Training Log Archive: Bashman

Long Steady
Out from uni on a mission to explore lands outwith the bypass. After giving myself a horrendous nosebleed after only 1km (scared a few people with this) headed straight up to the bypass next to Lasswade. Out to Roslin along the cycle way at good pace but comfortable exertion, then once there exchanged over to the Penicuik to Dalkeith trail via the tough valley road.
At this point I needed a 15min break for unspeakable reasons.
Restarting was a bit difficult and stomach was getting sore from the unwelcome levels of blood from my nose bleed. Bit the bullet for the next 10km and struggled through some additional bonkage. Very happy with the final downhill and to finally arrive back at the changing rooms, where I spent the next hour showering and gathering strength to cycle home. Good stuff, standard session.
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C • missed 1

Long
First one with EUOC this year! Nice chat and some good climbs, but slightly less than usual today. Put in some effort up MFD with P but legs not really in a climbing shape - nevertheless 5s off a PB though so fairly happy! Last 30mins a real struggle with Trim but got it done with a nice bonky food shop to finish off.
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Ante
Too soon after waking up so just swimming in a pool of snot on the meadows.
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Easy
Nice lonely route of B&B, had thoughts of joining the intervals lot for a bit but bailed for some ridiculously muddy trails. Decked it early on and ice skating about at a slow pace for the rest. Not too coughy until the last quarter but think it's ignorable. Pishin it down to finish off which made for a very shit cycle home.
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Easy
With some boys round the meadows. Week of easy running with an optional Carnethy 5 on Saturday sounds like a good cure to this cold that's been dragging on.
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The inaugural purple haze dash.
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Easy
Nice B&B leg stretcher after a rough day of travelling home with Jacob, Alex, Jack, and Lydia. Still coughing but physically fine, if not better than expected. Walked the last bit as Jacob began to struggle with last night's cheesy chips. Calf doms hit afterwards.
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BUCS XC (Men's B) - 19th

Had concerns going into this with the lingering cough but decided I would at least start warming up and see how much it was really going to harm my run. Felt a bit slow but decided this was regular pre-race nerves, which was met with a nose bleed 15mins before the start. Got it sorted however, did some drills with a tissue up my nose, and got to the start line just in time for one more stride and to find my place in the middle of the pack.

Just about jogged off the start line with Jacob with our buffs over our faces, talking about the chaos ensuing at the front. After about 500m half the field seemed to burn out and we were sat in about 50th. Left Jacob at this point and began the race, through a nice bit of forest before the first hill with Nathan, who unfortunately wasn't having a great day and dropped off. Began to pick off people here and was met with big cheers, especially after some finesse over the hay bales. Into the extra loop still climbing the ladder with Matt Elk and through the tricky trail section, absolutely loving the downhill and stream jump.

Next lap and suddenly Craig and James T where not far off. Put in a bit of a push to drag them in by the bottom of the hill and was soon ahead of both heading up the long climb. At this point Jacob scared the shit out of me as he cruised past. He was strong on the climb so tried to stick with him, but was a bit out my comfort zone so dropped back, already didn't expect to be ahead of James and Craig on a good day so didn't want to burn out. Extra loop went well again and Jacob's drag meant were taking a place every half a minute on average.

Final lap and things were beginning to hurt. Chilled out on the downhill, just letting the legs go as I knew there'd be a sprint finish in the hunt for a good team position. Took two more lads on the climb but one stuck with me, over the bales and then began to sprint with a grim 300m still left, with a fair amount of climb. Pushed on and we caught the backs of a St.Mary's and Loughborough group. A mad sprint finish ensued and I only had the energy to dip the Lough boy across the line. A huge coughing fit ensued but happy to have run on such a nice course and day with so much support.

Team came 3rd uni but unfortunately two St.Mary's teams beat us so 4th. Unsure on how much the cold effected my race, felt like not very much but at the same time would have liked to have been closer to Jack and Jacob - both of them flying at the moment though. Lap times good, 7mins for each 'small' lap and about 10:15 for both large, probably the most tactical race I've run this year. Guys I finished with have a pair of very tasty 3000m times but just think they can't run off road or they would have been higher up.
https://www.fullonsport.com/event/bucs-x-champs-me...
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Easy
Nice morning with gilmore girls, 5 'strides' to keep the legs going.
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