Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Grit Fell and Ward's Stones with (well behind) Tom and Dan, who extended. Bumped into (Radio 6 DJ, for those not in the know) Stuart Maconie in the car park afterwards.

Event: Ennerdale Horseshoe Fell Race - British and English Fell Running Championsh
 

When is Ennerdale not Ennerdale?

Tough but (given the biblical weather forcast) correct decision from the RO, mainly for the marshals' safety. The more running nature of the course should have suited me and I set off at a pace I'm confident of maintaining over 3+h running. Got a bit separated over Floutern Pass but reeled the group ahead (containing Vic W) in with a better track along Buttermere when they went high.
Struggled a bit up Scarth Gap, the group ahead pulled away a bit and, whilst only Spartacus came past, Todd and a massive group got on my heels. Cruised into Black Sail hut planning to get going and reeling in the above group but 10 miles in the last few weeks caught up with me. Dropped a lot of places up to Moses Trod, gained a bit around to Beck Head and BS Pass. Frustrated with my poor descending back to the hut but, seeing Tom Gibbs being walked off the hill cautious was probably best.
Hit the road and the plan to work my way back up went to shit. Scoffer was within sight but unpassable for the thick end of 4 miles as I was sent out the back door numerous times - Tom Bush, Ian Symington, Nigel Wood (having walked Tom off the hill), Joe Blackett and finally Jackie Lee, going like a train! Hit the lake track and just wanted water. One guy came past then, in the last km or so I got going and got 4/5 places into the finish to at least finish on a minor positive.

Just too tired, judging on this the full route would have killed me today. However first Pennine home - thankfully Wardy's been doing a lot of vert of late as well - so half way to defending my club championship.

Shake-out to Hayfield. Not feeling on top but I'll get around. Race it in from Pillar.

C • From Pillar 1

woke feeling rubbish but improved as the day went on. Mon/Thurs rest days seem to work before races though.

Easy over to Strines. Felt shit.
Steady tempo along the canal. Well, 3:50s for 13min felt harder than they should have. Moving OK but felt shit. At least Swizzles smelt of Refreshers when I got to the end.
Shambled back through the Torrs and SVT. Felt shit. Bumped into Little Rob so had a little walk. Started running and felt a bit better for a couple of minutes. Soon felt shit again though.

Spent the day channeling my inner Kenny Stuart - helping Mark from Pennine with some gardening to keep me busy once a week/petty cash topped up. This, and the few beers I had last night are possible reasons for feeling shit.

'favourite' road-trail route, now with added distance and up/down. Still not over 10 miles though. Muggy out. Still feeling lumpen but hopefully this blew a few cobwebs out.

Back home. Resting up before Ennerdale, hopefully I can feel good by Friday. Been feeling very tired and lumpen since Island peaks - tent and eating a lot after Jura I think, but I'm still running OK so hopefully with a bit of rest I can shift this feeling and soon be flying again!
Lots of washing, so needless to say the washing machine has thrown a wobbler.

Trying to keep the waffle to a minimum on here, but done a blow-by-blow account of yesterday's relay. Also a Todd-esque write-up of SIPR a few weeks back if you want some entertainment (start on the Friday). Jura was ace. 2 tumblers down, 19 to go!