Training Log Archive: Whitesheep

JK classic - 35th
Pretty good run all told, and I was pleased with how I held up physically. My lack of speed mattered less than on the previous days, and I got round efficiently moving at a similar speed to those around me, and finished at about the same speed I started.
Just a couple of lazy mistakes early on. At #1, having worked out where it would be in the start lane I then switched off completely from actually navigating to it, and at #9 by being a bit casual I ran just past it as I wasn't sure I was in the right re-entrant. #25 looks like a mistake but wasn't really, I just got a bit bogged down in the green. And #29 I missed a bit of a chance to gain time - think I got the right idea going round the back of the control, but needed to go further north back past #27 to really make the most of it.
2h 13 is a long time, but the winning time of 1h 40 was also long, and actually this run might have been "worth" a sub-2 in other years.
Think I did well with residual marathon fitness even though the last 4-5 months have been very light on training. But the big improvement on some previous classics was just getting enough fuel in: lunch, big bowl of pasta, and dinner after the middle, 3x small breakfasts in the morning, and 4x gels. It sounds like a lot but I think I need more for a classic O race than even a marathon, as I'm just not an efficient terrain runner.

34th overall is a good finish for me. I'm glad I stuck with elite this year - even though it looks like I'd have been in the mix on 35L, I get more out of the chance to have a bash at the toughest courses, at least while I'm not getting any slower.

JK middle - 44th
Again lacked a bit of sharpness, but chugged round reasonably efficiently to a decent result. Just annoyed by a big mistake at #26, forcing the map to fit the ground as I ploughed through the green to the bigger hill to the NW.
Fun racing head to head with a few guys.

JK sprint - 44th
I thought the simple and so v fast area wouldn't suit me at all at the moment, but this was as close as I've ever been to the winner's time.
Didn't really get anything wrong, maybe a couple of 50-50s, but there was so little in it that it was usually just best to be decisive. Could probably have had a better line to #24, but equally was making good use of the people around me so not sure I'd have gained by striking off on my own.
It was basically a running race though, but still fun. I do think my average HR could have been a smidgen higher if I had a bit more sharpness, but just couldn't turn my legs over faster.

10x v short/short hill reps up crabtree
Around 25s for the v short and 45s for the short
First one lethargic, but towards the end the v short ones especially felt normal

yoga