call.

Anyway. Fine up to the shooting cabin although legs a bit destroyed from yesterday. Then some people took a straighter line to #2 but I think staying on the trod worked well. Then from #2 I took Julie's route continuing up Mill Hill on the trod; that was a terrible choice as it was both more distance, more climb, and judging from where everyone else came out, the running going the more direct way was fine. So that was annoying. But, obvs, my own fault.

Fine to Harry Hut CP3. Then everyone around me was coming back towards me, but I trusted Nic and went straight on before peeling off to the right. Unfortunately I messed it up and stayed too high, had to climb down and up two massive stream gullys and got stuck in lots of slow heather. Came out in an acceptable place but lost a load more places here. I think if I'd have gone lower and gone down to the path like I was supposed to, this route would have been better than what others were doing.

4-5 deviated from Nic and tried to follow the grouse butts up, but followed the first line rather than the second (should have gone back to the cabin, dammit - unfortunately I was following other people at this point since my own initiative had proven to be rubbish) and there was no path at all; the straight line route would have been faster than what I did although if I did this race again I'd attempt my original plan.

Accidentally climbed over some fences (the first was what looked like a gate, and had some signs on saying 'no swimming' but nothing about 'no admittance' - but then when all the ways out were barbed wire I realised that was implied. So lost a bit of time 6-7, and again by not cutting the Upper Moor corner.

Then the main route choice leg, I tried to take Nic's line staying S of Three Knolls and going up to Kinderlow Cavern and then round. This was successful but it was really rough at the bottom and then a very steep climb. I think following the E stream all the way up is probably best here because again, if all the ways are going to be walking then the straightest is probably best.

Too far E down from Noe Stool to Jacob's ladder but I have a much better idea of that line now for Trigger. Eventually found the trod about halfway down. Then from 9 on pretty good, went up the spur and hit Brown Knoll dead on, then overtook a few people up South Head and Mount Famine; neither of which I'd been up before so nice to get in a bit of tourism.

Got a bit lost in a field and had to climb another barbed wire fence down to 13.

So significant time lost on 3,4,5,8 and some smaller amounts on 7,9,13. Basically - this would have been an excellent recce! I might come and do it again on a free day. Definitely will attempt next year as I reckon could be 15mins+ faster. Disappointing performance but a nice day out; liked the route.

https://fellrunner.org.uk/results.php?id=5330

Excellent to be able to do a lot of the Peak Skyline route in a reasonable temperature. Comparing the times, can't quite believe how slowly I was running on that day!
Good race, very well signed and marshalled, whole thing runnable. Hardest bit was the rocky track uphill straight from the start; struggled here and was probably in about 15th at the top and behind the first two girls. As soon as we got to the downhill though, worked through to 6th place and had 5th in the distance but not getting any closer for the majority of the race.whenever we got to a hill, 7th would pass, and I'd get him back on the down. Then on the last (technical) descent into Goyt's Moss I decided I had to get a gap due to the uphill finish - so I was right on the edge and veering over it on a few occasions, just managed to stay upright but it was a close call. Put about a minute on 7th and caught 5th near the bottom, finally. All the way up the other side I was expecting one or both to come past, but they never did, so I think I was 5th. Pleased with the performance, felt to be running well and the segment times all reflect that.

Short loop, achilles still not quite ready for road group, aches for the first few km before becoming fine.
Put some effort in for a segment third place, would need to knock another 5s off for the victory which would be some achievement on a 30s sprint. But I'll give it a go next time!
Found a good hill segment to try harder on too.

Short slow one tonight, mainly discussing possible transvulcania trip next year.

Seemingly unaffected from yesterday; weird.
Tuesday usually a flat day but it was a nice evening, probably not many left now so had another jaunt up shining tor, this time putting in some effort.
Felt to be running ok on the non hilly bits.

Ill overnight :( so just went for a walk today