Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Co-op down to the station. All downhill and just in time.

C • so did I 1

Long un from Edale. From the train Lose HIll/Win Tit were visible. As I got out of the train all of my planned route (save Mam Tor) was shrouded in fog.
Bit of the Edale Skyline route before beetling over to the Lunchbox.
Direct up the road then path to Mam Nick. Visited Mam Tor to scout out route down from it, but not sure where the road-crossing/drinks will be on the race day. Then out onto Lord's Seat and onto Brown Knoll (bearing OK, but can be a bit better). I was quite enjoying Brown Knoll and wondering what all the bad press was, until I hit the bogs 1/3rd of the way in. Managed to lose a shoe in a particularly viscous patch of bog. Kept a good bearing and hit the trig perfectly through the mist, but kept losing the path - not very distinct so will have to head out and try this bit again. Then hit the top of Jacob's Ladder - again will follow on this bit as not entirely sure whether people cross the fence/wall or not. I'm pretty happy with the last part of the Skyline so will save this for another day.
Then headed up onto Kinder Low via Edale Rocks, all along the edge to the downfall (still having some problems staying on paths!). I then took a bearing to the northern edge, hitting Nether Red Brook en route. Then along to Fairbrook to search for the lunchbox.
Spent about 20minutes looking for it just below the northern crag, which is where I thought it was. As I'd stopped moving and it was still pissing it down I got pretty cold and decided that getting back moving was the best idea. Started abck on the edge path and saw another likely looking group of boulders a bit further along. Took a bit of a detour and ran straight into the cairn! Had to hold my hand in a fist to sign my name and had a few problems opening the pages and stopping nose-drips hitting the pages. Continued along the northern edge to seal stone, then across (what I presume to be 3min crossing) to the southern edge. Finished up Ringing Roger (still no idea where the checkpoint will be, and the path off was slow) and down the zig zags, where I stacked it - shoes' grip gave out for the first time on some mud as I was busy looking at my watch and not the ground in front of me. Thankfully all I got was a bit muddy. Was a bit disappointed the Hags wasn't open, but toddled down to the Ramblers to drip on their chairs, eat chips and drink Landlord.
Propper Pea-Souper for the vast majority (mist rose as I hit 3min crossing), pretty grim conditions but thoroughly enjoyable!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/63740473
Time includes some stopping. Took a fairly full bumbag, ate a mars, fudge and small choc bar. NO water carried - no need, my gloves gathered enough to sup from! Hope the weather is suitable water carrying not to be needed on the day!

Back to Crookesmoor from the station, ring road again - why have I managed to convince myself that going through town isn't straight line, when it clearly is?

Oh well. Pleased with this week, 2 heavy mileage weeks back to back off not much previous, now time to get some speed back into the equation and work on that 5km time!

C • saw you 1

Down to Endcliffe. Didn't quite have enough time between eating and running this morning.

Putting down a marker - this will (should) be my slowest of the year - about 30s behind my pb, fully expected and tbh I was happy to duck under 19mins today. Tried to relax into the wind and keep a fairly steady pace. Got passed by 2nd at the 1st turn and whereas I'd normally be able to kick on down the road there wasn't much in the tank today. He managed to bridge the gap to Carl though, which I wasn't expecting!
God knows what the GPS trace was playing at, and the official time was 8secs slower than my watch time.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/63482277

Got talking to a lad I recognised from previous times who, it turns out, knows Josh Beech and a few of the other York Orienteers.

C • unfortunate 2

C • Wind 3

Had a long plod home via Forge Dam, Mayfield and Crimicar, taking in 2 toilet stops on the way. Killing time before the skiing started. Felt pretty poor, as expected, but it was nice being out in the drizzle.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/63482279

feeling much better now in the legs. Maybe time for an adventure tomorrow?!

Was thinking about celebrating my last day off by running out to Grindleford for Lunch. However, I'm still feeling pretty tired and think I could do with a bit of a rest - back-to-back 100km weeks wasn't really going to happen off little training and I had a feeling on Sunday that this week might peter out.
Start trying to get quicker next week, throw in some hills but rest up a bit ahead of Saturday.

I'm yet to put down my 'new years resolutions' yet, so here goes with a few ideas I've had:

Orienteering:
The plan is that this will be my last year (injuries/fitness pending once I graduate) on M21L - Planning to do well enough at JK, BOC and Scottish to warrant me going up to E without worrying about being out for weeks.
Did quite well last year in cutting out big mistakes, so time to add some quicker decision making and flow to my game whilst maintaining the lack of massive fluffs!
Bearings Bearings Bearings. Mine are pretty shit.
I'd like to go abroad at some point but everything this year is going to be a bit ad-hoc. Ireland and Scotland are the most likely 'exotic' destinations.

Running:
Get the 5km (at Endcliffe park) time down. Aim for 17.40 then work it down in increments, hopefully getting towards the 17min mark over the summer. Then find a flat one and see what I can really do!
Long Races/Runs - start building up my stamina. I've entered the Edlae Skyline but I'm not suggesting a target time as reckon it'd prove dangerous.
Better interval training - I'm pretty poor at doing it.
Run home.
Lakeland Classic?
Most importantly enjoy my running and listen to my body.

Elsewhere:
Bit more biking to aid uphill running?
Drink Less.
Eat a bit better.
Graduate well.
Get a Job!

CBA day, eventually managed to drag myself out for a plod around the top of Rivelin.

bit of faster running for once.

Spent all day in waiting for a builder to come and look at my leaking roof. Needless to say he didn't show. meant I nearly finished the 1st draft of my Lit review, but was bored in the afternoon so watched Invictus and had a nap.
Eventually headed out, did the 3 North Porter Hills, trying to keep a half descent pace on the ups, relaxing on the downs. Felt OK but far from ideal after a sedentary day. Must work on my ability to get up before 10am, back in lab on Monday!
http://connect.garmin.com/player/63130470

Broomhill, Edge, Endcliffe, Sandygatem, Crookes. Felt OK at the beginning but legs tightened after the hill. Easy day today.

possible new BUCS banter opportunity:
"You've got Pandas, we've got trophies"
"You've got Pandas, we've got Kris Jones"
"You've got Pandas, we've got trams"
or something in tha vein...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/jan/11/ed...

Stables, G;en, Rivelin, Rugh, Dams, Fox Hagg and back along the top finishing through Bole Hill and the now obligatory lap of Bates street. Nice run with Treb and Ash, it was muddy out and with Treb the conversation was just as filthy at times. Legs a bit tight in Rivelin but felt better on the way back.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/62843018

C • haha about treb :P 3