Training Log Archive: SarahD

Legs felt better than anticipated (biggest damage from the HX is a bruised big toenail) so decided to go out and see how I got on at Dunalistair. Really quite enjoyed it out there, although I was going very slowly through the rough stuff as muscles were too tired to stabilise properly. Made a couple of 1'+ mistakes but mostly quite clean.
Worst pain was when E managed to stand on my sore big toe after the finish :-(

Highland Cross (total time 4:40:20 - 11th F).
Got off to an inauspicious start before the event with a bladder infection which threw my confidence into disarray - things I thought I had in control were now unknowns, especially in terms of how I would feel and what state of hydration I'd managed to maintain. Really stressed before the start. The result was that I set off really steadily which was probably no bad thing. Didn't feel at all good on the climb, but once I was up the top I settled down a lot and just keep steadily pushing on, gradually passing quite a lot of folk. Felt the first twinges of cramp in calfs and hamstrings worryingly early, but took some rehydration tablets at Altbeithe. Didn't really expect them to help, so was pleasantly surprised some while later to realise the cramping had vanished. By the yellow brick road I was still feeling strong and running the hills where others were walking, picking up plenty more places. Tired a bit in the last couple of miles and just before changeover my calfs started cramping again - not a promising omen for the bike.
Overall happy with the run time (did 2:50 in 2007)

Decent changeover (really helpful marshall assisting with this) and then onto the bike. As anticipated it wasn't long before calf cramp set in. Tried to spin and tried to stretch each calf out individually, but once they both started cramping at the same time there was no option but to stop and try and sort it. Gave them a good rub down then got back on. Riding quite gingerly for a while, but eventually things did seem to settle. From the bottom of the hill got working with another guy, taking turns to lead, and we made good progress passing quite a few folk. Then near Struy another pair came through and the guy I was with latched onto the back of them, but I couldn't manage to hold the pace and got dropped. Worked steadily on my own after that still feeling quite strong, but scared of pushing too hard as I was still getting occasional twinges from the calfs. Tired a bit on the last climb and got passed by a couple of trains, but did manage a final effort to pass 1 lass in the last couple of miles.
Turned out much better than I feared early in the ride and really quite happy with the time (1:28 in 2007)
So overall the race went pretty well, but I am left feeling it wasn't my peak performance and there is plenty of room for improvement still. That's good - it gives me something to work at.

Across the woods to the turning area then 6 x 30" strides then jog back. Legs feeling brighter.

Wee trot round the paths at Bennachie after schools festival. Feeling more rested but not exactly flying.

Checking controls for schools festival at Bennachie

Down to the village for some milk then back the long way - up to bend in P'murchie rd then fields and woods. Been feeling lethargic. This helped perk me up a bit.

GT 2 bridges. Feeling rubbish, but think that's just the body gone into pre-race shutdown mode.

With the slow group at after school club, but they're coming on...