Training Log Archive: ba-ba

very easy recovery, although the first bit of 'downhill' nearly killed my quads. Legs eased off a bit eventually

felt I was running a bit hunchback so time to start flexing my hips a bit.

Event: English Fell Champs - Edale Skyline - the Return!
 

22nd Winner: Simon Bailey (2:45:50, 112%)
Here we go. Legs felt pretty good although I was aware I had only run for >2h once since the wheels collapsed, the doors fell off and 20 clowns got out at Wasdale - which also meant that it was shit or bust for a full house of champs counters. Adam hadn't made it off the waiting list so a 1st Pennine for the good of my club champs score was called for.

Set off steady up RR, got in behind Nails & Supersaint before they pushed on a bit. Had Todd, Watdog, Dom Raby, Dave Milliken around over Jaggers clough but felt very comfortable in my pace. Sam was asking what kind of time he should be aiming for. Pulled away with Dom down over Crookstone and was joined by the other Nick Barber for a chat as we started the drag towards Win Tit. Dom forged ahead but seemed to be surging a bit too often for my liking (he made it stick though)

Gained on Vic and Ian's group as we reached the Tit and came off it (despite trying my best to not find the trig...) having left a group behind. Crossed Todd and Stefan(!) before the gate and descended the new (Longer) section just behind Ian and Konrad, leaving the latter at the drink point. Got ahead of Ian whilst he drank at the bottom of Lose Hill. Ran every step up it, moving well, but Ian then Sam and his Wharfe mate came past - was expecting to lose more than 3 places and surprised to be counted through in 30th (the same position I was counted through 2 years back.

Set to work on the (mainly) good running over Back Tor, Hollins Cross and up to Mam Tor (which wasn't quite the 'Alpe d'Huez' it can be) at a good pace, picking off a few people. Mainly stasis over Lord's seat (although I did go direct through some tussocks at one point, resulting in a face-plant), but was getting closer to Ian. Tom Bush came past at the trig (later said he though I was gone) and 4 of us reached the Jacob's ladder CP together.

This was where I burnt people off in 2011 as they all followed me over the rough stuff and didn't take the path. With the slight movement of the CP this time there was little choice but for them to take on the rougher ground. I suddenly felt ace (knew I had some food coming) and had soon sent the other 3 out the back door. I had to go a bit higher than I'd have liked to yell at the parents, who were situated on the path at Noe Stool (had forgotten the CO had changed), but they got the message and, after a bit of bar from Lis, I got some water and a bit of banana.

This was the first point I walked a bit I could have run, taking some food on and getting the compass out before Pym Chair. My Woolpacks line was a bit too soft underfoot but I knew I had a gap. Hit Crowden brook with someone Pete-looking not too far ahead and I reeled him in just before heading across to Grindslow Knoll and good support from TTDP and Jasmin (slightly incredulous in the case of the later).

Still moving OK around the edge but knew I had to keep my leg movement as smooth as I could as cramp was creeping into my conciousness. Tried my best to not find the cut after Grindsbrook but just about got it. Had a brief look back and saw Tom Bush was about 1min back so cruised into RR and off down the zigzags. Fellrunninguide said I was clear so kept on cruising, then Colin said I was catching Neil. Hello! Upped the pace a bit but not too much, then had a brief look back to see Ian Symington from CVFR closing me down like a train. Took a while for me to get my legs moving again but, once into the finish field I got on the grass so he had the better running on the path. There was then a 3 way sprint, with Neil trying to hold us both off whilst walking like John Wayne. Alas I lost out but had my SI tucked in a pocket anyway so lost out on the punch by more (no finish line, just the boxes, grumble).

Felt I paced it quite well but hurt a bit after the woolpacks. I want to go <3h here at some point, reckon it was maybe 5-7min slower than 2011 with the added bits and headwind? (did 3:09:4x in '11). SamWatdog showed how good he is at pacing - just ahead of me at Lose Hill but finished in 10th, 8.5min ahead, strong lad. Beautiful day out though and really enjoyed it and nice to get a few scalps. Highest champs finish by some way but a slightly depleted field - but can only beat those that turn up and 111.9% of the winner is very good for me. Kudos to Rhys for making the down-and-up stick!

Realised going over Lord's Seat that, this weekend 6 years ago, I joined ShUOC for their fresher's fell run. Went out with the slowest group and was probably wearing Dunlop Green Flash.

