Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Headed along the south of the Tees (including all the inlets) to the 'Infinity Bridge', hopped over to the north side, checked out the Tees Barrage white water park, headed back along the north shore (stopping to watch some waterski jumpers) back to Stockton. Found a fairly descent looking bike store. Drizzley. Don't feel particularly fast atm - my quads are a bit on the tired side and it'll take time to get used to all this flat tarmac pounding.
Still, more areas of flat asphalt for the roadies...

Event: Sheffield City Race
 

The plan was to head out to the Albert Parkrun in Middlesbrough, about a 6km run away. I'd had a good look at the map and googlemaps beforehand. I knew I needed to take a right after a cemetery, but I took the immediate right when I needed the more straight right. What followed was about 3km of mincing around Linthorpe. Eventually managed to relocate (map was now out of my bag) and I turned up 10 minutes late as opposed to 10 minutes early. Balls.
Anyway, watched the first 60 or so (only a 1/4 of the field!) come through before heading back a more direct way - I'll know for next time. Suffering a bit in the last couple of km. I'll take this as building up the road endurance I'm going to need living around here.
It wasn't a complete waste of a trip though - on the way out of the park I spotted someone in a Billingham Harriers jacket. Had a chat and turned out he was the bloke I'd contacted about going to a few sessions.

Was good to see the set-up of a more established parkrun - lots of helpers, permanent marking on the ground, a room to dump kit and course maps dotted throughout the park.

1st run from the new place. Had a look round Ropner park which was very nice, then hit the UK Cycle Network route 1 - straight after straight of unblemished asphalt, I could imagine the roadrunners creaming themselves at the prospect. Intended to turn off onto another cycle path but wasn't exactly sure where it was and ended up going on for a km further, ending up right on the northern edge of Stockton. Eventually picked up the cycle path but thought I was further along it than I actually was. I'd planned to follow it past a prison and Trig point to the Tees Barrage, but that would have been a bit long today, so I was quite glad when I ended up at a roundabout I knew near the centre of town so I could easily navigate home. Save the Tees barrage for another day.
Felt OK but didn't feel like I could go any quicker. Snatched a view of the NYMs near the end - looking forward to getting into them in a couple of weeks! 51m ascent in 14km is bloody flat!

C • you'd have to run further t... 5

Moved further north. Perilously close (~35miles) to Malley...

out and about Kinder. Up Tunstead and 3 Knolls path (torture), downfall, Sandy Heys, Chad's and back past 20trees and sportsman. Easy sleazy.

Walked out to the calendar box with Ma. Great location.

Jogging around, and even a warm-down after!

A half descent field with Glyn, Jack, Adam, Jonny and myself. Those 4 got away to varying amounts on the first climb. Maintained the gap to Jonny at about 20-30m, and was closing at the beginning of the climb up Eyam Moor but he had a bit more left and pulled out a larger gap off the top (as he has done to me in a few races this year). In a class of my own on a very fast course - mainly track with a fair amount of road. Finished in 5th (Glyn beat Jack in 39:33, so I was quite a way down), 2nd Pennine in the champs race.
Need to get that extra gear the other guys had, I can't keep up with them without pushing myself too far into the red. Tried a bit at times but knew it was dangerous.
Still, fairly pleased.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/110656985

nicely rested, raring to go.