Training Log Archive: OJ

FRA leg 1 in the Lomond Hills, running with Ralph. A pack of about 6-7 of the favourite teams formed on the way up the first climb, and save for a bit of jostling, everything was fairly stable on the fast run out to West Lomond. It felt good to hit the proper hills and I really enjoyed the first climb and steep descent, where the pack was whittled down to Shuttleston (out in front), Pudsey, Edinburgh and Helm Hill. Ralph ground it out on the next big climbs and we managed to stick in there, before the long fast run back to the changeover. We pushed hard on this section and managed to edge past Helm Hill and Edinburgh, before a lightning fast descent of some grassy fields, where Ralph set a hard pace, bringing us in in 2nd place.

The rest of the team did a grand job, with Little Rob getting over his Hodgsons fall with a good time on 2nd leg, Neil and Rhys giving everyone (except Mercia) a schooling on the navigation leg, and Callum running his socks off to stay ahead of Tim Davies and Alistair Brownlee and take 3rd overall, about the best result we could have hoped for on the day.

C • brownlee 11

Fairly minimal warm up and down, but quite a bit of excited running about after to cheer the team in.

Some sedate recce-ing of the route with Ralph. Looks fast!

Resting up for the weekend - found out that I'm running with a speedy young whippersnapper.

HFW, dumped my bag, then ran 9x90/30 up Rivelin followed by an effort up the coppice track in 4.36 (new PB, I think). Bust a gut for it though, and toiled all the way home.

To Jen's work.

Climbing at the works. Tried to tick off the remaining blacks, but I failed on quite a few of them after a few attempts. I climbed hard, but didn't achieve much, so a bit of a frustrating session.

Ran HFW for no reason other than to save the tram fare, jumped in the shower, then Jenny tempted me out to join her and Clare for the first part of the girlie run. Nice and sedate pace up Rivelin, then back through the allotments while the girl carried on. It was completely dark by the end, but I can see in the dark, so it didn't matter.

C • Must be all those... 5

HFW. A bit tired, like.