Training Log Archive: Craney

Event: FVO Regional Event, World Ranking Event & Scottish O League 1
 

6th place, within touching distance of 3rd. Grrr. Another "satisfying", "good considering", "pleasing", "encouraging" run. All very nice but not quite there. But still, I am pleased with it, especially with the last half hour where I was winning a few splits and feeling stronger and more comfortable in the terrain. A couple of years ago that terrain would have completely spanked me, so I'm on the right track. Feeling fresh at the finish, which could indicate I didn't attack it enough, but I reckon I did attack as much as I could and it was more a case of lacking the running technique for this type of terrain. I'd like another go as I think I generated a lot of learning as I went. Technically almost there, but 2 sizable mistakes: 1min on #3 where I didn't climb enough, and 1.30mins on #19 which was actually 2 mistakes in one - one leaving #18 the wrong way and almost making a MASSIVE parallel error (but correcting just in time) and the other being too low in the circle. Tricky control. Made good use of the road on #22 and #28 which I don't think lost any time. Just got to make it count now on the areas that, in theory, should suit me better.

To be honest, 10mins is probably an exaggeration.

Event: FVO Middle Distance Race
 

5th place, 20secs off OJ in 3rd grrrrr. Last start so got quite lonely out there and legs were feeling heavy. Told myself that there wasn't much I could do about that though, and hopefully everyone else would be feeling the same (I think they were), so focussed on the nav. Pretty clean and in control but a biggish parallel error on #8 cost me at least 20secs. I could see it coming too, but wasn't brave enough to stop and correct. Quite relieved to hear the commentators say I was 5th and not 15th when I came into the field as I really had no clue how I'd be doing.

Barr Wood. A bit better than the last couple of days cos I could actually run, but feeling a bit achey and lacking confidence to race through the terrain.

Nothing like a training camp just before the first selection races to completely wreck your confidence! Fortunately, in hindsight, I got over it, but on this day I just felt rubbish in the terrain, couldn't work the map out, couldn't run and navigate at the same time... Got in a massive boo and jacked it at #6.

To the start and back from 6.

Some warming up and down during the day/night.

South Achray. Ming! Could not run in this forest. Don't think I got much out of the sesh, other than cold.

South Achray Night Event. My night-o comeback. Thought I'd like it this time, but all the reasons why I hated night-o in the first place came flooding back. Jacked it in after my umpteenth mistake left me relocating in sight of the carpark and couldn't resist the temptation of warm clothes.

Quick blast from work at lunchtime. Ramped it up on the hill to Leighwoods and legs burned by the top. Cruised back over the suspension bridge and down Bridge Valley Road etc. Felt alright.

Team Monday with Grace, Tim, Matt and lots of bunnies. Glad to be able to blame the muddiness on someone else. Felt good, had a nice natter, and enjoyed my first Monday night run where I could actually see where we were going. Ashton Court.