Training Log Archive: Magic

Loooong jog to the start with the ShUOC boys (and Laura).

Training on the BOC model map. It was awful! The map that is, not the terrain, (which was a little overgrown and stony, but better than I was expecting). I trust OJ to have made sure that the actual map isn’t like this though. Did a loop through all the model event control sites (only tapes out) and then a shortened course of the far north section at 1:15k. Took it easy, but it was well warm and muggy out.

C • Is the map available anywhe... 5

Relay simulation training with the ShUOC boys in Forest B for BOC next week – wish they’d run this slowly in the actual race! Was expecting it to be mingingly overgrown but it was actually very runnable (vegetation was growing alright but it wasn’t either high or dense). Twisted my ankle that I damaged at the JK sprint again (on a path warming up), was hurting and was very annoyed, but it was grand once it loosened out again.

Run with the ShUOC boys from Goodwin (and OJ for a while who happened upon us). Very nice and easy pace up Rivelin to the Packhorse bridge and up Coppice. Just as well as my legs are still very tired. Three full length classic races coming up in 15 days over the next three weekends (and the Shamrock to follow them). I’ll either get fit or die trying!

Seemed to be busy all day and when I was thinking about going out it started raining. I’m after getting fierce soft altogether.

C • Irishisms 2

SYO Spring Cup, Rivelin (far) East. Planning, hanging, organising, collecting. Lots of faff but a nice evening. Thankfully had Camel and Yvette to help hang but was on my own collecting. Got them in with only minutes of light to spare. Lots and lots of short excursions, but no real exercise. Was about all I wanted though. This place is steep. And overgrown.

Rest day after an excellent 10 days orienteering and travelling in Ireland – it didn’t even rain! Set a new PB in being pulled over by the police three days in a row (as often as I have been in all my 15 years or so of driving!).

Really pleased with the way my fitness is progressing and I felt good in both the long races. Not sure what happened in both the middle distances though as I felt weak with no terrain strength at all in both. Also orienteered badly in both. Need to work on that.

C • just goes to show 2

Legs tired but not shattered, did a nice run through the Featherbeds to warm them up a bit.

IOC Relays; Glendoo Ridge – West. Great area for the event (much of the course visible from assembly), a run through near the end and good planning, though unfortunately (yet again) there were three separate courses rather than proper gaffeling (and for the fourth (?) year in a row the two front running teams ran the same combination throughout).

Ran third leg with Dooby and Bill. Dooby had a little disaster at start (lots of controls, people and deep heather) but worked well from then on to being us back four minutes down on Cork O 2 and CNOC. Bill made more inroads halving the deficit to two minutes, but my tired legs wouldn’t let me do more than half it again, but it was a big ask to catch ColmH and Boyzone who were battling out front anyways. The latter holding on for a surprise victory for our ‘second’ team.

Dropped 40 seconds on a short leg (big depression mapped as a small one) and lost 20 more on the following down hill leg, which meant I had no chance of catching the leaders, but overall I was happy to be able to run as fast as everyone else. Excellent weekend.

Nice warm down with Boyzone discussing the outcome of the race and the expected protests over eligibility. It turns out that the IOA rules state that you have to be living in Ireland in order to be eligible for the IOC relays, being a national doesn’t count! Thankfully the committee decided to use common sense and rather than disqualifying half the teams then ‘ignored’ the rule!

Relay 2 - Splits