Training Log Archive: ba-ba

off peakbagging around the lakes for the next 5 days with nobut a pack on me back.

SL: 18.9/490.
CLOK Guisborough LongO - basically a trailquest around where I do the majority of my off-road training. Knackered after yesterday, and whilst the navigation wasn't much of a challenge, keeping going was, especially up anything resembling a hill.. Bedded in my new shoes. Good OMM prep. Could have done with this last year to get to know the area before winter.

Event: Three Shires
 

16th, Rhys Fondly Rubyourbottom 1:59:44 (111%)
Had a nice walk in from Chapel Stile, via the coin tree, to loosen my legs off.
Set off well up Weatherlam (GPS lost on the track out for about 2.3km/75m asc). Various lines up, I sat behind a group including John Hunt and Andy Beanland, although others gained a bit by the summit. I was feeling OK, but didn't have much poke going over to Swirl Howe - no repeat of overtaking what felt like half the field at Coniston last year - and spent a lot of the time trying to clear my nose.
John's group were about 100m ahead, but I hopped on the Mike Robinson train around Great Carrs which chucked us out at the front of the group. Stayed near the front but couldn't attack the decent as I would like (managed to get the story of Amex fucking himself on this section 2 years back in my head). The group got away up Blisco and off the top as I was slipping all over the place. Struggled up Lingmoor, lost a couple of places before the summit but also gained one, before taking 3 on the final descent.
Felt OK, but def had Sun and Wed in my legs so I couldn't push on. Also grip on shoes is going a bit, hence feeling like I'd lost my bottle on the descents. Have a brand spanking new pair of Mudclaws at home which were perfect for the sodden ground - time to retire these Xtalons from racing, use claws over winter before getting new talons next spring. Nice to finally beat Jasmin, although it did take a 'short' race to do so!

1 Rhys Findlay-Robinson Dark Peak Fell Runner MSEN 1:59:44
2 Tom Brunt Holmfirth Harriers MSEN 2:03:16
3 Paul Cornforth Borrowdale MV40 2:04:33
4 Dave Wilby Ilkley Harriers MSEN 2:04:42
5 Darren Holloway Pennine MV40 2:05:00
6 Gary Greenhow Ambleside AC MSEN 2:07:35
7 David Milliken Horwich RMI Harriers MV40 2:08:24
8 Bill Stewart Holmfirth Harriers MV40 2:08:26
9 Mike Robinson Dark Peak Fell Runner MV40 2:09:04
10 John Hunt Dark Peak Fell Runner MV40 2:09:13
11 Jonathon Deegan Ambleside AC MV40 2:10:35
12 Chris Robinson Ambleside AC MSEN 2:10:40
13 Gary Thorpe Ambleside AC MV40 2:11:01
14 Adam Taylor Dark Peak Fell Runner MSEN 2:11:16
15 Richard Mellon Bowland FR MV40 2:11:35
16 Nicholas Barber Pennine MSEN 2:12:39
17 Chris Reade Bowland FR MV40 2:12:55
18 Andy Beanland Settle MSEN 2:13:40
19 Dan Duxbury Ambleside AC MSEN 2:14:23
20 Michael Cunningham Borrowdale MSEN 2:14:51
21 Ross Litherland Saddleworth RC MSEN 2:14:58
22 Chris Newman Wharfedale MSEN 2:15:54
23 Chris Upson Westerlands MV40 2:16:08
24 Jasmin Paris Carnethy LSEN 2:16:26
25 Nigel Wood Coniston FR MSEN 2:16:36
26 Chris Stirling UA MSEN 2:16:59
27 Adrian Davis Carnethy MV50 2:17:01
28 Jack Wright Ambleside AC MU23 2:17:02
29 Stuart Shuttleworth Ambleside AC MV50 2:17:21
30 James Archbold Borrowdale MV40 2:17:54

felt really easy to start with, but that was because I had an epic tailwind.

A broken boiler and my fannyness surrounding cold showers (along with an evening trip to work) were enough excuses to have a day off, before factoring in tender calves, the weekend and next week's 'holiday'

I've put up my RG from Sunday below, and also ones from the White Rose.

Trying to waken my legs up a bit.

warming up. I'd really psyched myself up for the race yesterday and this morning. But I appear to be on my meriod and a bit of a fanny and minor things going wrong put me in a baaad mood. I then got really wired and excited/nervous for little reason, with elevated hr. Had 20mins shut-eye before warming up which seemed to settle me a bit.

I'd been really looking forward to this, and wanted a good race. I'd prepared myself mentally to go off fast and hold on for dear life, dig in and make it hurt on the up, before doing what I do on the down.

Made sure I was on the very front of the pack, which resembled a creche with all the kids there! I wanted a flyer so set off on the track at 1500m pace (maybe faster) to get to the gate with no worries. No-one came with until a young lad got just ahead in the woods. He went up the chute and I went up the steps.
I couldn't quite keep going on the path as I was on my own, but despite power-walking a few times I was well ahead of anyone on the same route as me. Out of the woods and I could see the lad making good ground to where the routes join. He had a bigger gap (15-20 vertical metres?) than I would have liked on reaching the summit, but could he descend?

Took me a bit of time to recover from the ascent but eventually got going. Really slippy and, at times, the most out of control I've ever been. Took the chute down (on my arse) as it was slippery before hammering the final woods and track bit. I knew I was safe from people behind, but didn't know what the kid in front had done.

What he had done was turn a 30sec(?) gap at the top into 50 by the bottom. I've never been out-descended (period), let alone by that much!

Turns out that the same kid (Jack Willis) won it 2 years ago, when he was 13. 3rd place (Sam Garrett from CLOK) is also 15, as is Bronwen Owen, the ladies winner. Dunno where Cam has been the last few months.

Beforehand I really wanted to win, but I'm happy to concede to an obviously prodigious talent. I'm not surprised to be beaten on the way up by a skinny whippet.

Not too happy with my technical descending at the moment. I suppose all the long stuff over the summer has no relevance on a race this short as well!

Still, first person old enough to buy alcohol!

C • It's a great race, I've don... 2

Slept in, felt ridiculously bouncy throughout most of the day.

for those who haven't spotted it yet, FRA relay suggestive courses: http://merciarelays.org.uk/maps.html . Share the wealth and all that.

Well, I've never bonked on a run this short before!
Get the legs shaken out before Wednesday