Training Log Archive: ba-ba

So basically, I was having a really good run up with the lead pack, in 2nd when the gaffles came together (although I was short), I suffered a bit up the hill to 5 and 6, but picked a better route in to 6 than most. Bit right to 7 and hesitant to 8 but still moving well. Contoured well into 9 where a few had problems and I was just off Cherry, McIver and Ben Stevens in the pack (Doug and Jamie having got away).

Then on the way to 10 a bloke fell badly through a rootstock (cornice style) that looked like a knoll, landing c1.5m below in the the river, landing badly. Myself and Geoff Ellis were first on the scene. I stood around for a bit failing to make a decision, causing others to stop. Once several had stopped and Claire Ward looked to be slowing down to see what was going on I sorted myself out and decided I'd look after the casualty, allowing others to go on as uninterrupted as possible, Geoff letting those at assembly know. We were pretty much at the furthest point on the course and after a few minutes Steve got up and managed to get out to the path and I supported his 1.5km hobble towards assembly, when nearly there he was picked up by the ambulance (bad ankle twist but not broken). I headed back to complete as I was having a whale of a time, stopping to chat to Colin Best who was out walking and wondering what I was doing since he'd seen me up in the pack leaving number 5 a long time previous, before punching 10 and carrying on my course (cleanly and quite quickly, although obviously not as quick as would be in a pack). This time includes the run back to #10.

So who knows what would have happened - I could have stayed up with Mike (who came in 3rd), I could have blown up soon afterwards or messed up in the heat of the race even though it was very common from then on. In hindsight I should have punched 9 so we could compare the team's result more favourably.

Event: Jubilee Five - Scottish Championships (Inc. WOC selection races)
 

Distance covered estimate as WRE. SL: 16.5km/650m
Winner: Scotia 98:25 (147%)

I was feeling sluggish beforehand and didn't really improve. I was pretty clean through to 8 (slight wobble into it) then overshot 9 high, losing 30secs and Mike caught me 3 mins. I'd normally hope to stick with him but didn't have the legs, although caught him at 11 due to a cleaner line. Stayed with to 13 where I took on a gel that did nothing. Got pushed up the hill to 15 by James Tullie and saw a pack of Webb, Dalgleish & Marsden en-route to 16 (seen the former 2 at 8 and 13 respectively, not reeling them in a sign of things to come). Got right on their tail but couldn't catch them - normally I wouldn't find this an issue but I was well into a massive bonk by now. Still in touch over the hill (despite mucking up my bearing and summiting!) but crashed even lower through 20-22, then walked most of 23.
Similar distance behind as at Craig a Barns, where I also bonked. More care needed in week running up to these races, more in sleep/work patterns than anything else.
Pleased with race up until 9, and even then relocated quickly when required (save at 21).

Went Reiving from the Border.

The sky was dull with some dampness falling from it (quite cooling and enjoyable actually) and there were some small bodies of liquid on the paths. How odd.

getting a bit blocked up in the warmth indoors. Time to hit the decongestants - WOC places up for grabs at the weekend!!!!!!1!!1!!

base fitness seems OK considering, no point doing too much before a long weekend. Managed to spray ammonia in my face, I'm good at science me.

back from shopping. Cooling down a bit. Glutes ached all day, but after 4.5km my quads were wrecked.