Training Log Archive: Craney

Cracking run up Rivelin and Coppice track. Slightly under-dressed, but not too windy so survived ok. Nice weather, feeling pretty good. Gareth Little (2 points) and Liz Britton (2 points). Running total = 12 points.

Event: British Sprint Championships
 

Fun fun fun in the snow with lots of people running round all over the place. Felt like I had to punch a control every time I had a decision point (or even more often than that in some cases). Fluked the first one in the woods, but careful on the one after that. Other than that, dug in and made sure I got in the final with a good start.

Nice of them to let Scott have a guest run. Course was basically basic. Foolishly thought I could get through a building on 2-3, and so did Scott by the look of things, so that made no difference overall. It played on my mind for the rest of the race, but I ran pretty well from then on. Running didn't feel all that natural, but pushed hard and must've been going well. Just the right side of Oli again, law of averages says he will beat me next time by a few seconds. Scott ran a good race - we crossed over near the end, hammering it perpendicular to each other, neither gonna slow down, then about 1 metre before collision we both slow down and almost hit each other. Then I decided I would bash in a door unless it opened cos the map said it wasn't there. But it slowly opened for me. Then I skidded across an indoor marble floor in my studs. Emit's pretty gay really - people congratulating me on 2nd but not being able to be happy til download cos of all the controls I fumbled and didn't get the brick in.

Aaaaanyway, a sweet weekend for me, rounded off with a trip to Kenilworth Castle and a Maccas (and I won a free McChicken sandwich).

Event: British Elite Middle Distance
 

British Champion and I won 2 gorillas. Another close battle with Johnson which was decided at the last control. I started hard and wasted energy wobbling on the first few, but got into a groove pretty soon after. The map/control placement at 10 seemed a bit odd, although I didn't spend long enough looking at it to know for sure. Anyway, lost a bit of time on 10 and 11. After that didn't do too much too wrong - didn't risk too much and ran hard. Was trickier than I expected - no-one quite had the perfect run. Chuffed with the win and to join some great names on the trophy and in the UK Cup winners hall of fame.

C • con 2

Around the roads. No points.

Foxdal intervals. 20x90 seconds (30secs rec) up Endcliffe Parks, over to Limb Valley and back into Endcliffe. You couldn't make it up - you really couldn't: as I mounted the crest of the hill above Limb Valley, I see a shimmering of the sun reflecting off a head of grey hair. He's running towards me. Who can it be? Gavin Williams AGAIN! Stopped for a chat this time and bagged my 2 points. Got another 2 points seeing Rick O'Toole running a bit later on. Total of 8 points now. Felt alright.

C • gavin = 1/2 1

10 before and 5 after. Suppose it'd be a bit cheeky trying to claim a point for bumping into Grace at the end of her run.

Gracie dropped me off at Wyming Brook and I ran home via Rod Moor (hehe), Damflask and Loxley Valley. I am so stiff! Circuits on Monday has ruined me completely. At least it was mainly downhill.

Got a 4 pointer - Gavin Williams out walking in Loxley Valley.

C • Early lead 2

Needed to loosen my legs off after circuit stiffness, but not sure if I feel any looser after this run. Out to Malin Bridge, along the Rivelin Valley road, up Hagg Hill to Crosspool and back down from there. I actually had to stop and take off my thermal on the way up the hill. I put it back on again at the top. There you go.

4x500m then 2x1km at the track. Haven't done reps that short/fast for a while, on top of all the aches and pains associated with circuits yesterday, meant I felt very heavy. Dunno what times I did the 500s in, but I was a fair bit behind Rob, then did the 1k's in about 3.10 at a more cruisy pace. Had a fish and chip reward for doing the session.

C • About 85 seconds 1