Training Log Archive: Lulu

British Middles, Brereton Spurs
W16 - 3.5km, 175m (Course 6)
Had a very late start so knew what times had been posted (Lucy, Fiona and Emma leading) and had also got a few clues about the course ;) Felt confident and very motivated before I started which was good!!

First two controls were spot on. #3 I was a bit too high up the spur but realised straight away - lost ~30secs. #4 I was too high again - lost ~30secs. #5 i had heard had caused a few problems. I bombed it off down the hill and ended up at #6 but that was actually quite a good AP so i find it well after that! Fastest to #6, as i would have hoped ;) #9 i was a bit hesitant as to which reentrant it was in but I went down the right one which was a relief. #10 i went to a different control first further down the hill and then had to climb back up again -.- lost ~45secs. #11 i was just stupid - lost ~30secs. #13 i stopped slightly early because the paths confused me but soon worked it out - lost ~45secs. Next lot were all good and fast as i knew i was on for a good time (felt pretty sick tbh...) #19 i was slightly right - lost ~10secs (short leg so i count this as a mistake:P) Got a bit excited near the end which was soo stupid and was miles too far left on #20 - lost ~30secs. #21 i ran off in the wrong direction.... Lost ~40secs........ Then I knew it was a sprint to the finish as it was so close whether I would beat Fiona!!!

Soooo glad to find out id beaten Fiona by 12 seconds!!! And only 41 seconds behind Emma.... This annoyed me slightly as I knew id lost over a minute on the last three controls from being over excited..... -.- And I lost over 4 minutes on the entire course! (used Winsplits to analyse this) Pippa came in to finish 4th so I ended up 2nd!!! Extremely pleased with a medal though - and an improvement on my bronze from last years Middles :DD

(Sorry this was so long btw...... I just felt like I need a good race analysis :P)

WU - around the field (to the loo etc) and to the start with mum. She gave me a good motivational talk on the way as well ;D

British Sprints Heats - Heat 2.1
Set out steady and not too hard, because I often do that with sprints and end up completely dying at the end:/ Was focussed on planning ahead and having good control flow. Felt this went very well but i definitely noticed it getting harder to do as i got tired near the end.. Navigationally race went well and managed a steady speed throughout. Extremely pleased to win my heat, beating Emma, Abi and Lucy :D

WU - would have been shorter except i had to go all the way back to the car because i had forgotten to put my number on -.-

British Sprints Final - A2
Dont often cope with two races in one day and it showed... Legs were heavy and I felt sluggish. Same aims as the morning and same happened - went well but dropped off near the end. Fiona caught me a minute (as expected) and i obviously couldn't keep up with her! She ended up winning anyway... Few route choice errors going the wrong way around buildings and a silly 90 degree error coming out of 17 which lost me ~15 seconds id say. Overall, pretty pleased to finish 6th :)) (wouldve been nice to beat Laura though;))

WU - with Pippa. Jogged back to assembly and interrogated Helen O and Pippa's brother about what the area was like, as we just caught them at the finish ;) and then back to the start.