Training Log Archive: OJ

FRA relays, pairs leg 2 with Rhys at Church Stretton. Oh my. Little Rob set us up for a great start as ever, coming in 2nd, just behind Carl Bell for Howgill, who we passed very early. We perhaps started a little hard and I was in a bit of trouble by the top of Yearlet, which made the next few kms a world of suffering. I held Rhys up all the way out to the far checkpoint at Pole Bank, where Leeds City came past at pace. Rhys told me not to worry so we tucked in with them through the next flat, fast kms, and went straight back through them as soon as we hit the hills proper. Here things took a turn for the better and I managed to grind out the two serious climbs and descents with Rhys setting the pace. I didn't risk looking over my shoulder; had I done so I would have seen Pudsey reeling us in. Very happy to have held them off to come in with a slender lead.

Pete and Neil did the biz on the nav leg to come in 2nd in a super-pack of 4: Mercia, DPFR, Borrowdale and Pudsey. Stuart (B8ND) ran well on last leg to hold 3rd against quality competition. This is the most competitive FRA I can remember, so pleased with bronze, which was about the best we could have done on the day. Nice one to all and hats off to Rhys, I am smashed.

C • you 2

Nice easy cruise up Loxley after a downpour. Followed by a long drive to somewhere in the middle of Shropshire.

IW via Rivelin, Coppice track, BHP. Felt surprisingly good after waking up with tired legs this morning, amazing what a difference a hard session can make to some aches and niggles. This run felt comfortable and easy in contrast to the last couple of days.

HFW.

IW, legs still sore from Tues and R hip pretty stiff.

Hallamshire session, Hillsborough Park. More kms, which I wasn't too thrilled about and it was chucking it down with rain, but I actually felt like I was moving well once I got going. Only 4 ahead of the weekend, all off 90 secs: 3.17, 3.17, 3.16, 3.17. Much hillier lap than Tues, so solid times and feel much better for the session.

IW, BHP.

Evening run up Rivelin to the sounds of owls twit-twooing. Too dark to run off road really, need to eat more carrots or take a light. Felt quite good after a tiring day of carrying Alex round in his sling.

6x1km with ~200 jog recovery on the Myers Grove bike track. Legs still a bit tired from Sunday and almost bottled it but enjoyed the session in the end. 3.07, 3.09, 3.12, 3.08, 3.10, 3.09. Worried that I was on a downward slide after lap 3, but happy with the last 3 reps. Not much faster than last time but managed 6, so progress of sorts I suppose.

C • progress I suppose 1

Myers Grove and back.

Drills and strides to warm up.

IW, BHP, beaut morning for it, legs not too bad.

HFW, short loop via Parkwood Springs and down through the spooky cemetery. Lovely hazy evening, could have mistaken it for a hot summer's day if it wasn't freezing cold.