Training Log Archive: OJ

Edale Skyline. I was nervous about this after a stressful week at work and a persistent sore throat. But felt good warming up and was well up for one of my favorite race routes. Spotted Chris Steel at the start so knew that the win was likely to be off the cards and Jack Wood made himself known out of the blocks, going hard in spite of racing yesterday - nutter. I have to confess, I had forgotten what the start of a long fell race is like and the pace was much harder than I could imagine sustaining for 3 hours. But a race was what I wanted so decided to tuck in, forming a four together with Chris Donnelly.

The drop into Hope Woodlands on the new extension was a bit chaotic and no one really knew where they were going until I dug out my orienteering map. Almost lost touch up Win Hill, but got back on terms on the ridge path.

Lose Hill was where it broke apart and Chris and Jack pulled out enough of a gap to be decisive. I kept moving at a decent pace but knew I was suffering a bit too much already. Mam Tor was unpleasant and the drag up from Mam Nick worse, but Chris was still on my heels which kept me pushing.

The flags to Brown Knoll were every bit as unpleasant as expected and it had the feel of a sort of brown desert with a snaking path shimmering away towards a distant horizon. I could feel my old injury in my bum and felt like I was losing a bit of coordination. Chris zipped off and I had to let him go.

The gap didn't last for long though as he set off the wrong way up Kinder and soon we were back together. I definitely felt that he was running more strongly to Grindsbrook and had pegged myself in 4th, but once over the clough I decided to have a crack and went 'hard' (it's all relative) along the edge path. To my surprise it worked and I made it to Ringing Roger with a comfortable buffer to finish 3rd. Really nice to see Alex and Finn cheering at the finish!

I'm well pleased with that, which marked the longest run/race since the Alps and the first one that I have tried my hardest in for over 18 months. I feel bad for skipping Long Mynd, but I didn't want to dive straight into the deep end at a champs race and get all demoralised. Still a long way to go, but this was a stonking day and just a pleasure to be out on the route!

C • Enjoyed that! 10

Lunchtime up Porter with Matthew. Miserable day and we both needed the company.