Training Log Archive: MagicIn the 30 days ending Jun 30, 2016:
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Thursday Jun 30, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 29:07 [3] 13.02 km (2:14 / km) +38m 2:12 / km
IW. Bruised back from last night, arms also a little tired. Legs working okay though.
5 PM
Bike - Road 28:06 [3] 12.68 km (2:13 / km) +53m 2:10 / km
HFW. Easy start and then pushed on a bit. Going okay by the end.
Wednesday Jun 29, 2016 #
Event: Summer Park Series 4
7 AM
Bike - Road 32:20 [2] 13.05 km (2:29 / km) +42m 2:26 / km
IW. Got half way in before it started raining. Wet but not a disaster.
8 PM
Bike - Road 32:16 [2] 12.87 km (2:30 / km) +57m 2:27 / km
HFW. After go-karting. Got half way home and it started to rain... Fortunately it didn't come to anything.
Tuesday Jun 28, 2016 #
6 PM
Run - Trail 55:32 [3] 11.41 km (4:52 / km) +160m 4:33 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
MDC run from Cardiff Bay, out through Penarth and along the coast path for a bit. Then back, via the hill in Penarth rather than along the beach again. Lucky to avoid the showers and a good group out with a couple of new faces. Quite possibly the fastest MDC run ever (had to make it back in time for a cruise around the bay on Martyn's boat (BBQ included)).
Monday Jun 27, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 33:04 [1] 13.07 km (2:32 / km) +38m 2:30 / km
IW.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:57 [2] 12.83 km (2:25 / km) +47m 2:22 / km
HFW.
Sunday Jun 26, 2016 #
Event: Harvester Relays
12 AM
Run - Terrain warm up/down 12:43 [2] 0.89 km (14:13 / km) +10m 13:28 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Short warm up and jumpy stuff while waiting for Lard.
1 AM
Run - Orienteering race 1:00:44 [4] 11.41 km (5:19 / km) +369m 4:35 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Cleeve Hill, Harvester, Leg 3, 10.3km, 400m, 25 controls.
Really enjoyed this and it was so nice to do a Harvester in an area that was both free of undergrowth and had a good map - it's been quite a few years since this happened.
Started slowly, getting into things, stopped dead a few times in the quarries to read the detail (difficult to read under a headlamp). Caught Geoff (BOK) just as he was coming into #9 from the wrong direction. With him, and after #12 the DRONGO runner, with identical forking, so no chance to get away, just too open and fast meant that if you slowed to read a detail or something you got caught. Clean apart from about 20 seconds at #11 and running very comfortably with little effort, wanting to keep in control rather than to push hard and take any risks.
Great all round performances from the team, would have seen us with a comfortable win only Roger failed to check a code (a bit unlucky to find an extra control really considering how little gaffling there was!).
Really enjoyed this and it was so nice to do a Harvester in an area that was both free of undergrowth and had a good map - it's been quite a few years since this happened.
Started slowly, getting into things, stopped dead a few times in the quarries to read the detail (difficult to read under a headlamp). Caught Geoff (BOK) just as he was coming into #9 from the wrong direction. With him, and after #12 the DRONGO runner, with identical forking, so no chance to get away, just too open and fast meant that if you slowed to read a detail or something you got caught. Clean apart from about 20 seconds at #11 and running very comfortably with little effort, wanting to keep in control rather than to push hard and take any risks.
Great all round performances from the team, would have seen us with a comfortable win only Roger failed to check a code (a bit unlucky to find an extra control really considering how little gaffling there was!).
1 PM
Run - Trail warm up/down 16:50 [3] 1.56 km (10:47 / km) +191m 6:41 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Up the long hill to the start. Not feeling as bad as I expected.
2 PM
Run - Fell race race 1:13:10 [5] 13.48 km (5:26 / km) +670m 4:21 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Tour de Calch.
Conditions pretty similar to the recce that we did a few weeks ago: nice down in the valley but misty and wet on the top. Felt okay while warming up (if needing sleep) and set off hoping to survive the first big climb and then enjoy the loop around the summit.
Succeeded in that and only had a major fail (in the bit that we didn't recce) in that I stayed too high, had intended to do this and then swing south when I saw the spur. I never saw the spur (very misty). After (far too long) I reaslised that something was wrong and checked my compass. Bugger.
