Training Log Archive: OJ

Slow jog along the waterfront to loosen off the legs and sweat out the alcohol. Beat up. Travel home.

Limone Skyrace. A bit unsure of myself going into this after a stressful and tiring week of moving house, but four consecutive nights of 10 hours+ sleep seemed to do the trick and the fitness was there from some good weeks in September. Still, I started conservatively on the 2km preamble through the town, hitting the foot of the climb in around 50th I guess.

And what a climb it was - the biggest I have ever run in a race. 1200m straight up in about 5km, mainly on zigzag rocky trails. I found a good rhythm after about 5 mins and started overtaking, hopping up the inside on the corners of the zigs. Eventually worked my way through to Tom Addison, Gary Priestly and John Albon, finally getting onto the coattails of Andy Fallas at the top. The next section was fast with a fair bit of downhill so a chance for a breather before another 300m climb up to the high point. It was hard to get going on this, but I felt as though I was still catching another group in front so tried to push on. As it was I didn't get much closer for the whole climb and I was running solo just catching the odd glimpse of them through the cloud. I was pretty spent by the top of this climb, but a technical downhill perked me up and I still had plenty of run in my legs on a brief flat forest road section.

This was followed by a series of short steep climbs along a muddy, rocky ridgeline, which pretty much finished me off. Fortunately everyone seemed to be having the same problem, so I managed to pass a few people here includin Eric Haugsnes, who I was surprised to see (he would usually be way out in front). I knew that I was on for a decent position by now so I hit the descent hard and hoped to hold it. This was nuts; 1400m straight down in about 4km, rocky and technical all the way. About half way down I caught Ionut Zinca (again, he would normally be way in front) and he ran with me for a bit before taking off at a speed that I couldn't match. Nearer the bottom I caught Florian but heard ominous noises from behind. There was a slight sting in the tail with some small climbs before a final descent through the town - survived these just barely and set off hard hoping to hold my position, but as I hit the lake front my legs went to pieces. The final flat 600m was awful in spite of encouragement from Ionut, who had slowed again - he tried to pace me, but it was all I could do to keep running. John Albon and another guy made it past putting me in 16th, a result I would have taken before the race. Bit frustrating to lose places right at the end, but apart from that I'm pleased to get a solid result in. Dip in the lake after was much needed.

C • Great result 1

Run with Tom out along the waterfront to the start of the climb. Good to recce that bit and suss out that a fast start is not necessary.

Run back down.

Hike up the end of the race route with the Inov-8 crew.

Boat trip to Riva. Run up a big hill and back down the crazy race route. Saw 17 black and yellow salamanders! Feeling much better than I did when I woke up this morning.

Jog from new place. Wet. Explored Nether Edge. Bit posh like. Travel to Italy.

Moving house. I know it's supposed to be a stressful day but Jesus, that was harrowing. Low point came when the valve for the washing machine feed broke spraying water all over the kitchen with half an hour to go before key handover time. Had to turn the mains off, call an emergency plumber and finish cleaning the house using baby wipes. Not moving again until Alex leaves home.