Training Log Archive: acejase

Had an even worse nights sleep with girls tag-teaming us. While lying awake though kept returning to the thought that I was going to run aggressive today and run well and that team would too. Got to assembly area for Hoggster (1st leg runner) to advise me his calf was shot and Muzza (2nd leg) announce he had never run this hungover. So much for my premonitions!
Hoggster and Muzza did their jobs well without something unexpected happening (like us being in the top 3 or coming last after a horrendous mistake).
Waiting for Muzza and watching spectator control I was pretty sure I would be running on my own however glanced across the assembly to see Wazza taking off his jacket and pointing at me. I stared him down but figured I was going to have to run well to hold him off. And I'd have to say, ruining the suspense for my reader, that I did. Ran pretty straight, more aggresively than yesterday and with the odd glance for Wazza along the way. Past a few people but they all seemed like M20s and it turned out they were. Got to the spectator with no sight of Waz and figured correctly I was going to be ok. Turned out he started in the mass start and ran a minute or two faster than me but certainly didnt get close. Felt really physically strong through the terrain today and didnt fade. Not sure where this comes from - maybe my bike riding? little bit of terrain running? Not sure but I was pretty pleased with that given had run 2hr race the day before.
Enjoyed the orienteering although the weather made family life at O a bit less fun. Thats the end of my serious O for the year as not going to Masters. Finished with enthusiasm and keeneness although not sure when my next serious comp will be as helping at Easter next year and I think SA might be a bit far and expensive for the family. We'll see. Thanks to organisers, course setters and volunteers for carnival which for mine was well run on some terrific terrain. Special thanks to Uncle Jim as every time I saw him during the week he looked like he was running on stress with no sleep.

Minimal pre-race prancing today and no warm down whatsoever.

Aust Long Champs at Northern Spurs (Warby Ranges). Had a ridiculously early start - all the other split-start Dads were off from about 8.26 on but I was allocated 8.04 with Craig Feurherdt (sp?) from the organising club off at 8am. So a combination of getting ready while the organisers were finishing setting up, it being cold and raining and having a rotten nights sleep with my daughters meant I was struggling to stay awake yet alone be pumped.
Was fairly scrappy to the first but started to get into it on way to 2nd. Was far from aggressive through the forest but tried to keep pushing self at long-distance pace. Terrain was at times steep, very rocky and lots of patches of light green. Got through first 10 with minimal fuss and decided to take the wideish track option to 11 to conserve the mind and body. Unfortunately though got so absorbed in planning the long leg later in the course that when I looked up I had NFI where I was on the track. Went in to the forest thinking I was at a certain spot but not really sure. As a result when I got near the flag and things werent quite right I stormed off along the escarpment..... only to bang into the track on the way to 12. Bugger. Came back to get it to see Craig F leaving. I thought maybe lost 3-5mins but looking at splits it was a 7-8 min mistake. Double bugger. Probably lost a minute amongst the next two as I ran angry.
Anyway recaught CraigF a control later and had him for company for a few before dropping him in the 20min leg. Ran that leg really well and finished off pretty solid. Enjoyable orienteering.

Ran past the clear and check controls on way to start. Fortunately they waddled into start before my time ticked over.

Aust Sprint Distance champs in Benalla. Part parkland, part 'forest' beside the Broken River with some depressions. I started well getting straight into map and 5000 scale. Pushed hard and was helped by trying to hold Hoggster off who had started a minute behind me and then late in the course when I was caught and passed by Nick Bramble who ended up in the placings I think. Only time loss was from choosing the wrong route on the long leg - I went right and splits afterwards showed left was better. Maybe lost 20s? PLeased with run and felt like I'd run hard.

Swapped compasses with Hoggster in the warm up. He liked the look of my suunto that he'd used before and I felt that after a few years I just couldnt adapt to it and was happy to revert to his norcompass. Although I later found out the compass he swapped was actually Nats. We agreed on the weekend the swap would be permanent.

Cruise down the hill from mum & dads, lap of lake daylesford and then back up the hill via newsagents. Getting a bit sick of that hill after pushing the pram up it a few times. Can't say I felt fresh on the run so did a couple of hill surges trying to kick things into gear. Not sure of the logic or success of that approach but I gave it a go. Drive to benalla in the arvo and now ensconsed in a cabin in benalla caravan park.

Decided after yesterday that a rest day was on the cards so took one. Zoe sick and mucking up everyones sleep confirmed the decision.

Yesterdays spring-in-the-step was replaced by weary, tired legs today. Was thinking of doing 70mins but changed to a recovery 35mins down to lake daylesford and along the creek below it which was flowing freely with overflow from the lake. Finished at the 'book barn' and had ripper Devonshire tea with acceptable coffee. Just relaxing in the sun now while girls sleeping - sweet.

Run from parents house in Daylesford up onto wombat gardens hill where I stopped to make a few work phone calls- the only place in Daylesford where I seem to get vodafone. Then cruised round in the semi dark. Seemed to have pulled up pretty well from weekend with a few stiff spots but v little tiredness.