Training Log Archive: murraystraining

Wee shake out jog. Met Rob while I was stretching so jogged back with him.

Snowdon International Mountain Race 2012

2008 - 7th - 71:59, Winner Andi Jones 66:01
2009 - 3rd - 69:43, Winner Andi Jones 68:15
2010 - DNS - too close to WOC.
2011 - 2nd - 66:03, Winner Andi Jones 65:57

2012:
On paper it was a loaded field, with a handful of Kenyans, the UK and French Salomon squads along with the usual home international teams - including recently crowned British Fell Running champion Joe Symonds and 2010 Snowdon winner Robbie Simpson. Oh and some guy called Andi in the English team.
As usual Andi sprinted off at the start and had a 5 yard lead by the end of the field. I pushed hard to keep him close, as did a handful of other runners but when we hit the steep climb up the road I consciously eased back, finding a nice rhythm as you can’t afford to hit the red zone too early in a race like this. Brian McMahon (IRE) pushed on and got on Andi’s shoulder while I led the second group along with Robbie, Rob Samuels (Salomon) and Alun Vaughan (WAL). No sign of the Kenyans - visa issues apparently.
And then something strange happened.
Or rather, didn’t happen.
When we went through the gate and onto the hill proper, Andi Jones didn’t take off like usual. Instead, we caught him up and became a group of 5 or 6. We ran like that for a bit with Brian and I pushing the pace. First the Welsh guys Rob and Alun fell off, then Andi went and just before halfway we got a gap on Robbie too - just a two man race for the summit now! I didn’t realise at the time but apparently Andi pulled out before halfway. I don’t know the full story but it was a sad end to his campaign for a 6th title.
From half way on Brian started to pull away from me. The organisers had set up a “race within a race” with timing gates on the start and finish of the steepest section, Allt Moses. Chatting before the start we decided that it was likely that this would be won by one of the leading runners as anyone behind us wouldn’t have the legs to contest it. With this in mind I kept a close eye on Brian up this section - I’d felt I’d been stronger over the rougher ground so I maybe had a chance to reel him back in. It turned out I could only reel him in by 1 second, but that was enough to take the Vertical Rush prize - first job done!
The climbing didn’t stop then though with another steep section where Brian did start pulling away. Andi pulled away from me here last year but there was nothing I could do to stop it happening again this year. Maybe I pushed fractionally too hard on Allt Moses. Maybe the slightly excessive training this week caught up with me. Maybe he accelerated and I couldn’t respond, whatever the reason the gap started growing. I had a decent gap to Robbie now though so I kept the rhythm going and when we hit the flat section before the final climb I was pleased to find I had some spring back in my legs - maybe I’d have a chance on the downhill!
The final stages of the climb were on a new route compared with previous years, as we were diverted onto the railway. This was less than ideal as the loose stones were a poor running surface, at least for climbing, but had the bonus of being a steady gradient with no crowds in the way. The summit came soon enough where the gap to Brian was just under 30seconds, while the gap back to Robbie was slightly larger. I almost managed to get a glimpse of the view (which I’ve never seen before as the summit has always been in the clouds in previous years) - but in the fleeting moment I had I only managed to appreciate that, yes, we were the highest thing around!
Onto the railway and it was time to turn my brain off and just let fly. I was with it sufficiently to notice that Tessa was the leading lady and that maybe the gap to Brian had closed slightly when suddenly we were on the steep descent to Clogwyn and there he was, tottering over the loose rocks as runners streamed up the hill. A few shouts and the path cleared enough for me to fly past and into the lead. Here we go!
I kept pushing hard, not knowing what would happen on the flatter slopes lower down. Spectators kept telling me I had a good gap but what did they really know? Two thirds of the way down my quads started to seize up and the blister on the sole of my right foot, which I gained at the start of the descent, got a matching partner on the left. I eased off a little here, just to manage the risk of completely blowing up and losing it all. Eventually the tarmac arrived and with it the company of the TV motorbike and the final, painful descent. At least this year I didn’t have Andi for company! This bit of the race is never pleasant and this year was no exception with the blisters on both feet crying out in agony and quads screaming for mercy. Once on the flat I allowed myself a cheeky look back and with no one in sight I could start a bit of showboating for the crowds! No need to sprint for the line, just enjoy the feeling!

2012 - 1st 65:09. Easy money.

C • Great run beating a quality... 7

Easy 10.

Recce of the Jungfraumarathon course. Drove the first 26km then ran 13km of the climb. A useful exercise!

Proper mountain run up Rochers de Naye (2042m) with Hector. Found the race route online but skipped the first 5km/400m as they looked a bit dull.Stunning view of Lac Leman from the summit. Shorter steeper descent brought on some "instant DOMS", hope that doesn't last too long!

C • Chuffed 1

13.5km along the road.
3km up to the summit of La Dole (1670m - the highest thing around).
4km down to the middle final arena.
With Doug and Hector.

Ran over the Col de Marchairuz to the middle qualifier. Good route - four miles flat, five miles steady climb, three miles descent.

First time I've ever run across a border that I can remember.