Training Log Archive: ba-ba

700g poo this morning, nice.
Glad I went back to sleep after Ma woke me, got a good night's kip in.
Bit of jogging around to try and liven up the legs.

Climb for this is 10% of the distance, although seeing as it's an up and down race, that makes it 20% when you're going up hill.
Started off like a stabbed rat, just wanted to see what I could do. Lead by quite a way through the first field, track and past Vic's shed. Got reeled in and overtaken by Nick Craig on the steep stuff, but managed to maintain a good gap to third place. On the way down I knew I wasn't going as quick as I could, but was still pulling away from those behind. However, I crunched my left ankle a few times on the rough stuff, so I slowed down a bit more. Then it was just keep on going up the slope after the river. Thankfully I had a good lead over 3/4/5th and I managed to hold them off to take 2nd, 24secs behind Nick Craig and 6 ahead of 3rd. Finally managed to beat Tom Jackson (Glossopdale U23) for the first time this weekend - been close on the previous 2 races but just lacking a bit.
4-pack for my troubles.

Good weekend of racing even if I'm not up to full fitness. Nice to be at home and a bit more refreshed mentally ahead of the big revision push. Will rerst the ankle for the next few days as it's a bit sore, and have a good few easy weeks before Castleton/Edale short, try and finally shift this fatigue!
Finally decided that I'm going to have a crack at the British champs *next* year, one shot at the MU23. Not expecting to be the quickest in the category by a long shot, but if I can get all the counters in. You never know, training over winter may go really well! Means I'll have to make the leap and join a club - it'll be pennine as that's the family club and there's a better chance of me making their relay teams :P

C • Last year 3

Including poos 3 and 4 of the day.

5miles/1850ft, and THE toughest race in the peak? Toughest short race at least!
Was suffering on the climbs throughout today, which is a problem on this race as it's mostly climbs. Dragon's Back's undulations never get any easier on the way out, and neither does Mount Famine (especially the second time!) or South Head. 2nd time up the Famine I lost a lot of places, but not as many as last time. I even got caught by the 1st lady here (but soon got her back, phew, not been overtaken by a lady since Jackie last year! - when it happened 3 times!) This hill makes heroes look like a cake-walk. Managed to take a few places on the way back along Dragon's Back and the road, but still didn't like I was moving too quickly. Won by one of GG's Mercia mates (in an insane new record, 1.30 quicker than Lloyd last year!), I was about 9 mins behind in 22nd. 3rd U23 (1st one was 2nd overall, the 2nd one I beat at Lad's Leap).
Evidently the last 3 weeks or so are still in my body. Running well, but lacking some of the bounce, strength and ease up hill that I had a bit earlier in the season. Few weeks of rest at the desk and easy training will sort that out hopefully.
Little bit heavier than I expected as well, may be muscle (but I am enjoying food at the moment :P).

C • skinny runt 2

C • 2

Trying to wake my legs up ahead of tonight. Easy pace but Iw as struggling up hills, which doesn't bode well for the weekend! Hopefully I've got the legs' grumbles out of the way though. Took in Conduit, bole hill, tunnel, cemmy.

glasd I had a little scout of the route as I'd forgotten the begining of it...

3miles/777ft taking in Lantern Pike. At the start all the juniors sprint-started, but soon Wil and I were at the front. Oops. Took it a bit more sensibly from then, but lost ground up near the mines. Took someone from Stockport ('Manchester's Car-Park') in the gorse field, but a group of three were just too far up the road for me to catch after this week!
7th place, 1 and a bit mins off the lead.

nice n sleazy shakedown ahead of a weekend of short, steep, sharp races. Out to Walkley, into Bole Hill, out to Den Bank then back through crosspool. Felt OK, and feel much better for getting out - legs feeling almost human again!

not a sausage

Minimal.
For most of the day I wasn't going to race, feeling very tired both in the legs and mentally. However, managed to get a good hour or so nap in during the afternoon and woke up with legs feeling a bit better and feeling mentally refreshed, so racing it was!

After illness and tiredness I was just hoping to beat my PB from last year (46:59) and put in a solid performance. This year I managed to start a bit closer to the front, so didn't have as much waiting as I have had in previous years. Despite knowing the race quite well I still got caught out by impassable drops just after the start, this resulted in some banter with Treb which seemed to entertain a fair few people. Settled into a rhythm 20m or so behind Treb, picking off those who had started too quickly. Injected a bit of pace at Surprise View to catch Treb up but he reacted and pulled away. Felt good along the ridge still taking people. From Higger onwards I was sort of on my own. The Plummet was in perfect conditions but my legs weren't in a state to attack it as much as I'd have liked, but still caught a bit on the bloke infront and took him in the river. The drag up to the Bridge was tough, walked a bit but managed to consolidate my position. I was now in a race of my own, a group 80m ahead and a couple of people 100m back, but I really like this section of the race as it's hard and quick. I quickly caught the group infront of me and went straight through them - some bloke in full lycra tried to stick with me for a bit but it wasn't happening. Then just focused on the odd runner ahead of me and worked towards passing them. Got Mick Stenton as we hit the path and had a few more in my sights as we rounded the corner. Started my sprint early to burn off a couple, but Ian Winterburn heard me coming from a way off and managed to just hold me off. First time he's beaten me in a while! However, a PB by 2.50 or so with knackered legs, and within 20seconds of Treb. Not too bad. Oh, and I drove the minibus as well - only mounted one kerb/stalled twice.:P

1st round of the plate. Finishing 7th in one of the weakest leagues we knew this competition would be tough. The other team were better but we held them off until right near the end. Thankfully Martin dragged us to parity on our next attack. Extra time couldn't separate us so penalties it was. Unfortunately the post which had saved us 5 times in the match changed allegiance as Ash and I hit it and Ralph gave a masterclass in ball-tickling.ShUOC will be beack next year! (when I may be the keeper!)

To/from Gooders to make sure Ingrid knew what was going on...

So after illness last week, a tough weekend and footy earlier I wasn't expecting much, but I want to do well in the Trunce this year. Set off a bit quick so let some people get ahead, but was passing people pretty consistently - even managed to burn some people off up the hill after the Bridge! 1 DP bloke caused me a bit of trouble on the roads but died on the hills. Hit the track with 3.50 to beat my PB. thought I may have a chance at the bend but I forgot how far you have to go after going under the bridge. Still took 2 people for points but 10secs adrift of my PB. This really hurt, the first time I've maxed-out on a race, but it's looking promising considering everything that should have put me 1+min behind my PB.
Finished 10th, Rob broke 23mins...