Training Log Archive: Mark3

Easy loop. Right hamstring feeling a bit weird.

Aptly called 'detour of skiddaw' at the start, since conditions were so bad they had to change the route last minute. 75mph winds and -5 wind chill would've been ok for a lot of the field, they said, but not everyone; and not the marshals. Was disappointed before the start but once we got to the moors it really was grim up there, so reasonable decision.
More bothered that it might be worth fewer UTMB points now because it was shorter! Hopefully not, since that was the only reason I entered in the first place.

Fairly dull first 13km to the first checkpoint, where I think I was probably in about 15th. Didn't stop. Then a steady climb up to High Pike (658) which would've been runnable in ordinary conditions, but it was straight into very strong wind/rain, so I walked - plus I'd brought my poles for practice. Definitely converted; they help quite a lot for balance in the wind.
Descent down Grainsgill Beck was surprisingly technical and much more hardcore than anything I'd expect from a trail race. Re-passed first lady who was struggling here. Then some nice scenery to Skiddaw House (and fell over in a bog a bit) where turned right rather than left for the shortened route. Must've confused anyone following the live tracking.
Probably about 20th at CP2 since I was passed a lot up the hill. But passed quite a few at the CP and 3 immediately afterwards. Then all the way along the Cumbria way (mix of trail and road) back to Caldbeck, only saw/overtook 1 person. Passed a few more stopped at the final CP and then a guy leaving when I arrived said we were 9th and 10th... We ran together and chatted for a bit but I decided to try and get away. He stayed just behind me for a nervous half an hour, but eventually we caught someone else with 5k or so to go, and I got away from both of them.

So 8th place - pleased with this for my 2nd longest run given the prep (ie, 30 miles with 3500m 2 days ago). Hips aching by the end and struggling to walk around the services now, but otherwise no major problems. Looking forward to Gritstone now! It also sets 6 hours as a reasonable target for that I think.

I don't think I'd do this race again - even with the best bit left in, it probably has 25km interesting and 45km dull - even if the ratios were the other way around that still wouldn't make for an inspiring race! Still, you never know unless you try :)

It's been a high volume week!

Wanted to have another go whilst it was still light for enough hours and ideally still within the Global Challenge window (today is day 100 of 100).
Forecast wasn't ideal - 25mph strengthening throughout the day to 45mph - but when is it in the Lakes? - so thought it was worth taking an impromptu day off. Stretch target was 8 hours and success measured by being faster than the 9:17 last time, although that was pretty much a given.
First time using running poles which were delivered yesterday.

Weather started similar to last time ie rain on the way but weather ok when starting. Barrow was the only split I'd memorised so glad to be slightly up as felt we'd started strongly before. Significant rain for 10 mins after Rowling got me nice and wet, but then not really much rain after.
Everything went to plan really. Stopped at Buttermere for the bathroom but other than that, didn't stop at all. Buttermere path no longer thigh-deep. Got a good line up High Stile again but this time took a better line down (ie, the 'path' along the ridge; hard to follow but did much better than first time). Put a lot of effort in on the Robinson climb and did feel the poles helped me get into a rhythm, although think maybe it's just another body part which is going to hurt tomorrow....
At the top of Robinson was when I thought 8 hours was possible, but it wasn't until halfway back from Catbells when I realised the anti-clockwise course record (7:40) might be doable. Put in several 4:30 kms (no mean feat after that much climb) to take it by miles. Very happy. Gotta gold teacup for my effort along with free tea and cake as per - sticky toffee pudding cake this time was pretty damn good.

Splits comparison. Surprised to be basically even between Rowling and Hopegill tbh, and to only have made 18 mins on High Stile (since it seemed like we stopped for ages last time, and there was the wading, and I had to wait for Billy a lot). But the time gaps on Robinson, Catbells and even the Finish split are huge.

I am enjoying the glory while it lasts, as my time is nearly and hour and half slower than the clockwise time and so the record won't last long. But pleased with the effort, alone and unsupported :) definitely improving on this long stuff.

Barrow 53 / 49. -4mins
Rowling 1:21 / 1:12. -9mins
Causey 1:40 / 1:30. -10mins
Sail 2:08 / 1:42. -26mins <- clear anomaly here; not sure which
Crag Hill 2:17 / 2:05. -12mins
Grisedale 2:44 / 2:32 -12mins
Hopegill 3:01 / 2:48 -13mins
High Stile 5:10 / 4:39 -31mins
Robinson 7:09 / 6:00. -1:09
Catbells 8:25 / 6:53. -1:32
Finish 9:17. / 7:27. -1:50

Sad to miss the Eyam race but my body is pretty sore still (2 days after always worst)

Easy along the canal then up to Nancy. Proved that road shoes are not suitable for trails, even dry ones (again) by tripping over some nothing and getting some tedious hand injuries to go with my luging injury - both of which now require constant plasters to prevent them oozing over everything. Sigh.
On the plus side, no major issues from the last three days other than right hip hurting a bit - but that may well be because I just landed on it.