About turn and back 800m to get back online (an extra 1.7km done...) was having fun running in the terrain though. Most (aside from the three out front) seemed to do something similar, so it didn't effect my position, but it did add about 8 minutes onto my time. Oops.
On the positive side, I was surprised that the running was good and my ankle, although sore, was working okay.
Conditions pretty similar to the recce that we did a few weeks ago: nice down in the valley but misty and wet on the top. Felt okay while warming up (if needing sleep) and set off hoping to survive the first big climb and then enjoy the loop around the summit.
Succeeded in that and only had a major fail (in the bit that we didn't recce) in that I stayed too high, had intended to do this and then swing south when I saw the spur. I never saw the spur (very misty). After (far too long) I reaslised that something was wrong and checked my compass. Bugger.
About turn and back 800m to get back online (an extra 1.7km done...) was having fun running in the terrain though. Most (aside from the three out front) seemed to do something similar, so it didn't effect my position, but it did add about 8 minutes onto my time. Oops.
On the positive side, I was surprised that the running was good and my ankle, although sore, was working okay.
3 PM
Run - Trail warm up/down 11:00 [1] 1.4 km (7:50 / km)
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Back down the hill to the car with Ake.
Saturday Jun 25, 2016 #
4 PM
Run - Orienteering 49:13 [2] 5.45 km (9:02 / km) +140m 8:00 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Cranham (East), Harris Relay (or a score as I was on my own). 25 controls.
Not very successful outing this. Not wanting to run very fast at all but this resulted in having no real direction or flow, not helped by the there being quite a bit of undergrowth in quite a bit of the area. Took a fall while running through a meadow of waste high horse-tails which was a new experience for me. As was not being able to find #22, which just can't have been on the mapped feature. Not that it mattered. Forest also very wet after several epic thunderstorms (which i thankfully missed).
Not very successful outing this. Not wanting to run very fast at all but this resulted in having no real direction or flow, not helped by the there being quite a bit of undergrowth in quite a bit of the area. Took a fall while running through a meadow of waste high horse-tails which was a new experience for me. As was not being able to find #22, which just can't have been on the mapped feature. Not that it mattered. Forest also very wet after several epic thunderstorms (which i thankfully missed).
Friday Jun 24, 2016 #
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:04:35 [3] 10.2 km (6:20 / km) +373m 5:21 / km
shoes: Asics Trabuco 12 WR
Up the Garth and a loop into the woods above Taff's Well quarry. Not pushing at al but feeling very comfortable. Muggy day.
Thursday Jun 23, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 29:30 [2] 13.02 km (2:16 / km) +39m 2:14 / km
IW. Nothing special but moving quite well.
5 PM
Bike - Road 29:57 [3] 12.81 km (2:20 / km) +42m 2:18 / km
HFW. Under 30 again and the rear has remained hard all week. Success.
Wednesday Jun 22, 2016 #
Event: Summer Park Series 3
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:43 [2] 13.12 km (2:20 / km) +40m 2:18 / km
IW. Nice enough old morning (it wasn't wet).
5 PM
Bike - Road 6:22 [1] 2.11 km (3:01 / km)
From work to Bute Park. They appear to be dismantling the Euro Fan Zone there - the promoters can't have been very optimistic about Wales' performance!
Run - Trail warm up/down 5:00 [2] 0.98 km (5:06 / km)
shoes: Asics Gel GT 1120 07
Short shuffle to warm up.
6 PM
Run - Orienteering race 33:32 [4] 7.92 km (4:14 / km) +15m 4:12 / km
shoes: Asics Gel GT 1120 07
SWOC Park Sries in Bute Park, 6.0km, 18 controls.
Bit flat and straightforward for my tastes but it's always good to try and get moving faster than I am comfortable with (which isn't very fast).
Lost a few seconds here and there trying to spot the controls but otherwise it was a lot of running, also a lot of dog-legs so not much thinking needed. Ran far further than the straight line having to go back to the bridge repetitively (unlike some). Good fun and a decent turn out.
Bit flat and straightforward for my tastes but it's always good to try and get moving faster than I am comfortable with (which isn't very fast).
Lost a few seconds here and there trying to spot the controls but otherwise it was a lot of running, also a lot of dog-legs so not much thinking needed. Ran far further than the straight line having to go back to the bridge repetitively (unlike some). Good fun and a decent turn out.
7 PM
Bike - Road 28:42 [2] 11.87 km (2:25 / km) +58m 2:22 / km
Home from the O, part of the way with Hayden. Nice and easy.
