Training Log Archive: gg

Morning jog

Inter-counties fell running, and race 1 in the British Mountain Running Challenge series which is one of my targets this year.

I thought a medal was a good target - challenging but attainable.

Andy Douglas went flying off at the start, and I was in the chasing group up the first climb. I had a plan which I stuck to, which was basically to not get into the red until the last part of the last climb. Already at the top of the first climb, Andy, Max Nicholls and myself had a bit of a gap, and we were all fairly close (5s between each). This stayed around the first loop, and coming down into the arena run through. My back started to stiffen up again on the rapid descent, as I was hoping it wouldn't.

Max put in a huge effort on the next climb to almost get on Andy, but he had underestimated the remaining climbs, and I stuck to my plan - keeping about the same distance from Andy, but gradually reeling in Max.

The last real climb was short and steep, and I knew there was only fast running after that, so I put in a real burst to get past Max (who was really slowing) and hopefully crush his spirit! I was pretty worried about my back on the last section, so I was hoping to avoid a sprint finish. I also got pretty close up behind Andy again, only about 10s at the start of the descent.

The last 2km was mostly gradual downhill on a smooth-ish grassy path, and for the first km I felt like I was gaining on Andy, but then he seemed to kick into another gear and pulled away a bit again. With 600m to go it kicked up again with a small climb, and I knew I wasn't go to catch Andy, but I had to put in some effort to make sure I didn't give Max a sniff.

Very happy with 2nd place, and happy not to be too far behind Andy. Hard to say how close to his best form he is at the moment, but at least I think he had to work for the victory.

The mighty Scotland Central unfortunately failed to field a full team with a late drop-out, but at least we had 2 individual medals with Catriona getting a bronze too.

Results
http://www.scottishhillracing.co.uk/RaceResults.as...

C • Well done 1

Shorter trip today.

Easy trot from home with Lewis

From home. Longer loop. Not sure if back is less stiff or not - just feels a bit bruised!

All the numpty drivers out and around Callander today.

Easy from home.

Planned a second run, but my back/rib has been really sore/stiff for a couple of days, so got a last minute massage instead.

Inter-counties recce with Steve F. Lovely route, and a great day.

On the edge. Rest day required

Morning jog in Ambleside

BOC Relay, Summerhouse Knott.
Cracking area, good map etc etc

Shminty had a really bad day on 1st leg, 7 minutes behind. Mark ran a bit better on 2nd, to send me out in 6th place, 8 minutes behind the leaders, but definitely in with a shout of a medal (especially with people going AWOL all over the place).

Ran well in the beginning, passing FVO second team (Lewis) at the 4th control. Caught AROS (Eddie) and EUOC 2 (Tim) at number 8 despite losing a few seconds at 6, so was up to 3rd place, with Peter a couple of minutes in front, and Shuoc well ahead.

Proceeded to miss 2 minutes at number 9 - got very confused looking for a crag below an open area on a steep slope covered in crags and small open areas - dropped well too low. Seems AROS and EUOC missed as well, as I never saw them, but Lewis got back ahead, and I caught him again at 11.

Was feeling really tired at this point, and it felt unlikely that I was going to either catch the guys in front or get caught, so I definitely dropped down a gear in the last part.

The last loop was quite simple and easy running, and quite open - couldn't see anybody in front or behind, so I assuming I was cruising in for a bronze medal - only to be announce as silver on the run in!

Cue seeing distraught Shuoc people around (dsq on leg 2 - faulty box maybe?), and then surprisingly distraught NOC people as well, as Peter had just downloaded and been told he had missed the spectator control.

Then I downloaded, and was told that I had also missed the spectator control.

This was strange as the control was at the end of a marked route through the arena, right next to a gate which was less than 1m wide. It would be physically impossible to go further than about 40cm from the control and still get through the gate, and with the touch free punching you would pretty much have to TRY to not punch the control as you went past to fail to register.

However, it didn't register for me or Peter, and as I honestly can't remember punching the control, the most obvious answer is that I didn't punch it (and neither did Peter). The less likely answer is that there was a problem with the technology, but that control worked for everybody else.

If I had worn the SI card on the other hand it wouldn't have been a problem.

Anyway, roller-coaster day - well behind early on, up to the medal fight, 3rd team over the line, but all top 3 dsq (I'm not getting into the debate about the Shuoc mispunch - many other teams had issues with that same control).

The great news was that this meant our 2nd team took a silver medal, and Ed Bloody Nicholas got a bronze medal! His first ever British Champs medal, and possibly the most unexpected but pleasant event since Lillomarka came 6th at 10mila.

Physically very tired today, never got my HR into zone 5 at all - time for an easy week.