Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Event: The Isle of Jura Fell Race
 

17th. Winner: Hector Haines 3:18:29 (117%)
Got the 8am rib over from Tayvallich after getting in at 9 last night, so not too bad. Legs a bit heavy after the incredible crush at Thursday night's gig.

Set off easy, as is now standard in long races. Once we're on the track I move up a bit, as was too far back. Hector is already giving it toes in the distance. Up to the first summit (Dubh Beinn) it's heavy underfoot and boggy. Keep a group including AndyB and Wardy just in front of me. Once on the summit I take the impetus up a notch on the good running to cps 2 (Glas Beinn) and 3 (Aonach Beinn) - this is cracking running and great scenery, but for the majority of the ridge from 2-3 you can see what's coming next. It being a club champs race, Wardy tells me that it's be poor form for me to sit behind him and follow his lines, only to out sprint him on the road. This forces my hand a bit so I move on a bit more. Wasn't going to follow anyway, but need to be seen to be doing my own thing throughout now!

Down into the valley and I've worked my way into a good group as we head up the first Pap, Beinn A'Chaolais - 600m in one pop. A few stronger people go off the front, but I stick with a strong walking pace and the summit comes quicker than I anticipated. Now onto the descents, and I find out I need more work on going down scree! (that said, I've only ever done one scree descent before). Stick with MDC and Macc guys, dropping Rossendale bloke. A bit of cramp jagging around rocks reminds me, with >2h to go that I need to keep my movements as smooth as possible
Up Pap 2 (Beinn an Oir) with MDC and Macc blokes, feel we're moving OK, but maybe a bit slower than I'd like in hindsight. Muck up the line coming off a bit, and the Wardy sub-4 train (inc. Adrian and Jasmin from Carnethy and Gary from Ambleside) catches us at the foot of Pap 3, (Beinn Shiantaidh). This keeps me pushing on, (Macc and MDC guys are next seen crossing the line 25mins after me) and I summit just ahead of Wardy. To keep my end of the bargain, I take my own line off, taking the same line as an Ochill runner below. Wrong option, as I hit the col maybe 2mins down on Dave's group after he nails the first line ('for only the second time in 13 times across the paps' he says later). Up to the final summit (Corra Bheinn) and I'm struggling, but the group are still within sight, although they pull some time out of me.

Catch the majority (a few have gone off the front) at the bog just before the road. As I ran my own race Dave's OK with me going past. Know the road will be tough, but never have I had to work so hard for 4:33m/k pace! Andy Thorpe goes flying past. I pass Jasmin then suffer a bit before digging in, passing one more guy as we pass the Craighouse sign. 1 mile to go and he keeps me going so I pull away, cross the line, seize up entirely and have to sit down in the road, where even a car can't get me to move for fear of debilitating cramp. Sub-4 and Whiskey glass done.

trot around between getting back from Manchester, packing and heading up to Jura

On me hols now! Heading down to Manc tonight to see one of my favourite bands. Out around the river. Not feeling great when I run, but running pretty well. Trotting along at 4:15m/k feels ridiculously easy nowadays - must remember that when I hit Three Arch Bridge on Saturday!
Put in an effort back along the river to regain a Strava segment I recall someone taking off me by a small margin a few weeks back. Got home to find that they must have cycled it as I'm still the CR holder, but 50secs sliced off the time.

C • Strava 2

West around the river - took 20mins for garmin to get with it though, thus total distance is an educated calculation. First 27mins felt a bit of an effort, slowed for a few minutes but then pace crept up to earlier level (I think) without effort really having to do the same. A bit rainy on the way back. Not only did I make a woman jump in the air, she also proclaimed me for a deity. Only about 500m of this on tarmac.

C • Good work, they are jumpy d... 1

Again feeling completely wiped. Dropped off the O kit and crashed out, but only slept for 15 minutes. Felt fine after eating, but by then too late for a run (I'm eating enough during the day to keep me going). I may have a touch of underlying cold or something, and am in definite need of a holiday. Thankfully after tomorrow I'm off work for 11 days!

nope, tired. Big race on Saturday!

C • Which race? 2