Tuesday Jun 21, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:48 [2] 13.11 km (2:21 / km) +39m 2:19 / km
IW. Nice enough morning and a fair few cyclists about.
4 PM
Bike - Road 28:53 [3] 12.81 km (2:15 / km) +58m 2:12 / km
HFW. Trying to push on a bit to get home in time to make the run. Not exactly windy but just enough to know that I wasn't being helped by it.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:20:40 12.69 km (6:21 / km) +346m 5:36 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
Traditional MDC midsummer run around waterfall country, and they put on a good show for us after all the rain on weekend and all. Body feeling loads better tonight and even found the hills easy, also pushed on a bit over the last km. Very enjoyable with a good size group.
Monday Jun 20, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:49 [2] 13.02 km (2:27 / km) +38m 2:25 / km
IW. Wet, just a tad wet it was. Wet, wet, wet.
5 PM
Bike - Road 40:16 [2] 14.67 km (2:45 / km) +65m 2:41 / km
HFW via P2C. Much nicer this evening, a bit of wind about but also no rain. Taking it nice and easy.
Sunday Jun 19, 2016 #
4 PM
Run - Trail 1:16:37 11.64 km (6:35 / km) +401m 5:37 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
Nice and easy around the Garth, though decided to shake things up a bit and did a highly unusual anti-clockwise loop. Had been waiting all day for the rain to ease and eventually gave up. Nice and soft out. Feeling a world better today and it felt very easy running this slow. A good nights sleep must have helped.
Saturday Jun 18, 2016 #
10 AM
Walk 1:30:00 [1] 17.46 km (5:09 / km) +226m 4:51 / km
weight:66kg shoes: VJ Falcons 11
5.5 hours checking control sites on Llangynidr. Shattered.
Friday Jun 17, 2016 #
7 PM
Run - Trail 1:07:58 [2] 10.31 km (6:35 / km) +268m 5:50 / km
weight:66.4kg shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (4)
Wee run from up to the east. Started really slowly and never got moving, though I did loosen out a bit. Lovely evening but water and wet vegetation everywhere. Ankle was sore stating out but also loosened out once warmed up.
Thursday Jun 16, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:02 [2] 12.99 km (2:19 / km) +40m 2:17 / km
IW. Body would like a bit of rest.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:18 [2] 12.8 km (2:22 / km) +47m 2:20 / km
HFW. Not happened. The highlight of my day.
Wednesday Jun 15, 2016 #
Event: Storey Arms Evening Event
7 AM
Bike - Road 30:30 [2] 13.05 km (2:20 / km) +39m 2:18 / km
IW.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:05 [3] 12.7 km (2:22 / km) +48m 2:19 / km
HFW. Nice until nearly home when it got quite wet.
6 PM
Run - Terrain warm up/down 7:37 [2] 1.0 km (7:36 / km) +19m 6:56 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Easy warm up trot with GD44. Legs not the most awake.
7 PM
Run - Orienteering race 37:43 [4] 6.16 km (6:08 / km) +294m 4:57 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
SWOC 60min Score, Storey Arms.
Enjoyed this much more than i was expecting, the area was really nice underfoot and the climbs, though copious, weren't too steep - the weathe reven mostly cooperated. Opted for a route that zig-zagged up the hill to reduce the suffering as much as possible. Wasn't moving very fast but did keep moving. Nice coming back down the hill for the second half. Had the ankle taped and thankfully didn't twinge it all. Still need some easy recovery days!
Enjoyed this much more than i was expecting, the area was really nice underfoot and the climbs, though copious, weren't too steep - the weathe reven mostly cooperated. Opted for a route that zig-zagged up the hill to reduce the suffering as much as possible. Wasn't moving very fast but did keep moving. Nice coming back down the hill for the second half. Had the ankle taped and thankfully didn't twinge it all. Still need some easy recovery days!
Run - Terrain warm up/down 15:21 [2] 2.06 km (7:27 / km) +108m 5:54 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Warm down back up the hill. Though it was actually more to keep warm while waiting for Lucy to finish with the car key.
Tuesday Jun 14, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:32 [2] 13.02 km (2:25 / km) +40m 2:23 / km
IW. A bit damp but still okay for shorts and t-shirt.
4 PM
Bike - Road 31:09 [2] 12.8 km (2:26 / km) +61m 2:23 / km
HFW. Wet misty rain when starting but it didn't persist and was quite nice by the time I got home. Legs still in bits though.
