Training Log Archive: GraceE

NOL 2 Mass-start Classic with forking, Belair National Park.
Started with a chaotic first loop around the flatter stuff near the arena. I was a bit scrappy and made a few misses here and there which meant I was still in the pack as we came through to pick up our second map. I carried on and thought I was in 3rd when I left c8 (of the second map) on the long leg to c9. I aimed to do that long uphill leg well and got to c9 ok but then messed up c10 a little. Then I accidentally navigated c11-12 instead of c10-11, running along the wrong strip of rocky white and making a mess of the correction once I'd realised. By now Jas and Aislinn were running past me and I was back in the main pack. I proceeded to lose lots more time in the rocky bit as my direction was off and I couldn't move well through the vegetation. Motivation was low, but then I saw Rach and Susanne running down into the rocks as I was leaving them with Jas and Aislinn, so realised we might be the leading three. We did a few controls together then I really tried to hammer the long one down the hill to c7 (of the third map). I banana-ed to c8 and Jas was right on my tail, so had to run pretty hard all the way to the finish. I really enjoyed the course and racing atmosphere, though my nav left a little to be desired. Was really pleased my knee held up too.

Event: Adelaide NOL
 

NOL 1 Sprint Qual at Flinders University. Good race though felt pretty stuffed in the last section after the spectator run-through and slowed down a bit, plus got a little sloppy. Also missed an obvious route to c6 losing 10-15secs.
It was a really fun course and definitely a good idea to introduce the heats/final format into a sprint this year. It provides good practice for many at dealing with that little bit of added pressure which you will defo face at an o/s event.

Sprint Final at Waite Campus. Another fantastic course, which kept my interest and concentration right to the end. Lots of decision making needed throughout the course. It was a shame a few problems arose which affected a number of runners, but I was personally unaffected and really enjoyed it and was pleased with how my race went.

Travelling to Adelaide.

Lunchtime run up Mt Ainslie. Knee got pretty sore.

5 x 1km around the east basin (clockwise).
3.51, 3.50, 3.46, 3.54, 3.57. Pushed really hard and couldn't have done any more.

16mins w/u until over Kings Bridge, recoveries, plus a short warm-down.

Red Hill from the usual carpark. Knee/leg was a bit sore beforehand but I couldn't decide if it was the part of the ITB where it attaches to the knee, or the ITB itself where I skewered myself on a branch on Sunday and have a nice little cut and bruise there now. I poked it a bit and decided it was all good for running on.