Training Log Archive: OJ

Almost went for a run from Patterdale after Jen had finished her run at Twin Peaks, but my shoes still had double knots in them and I couldn't be bothered to untie them.

Duddon English champs. Feeling much better today and up for it at the start, although not expecting much on recent form. Settled in to a nice cruisey pace, just tracking the front pack and surprised to be feeling comfortable on the faster running section and up and down Harter.

Slowed at Hardknott for a drink in a stream and all of a sudden gaps started opening, so pushed on to try and cover. A split at the top and I opted to follow Graham Pearce, A N Other (and Nails, briefly) who aimed further north than the rest of the pack. Nails bailed early and got back on line while I carried on too long (god knows where the other two ended up) and cut across the valley way up from the racing line having binned a couple of minutes. Worked hard up Little Stand convincing myself I could claw it back, but emerged at the top miles back and out of sight of the front group.

Fairly dejected for the traverse to Three Shires and let my head drop, but rallied once on the climb and started tapping out a decent trot up to Swirl Howe. At this point folk started coming back to me and I started cheering up. Bit of a surprise to pass Si Booth, Lloyd, Ozzy, Ben Abdelnoor, etc. without really trying. Face-planted a boulder field and landed with my cheek brushing a sharp rock, just saved by my hands and arms, phew.

Got the map out for Caw and enjoyed weaving through the knolls. Legs tired for the final climb but managed a good descent to pass Tom Brunt for 13th. By some margin a personal worst in a long race in the last couple of years, but at least we won the team prize after great runs by Rhys, Nails, Tom and John.

So...why the bad recent form after what felt like a great few months of training? This race was confirmation that I am basically OK in spite of feeling crap for a couple of weeks - I think I can put that down to a mild cold and/or hayfever. Training post PPP was probably silly - the plan was to copy what I did a couple of years ago when I ended up on a great vein of form...but the risk didn't pay off this time and the miles have left me tired and a bit flat. I think a bigger issue might be a surplus of day-in-day-out jogging IW and HFW that wastes a lot of energy I could make better use of in sessions on hard days. I haven't been recovering well and I don't think double jogging days help much. I'll try to cut that back.

Plan is for more quality rest in between silly adventures on the odd weekend in the next couple of months. I think some fun stuff like that will probably help to sort things out. I'm getting increasingly worried that Transalp is going to be a sufferfest with Rhys in such good form...only three months to go!

C • maybe 1

C • I think the problem may be ... 5

WU to the start, WD looking for Jen and Alex in various Patterdale campsites.

IW, still feeling rubbish in the morning, but better as the day goes on. Hayfever medicine helping?

Bit better today.

HFW injecting a bit of pace.

Biked in to give myself a proper rest day.

Sinuses blocked up and feeling pretty dreadful. Easy week coming up.

HFW, not much better really.

York city race with a hangover. Didn't really get myself up for this at the start and I proceeded to fall into most of the traps that the father in law had set on a course that was trickier than it seemed. All very enjoyable in spite of the cock-ups.

C • Traps 4

WU.

WD.