6 PM
Run - Trail 1:21:27 11.57 km (7:02 / km) +659m 5:29 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
MDC run from Cwmdu around part of the Tor de Calch race route. First 3km were straight up the hill and very, very hard work. Conditions up on top were less than pleasant with a wet and cold northerly wind. Brought my gore-tex as an emergency back-up in case someone needed it but was quite glad to use it myself. Taking it very easy on the way up (legs) and on the way down (ankle).
Monday Jun 13, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:34 [2] 13.01 km (2:26 / km) +39m 2:23 / km
IW. Quads dead sore, going to have to take it easy today. Ankle also still a bit swollen and at me.
5 PM
Bike - Road 30:29 [2] 12.84 km (2:22 / km) +58m 2:19 / km
HFW. Missed the rain and had a sweet run through town. Just taking it easy from there.
Sunday Jun 12, 2016 #
5 PM
Bike - Mountain 1:44:40 28.01 km (3:44 / km) +502m 3:26 / km
Easy ride to loosen the legs out a bit. Had to change my planned route as the police had blocked the road down to Ponty off (had 5 police vehicles and a helicopter pass me on the way), don't know what was happening but it must have been quite serious. It turned my easy exploration of the local minor roads into an easy exploration of the local mountain tracks.
Actually much easier riding than I was expecting across the common and I quite enjoyed just pottering along. Passed a bloke in a Ford Transit on top who was well stuck on the byway. Now the only reasons I could only think of to drive a Transit up there are if:
1) you want to do a bit of off-roading - in which case getting stuck is part of the game;
2) you blindly follow a sat-nav - although the track was quite obviously not a suitable place for a van; or
3) you are fly-tipping - then you deserve to get stuck.
None of these scenarios enticed me to stop, so I didn't. Or perhaps there are more???
Actually much easier riding than I was expecting across the common and I quite enjoyed just pottering along. Passed a bloke in a Ford Transit on top who was well stuck on the byway. Now the only reasons I could only think of to drive a Transit up there are if:
1) you want to do a bit of off-roading - in which case getting stuck is part of the game;
2) you blindly follow a sat-nav - although the track was quite obviously not a suitable place for a van; or
3) you are fly-tipping - then you deserve to get stuck.
None of these scenarios enticed me to stop, so I didn't. Or perhaps there are more???
Saturday Jun 11, 2016 #
11 AM
Run - Fell race 2:45:21 24.56 km (6:44 / km) +1634m 5:03 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
Râs Pedol Cwm Pennant, 25km, 1800m.
A counter in the British Championships so a big field out. Only decided to do it yesterday and having never done a race of this size, didn't know what to expect.
Thought I may still be a bit tired from last weekend, but not as much as I was, really didn't enjoy the running at all as the legs were heavy and wobbly right from the start. Hoped they'd feel better after the first climb, but no, and instead my stomach started cramping and I had a stitch for much of the way. To make it even more fun I twinged my ankle quite badly about two-thirds of the way around.
Very mild day but plenty of mist on the tops, so no views available to be distracted by. Shame as when you did get a glimpse they looked quite special.
Can't say I had fun, but it was a great route (apart from the road at the end) with some great trails (and potentially, views). Would like to do it again when my legs are more responsive - think I should have been at least 10 minutes quicker.
A counter in the British Championships so a big field out. Only decided to do it yesterday and having never done a race of this size, didn't know what to expect.
Thought I may still be a bit tired from last weekend, but not as much as I was, really didn't enjoy the running at all as the legs were heavy and wobbly right from the start. Hoped they'd feel better after the first climb, but no, and instead my stomach started cramping and I had a stitch for much of the way. To make it even more fun I twinged my ankle quite badly about two-thirds of the way around.
Very mild day but plenty of mist on the tops, so no views available to be distracted by. Shame as when you did get a glimpse they looked quite special.
Can't say I had fun, but it was a great route (apart from the road at the end) with some great trails (and potentially, views). Would like to do it again when my legs are more responsive - think I should have been at least 10 minutes quicker.
Friday Jun 10, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 28:18 [3] 13.02 km (2:10 / km) +39m 2:08 / km
IW. Started slow but caught another cyclist who wanted a tow so had to get moving to drop him. Almost ran over a baby blackbird.
