Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

Forest day of the Bendigo weekend, on the bush adjacent to Heathcote (including the creek bed and surrounds, which was the first and last part of both loops). There were definitely benefits to having experience of old-school orienteering here - it was a Lidar map with fairly minimal additional fieldwork (including almost no green, which made things a bit pot luck because the main slope had quite a bit of it).

A rather slow start, and by the time things sorted themselves out a bit halfway through the first group I was in a bunch, broadly speaking, with the three M60s (Chris, Ted and Geoff), along with Bridget and Belinda. That was still how things were at the first pivot control on the second loop, around 5k in, but the forking split us apart there to some extent, and I started to edge away from Ted on the climb into 15, reducing this group to Geoff and myself. Picked up Lanita, Lachlan Cherry and James Robertson at 16, a grouping which stayed more or less in contact until 20 through some solid climbs. 21 was the last climb and I thought there was a bit of an opportunity to break things open, but then let that slip a bit by unwisely going straight to 22, which meant Geoff was back on me. We were fairly close to each other much of the rest of the way; I went downhill a bit early on 25 and probably ended up losing 30 seconds or so, but he didn't take advantage, and in the ultimate sprint finish he didn't quite run me down. Lachlan and James had got ahead of us by then.

This was a nice scrap, even if it was a long way off the lead, and I felt myself getting more into the terrain the longer it went on - getting my terrain legs being one of the objectives of this weekend. At least I didn't get beaten by anyone older than me (or any of the women).

Reasonable morning hit-out along the Yarra (after the first kilometre), much of it on the singletrack. Suspect my Garmin (or rather the satellites which feed it) was playing up because a couple of sections were implausibly slow, although this run as a whole wasn't terribly quick.

Got out early in order to be back before the start of the cricket, which was worth it. Who said Test cricket was boring?

Sprint stage of the Bendigo weekend, in Heathcote town centre, using a couple of non-standard map scales (which will kill stone dead the chances of this being certified as a WRE :-). Felt pretty ordinary through the first third then gradually built into it, with only one trivial wobble. Chasing a few of the older brigade later on (Ted, Warwick Davis, Ian Davies), with a nice bonus for 26-27 when I got to see Ted and Ian go opposite sides of the uncrossable fence and could see how it worked out at the other end before doing the leg myself. A bit slower than I would have hoped, just under 6 minutes down on Ralph.

Swung past Dunga Mount on the way up to see what impact the October fire had on it (answer: some bits have burnt but the bracken is already coming back, so I don't think we'd be wanting to rush in to do a remap). Not too far along was the monument to the first powered flight by an Australian in an Australian-built plane, a somewhat underwhelming 23 feet in 1910 - our best long-jumpers can go further these days.

Usual Friday morning session which hasn't been quite so usual in recent weeks. Felt a bit stiff when I got up which is a sign that I've been working a bit harder in the last couple of days than has been the case recently, OK most of the time once in the water, but cramp again threatened at various times during the session without ever quite striking.

The lunchtime run that I'd more normally do on Mondays, a bit earlier in the day than usual because my computer was playing up - this time the reshuffling of the week to give myself a day to recover properly on Monday worked. Headed for the Tan for, I think, the first time this year. Stiff in the first few minutes, but got rolling along nicely after that.

Wondered why there was a bit of a media scrum on St. Kilda Road, but I think they were all trying to get pictures of people up the Arts Centre spire.

I also wonder how many decades will elapse before Melbourne Victory supporters no longer make reference to the 2007 Grand Final (a memorable night, to be sure) when Adelaide United come to town.

Amazing what a bit of confidence will do. Set out from south of the river (car service today) and headed south as far as Elsternwick. After the requisite slow first kilometre it settled down nicely, turning into a steady accumulation of kilometres at a consistent pace, particularly once hitting the beach and coming back along the waterfront. Didn't really feel as if I was tiring until the last 20 minutes, and then only slightly. A nice one to get on the board.

I felt like I had something left when I finished, which meant it was a bit of a surprise to get cramps while getting changed for the shower (I'd also had one during the night). I'm assuming this was a lack of salt as there wouldn't have been much in what I ate last night (grilled fish and vegetables); did a certain amount of remedying of this during the day. Still felt a bit washed out during the day but at least it was because of a morning's solid work well done.

C • Magnesium 1

My best street-O run of the season - which isn't saying an awful lot, but it was good to have some signs of progress, with clearly my fastest pace of the season on one of its hillier areas, at the west end of Bulleen (some familiar ground here - the climb through 10 took me on the rollercoaster which was a common route home on runs from Heidelberg). Didn't always feel entirely comfortable, especially on the steeper climbs - felt as if I was in some danger of throwing up after the last big one - but held it together OK. Got the critical route choice decision right - turning left out of the gates to head south through 9, and picking up the 13-18-11-6 loop late - but Bruce picked a slightly better option than me later on. Hamstring fine, and felt up for it generally to a greater extent than has normally been the case this season, perhaps because there was a bit more riding on it.

This was the first qualifier for the park/street championships. It's the first time in its four years that I'll be around on championships night, but getting there may not be easy - it doesn't help that I'm not as old as I thought I was (I'm 45 for bush purposes but still 44 on the streets). I don't think I'll have got through tonight (needed to either beat Bruce for a 35-44 spot, or be in the first four overall), and will be away midweek next week so will have to have another crack on Monday.

A bit of excitement at work this morning - someone somehow found themselves on the ledge of our building (seems to have been skylarking gone wrong rather than someone with suicide on their mind) and the fire brigade had to be called to get them down, closing down a main road in the process.

Headed out to test myself out after a pretty lousy night's sleep (it wasn't great anyway and then I got woken up by some insect bites in the middle of the night). Didn't expect a lot and set out on a non-challenging course, but ended up being not too awful. Hamstring not quite right but definitely better than it was on Sunday (and pulled up reasonably well post-run).

Sights of the inner north: a man with classic hipster beard riding a bicycle wearing a helmet with Viking horns.

First session tonight with a new masseur (the previous one moved to new premises in Hoppers Crossing). I have acquired a new instrument of (self) torture in the form of a spiky foam roller.

C • I did wonder in my massage ... 3

Swim at Northcote, which fitted in a bit better with logistics for the rest of the day. A fairly routine session without being anything to get too excited about. Hamstring seems a bit better today; assuming it doesn't feel worse when I get up I'll have a go at running on it tomorrow.