Training Log Archive: Mark3

Legs somewhat destroyed. Drove home and stopped at Tesco for croissant, Tiger bread, hummus, falafel wraps, Indian inspired sandwiches and two types of chocolate.

For breakfast.

I love running.

2nd!
https://my.raceresult.com/150381/results?lang=en

Bit nervous about this since not done any long runs for ages. But decided to start strongly and see what happened. So stayed at the front for a few miles and then pretty near the front - but didn't push too hard uphill to Dundry and dropped back into 6th. Running with Jane, and could see a group of 4 ahead of us, 100m or so but running at the same speed, so using them for nav along with the gpx. The guy at the front had disappeared into the distance.

So through CP1 in about 6th, catching the group in the process so then 2-7ish were all together for the next few miles. At this point my watch crashed and stopped knowing where I was...but I assumed it would sort itself out eventually. Ran tighter until a mildly steep downhill stony path which lots of them couldn't handle. Then there were three of us - stayed together until CP2, and then they stopped but I didn't so was into clear 2nd.

Built up a bit of a lead despite not knowing how to get into the cycle path - watch still dead so having to use the map - and probably a few mins ahead by Warmley. Great to see Phil at the road crossing for some support!! Thanks for coming out. Proceeded to miss a right turn and get a bit lost, I knew something had happened but wasn't sure what. Wandered for a bit and found a CFP sign so knew I was back on the right path...only proceeded to find 3rd place running toward me...turns out I was on the right path but the wrong direction! So there was my few minutes gone.

Stayed with 3rd chatting until about the landfill site (halfway, ish) when he said the pace was a bit fast and I should keep going. I said I'd see him again when I next got lost...
(Someone had written in the floor 'May the trees guide you my tiny acorns GMU 2020' on the ground in chalk which made my day.)

Alone now and vaguely remembering bits of the course from the recces 5 years ago. CP3 and saw Phil again, still feeling not too bad. Didn't stop. Through Bradley Stoke past my old house and stopped to swap my water bottles with full ones Marth had left out for me, 30s or so. Made up the route through this bit (more or less right).

Starting to really feel it after 50k or so. Legs aching all over the place, hamstrings mainly. Pace slowed but kept it going to Phil again at Blaise and CP4. No stopping again! Slight detour around the golf course as wasn't sure how to get back in after the path closed section. But otherwise no nav worries and kept it going all the way up to the downs and across, over the suspension bridge and to the Green man himself at Ashton Court. Finally let myself look round and realise 2nd was secure, and so enjoyed the last downhill into the finish.

Very proud of myself! Great to see everyone, got a nice trophy, and proved that reliance on technology is no substitute for knowing how to read a map! A non-orienteer would not have dealt with that situation competently. Yes, I'm smug about this.

5 clif bars, 1 pack of bloks, 2 litres of electrolytes. Worked well.

This felt like a really long way. This is not a good sign.

Lovely day, though. Hands very cold; need to book a Raynaud's appt.

Taking the shoes over 500 miles. Now to leave them until the non graphene ones catch up, to compare.

Nice evening. Very muddy everywhere.

Date night ;-)

C • and......? 1

Fairly sedate B Group, short, and not pushing hard, just chat. Nice eve.