Training Log Archive: Mark3

Easy recovery loop. Feeling fine actually.

4th. Winner c.4:40, 2nd/3rd 4:50.

Happy with the result. Weather forecast had been really miserable (heavy rain and high winds) so was wearing coat under race vest (on the assumption it wouldn't be coming off), 3/4s and 3/4 wproofs.

Started a minute behind N (which he didn't realise apparently and thought I was ahead of him the whole time) and I think third from last. The guy who started a minute behind me overtook after about a mile so I knew I wouldn't be seeing him again (he won).

First couple of miles uninteresting but became better once got out onto the moors. Feeling too hot in all the clothes but not quite enough to remove any of them - actually more bothered about the excessive sweating meaning I drank more than expected and so had to stop more to refill. No problems to cp2 at malham and implemented my planned route choice alternative successfully. Then a glorious 5 miles or so of running across Arncliffe in between all the limestone pavement - mild undulations but mainly flat and so nice and fast. Very thankful of the xtalon choice, I knew N would be struggling in his trail shoes.

Dull few miles along the river to Litton before the one big climb (about 400m). Weather became grim, wind/rain/fog, finally justifying my clothing choice after 3 hours of it being overkill. So despite the conditions I was still warm, even hands, which I was pretty smug about.

The top of the downhill was slippery slabs but became muddy grass after a while which was much nicer. Little out and back to the CP showed me N was quite a long way ahead. Very dull 5 miles along the river in the rain (actually that's a bit mean, it was quite a nice river) with endless gates and stiles. Then one short climb and back up onto the moors to finish.

Route had some really nice bits which made up for the dull bits. I'd do it again.

2 cliff bars, 4 shot bloks, 1l - didn't stop at any of the CPs. One blister; but 5 hours of talons in the rain was always going to be a stretch.

Feeling pretty good. Windy. Gloves + tshirt optimal.

Mudfest. Probably wouldn't normally have come but fancied the new route on some paths seldom explored - one of them was really nice in fairness but the remainder of the route was saturated fields.
Definitely a route for summer.
Felt slow.

I'm not sure why these lunch runs have suddenly become tempos, but feeling very brisk today. No after effects from running faster for 3 days in a row now which is good news!
I think Wednesday will be slow, and maybe then there will some kind of vague taper. Or maybe not.

I took the decision to rename the group as the 'B+++++ Group' was getting a bit ridiculous.
Good training run; no stops like usual. Just the 4 of us. Very warm; gloves superfluous.