5 PM
Bike - Road 26:50 [3] 12.88 km (2:05 / km) +50m 2:03 / km
HFW. Tried to push on again and pretty pleased with the results. Slower through town and not moving as quick as yesterday, but a solid effort. Pat on the back please.
Thursday Jun 9, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 29:45 [3] 13.0 km (2:17 / km) +42m 2:15 / km
IW. Taking it easy int he morning sunshine. Traffic and lights were most agreeable.
5 PM
Bike - Road 26:18 [3] 12.95 km (2:02 / km) +48m 2:00 / km
weight:66.4kg
HFW. Legs were just spinning effortlessly and the lights were nearly as kind as this morning. Quite possibly a PB for the commute home.
Wednesday Jun 8, 2016 #
7 PM
Run - Trail 39:03 6.14 km (6:22 / km) +271m 5:13 / km
weight:66.7kg shoes: Asics Trabuco 12 WR
Easy evening run up the Garth to overcome the day's traveling. Tired but not too bad once warmed up and it was a glorious and warm evening. Maybe getting back to work won't be so bad after a most enjoyable break...
Tuesday Jun 7, 2016 #
8 AM
Walk 2:15:00 [1] 20.84 km (6:29 / km) +1496m 4:46 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
An Teallach ridge with Ciara (walking for about 7:15). What a cracking range of hills and some really fun scrambling bits. Quite a long but easy walk in and then a good climb to the tops. Lots of fun climbing to the top of most of these before heading to an outlier to west for lunch.
Unfortunately while here we could see (and hear) thunderstorms to the east so hasted back to the ridge, bagged the second Monro and got off the ridge as quick as we could. Not all that easy due to a rather inconveniently located snowfield, but successfully negotiated just in time for the rain.
Something of a surprise after so much sun but it made the walk out very atmospheric - it also somewhat increased the presence of midges. Another great day in the Highlands.
Unfortunately while here we could see (and hear) thunderstorms to the east so hasted back to the ridge, bagged the second Monro and got off the ridge as quick as we could. Not all that easy due to a rather inconveniently located snowfield, but successfully negotiated just in time for the rain.
Something of a surprise after so much sun but it made the walk out very atmospheric - it also somewhat increased the presence of midges. Another great day in the Highlands.
Monday Jun 6, 2016 #
11 AM
Walk 1:00:00 [1] 10.97 km (5:28 / km) +248m 4:55 / km
Cracking recovery walk (walking for 3.5 hours) in the low hills south of Ullapool (from Gruinard bay). Followed a gorge inland past some cracking contour and rock detail before resting on a wee hill with a stunning view of the surrounding hills. Nice walk back along a river before a snooze on the beautiful beach. If only all recovery days could be like this.
Sunday Jun 5, 2016 #
Adventure race race 4:27:59 [3] 26.0 km (10:18 / km) +1440m 8:04 / km
shoes: VJ Falcons 11
Highlander Mountain Marathon, Glen Cannich, Day 2, B course, 25km, 1500m.
Slept really well, in fact had too many clothes and had to discard quite a few. Had also eaten and drunken well so was feeling great in the morning. It was also nice to be able to take it easy while everyone else rushed off to their starts (reverse chasing meant we were out last).
Ciara is a girl who knows what she wants and knows what she doesn't want. Today she wanted to catch and pass every other team out there and you were in trouble if you were going to try and stop her. I decided not to and just tried to hang on. She was a real beast today.
We opted to save time and draw the course on the move meaning that, despite starting a minute late due to to some last minute faff (last starters on the last day of the last Highlander) we had passed B2 (the two guys who had been economical with their bag carrying yesterday) before the start flag.
They passed us on the flat running to the first few and pulled away on the big climb up the hill to the cluster (#4 & 5), but from then on Ciara really started beasting. We caught and went straight past B3, keeping B2 in our sights and slowly reeling them in with better lines.
By #9 we were passing dozens of slow teams and were up to about B10 (though still missing a few) and Ciara pushed on even harder. The climb to #10 was hard but as we approached the control we saw B2 going high. Couldn't see them either ahead or behind us after that so didn't know what had happened to them.
Ciara beasted in over the bogs and down the hill for the last few k, meaning we caught just about everyone (as the numbers only went up to about B15 it was hard to know - but the exclamations of "look, B1" as we flew past only served to spur the beast on even more.
