Training Log Archive: Ryan the Lion

Event: British Relays
 

BOC Relay Mens Short, Leg 2.

Mark came back from Leg 1 in 12th about 8 mins down on Kris and 6 mins down on the main pack of runners in the low 30s. I went out, not really knowing if I had anyone to chase, ran hard, passed a few old guys on the path to No.1 but didnt know whether they were on my course. Spiked 1-4 and passed a few other guys on the long run to No.4. Was within 30m of No.5 but didnt see it behing a tree so lost 10s. 6 was probably the hardest leg of the weekend deep in the green with no real way of attacking it. I went ot the right around the wee block of green, but went too right. Didnt have a clue where I was in the green until I hit my No. 7. Headed to 6 seeing four other controls on the way. At least that meant I did No.7, a 250m leg in thick green which was really tricky in 1min 29 as I just re traced my steps. The open areas on the way to 8 were hard to understand and I went too far left, losing a minute but caught the EUOC guy who I didnt recognise.9, 10 straight forward. Lots of people took the cowards route around the outside of the green to No.11 but I decided to fuck it and took the mans route straight through which was risky but proved 30s or so quicker.

Didnt know what position I was in when I finished, turned out I was up to 3rd tho. Andrew had a very good run to hold off the LVO guy who had a seriously quick 29 mins.

Pleased with the run although the time sound slow, the course was barely gaffled so 1st leg was apparantly a total xc race, hence the fast times where as I was never with anyone for more than 30s or so.

3rd place is goood

My big toe has swollen up to about 3 times its normal size and is very sore, think I might get the home amputation kit out.

C • Well Done 1

Event: British Long Champs
 

BOC M18L

went into the race lying in 15th in the FCC after missing out on easy points at the british Sprint/ Middle weekend. Started good, not losing any time, siting in the top 10 at No.6. Then it turned Ugly. Just couldnt really figure the area out, speshially all those knolls, I just couldnt work out which was which in relation to the map/ground. Made a ton of mistakes then made possibly the most embarresing mistake which I almost dont want to mention publicly. Was on the long leg back to No.13 and check my descriptions before reaching the hard section of the map, had briefly looked at it at the start of the leg and remembered it was 90somthing. glanced down saw a 97 on my sheet, carried on. Picked the best route, executed it, got into the area, saw a control on a hill, like mine, but it was 96, so I carried on searching, as the next leg was long and I assumed 96 would be near 97. A bit of searching, checked my descriptions and realise 97 was number 15 on my course and 96 was my control, arrrggghh. Headed back and got the control, then messed up lots again in the green near the end.

Thanks to a bit of geeking it looks like im now in 16th in the FCC missing out by 3points at most. Now ive got to run round some crappy forest in Yorkshire in 2 weeks time, just before exams, with nothing to gain from it. Fun.

Least I have a bit more time to try and do some trck and road racing as I dont need ultimate preparation for the FCC.

M18L - Splits

Queens Drive Loop, felt good, very windy so hard work in places, felt very hungry in the last 10mins or so.

Route: http://www.sanoodi.com/route/tom-r/142559/ftyghiui...

Felt good, put in a few wee bursts to test speed, lots of revising still, less than a month till first exam.

Felt tired after English Prelim, Geo NAB, Biology practical and preparing for PE NAB today, so didnt bother with intervals, did some serious control pickage on AS instead. Felt V tired and just didnt have it in me to work hard up the very large number of climbs. Some controls were tricky without flags, but took the time to make sure I was right rather than rushing off to the next control.

To/From Start.

Much Revision for Geography NAB and English writing Prelim tommorow.