1 Simon Bailey 02:45:50 Mercia Fell RC M
2 Robert Hope 02:46:56 Pudsey & Bramley AC M
3 Rhys Findlay-Robinson 02:47:02 Dark Peak M
4 Morgan Donnelly 02:47:28 Borrowdale Fell Runners MV40
5 Stuart Bond 02:48:43 Dark Peak M
6 Lloyd Taggart 02:51:55 Dark Peak MV40
7 James Logue 02:54:01 Calder Valley Fell Runners MV45
8 Ted Mason 02:54:26 Wharfedale Harriers M
9 Pete Vale 02:56:30 Mercia Fell RC MV40
10 Sam Watson 02:56:47 Wharfedale Harriers M
11 Kim Collison 02:59:01 Eden Runners M
12 Stephen Pyke 02:59:15 Dark Peak MV45
13 John Hunt 02:59:26 Dark Peak MV45
14 Ben Mounsey 02:59:31 Calder Valley Fell Runners M
15 Nicholas Charlesworth 02:59:32 Wharfedale Harriers MV45
16 Gavin Mulholland 02:59:47 Calder Valley Fell Runners MV40
17 Jim Davies 03:03:35 Borrowdale Fell Runners MV45
18 Adam Osborne 03:04:02 Leeds City AC M
19 Dominic Raby 03:04:40 chorley athleticand tri MV40
20 Ian Symington 03:05:23 Calder Valley Fell Runners M
21 Neil Northrop 03:05:24 Dark Peak M
22 Nicholas Barber 03:05:26 Pennine Fell Runners M
23 Thomas Bush 03:06:33 Altrincham & District AC M
24 Konrad Rawlik 03:06:54 Carnethy Hill RC M
-26 Todd Oates 03:07:57 Ambleside AC M
-29 Nick Barber 03:09:01 Todmorden Harriers & AC M
-31 Adam Taylor 03:10:21 Dark Peak M
32 Dave Neill 03:11:38 Staffordshire Moorlands AC MV55
33 Victoria Wilkinson 03:12:03 Bingley Harriers & AC L
-36 Stefan Bramwell 03:14:58 Pennine Fell Runners MV40
37 Pete Hodges 03:15:17 Dark Peak M
-41 David Milliken 03:18:41 Horwich RMI Harriers MV45
-44 Ian Nixon 03:19:21 Pudsey & Bramley AC M
45 Tony Heron 03:19:59 Dark Peak MV40
46 Steven Knowles 03:20:03 Pennine Fell Runners MV40
-57 Alex Rothman 03:27:40 Dark Peak M

C • Gutted on not getting Nails... 7

Out to Hayfield and back along the trail. Stopped and walked up Watford Rd. at the end. Legs feeling quite fresh, but probably would have been better not to do football on Tues.

New Mills once I got home. Trying to keep it as flat as possible but went for a saunter around the foothills of Lantern Pike

as football wasn't much of a rest yesterday

4/5 a side footbawl with some people from work. Pulled out of anything resembling a challenge. Sweated a lot

Down at City of Stoke AC
30min warm-up gradual progression
a few strides
4x3min(2min). Session was 6 but taking it comfortable ahead of Edale, just getting the legs ticking over. ~870m each time, solid 80s opening lap and 84 2nd
wd

feeling good. Good group (lead guys easy knocking out 1km in each 3min), should bring me on this winter

Ah yes, back to the getting lost in a new place runs - although I actually managed to keep my direction fairly well. Ran along some roads, up a hill, saw (what was) an iron age fort and a blue plaque before hitting a road I knew (the A34) and re-visiting Stoke City as it's the only bit of off-road I've found so far

C • off road 6

Not the Stannage Struggle - reverse with Rhys, Mal&Millar for a bit. In the last 6 years I've been in the vicinity of it 5 times and not done it. This time I wasn't hungover or injured though.

Out on the Death Bike (thank christ I get to pick up my new bike later!) to the Sheepdogs and back.

bit of junior race marshalling

2nd. Winner: Simon Coldrick 34:02 (104%). The oldest record in the FRA calendar, unsurprisingly, endures (29:12).

Thought it would come down to Simon, Jack Ross and myself and aware my legs were a bit heavy after a good week.
Simon did what he does on the up and I wasn't far off Jack, who did a little walk on the road up to Matley Moor. Maintained the gap (and stayed on my feet on the giggle gaggle) onto Sitch lane and pulled away from noise behind. Jack again suffered going up as soon as we left the road so I made a move into second and pulled away. Got off and pushed a bit too much once onto the Pike, thankfully my race walk is much better than it was but I need to use it less!
Had a comfy gap to 3rd so dogged a bit once over the road, all the work I could do done.

