Training Log Archive: OJ

Sedbergh Hills English champs long counter. 7th place. Hmmm, what to make of this one? Got well and truly dropped on the first climb up to Arant Haw. Minutes behind the pack by the summit, which was a bit disconcerting. I always seem to struggle with steep starts, maybe need to warm up better? Told myself to stay patient, it may not be a really long race, but it has enough tricks up its sleeve to warrant a sensible pacing strategy. Tucked in with what became the second group comprising the Baron, Holmsey, Ted Mason and Jamie Parkinson, although it took until about 50 mins before I felt comfortable. That was on the single track around Black Force where I started to push on.

The cols came and went with me going well on the ups and getting gapped on the downs. Punched CP4 behind the small group and pressed the gas for the long drag up to the Calf. The weather came in here and made things a bit wild, but I was feeling good so enjoyed the battle with the elements, the more so because I was starting to pass a few stragglers. MMB and TM were going similarly well though so made little inroads and kept losing sight of them in the mist and rain. It was strange and disorienting to emerge from black cloud into bright sunshine on the way down to Winder, blinded by bright colours and the sky reflecting off the rivers running down the trail. I couldn't work out what was going on in front so I just legged it and hoped. Spotted MMB and a couple of others on Winder but the gap looked big...reeled a bit in on the short climb and ran a good descent followed by a hard effort on the road to pass MMB just before the line. Rhesus, as it transpired, was only seconds in front, although I hadn't seen him all race.

Overall a bit of a disappointment in spite of the good finish. Strange to end up in the thick of it having been behind all the way - I think I was right not to go with the early pace, but needed to put myself a bit closer to striking distance, as Joe Mercer did to great effect. But that's the beauty of it; it's a different game every time!

Too busy at Kirklees Light Railway (aka Thomas-land) to train. Nice walk around some footpaths with the wife and a sleepy Alex though.

IW. Starting to feel a bit fresher.

HFW. Hardly worth bothering.

IW via Parkwood. Going OK again in spite of the hour and ran at a solid pace. Nice morning for it.

HFW.

IW via BHP. Moving OK after a busy morning picking blackberries.

HFW via 6xhill bounds then 2xBlake St in 46, 46. Max efforts so pretty spent after that.

IW, tired.

Fave lunchtime run around Norfolk Park, Deep Pits and Sky's Edge. Felt much better than this morning and held a decent pace. Tired in the afternoon though.

HFW tired.

No chance today, looking after Alex while Jen was away in Edinburgh. Needed a rest anyway, legs and body smashed from the last few days.