Training Log Archive: Craney

Had a good run with only small wobbles on the bingo-ey controls. Picked some bad lines through the heather early on, but had a good second half of the course (through the fun bit) which was enough to make sure I didn't get beaten by any dirty students. Pleased that I felt strong at the end, although it was hard to really push at any point on the course cos of the heather, mud and steep banks. My route choice from the last control to the finish looks to have paid off (I don't often win the run-in). It was a shame that they ran out of maps for Speakey - this always happens and it pisses me off. Just print more maps than you think you need and do away with a portaloo or something if you're worried about money. Grrrr. Also, since I'm getting into rant mode, I've decided that I hate these here waterproof maps we always seem to get these days. The quality of printing was so much better back in the day of map bags. Comparing my map to the one from December 04, it's amazing how much clearer the contours and everything was on the old map. Not to mention mud sticking to your map and printing rubbing off during the race.

C • Waterproof maps 16

C • Which numpty has drawn thei... 1

C • rivelin map 4

C • If anybody wanted to make s... 2

Black - Splits

Drove to North Rigton on t'other side of the Wharfe and did a longish run from there. Not very exciting or owt, but a change of scene and mainly on footpaths. Shed loads of styles and gates and mud so difficult to get into any kind of rhythm, especially with carrying the OS map with me, but good to get a few more miles in the legs. Skirted the edge of Harrogate before heading up a valley to Beaver Dyke Reservoir. I hope I never get too old to find names like that funny. Then Scargill Reservoir, Stainburn Moor trig, Almscliff Crags and back.

C • hehe 1

Morning run along the south side of the harbour, up through Ashton Court, across the bridge, and down through Clifton. Not feeling too bad.

Ran to my sister's house in St George after work with my bag and dumped it off there (20mins). Then a 7.5min warm down after the following session...

Onto the Bristol/Bath railway cycle path and along that gradually accelerating for 30mins. Through a tunnel, then forked right and got out into the sticks.

Turned round, and ran back into Bristol with the aim to get back faster than I'd gone out, which I managed quite comfortably (in terms of time, but not was positively uncomfortable in terms of how I felt). Good tough sesh.

Evening time pressures meant I had to do a pre-work run. Felt pretty crap. Along the big road that goes under the suspension bridge for quite a while, then up a valley onto the downs. Got a bit lost in all the mist looking for the water tower, but found it eventually, then back into town through Redland.

C • Valley 1

Petzl run along the harbour, through Ashton Court, along some little roads to Abbots Leigh, back across fields and through Leigh Woods a bit and then across the bridge and down through Clifton. Liked this run quite a lot.

Ran at about 9pm having eaten a pizza so felt a bit queezy in the tummy (which meant a few stops). Out up Whiteladies to Westbury, past our new flat, through Henbury, round the back of Blaise, then took a wrong turn and ended up back in Westbury rather than going through Sneyd Park. This meant I was out about 20mins longer than planned and got very cold and in a boo. On the upside it meant I allowed myself a lie-in and to skip the Tuesday morning run.