Training Log Archive: Torino

Exploratory run for Wednesday's Tour du Canton race #4. It felt long and took along an orienteering map, so was distracted with map reading sometimes; also stopped a few times, once I asked an orienteer where their center was (for the UBOL relay happening the same time).
It has long stretches on forest roads which were quite boring and flat; still, there are also a few sections on smal trails but not as many as last year.
Overcast and rainy today, lots of mud in the woods except on those forest roads.

The only beautiful day this week and for a few more days, so I went out and mostly uphill on the bike: felt tired sometimes then strong at other times. Still a little tired from Wednesday.
Still trying to find the most comfortable and least steep way through the vineyards, got stuck at a wall once; then found a way through a small tunnel under two train tracks to go where I wanted to end up.
Further up took lots of single trails and then did half the loop on a small trail I'm usually running on. Lots of fun, I like that challenge.

Was really happy with my race. Was quite worried about the last 4 km flat and boring where one could see how far it still was, but counted my steps (double steps) and did 13 times 100 steps once right foot, then left foot. I also did not look up but just stared a few meters in front of me and it actually worked that by focusing on either right or left first count, my stride was more determined (and faster?), but I also came into a kind of flow and it passed quite quickly. Good run for me.

Went to Le Landeron to check out Wednesday's next Tour du Canton race; had no idea where it would go, definitely up the hill which it did, but then it went all the way back downhill to the next town, Cressier. From there it remained in the flats on little paved roads, eventually getting to the canal between the lakes of Biel and Neuenburg back to the old town of Le Landeron. It rained twice on me, I stopped quite often to "sightsee": a zoo high up, the beautiful views, an alley and an old overgrown fountain. I had most problems with my aching musles and legs on the flat and walked several times. I tried just to enjoy being out and not getting upset at my snail pace. Another day of rest will hopefully help.