Training Log Archive: OJ

Fellsman. Stunning day for it with cloudless skies and a cool breeze, verging on too hot at times. I thought it was likely to be a game of cat and mouse when I saw that Stuart and Damian were running.

Steady up Ingleborough, but then the pace picked up on Whernside and Gragareth and down into Dent. I tried to run hard on this section to break things up but didn't really succeed. Out of Dent Damo picked it up and I had to work hard to match him. We dropped Stu at this point and there was no way to get a gap as there were just so many gates (Damo had impeccable gate opening manners throughout). I had another crack on a rough section to no avail and then Damo nearly made it stick on Great Knoutberry but I managed to peg him back on a better line down to the next checkpoint.

After that we essentially ran together and the pace probably dropped a bit. For Damo, it was apparent that if he made a break I would be able to out-nav him to bring him back. For me, I just couldn't get a gap no matter what I tried. It had a bit of a mountain marathon feel to it after that as we essentially worked together (opening gates, debating lines, setting the world to rights). I felt that I was struggling on the final two climbs (Buckden and Gt Whernside) and resorted to my usual strategy of an exclusive diet of Kendal mint cake. But I was able to rally every time we got on rougher ground and as the finish got tangibly closer.

Eventually we had the inevitable conversation about the finish and decided to leave the decision until we reached Grassington. Of course the pace picked up again after that, but we were matched stride for stride, so it seemed like an obvious choice in the end; neither of us fancied a long sprint on the roads and it would have felt churlish to steal a win in the last few metres. I think it was the right choice and in keeping with the nature of the race.

Nice to finally meet Damian and see how he races - no big surprises but he is really solid on the climbs and descents, endlessly positive and cheerful and good at responding to changes of pace. Could do with a bit of nav practice though!

C • Did you hold hands? 4

Lunch jogging and some hill and flat strides around Ponderosa.

Shadowing Albi around Wincobank.

Control collecting.