Bienvenue a Stoke (moved in last night). Checked out the RTW, quite nice suburban roads of Newcastle after the first 1.5k or so. Comes out at 6.5km door to door so ideal. Popped into the Uni sports centre and there's showers I can use, result!
Came back via Trent Vale (potential hill rep venue) and the Stoke City training ground.
Moving quite well, legs still feel a bit tired and at times I noticed the slight inclines - they'll only make me stronger though.

Right, I'm off to eat an oatcake, make some pottery and defend stoically (and whatever Port Vale do)

C • What is the new gig? 2

Wanted to get the legs ticking over a bit before Saturday so bombed around the roads.

Kinder and checking out the Woolpacks line, got it down. Felt pretty knacked, time to ease off a bit. Sandy Heys was a bugger.

Playing about on Chinley Churn, South Head and Mount Famine

So I played an absolute blinder in predicting the Tour of Britain over Honister would be cancelled and heading home. As it was I don't think I was in the mood for freezing my nerps off today anyway.

Eventually dragged myself out. Put in some effort from Spinnerbottom up to Lantern Pike, regaining a few Strava King of the Hills, then over Matley Moor, Chunal, detour over a lump for a bit more climb, Carr Meadow, Chad's cabin, Hayfield and back along the trail at a steady tempo - would have been nice to head higher up to the TV mast but the weather was now closed in.

C • ToB 1

Event: Lake District Mountain Trial
 

the last 2 weeks haven't quite been what they should. All eyes on Edale.

Not the Mountain Trial. Went for a swim up towards Styhead Tarn with Rhys and Hector. They carried on to inform a marshal on the Corridor route that the race was off but I decided to turn back as I didn't want to slow/cool them down too much. Stacked it a couple of times, the 2nd on a rock at which point I told myself to sort it out and just get back down.

Bumped into a guy from Pennine on the way down who had been wild camping last night. Must have seemed like a good idea until about 2am.

Not feeling too fresh today after a long day yesterday. Not too fussed about the cancellation so maybe wasn't in quite the right frame of mind, though would have got round.

Event: British Fell Champs - Peris Horseshoe (Long)
 

Event: Dales Weekend
 

Once more with (very little) feeling round the barrage to shake off my hangover after last night's leaving shenanigans. Feel ace now (bacon butty helped!) but got a lot of packing and cleaning to do fairly quickly if I want to get to the lakes at a reasonable time!

I was going to go for a run but decided to start drinking to celebrate leaving FujiFilmDB early.

I currently have a weird sensation in my right hip. I can run fine, so it's not muscular/mechanical, but seems to be nervous/skin based. Every so often the skin feels really tight and, if I do something a bit off the wall, like get in/out of the car, bend from the hip and stretch to pick something up or generally twist in an odd way, it feels like I've been burnt! There's no bruising or marking, it looks the same as it always has done and when I touch it it feels a bit numb. Anyone more genned up on tissues/nerves than me any idea, or anyone felt something similar before?

Feels great when running though!

5x800 (400m slow jog rec)
2:30, 35, 32, 33, 32. All very relaxed, last 2 felt a bit heavier as drizzle and a bit of wind came in, but feeling good.

Last training with BMHH. They presented me with a bag of club gear afterwards which is really nice-I've only been in the club 2 years! A fantastic, warm club.

not feeling overly great.

1st. Wanted to win this after finishing 2nd last year, it's got quite a bit of history and with it being my last Teesside race and, having won my first race up here 2 years ago, I wanted to bookend my stay!

No sign of young Jack Willis, last year's winner. Andy Blackett and Cam were about, although the later was suffering (enjoying himself before going to uni!), but the usual gaggle of who-knows juniors, one in a N. Yorks vest. Very slippery underfoot after a day of drizzle.

Hit the track hard, as per. Andy came with and I pushed him through the gap between fence and gate! Andy was surging on the ascent (went round the path) but just before it got properly steep he said 'good race this', I took this as a trigger to promptly end it as a contest, pulling away to touch the trig in 8:15 (15s faster than last year).

A bit mincy on the downhill but need to keep myself in one piece for MT and Edale. One very hairy moment where thankfully stayed upright on some grass. Steady on the top of the Chute before getting on my arse. Could hear footsteps behind me once into the wood but they turned out to be echoes - a quick glance back as I side-stepped through the fence gap and there was no-one in sight, but kept going to win by 33s (down in same time as last year).

C • There should be .. 5

back of knee I aggravated on Sun a bit sore, hopefully will settle down quick. Think it may be the Polipitus thingemy highlighted in the latest Fellrunner, handy!

