Training Log Archive: Jon X

Gillingham urban race on 1:5000 ISSOM map. Good fun and pushed hard, lost time in a couple of places plus a few hesitations where flags were very tucked away for security.

Main time loss was when I somehow ran past a footbridge without seeing it, tried a few trods through the nettles to my left before I realised (-45s), plus one where there were four entrances on the ground but three weren't mapped but just shown as olive green, all four courtyards approx the same shape. Got the right one at third time of asking (-1min 15s).

Actual distance 8.43km, think I was 2nd 38secs down.

Warm up including drills trying to get legs moving, felt I had tried hard enough that needed warm down too.

WSX event at Culpepper's Dish, mainly a relay event and longest course was green. Surprisingly tough although my legs felt a bit better than the past few days, so instead I threw in a few noddy mistakes to make sure I took far longer than I should have.

Went for a little jog round the paths close to the last loop after finishing, somehow managed not to see either of my parents even though they were both on that loop at the time.

Managed to use over 50 mins of running to justify a large cream tea afterwards, could get used to this Dorset lifestyle....

Lunchtime run with Brian, by my special request the flattest route possible, via Cambusbarron and Kings Park. Quads slightly easier by the end - and doubtless a few more hours sat at my desk this afternoon will really help too......

Ouch - bad DOMS today particularly by the afternoon, going downstairs not fun.

Yet somehow after postponement of the FVO run from Roger and Dawn's, I found myself out for a run anyway. With the speedy Rosco. Although not so speedy tonight with me slowing him down.

It was actually not too bad, through Riverside and Cambuskenneth then up into Abbey Craig and back via Uni and Causewayhead. Glad to have made the effort.

Then I stopped to vote on my way home. 790 voters in my village. 70 have postal votes. At 8.30pm I was visitor number 208 to the polling station. Hmmm.

C • DOMS 1

Really could have done without getting up early to go to London today!

However I was at least back in time to jog round the evening event and get the flags in (well, jog most of it anyway!). Great course from Hugh, almost wished I was racing it. Almost.

Fingers crossed my quads are no more sore tomorrow!!

Joined Pat for his latest Bob Graham Round training day. Early breakfast in the B&B but still didn't leave car at Stonethwaite until 8.45am, already a glorious cloudless day by then. Luckily I had kids factor 30 with me although Pat trumped me with his ultra cautious factor 50 baby block!

Steady up the valley and up onto High Raise to meet the BGR route, then aimed to hit Pat's planned schedule thereafter.

Amazing day out and lots of Lakes peaks I had never been up before. Wasn't sure of BGR route before today but now I know! High Raise across to Langdale Pikes, round to Rosset Pike, Bowfell and Esk Pike, then Scafell Pike and the tops before it. All on schedule to there but then my hopeless skills on rock slowed us down on the descent to Lords Rake and climb up it to Scafell. Came off Scafell too far left and didn't get the best route to Wasdale, glad to get down there for the scheduled 15 min lunch break mmm pork pies.

Then off again up Yewbarrow, Red Pike, Pillar, Steeple, Kirk Fell and up to the pass by Great Gable. Bit concerned by how late we would get back to Edinburgh so saved half an hour by skirting Great/Green Gable and going straight to Brandreth, then on to Grey Knotts and down to Honister. Hit schedule for this section apart from the shortcut! Then 4km back down the road to the car, managed to raise a jog...

Back to the car at 9.15pm pretty pleased with our days work. Survived the heat too without chronic sunburn and must have drunk 6 litres of water en route, amazing the time impact of every little stop.

Great day - may give Callendar Crags hill race a miss on Wed though!

not planned