Training Log Archive: runnermdj

Loop round the string course field and jog to the start.

SoSOL - Lothian Edge (Lammermuir Hills) - Brown course
Great to be out in nice hills on such a cracking day. Enjoyed the run round the course and felt I had a decent run (fairly tired from National though), max 2min total minor errors on the way round (poor lower route to #16 maybe worth a minute). Rather gutted to finish and be told I'd puncmhed wrong #6. Had a look at the master control map and I'd punched a control about 50m from my control, also on a ditch on the open hillside (though it's control description was edge of marsh). Looking at GPS plot, must've just missed the right control as I climbed up onto the open hill. Realised I'd overshot it about 100m beyond the control (no catching feature though - just open hill) and ran back lower (correct line!) but spotted the control I punched on the ditch just slightly lower. Should've checked the number (usually do 80%+ of the time!). I suspect Brad may have done the same thing at the same controls on the green (in reverse?). Run time run would have won by about 2mins otherwise, doh! Not good after missing a control at the last SoSOL on Arthur's Seat!

C • Yup 2

Warm up round most of the lap

National Cross Country Champs - Callendar Park
My 22nd National. Had an aim to get back in the top 100 and finish within 20% of the winner. Been running generally well over the winter so was hopeful, though had a slight cold in the last week. Started of a bit more positive than previous years and felt good on the first lap. Things started going a bit pear-shaped from 'the hill' on the second lap where I slowly started to lose momentum and it got worse hill by hill. Last lap was a struggle, but stuck to the task and sneaked inside the top 100 (98th - 12th vet), and 17.9% down on Andrew Buchart, which was a bit of a surprise bonus having felt so poor towards the end. Splits don't make good reading (strava laps not including start/finish/connect bit) - 14.37, 15.21, 15.58. Perhaps 20 - 30secs slower on lap 1 would have been better but maybe the virus just caught up with me. Good conditions, cold & dry, and much less mud underfoot than expected. Slight disappointment not to have run better given recent form, had a much better run at Alloa, the other XC race of the winter. Would take another top 100 next year though!

Jog round the loch and back to Tracey's mum & dad's house. Totally knackered.

Run round Warriston loop to St Marks Park. 6 laps of stride the straight, jog the byelines.

2 sets of Oregon Circuits (20sec on/off) with Paddy, Kev & Marco

Run back to work including Stockbridge loop

Run across to AS

Run from the boulder to the Hymans Knoll climb up Whinny Hill, across the DV col, up Nether, down Pipers and finish up the crags. Managed to forget the trail shoes so was stuck with the no grip tempos which was fine for most of the run apart from the very muddy paths up the crags. Hope it dries up soon! Took the climbs fairly steady and felt good. Got slight cold but fingers crossed won't become an issue. Nice cool, dry weather. Out with Kev, Marco & Cameron.

Run back via St Andrews Sq & Dundas Street

Ran round Warriston big loop AC + Stockbridge loop. Started out steady and picked pace a bit towards then end, but felt comfortable throughout. Thankfully toe ok to run on. Lovely weather.

Managed to trip over spin bike last night and mashed one of my toes which is bruised/swollen. Can walk on it ok(ish) so hopefully a day off will fix it.

Run from work up to St Andrews Square then across to the park for a lap of Arthurs Seat clockwise on QD, then back. Lovely sunny, cool day with a bit of a headwind from the west. Big group of seven. Didn't feel quite so easy pace this week.