Training Log Archive: jed

Before going out I had a severe lack of confidence and was really worried about being out for ages not enjoying it after last weekend. I just felt like another bad day would make me feel even worse but at the same time I really wanted to get out there and prove I could do it. I had to really fight with my negativity on the way to the start but managed to give myself something to concentrate on to be more positive.

After I felt slightly better as I achieved what I set out to do but still lacking something. Nothing major but think it's just a combination of lots of different things altogether. A nice run in the hills with a focus was exactly what I needed and really looking forward to MSR next week :).

Kilnsley. My plan was to solely focus on compass and hitting the controls no matter what the pace was to try and regain some confidence for Jukola, treating it more of a long run. As my thoughts were negative I focused really hard on concentration and anytime it wavered I forced myself to think about what I was doing next - it seemed to work.

I enjoyed the course a lot until 14. I generally hit things well (bar number 8 on a pit but knew what to do when it went a bit wrong to minimise time loss). It became apparent that I often want to exit controls in the wrong direction and this focus on compass showed how often I would have "banannaed". I also had confidence where the control would be which prevented hesitation and although I did spend most of the course alone when there were others on different courses around I was able to ignore them. I still enjoyed the course after 14 just not quite as much. I had a bit of lack of confidence to 20 but my trusty compass had taken me basically to the right area so I was able to minimise time loss (should have read desciption though as I was actually standing on the feature for a bit but thought control was on crag so ran away!) For 21 the terrain was a lot less nice and I made a mistake on the penultimate control focusing too much on the runnability and less on the map. Route to last control was good though as ignored others and stuck to my strength. Step forward again :).

Compass worked and I have more confidence in it, now to speed this up to more of a race pace. I really enjoyed being out on the moor, in runnable terrain (until the end), almost entirely alone on a lovely day.

Inc. drills.

Skipton urban, just for fun not taking it too seriously but pushing hard enough to get good training out of it.
Not sure of my routes to 1 or 2. Made the same bridge mistake as a lot of people at 4 but please with how quickly and calmly I sorted it out, not getting distracted by the multiple people milling around trying to work it out. 5 wasn't too good as planned ahead at the wrong time so started running the wrong way twice. . Pushed hard to 8, good route Dad also chasing me as had the same leg so no faffing but on approaching the control I read the map for 9 so looked for a bridge and ran right past the control. Again though sorted it out and carried on better than previously, straight passed Dad again being slicker and good through next couple of sprinty controls. I think I learned from these two errors and planned ahead at better times later on though. Hesitant on 11 but good routes on the next two. Unnecessarily hesitant to 14 but there was also a lot of traffic making it tricky. Caught out on 15 but again managed to sort it out without panicking but then very hesitant on next few worried I'd get caught out again. Invested time on the long leg (but it wasn't really worth it as I picked the wrong one!...more work required here) Lost about a minute here, quite annoying as I'd seen that route but didn't think it was as good. Worked really hard on my route though and committed from the start. Not particularly slick through the last few, even though I'd planned them in advance as they were trickier than expected.

Although not a great run, as made too many mistakes, I am really pleased I managed to sort them all out quickly and move on. Another positive is my commitment on the long legs rather than worrying about if it's best at the time. Again my best sections were when I was being followed so still need to work out how I get this confidence out of myself when alone. Cracking course with so many different challenges including an epic long leg and really good fun - therefore main goal for the day achieved.

Quick rest and ran the yellow course, as last week with the aim of having the feeling of running confidently with a map in hand at a speed I've not done before but are capable of. Dad following and cutting corners. Course was brutal with lots of climb and didn't quite have enough decision points to allow me to get out if exactly what I wanted. Still pushing hard with no double checking map (with controls still out no excuses for hesitations) and has given Dad and idea of what might be better to plan next weekend.

Pleased to be selected for Euromeeting and particularly the World Cup in Prague, especially excited to be given the chance to race sprint relays again! Good end of season racing block to aim for, focus still mainly on running for next few months before back focusing on the orienteering in August.

Drills as last week, again ending with high knees.

Speed reps. 4x60m (4mins). Cloud cleared so another nice evening. Moving better than last week and middle two fell particularly improved.

Went to Musselburgh to run somewhere different but as I wasn't too bothered about the orienteering Rona and I did it together with one of us memorising the next leg during the previous. This was good for my confidence as shows how much I can remember. It was all going really well for us both, with only minor wobbles in the circle, until 17 where Rona had a very short time to plan so we made a parallel error, assumed the control had been stolen (3 had before) and I took over and made it fit until we couldn't find the alleyway. Sorted it all out and last few were fine. Good use of an easy run/controls out.

3 sets of 4x10secs (50secs), extra 1min between sets. Again focused on light, fast cadence (high knees) - leg not too bad, think I'm finally getting used to the current S&C session.

Pre breakfast easy WoL loop with Haymarket extensions, felt better as went on.

Racing Kaz's bus to near the gym, without being silly and running too hard. I won :).
Back from Fountainbridge area.

Session much more fun with Kaz for company even though we were doing different things. Managed to do slightly heavier today but still focusing more on the plyos, probably as it wasn't quite so early in the morning (still pre-breakfast but had a banana/nuts post run).