All set up for a good day then I inexplicably (OK, spending 30mins on the phone to Scottish Power had something to do with it - I had to listen to Ronan Keating TWICE, and it wasn't even Rollercoaster! At least I think it was Keating. Anyway, it pissed me off) did nothing in the evening. Telling myself that with sore legs, a race tomorrow and the MT on Sunday the rest is a good thing.

Loosening off some sore legs - must have been putting some welly in yesterday. Glad I got out with the club as much better with people.
Sorted a room out for the next few months. 5k jog from work, a few parks to go at and easy to get onto the M6 and escape to Lakes/Snowdonia, but will be looking to get closer to the peaks before the spring

Warm up. Feeling pretty good considering a day of eating and drinking at a wedding yesterday, and a fry-up this morning

1st. Within a minute of Andi Jones' (who was busy representing GB at the WMRC today) record.

A sensible pace at the start. Sat with Owens in an Aryan block at the front before getting itchy feet and pushing on into the lead just before the road crossing. Set myself a good pace up the runnable track and was on my own, but knew I had someone (I thought Chris Leigh) about 10s down, once the track flattened out this guy (not Chris!) came past, my legs didn't quite get going but well in touch at the cabin and cairn which marks the top of the climb.
Got back in front on the early runnable part of the descent but couldn't shake the guy on my shoulder. Was preparing myself mentally for a big battle over the last 2 miles or so (had worked out he had good leg speed earlier!) but after Cock Hill trig a bit more technicality came into the route - not much but enough reeds and stones for 2nd place to slow down. Kept on pushing as can never be too sure, the small climb out of the stream was tough but looking at the track pace was still good right to the end.

First peaks race win, and always nice to combine the two rarities of a win and my parents watching.

C • win 9

Padfield. All a bit Royston Vasey

Event: Ben Nevis Race
 

Warm up at Parkrun with Lucy. Then down after.

Marple Parkrun at Brabyns park. Muich firmer underfoot the the last time I was here around Christmas. Set off a bit quick and felt a bit pants but settled into a passable tempo.

All I could fit on on a damp day before going house hunting etc. I hate house hunting.

C • housemoving 1

some penance for doing nothing yesterday.
Off home for a long weekend to househunt/drink/race

John Jodrell magical mystery tour over Chinley Churn and some back bits of New Mills that I didn't know existed.

out to Hayfield, then a slightly more wobbly ride back in the dark. As Mum has now appropriated my bike I thought th brakes might have been fixed, but I nearly ended up in wall on the corner of Watford road.

pretty totalled today. Started packing some stuff as starting moving tomorrow. Map from Sunday now up below.

morning run. Felt much better once I'd stopped for a stretch. Bit tired though.

Upriver with ToddO - the only person I knew before I moved here who has been subjected to Teesside. Quite a nice evening actually, but getting dark by the time we finished, especially under any trees. Nearly headtorch time!

First 100km week in a long time. First 110km week in even longer! More to come (post Edale)

Fitted a trot round Billingham in before having to go back to SCIENCE. Feeling a bit leggy.

In the spirit of transfer deadline day I also got my change of club form signed so I can leave BMHH and join City of Stoke AC - been talking to their LD/XC coach there and sounds like a great set-up. I've improved at BMHH and everyone's great, but it's more of a social running club. Stoke will be a step up (e.g. in the B'ham XC league they finished 5th behind Tipton, Coventry, Brum Uni and Loughborough Uni, all pretty tasty clubs) but what I think my running needs and I should benefit a lot.

SL: 7.8/120 7:26m/km. Pretty sure I won.

The Orienteering season start here, gully hunting on Fylingdales! I keep on hitting BOC and going 'ah, I'm just getting into my groove now and the season's over', so the plan is to do more O through the winter so I'm well into my stride by JK. Well that's the plan at least!

Once I'd remembered what to do with a map and compass (it's only been 4 weeks!) after mucking up 1 (there was a path round!) and 2 (overly hesitant) I got into it. Went all the way right to #9 as wasn't sure of the heather situation straight - turns out it wasn't too bad and I lost at least 2min to Nigel (lost ~30sec being low of the circle also).
Other than that a bit indecisive and second guessy at times (stopped way early to #12 and went walking, when I was bang on to hit it).

Bearings OK but again need more attention, especially when heather bashing. Otherwise didn't get too knocked about when we went into the deeper heather, although both heather and marshes were both much better than anticipated.

C • #9 2

turns out that Todd's 'Myrtyl protocol', far from being a steel magnolia, is very similar to the exercises I often do to ward off ITB issues. Been doing at least 5mins of that kind of stuff every night for a week or so and need to keep it up.

C • Steel magnolia? 2