Great to do this event, it really was fun and special and to do it in such great weather and with a fit and determined teammate made it one to remember. B2 also lost enough time at #10 and 11 to mean that we had enough time in hand to be ahead of them even without their penalty. Job was a good one. Fun prize as well.
http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2016/Highlande...
Slept really well, in fact had too many clothes and had to discard quite a few. Had also eaten and drunken well so was feeling great in the morning. It was also nice to be able to take it easy while everyone else rushed off to their starts (reverse chasing meant we were out last).
Ciara is a girl who knows what she wants and knows what she doesn't want. Today she wanted to catch and pass every other team out there and you were in trouble if you were going to try and stop her. I decided not to and just tried to hang on. She was a real beast today.
We opted to save time and draw the course on the move meaning that, despite starting a minute late due to to some last minute faff (last starters on the last day of the last Highlander) we had passed B2 (the two guys who had been economical with their bag carrying yesterday) before the start flag.
They passed us on the flat running to the first few and pulled away on the big climb up the hill to the cluster (#4 & 5), but from then on Ciara really started beasting. We caught and went straight past B3, keeping B2 in our sights and slowly reeling them in with better lines.
By #9 we were passing dozens of slow teams and were up to about B10 (though still missing a few) and Ciara pushed on even harder. The climb to #10 was hard but as we approached the control we saw B2 going high. Couldn't see them either ahead or behind us after that so didn't know what had happened to them.
Ciara beasted in over the bogs and down the hill for the last few k, meaning we caught just about everyone (as the numbers only went up to about B15 it was hard to know - but the exclamations of "look, B1" as we flew past only served to spur the beast on even more.
Great to do this event, it really was fun and special and to do it in such great weather and with a fit and determined teammate made it one to remember. B2 also lost enough time at #10 and 11 to mean that we had enough time in hand to be ahead of them even without their penalty. Job was a good one. Fun prize as well.
http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2016/Highlande...
C • fun. 4
Saturday Jun 4, 2016 #
Event: Highlander Mountain Marathon
8 AM
Adventure race race 5:53:10 [3] 27.5 km (12:51 / km) +2250m 9:07 / km
shoes: VJ Supra 14
Highlander Mountain Marathon, Glen Cannich, Day 1, B course, 25km, 2500m.
What an amazing day. Found ourselves out early (courtesy of registering early last night and only being given the choice of early buses) with clouds covering the peaks on the ride to the start up Glen Cannich. Opted to start in shorts and shirts though this seemed like it may be a poor choice as we disappeared into the clag for #1.
Off line to #2 (my fault - should have listened to Ciara) and was saved by a spectacular cloud inversion as we neared the top, showing just enough of the surrounding peaks to work out where we were and where we had to go. It was proper hot up hear already by 9am.
Back into the mist for #3, which we navigated very carefully to but got to it to find it just below the cloud level and in excellent visibility. A brief stop here to balance out our pack weights a bit more efficiently and we were off, moving well for the first time.
Bit of a faff at #4 as we had to cross a gorge (not on the OS 50k map) and then hunted around a few hill tops looking for the one with our control on (only one on the map).
Tough climb to back into the mist for #5 (passed by the A course winners here) and then a long and steep route choice leg to #6. Opted to drop low back the way we'd come and follow a path as the more direct route would have been tough in the mist. Worked well and when we appeared above the clouds again we thought that we'd made the right decision. Nasty control though right at the bottom of a steep corrie.
Pretty easy run back to the finish from here with some nice running and not much more climb - and the cloud suddenly disappeared from everywhere on the climb out of #6. Ciara livened things up a bit by steeping into thin air along a river bank and promptly disappearing off the edge. Quite scary to see, especially the expression of fear on her face and she went over. Fortunately she kept her balance, grabbed some heather and fell less than 3m, whacking her knee and getting a few cuts, but not seriously hurting anything. Even managed to run well from there to the finish.
Pretty happy with the day, we started quite slow and were hampered a little by the mist, but happy to be at camp early and not to be running in the hot afternoon sun. Even had a dip in the river.
Finished second, 17.5 minutes down. At least we initially did. Apparently the leading team had dropped their packs and descended into #6 without them, picking them up again on the way out. Apparently there were seen doing this and fessed up at the finish. The result was a 20 minute time penalty, putting them right behind us. 3rd, also a mixed team, were also less than 10 minutes behind, so all to play for on Day 2.
What an amazing day. Found ourselves out early (courtesy of registering early last night and only being given the choice of early buses) with clouds covering the peaks on the ride to the start up Glen Cannich. Opted to start in shorts and shirts though this seemed like it may be a poor choice as we disappeared into the clag for #1.
