Training Log Archive: Thraws

Leg 1, Beachy Head to Exceat. Cold headwind slowed down some of the descents, but wasn't too much hindrance. Loved this, good running on short grass and mostly downhill it seemed. Certainly was to the road beneath the lighthouse, which took about 10 mins, then from Belle Tout to Birling Gap. Here the climbs began, over the 7 and a half sisters, the biggest probably being the long second. The gradients didn't prevent actual running anywhere though. I think I was on the last after about 34 mins, then there's a long and glorious descent to Cuckmere Haven, before the biggest (still easy) climb and last lovely downhill to the finish. Some route refinement needed but otherwise that's a second superb leg recced.

Just turned round and jogged back easily over the first hill to Cuckmere Haven to rejoin Jan. Then we jog/walked back to BH. I had less energy than her for the steeper uphills and got quite chilled walking as the temperature seemed to dip. Felt tired but ok (just) back at the car but was very pleased to get food and hot drink on board at the madly busy Birling Gap NT café. Really love this bit of Sussex.

Event: Oxford City Race
 

Was a lovely day for it. Spring-like. Couldn't find the start triangle as usual, then thought I was going the wrong way to 1. But there was a cheeky little gate which I spotted eventually. Then was ok to 10 and even made use of the 'raised walkway' to 11. Things started to get real interesting at 15 when no apparent way into the college suggested (eventually) a major detour to the north and the (only?) open gate. Then left 16 in the wrong direction and found a dead end I was tempted to escape from by running over the grass (I didn't, so lost heaps more seconds). After an easy bit in the Parks it was back into another college for 21 (where I should have realised the point of entry was also perforce the point of exit!). I was ok to 30, but my route to 31 to the left led to another dead end from which my retreat was ignominious. The last Parks bit was easy, and I was pleased at the end because my time seemed quick compared to the leading time of 49 mins when I started. In spite of three or four big errors. But when I downloaded I had no splits. Reason: I had run the wrong course, 4 instead of 5! Cursed briefly the amount of information we had been expected to bring with us to the start (time, bib number, course), but didn't really mind as I had enjoyed myself a lot on a very well-planned course. Nor was my time anything special on the shorter course 4, never mind 'my' course 5 where I'd've been way down the results.

Chilly murky morning. But glorious afternoon. Gloves were off.

Not a bad day actually.

Charlotte cancelled, so I had an extra hour. Why not a Corporate Challenge tune-up for next week? After nearly getting killed by a speeding bus, I managed a fairly conservative pace save for the last km so was pleased with the time. Need to think about knee lift in second and third laps next week I reckon.