Training Log Archive: Kris

Ok, Now seems like a good time for me to summarise how things have gone so far and plans for the future. Early season is now over, bit of a break from serious racing until Jukola and the WOC tests now. Feel free to give an opinion if you so desire.

So far this year I have stacked up well against my plans, not running BUCS XC was disappointing but I have put in solid sprint and middle results at the JK and British and backed it up with finally getting a good Tiomila run done.

Physically I feel strong but lacking in much acceleration or oomph. I have been above 7 hours of running a week most of the year (apart from April) and I think this is giving me a really nice base to work with.

Technically and mentally I am progressing nicely. Starting races feeling relaxed and ready is a big part of running well. I think the main aim before the WOC tests has to be to get some more fluency back into my technique so that it is almost becoming automatic.

So aims for the next period of training:
Keep above 7 hours of running a week.
Add in some more racing or V02 work to get the pyramid sharpened off a bit.
Do some short speed work to work on acceleration and short speed.
Orienteer regularly and get the most out of each session by having a goal and analysing success after.

If I can do all this, I think I will be in a good position come Finland.

The last thing is a bit of a nagging thing which I am not sure how to address. I feel like I am carrying a bit of extra weight still. I weighed myself this morning and I was 74.5kg (I was 81 for part of first year) and whilst this is what I'd class as a healthy weight, I think I am carrying more than I need to. The question is, as I am running quite well, should I try and lose some. I have the support to go about losing it properly should I decide to but I am wondering whether it is a step too far before WOC. It also should be noted that I am a precious flower when it comes to my weight so there might not be as much to lose as I think.

C • A good base 5

Burbage Skyline

Wanted to do this as it was a lovely day and it looked like a nice race. Ate a bit close to the start so felt a bit full warming up.

Was too far back at the start and spent most of the first 400m or so trying to get some open space. Took me until after the river to catch Malley and halfway up the first hill to catch Aiden. Was in second at the top of the first little climb and started to try and reel in the leader, which took a long time and let me know I was in for a bit of a scrap. Caught the leader at the bottom of the second hill and from people cheering worked out it must have been Stuart Bond, whose name I only know because he kicked my ass at Bamford sheepdog trials back in the day. We were pretty even from that point on, some of the hills were hard but I didn't feel like I would be dropped at any point. Tried to get past a couple of times on the bit after Burbage bridge but he kept moving across and blocking me everytime I tried, got past on the track and pushed in for the win.

Not too far from the record in the end but I didn't know when I was out there.

C • good stuff 8

Easy up to wyoming brook