Training Log Archive: Rich

Back at Physios. Has improved much more than expected. Continue now with X training for the next week and reassess for running after next weeks appointment; that is much quicker than originally suspected. Strengthening stuff to do, but not eccentric loading yet.

X Trainer

short steady one to see how my calf reacts. Has been feeling much improved in the last couple of days.

Event: JOK Chasing Sprint
 

Physio appointment

As expected really. Total rest for the next few days with regular icing and compression can start cross training only once I can walk normally again. So some enforced rest but will mean I can build up into my winter base training. No real indication of time out from running; back Monday so may know more then. at least this time I have the time to make sure its right before racing again.

Walk around a line course on Creag Choinnich. Calf was OK to start but as soon as I'd tweaked it again that was it - brain thinking about that the whole time and not thinking about orienteering. Not a chance I will be running for a while so little point in staying in Scotland. Long drive home afterwards but better to go back to work and save the holiday for when I can get full benefit from it.

Race The Castles - Stirling

Another superb course and organised race, would love more of these in the UK. Performance again was mediocre though having calf problems today, tight before and getting tighter throughout. This culminated in a tear as I turned the corner up the final drive when I overstretched to power up the hill.

Castle section was hesitant, making sure of permissible routes but maybe wasn't a bad approach as I was around top 10 heading out the castle, main time loss was missing the route to 3. Lost a few secs going into 10 but happy with my route to 11 but a poor route to 14 (went right) lost me 30-40s by the looks of it. Was like an ice rink (greasy surface) through the last sections of the course, nearly breaking my neck a couple of time. A few secs lost hesitating on 13. Then came the tear and hobbled finish. Thought a decent run as I finished not realising the RC time loss at 14 at the time. Splits indicate I was clearly running a little slower today, no doubt due to calf. Finished 14th in a slightly stronger field than yesterday.

Struggling to walk afterwards so no warm down.

To start - calf tightening but trying just to put it at the back of my mind. Just thought it would be tight and not present an issue.

Event: Race the Castles
 

Normal stuff, legs feeling good, no big problems coming from my calf.

Race The Castle - Edinburgh

Really enjoyed it but a mediocre performance. First section was tricky and made quite a few hesitations and twice started running into the wrong alley initially before realising and turning back. Also unnecesserily climbed steps to #1 which no doubt lost a few seconds. Also ended running all the way around the back to #4 after hesitating and not working out which alley to take to 4. Even so, looking at the splits I was going decent up until 10. However, made a sizable error (~20-25s) on 11, again running down the wrong alley and was very tentative coming down the slope to 12 (not sure of best route to this); I think my calf was starting to tighten at this point. Lost more time in RC on 16 (~5s) and hesitation of 17 (~15s) turning back after not picking the steps out and then not cutting the corner.

Finished =16. Splits indicate I was in touch with the top 6 prior to my balls up at 11 despite earlier errors so positives to take.