Training Log Archive: Mark Two

Hanging tapes at Cannop Ponds for WJS training.

Not many Welsh Juniors , but Vanessa had press ganged some of Seth and Reuben's chums from Tutshill Primary School to come along, whcih made it all worthwhile and more fun for all concerned.

Very glad to have the help of Clare, Marcus, Richard and Mark and some willing parents to help with some one to one shadowing and then control collecting.

Sociable run with Alice, Charles and Helen in the Quantocks. From Holford up thru' the sesile oaks of Hodders and Sheppards Coombe to Bicknoller post. A nice grassy track into Pardise Coombe and round Thorncombe hill with views over to Exmoor . Then back via Higher and Lower Hare Knap. Enjoyable outing and nice to explore some new paths.

Run from Southgate. No Juniors so Alice, Ben and I opted for a strraght run. Feeling a bit down by lack of others, but sprirts lifted as we got to the end of West cliff and the fantstic view accross Threecliffs bay suddenly opens up in front of you. I never tire of that spot.

Went down to Pobbles and across to the other side of the beach, looked back to see somebody sprinting accross towards us. Thought it was Ben's dad to begin with - he had started with us and just told us to go on - but too fast for him, and then realised it was Oscar, so waited at the top of the steep sandy slope, which Osc' spiritedly ran up. Continued with loop around Penmaen burrows, back across the stepping stones , up to Pennard castle and across the golf course by a route I had never been on before.

All in all, a lovely run.

MDC run Cwm Lickey. Gentle to start, and even gentler on second part as I swept.

Enjoyable JK. Really chuffed to see both Megan and Chloe perfoming so well.

JK relay Pippingford Park. 1st leg for old gits team with Chris Kelsey and Clive.

Had quite liked the SI air card and was even contemplating buying one, so I was decidely grumpy when I got to my no 1 , touched and took a few steps away, before I twigged it hadn't beeped or flashed so had to return to dib. No sound at the next control either, so moved card from wrist to finger to enable easier dibbing, and thereafter just dibbed - tho' on occasion it did seem to work properly. Let it get to me - spent more time worrying about that, than getting on with the job in hand. Fortunately navigation was very straight forward so apart from a very slight wobble at 4 it didn't really cost me what it could have done. More just a lack of impetus.

Chris a had a great run to bring the team back to something like respectability, but Clive was just too far behind to get us into the medals, tho' he very nearly managed it.

JK Long at St Leonards and Holmbush.

Started OK, but confused by vegetation at 3 - Yellow semi open with lots of small trees , which I took to be the green I was looking for. No excuse, should have read the terrain notes in the final details properly and not switched off as I ran down the ride towards the circle. Lost a minute perhaps. Then a classic banana at 5 - not forcing myself to run up the hill enough - chucking a way another minute. Not surprised to be caught up by Tim by 4 minutes at 7. Took different - higher routes to 8 & 9 - and was happy to see him just ahead of me on the track run to 11. Pushed as hard as I could then to try to be in touching distance at the timed road crossing. Didn't really get the green mapping on the next few controls. Got into 133 before Tim but then cocked up 14. Didn't think I would see him again but he missed at the end of the long leg to 16 and overtook me again on way to 17, before disappearing in to the distance.

Turns out that like me, and some others he was very hesitant about the route for 16 accross the fields by the assembly. Best route would probably have been to have picked up the track between the olive oob and the purple overprinted OOB fence. Wanted to go that way , but wasn't sure it was legitmate, so opted to take a southern route with more climb and slower going. Looking really closely with a good magnifier, it probably was legitimate, but still not totally sure.

Still finished 6th again, so pleased to be competitive, even if not in top form.

Nice long jog to start.