Training Log Archive: schnitzer

Granby - Tornberget. Jarfalla long training with Nick and Eric Roller.

Think first and foremost should explain why haven't labelled this as sexy forest - basically cos pretty much every bit of o-ing gonna do out here is sexy in comparison to most of the shite back home so from now on just assume that it is sexy. Today was very sexy not only cos it was mostly very detailed in terms of contour and rock and the huge amounts of snow (but virtually no ice so trail shoes fine!) making what would normally be tuff in places more runnable but also cos of the size of the place. F-ing in heaven.

Started off easy to steady running together but on the long leg to 5 Nick saw fit to sprint off across a frozen lake while Eric and I wussed it out around the edge. I decided on a str8er line and lost out to Eric cos of climb but got onto the obvious path route just behind Nick which unfortuately was the wrong path cos of the A3 map being folded in half into an A4 bag - oops. So once turned over legged it across some ruff stuff to the right path and easy from there to the flag where Eric had been waiting for a few mins. A minute later Nick arrived and we headed off on the pinball part of the butterfly loop and although I was keeping up with the map and making decisions for myself I couldn't help but feel unsatisfied cos every one was reinforced by either Nick or Eric taking the same route as me. So b4 the 2nd part I had a riddle, let them go and then proceeded to miss the next control on my own loser that I am. Relocated quickly tho off a huge crag with a boulder next to it - I'd drifted a bit West and made a parallel error on a craggy spur attack point. Next couple good and then onto another leg across the fold in the map but this time the waste was my fault again drifting and relocating off the wrong set of crags. So lesson learned and from then on slowed slightly and picked off big boulders and significant contour detail all the way. Met back up with the lads and did the last 3 together again this time steady to sustained and gotta admit on the last one tired as fcuk put the map in my pocket let them find it for me just making sure I didn't hurt myself. Proper good session.

C • Jealous! 10

Vasteras (1). Ok so it was a completely different kinda hash but strangely it still had the potential to make me fat as there were candy and (spiked) hot chocolate stops during the run and some apparently traditional downing of beers afterwards singing well known tunes with the lyrics changed in a very crude way. Followed by more beers in the sauna, mexican food, truffles, more beer/cider and even more candy... I liked it, my kinda thing. I'll do it again fo sho.

Legs tired today after last night so the easy intensity was perfect recovery for another long blast in proper terrain tomorrow - bring it!

Nacka Reserve. First run in Stockholm taking in both of the reflex bana routes thru the snowy woods near to Nick's place. These are terrain runs marked by reflective stickers on trees that get real shiny when wearing a headtorch. My fearless approach with trail shoes was quickly converted into more of a softlad style once I'd fallen over and hurt my arm quite badly - it was quite icy in places and surprisingly (or not considering there are downhill ski slopes at the start) very up and down. Once into the second course Nick took advantage of my headlamp coming off to run off into the distance. Let's face it that was the only way he was gonna get ahead what with my dynamite speed and unparalleled grip.

Absolutely quality start to my 10 days in Sweden well looking forward to the next installment of what Nick has in store for me, apparently we are going to do some hash tomorrow - not sure how that is going to help the cause in my experience it just makes me fat and out of breath.

Grizedale. Re-ran the GB junior long-o I did on 14th December this time backwards. 12mins quicker probs cos I knew where the features were from b4 (only a few very small misses) rather than was running any faster altho felt very strong all the way - I will run this at proper o-ing race pace next time (hopefully with some proper o-ing shoes rather than trail ones) to see how fast I can go. Lower back 99% down to just 10mins of lower body stretching both Mon and Tues. Another 10mins once I got back for good measure - must try to do this every day from now on it obv makes a big difference to muscle balance for me.

Seathwaite - Green Gable - Great Gable - Seathwaite. After a good night's sleep this time in a proper bed (well, a fairly solid if slightly too short bunk in the Keswick YHA) and a decent stretch I decided to get up onto the fells again to re-live some of my snowy adventures from December. Parked up in Seathwaite for the first time ever and was delighted to find no fee required - can't be many parking areas like that left in the Lakes now that some farmer hasn't decided to cash in on.

Up the footpath next to the Sour Milk Gill waterfalls (nice short scrambly section) and then up the big reentrant (huge amounts of crunchy snow) onto the east shoulder of Green Gable. Up to Great Gable was a bit I want my Mummy - no footprints in the snow looks like I was the first going that way for a while. Tried to get down the White Napes for a pint at the Wasdale Head Inn but after using my arse as a brake a few times went back up to the summit, had a quick look at the scrambly route towards Kirk Fell decided against it (time/distance spent changing my mind not included) and just walked back to the car via Sty Head where I was happy to find a set of footprints. Not being able to go where I want really pissed me off today. Just wanted to hike without thinking about whether I was going to die or not might just stick to low level stuff or o-ing while the snow/ice is still about. Or get some sorta traction upgrade.

Something was wrong with me this morning driving the Borrowdale road for some reason just felt content with sitting behind a Volvo driver and listening to some kicking tunes but normal service was resumed on the way out. Found a quicker way of getting past grockles than waiting for a safe overtaking opportunity - instead of coming off the throttle as soon as a car comes into view and smoothly slowing down keep on the throttle and brake fairly suddenly nearing the dangerously slow offender. Even holiday drivers not really paying attention with varying levels of spacial coordination skills can appreciate the difference between a car approaching at twice their speed and graciously pull over immediately - thanks.

1) 63:15 Green Gable
2) 15:00 Great Gable
3) 66:15 Seathwaite

http://www.mapmyhike.com/route/gb/keswick/47985132...