Off line to #2 (my fault - should have listened to Ciara) and was saved by a spectacular cloud inversion as we neared the top, showing just enough of the surrounding peaks to work out where we were and where we had to go. It was proper hot up hear already by 9am.
Back into the mist for #3, which we navigated very carefully to but got to it to find it just below the cloud level and in excellent visibility. A brief stop here to balance out our pack weights a bit more efficiently and we were off, moving well for the first time.
Bit of a faff at #4 as we had to cross a gorge (not on the OS 50k map) and then hunted around a few hill tops looking for the one with our control on (only one on the map).
Tough climb to back into the mist for #5 (passed by the A course winners here) and then a long and steep route choice leg to #6. Opted to drop low back the way we'd come and follow a path as the more direct route would have been tough in the mist. Worked well and when we appeared above the clouds again we thought that we'd made the right decision. Nasty control though right at the bottom of a steep corrie.
Pretty easy run back to the finish from here with some nice running and not much more climb - and the cloud suddenly disappeared from everywhere on the climb out of #6. Ciara livened things up a bit by steeping into thin air along a river bank and promptly disappearing off the edge. Quite scary to see, especially the expression of fear on her face and she went over. Fortunately she kept her balance, grabbed some heather and fell less than 3m, whacking her knee and getting a few cuts, but not seriously hurting anything. Even managed to run well from there to the finish.
Pretty happy with the day, we started quite slow and were hampered a little by the mist, but happy to be at camp early and not to be running in the hot afternoon sun. Even had a dip in the river.
Finished second, 17.5 minutes down. At least we initially did. Apparently the leading team had dropped their packs and descended into #6 without them, picking them up again on the way out. Apparently there were seen doing this and fessed up at the finish. The result was a 20 minute time penalty, putting them right behind us. 3rd, also a mixed team, were also less than 10 minutes behind, so all to play for on Day 2.
Friday Jun 3, 2016 #
6 PM
Run - Trail 38:26 [2] 5.63 km (6:49 / km) +162m 5:58 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Crosslite (5)
An easy run from the campsite in Cannich to loosen out the legs after the days traveling. Was supposed to be easy and was when I started out along the road, however I got tempted by the lovely woods and gorge parallel to the road and went exploring...
Thursday Jun 2, 2016 #
7 AM
Bike - Road 31:00 [2] 13.07 km (2:22 / km) +39m 2:20 / km
IW. Nice and easy. Aware that last nights session is not the usual sort that my body is sued to alright.
5 PM
Bike - Road 29:38 [2] 12.96 km (2:17 / km) +46m 2:15 / km
HFW. Although I did stop off at Blackwier to enjoy the sun for a while I have no idea why this was so quick, I went through the park, took it easy and there was a bit of a head wind. Strange.
Wednesday Jun 1, 2016 #
Event: Summer Park Series 2
7 AM
Bike - Road 32:29 [2] 13.1 km (2:29 / km) +37m 2:27 / km
IW. Tyre soft again. Nice cool morning, bit overcast, made it quite dark under the trees.
6 PM
Bike - Road 16:28 [2] 5.63 km (2:55 / km) +2m 2:55 / km
Across town to Victoria Park. Tyre still hard.
Run - Orienteering race 27:13 [5] 6.58 km (4:08 / km) +31m 4:02 / km
shoes: Asics Gel GT 1120 07
CArdiff Park Series, Race 2, Victoria Park (and Tompson Park and Pontcanna). 5.1km, 18 controls.
A most enjoyable way to get a bit of fast running in. As I know all of this area well I didn't have any problems knowing where the gates in and out of the parks were, but did have a bit of a problem with uncooperative legs and quads not liking the road sections between the parks. Great to see quite a few kids running around the park in the evening sun and looking like there were enjoying the O.
A most enjoyable way to get a bit of fast running in. As I know all of this area well I didn't have any problems knowing where the gates in and out of the parks were, but did have a bit of a problem with uncooperative legs and quads not liking the road sections between the parks. Great to see quite a few kids running around the park in the evening sun and looking like there were enjoying the O.
7 PM
Bike - Road 30:37 [2] 11.61 km (2:38 / km) +44m 2:35 / km
Home from the O, partly with GD44. Easy pace - feed don't like cycling without SPDs. Windy.