Training Log Archive: OJ

Marsden to Edale Trigger, 2nd behind Simon Harding. [warning: gratuitous over-analysis coming up]: I achieved most of what I set out to do: I ran at a comfortable-fast pace without thrashing myself; I don't seem to have aggravated any of my niggles (touch wood); and I enjoyed it (mostly). BUT I didn't win and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't annoyed about that.

Man, did I have a bad attitude about today's race. The last couple of years I have taken it really seriously as a come-back race after injury and done all the prep. This year I wanted to have my cake and eat it - rock up, run easy and still win. I was feeling relatively fit and have an unbroken record on this one (admittedly this was only its third running). Having had a look at the start list, I figured--arrogantly--that I was the favourite and that no one would really bother to come with me. When Simon was still on my tail by Black Hill I was a bit put out. When he stormed past me on the way down to Crowden and quickly pulled out a minute-or-so gap, I was starting to wonder...

OK, still early days. I decided to chill out and eat something then work on him up Wild Boar. This worked out well and I passed him comfortably on the climb and expected to keep pulling away from there. But, Bleaklow Head comes and goes and and um, he's still there...Shelf Trig and I've got a small gap so I try a 'decisive move' down and up to the Pennine Way. It's worked, I can't see him! Except there he is, still just behind me.

New CP on Kinder this year, which meant a long slog into a strong windchill over icey flagstones to the distant plateau. I grind this out not letting myself look behind, hoping for a gap. Finally, hit the climb and glance over my shoulder...doh! He's right on my shoulder!

Now I know it's going to come down to a hard race to the finish or some tactics. I opt for the former; I hate that sneaky shoelace-tying stuff. I'm mildly pissed off as he follows me through the groughs - but I remind myself that I would do exactly the same if I was racing a Borrowdale stalwart (or Rhys) in the Lakes - it's all part of the game. The groughs are full of brittle ice and snow and it's hard going, but I kid myself that I'm holding something back ready to drop the hammer once we emerge on the path.

Out we pop at Grindsbrook and I'm just readying my hammer for a good hard swing, when I notice that Simon has already put in an effort and has pulled out a sizeable gap. My hammer goes limp and so do my legs. I don't even put up a fight and opt for a nonchalant cruise into the finish. The shame!

Great run by Simon and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't fun to be part of a proper cat-and-mouse to the finish - the last two years have been pretty solitary. But I'm disappointed to have capitulated so easily. I went into the race with some pretty unrealistic goals (run easy AND win), should have made my mind up what I really wanted to get out of it and either gone for it, or used it as a training run. No saying I wouldn't still have been beaten, but at least I would have gone down in a blaze of glory. Some good lessons there, I'll just have to come back next year and settle things like a man.

Oh well, it was a good day out in harder conditions and a longer route, so the time isn't actually too shoddy. Back was a little uncomfortable from 45mins in, so I really need to try to get that sorted. And I got frozen milky eyes again!

C • Reflections 3

Warm up to recce the start, but it was different from last year so a bit of a waste of time.

An easy potter up Rivelin. Noticed an ache under the ball of my L foot yesterday, I think from the hill session on Weds. Bit better today after some icing and massage, hopefully tomorrow won't aggravate too much...

C • Good luck, hope weather sta... 1

IW, bit clunky.

Sky's Edge. Lovely day for it and moving well. At least a lot better than this morning, anyway.

IW via BHP, moving OK after last night's fun.

HFW, retracing my steps.

C • I'm liking the Circuitry, m... 3

Been shattered the last couple of days so binned a morning run this am. Seemed to help and I felt good again tonight. Steel Bank reps on a very rainy evening: 1.05, 1.36, 1.48, 1.56 (ran into a temporary barrier), 1.52, 1.56, 3.02, 0.49, 1.04, 1.19. Good times, getting stronger, getting faster.

Stonkingly tired this morning, it was an effort.

Conference all day during which I ate my bodyweight in rich food. Surprisingly I felt much better HFW and threw in 8xhill bounds to wake my legs up.

Loxley Common as a gale was blowing up. Tired after a busy day with the lad, at least he treated me to a nice long afternoon nap.