Training Log Archive: OJ

Jaded. A lie in and an easy day in York. Most strenuous thing I did was a stroll over to the station for some trainspotting with Jack and co.

Duddon Valley, couldn't resist the temptation to tick off two classics in two weekends, although I probably paid the price for the double. Felt pretty good out of the start and settled into a nice comfortable group with Carl Bell, Tom Brunt, Kim Collinson and JD. Visibility was down to pretty much nothing and it quickly became apparent that Carl had no clue where he was going, but Tom seemed to know some good lines. I tried to push on up to Harter Fell to split the group, but we were all together at the summit. JD took a maverick (poor) route off and we were down to 4 up to Hardknot, but he reeled us back in up Little Stand, where I got us lost looking for the summit amongst all the knolls. Probably about 3-4 mins lost here. I tried to push the pace over to Three Shires Stone trying to break the group, but to no avail, we were all together on the way up Swirl Howe. JD took another bad line and the rest of us got a gap as the weather deteriorated towards the summit. Rain, wind and zero vis by the top, but Tom nailed the line and we were away. My good feeling had faded by now and I was struggling to hang on, tucked in on the long traverse to Dow Crag, where I nearly got dropped in the mist, just managed to muster enough pace to keep the rear-most silhouette in sight. I tucked in at the back and stuffed my face with mint cake on the long slog over Walna and had a bit of a rally by White Pike. I knew at this stage that it would all come down to the ascent of Caw and I hoped I had something left. I tried to be as economical as possible on the technical descent and run through the knolls below the main climb, but as soon as we hit the lower slopes I realised that I was spent; the three pulled away effortlessly and I was left powerwalking to the top, stumbled my way down the rough descent to Seathwaite. I lost 4 mins to Carl in the last 10 mins of the race! But I'm glad that I made it that far before blowing up in the circumstances. This was a wet and wild adventure, complete contrast to last weekend.

C • 2 in 2 8

I wouldn't have bothered warming up, but you had to get to the start somehow.

Straight into the car for a 3hr+ drive to York for a BBQ in the rain. Dead on my feet but a few beers sorted that out.

Hillsborough Park. Hmmm, Duddon?

IW, managed to beat the rain.

C • 1

HFW with a few strides around Crookes Valley Park and some short sprints up Blake Street. Legs feeling pretty good, nice to run in the rain, although I expect the novelty will wear off.

Steady IW, not feeling too bad all things considered, no real aches or pains left but still a bit tired on the ups.

HFW at a decent lick via Crookes and Rivelin.

It's been a while, need to manage a few niggles.

Another day off, feeling very sleepy and hungry.

Met James and family at Ogden and had a nice run around the moors and a bit of a walk around the reservoir. Legs felt a little sore, but distracted from that by chatting all the way. Good to have a proper catch-up and good to shake out the legs a bit.