Training Log: rcro

Colwall Maprun having successfully got some annual leave. Not been around here on foot much but recognised a few of the bigger houses from 30 years ago.

S-1-29-11-6-16-17-13-8-27-24-14-10-25-12-26-20-4-21-5-23-19-15-22-18-30-9-7-F. 550 points.

Feeling better today but tired. Windy and a bit rainy so running not too easy. Initial plan was clockwise loop starting with 1 but then saw the points concentration at southern end of map and changed plan - meant I committed to dropping a 30 very early. Not too happy about this but couldn’t realistically score any better than I did today.

Not really getting on with the map - needs some improvements and corrections. Couple of points didn’t beep as map had features in wrong place.

Nice evening out and good for an explore.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11211836537

St Mellons MapRun. Mostly jog pace with Mark, though also seeing a lot of the Elliott/Andy/Joseph chatty group.

Started with the one in the middle of the woods with no mapped paths or watercourses. Found a nice bridge that would have been an obvious place but not it. Went around a bit before giving up - was 22m from the nearest “path” so got it on hitmo. Pleased to get to right vicinity effectively without map or compass - practicing judgement.

Stomach getting unsettled again quite quickly, especially when running into the wind, so uncomfortable coming to Hendre Lake and then opted to come back more direct and letting Mark go on ahead. Managed to keep moving which is good but very uncomfortable. Been eating too much of the wrong stuff at the wrong times with work being so busy.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11204953621

Working late. Stomach unsettled so glad I didn’t go further.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11197129978

Wanted another long day out but weather forecast looked less warm and body felt knackered - so probably not a good idea. Instead went for a long walk in the morning before it clouded over - and was warm enough to take coat off for about 5 mins.

Ran the bits I didn't walk earlier. Steadyish but seemed good so picked up. Watch pissing about - appears it lost a satellite early on and didn't get back until towards end of Gaer - notice 1st km came 50m early and instantaneous pace was well off but seemed to sort itself going down the cycle path (it didn't). Not sure if it's satellite issue, or it switched to fused mode - if so a pretty good guess.

Pace along the bottom was fast, as was maintaining same effort as early but without a strong headwind. Probably did about 3:30/km pace the whole way for the segment (would get me 2nd or 3rd) before slowing down.

Turns out watch was too far off to match to the segment, so it will have to wait for another day. I'm really pleased I can run at that sort of effort for that sort of duration now, and especially so after a long day yesterday. Bit annoying really - as the GPS plot from Gaer onwards is literally perfect to within 1m the whole way - including me in Cardiff Road getting around a taxi parked blocking the whole width of the pavement.

Back into the wind after BVP and rained for the last few minutes. So far, Friday is still the only day the sun shone and it didn't rain.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11182306093

Needed a day out and first weekend day where the weather has actually looked good. Avebury to Swindon along the Ridgeway to Barbury Castle, then some boring roads up to Swindon. Fairly steady pace with a couple of little detours for white horse, trig etc. Fairly good underfoot apart from the footpath to the motorway, which was soft.

Foot/cycle signs for Swindon at Barbury Castle pointed the wrong way and said 9.3 miles (expected <6 by my route). Once in Swindon, found some cycle path signs going into town and quickly worked out it was not in an obviously correct direction. Maybe worth it to find some nice railway bridges and a busy but pretty park (once I found the way in). Starting to get a bit tired from the faster pace when I got to the station.

Fairly warm and pleasant for pootling along, but was getting cold quickly hanging around after. Bit of a shock to come back to rain and wind after Bristol.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11171206966