Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Slog up Loughrigg with Tedwards and Sarah. Legs protested on the way up but flet much better for it once done. Followed by Bacon and Sausage butty and a brownie in Bilbo's.

Could feel the achillies throughout the weekend, time for a week or so of rest ahead of Burbage and BOC.

1st Lake District (proper?) fell race.
23rd, 15mins behind winner (a Hope). Top of the field (first 10 or so) was pretty loaded, but then large gaps from 8 onwards. 47secs down on (a not race-fit) Tedwards.
Didn't know how I'd cope with a proper toughie, especially with the lack of uphill running I've been doing!

Start-Wetherlam 3.96km, +683m -0m, 40:44.
The climb up Wetherlam was tough. I sat in around 60th (at a guess), didn't pass many, got passed by a few. Took a different line up the ridge (followed a borrowdale runner) and whilst it didn't gain or lose me any ground I reckon it saved my legs a bit (it was all hands-on-knees walking, which I was trying to do to minimise the strain on my calves). However managed to keep on plugging, but reached to top well behind Dave Soles and the First lady (200m or so)

Wetherlam-Prison Band-Swirl How 1.75km, +156m, -131m, 13.25.
Cruised off the top maintaining my place. Hit the Col and slingshotted up the Prison Band. I was passing and going through people left, right and centre (inc. Dave Soles and 1st Lady), my childhood climbing experience being unearthed to full effect on the scrambly bits.

Swirl How-Old Man 2.89km, +136m, -131m, 15.42.
Very blustery but managed to keep the legs going, pulling away from some and reeling in a group of 5 up ahead.

Old Man-Finish 3.61km, +0m, -713m, 14.42.
Started going a bit left off the front so dropped back a bit to follow the line of a bloke just behind me. Once I was confident of the top I took a few different routes, passing Julian from Glossopdale who was stuck in some crap on the left. Didn't feel like I was going particularly fast but was gaining on the group ahead. They went right after the mine (where I went yesterdaY) and I went left as planned and hit the path. Came out at the junction the same distance behind the group and pinned my ears back for the last 2.5km track run to the end. Overhauled about 5 places here - again I didn't feel like I was moving too quickly but I must have been! Feet burning but the last 2.44km were done in sub 3.30min/km even with the rutted track and tourists.

Really pleased with my result, was expecting about 1.35 and ~50/60th. Was very surprised that I took so much out of lakeland runners on the final descent. Again my feet started burning towards the end but thankfully there was a river and it was quite short.
More work needed on hills! Getting my race-descending honed nicely though.

C • Sounds really good 4

Walna Scar, Dow Crag and Old Man with Lizzie and Lucy.
I'd like to say that I was saving myself for tomorrow, but there's no way in hell I could keep Lizzie's pace up to Dow! Managed to keep chugging up but with no great shakes.
Scouted the descent route off the old man - worked out what I don't want to do tomorrow! (at the bottom at least) - very slow in trail shoes!
lovely day, if a bit blustery.

Up for the race later but priorities.

Took advantage of the dryness of late by heading out across the normally damp fields to Little Mill, up to Lantern Pike and back along the trail. Felt a bit ungainly across the rutted fields, a bit tired up the first part of the track to the Pike, but after that felt good. Cracking views from the top.

10km Trail race around the Whaley Ressers tomorrow, will see how my Achilles feels tomorrow morning before deciding whether to do it.

Long day traveling back. Managed to not drool on myself when I fell asleep on the ferry this time.

Slight Achilles pain in the left leg from Saturday onwards. Would be really sore to start with, but ease if I got up on my toes (which would suggest it's not tendonitis) and there'd be no pain buy the time I raced, or after. However, spotted a lump (about 3inches above the base of my heel) which isn't sore when squeezed. Maybe it's something to do with low-cut shoes (hurt more in x-talons than mudclaws). Think it needs some rest but I want to go running now I'm home!

Ran 4.74
Ash sent me out about 15secs down on Alan Velecky of SO. I ran this race pretty much on the ragged edge of my O ability - and fell off once too often. I was in the lead at 1 but proceeded to stuff up 2 and 3 - with a bit of confidece I'd have got them easily - allowing Alan to lead by ~150m through to 6. Didn't see him through the village the proceeded to miss 45ses on #10 (went to wrong bush). Popped out of 11 to see him within 200m of me. Gunned the last 500m or so in an effort to catch but just missed out. a 50m-longer run in and who knows!

Pleased with half of the controls and mightily pissed off with 3 of them, grr, so close! Role on the British.