Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Dave Peel's new venture. Went to see what was going on. 3h score, 500 points on offer, lose all point if you're >3:00. A nice innovation as so often in scores people lose small points in time-loss to gain larger points on the hill.
Planned a route which had 3 potential cut-out controls as I wasn't sure how I was feeling. As it was, felt pretty good for the first 2h15, so I only missed out 1x25 pointer (#7) which would have been difficult to get off my route. Rich's clean sweep route was a bit more full-commitment, if I'd have done it I'd have died at #9 and had to head for home, missing 55 points in the process.
Enough clag to make it interesting in on top of Bleaklow (above about 500m or so). Nav fairly clean. Went a bit awry heading east of Bleaklow Head (11-13) resulting in a banana but also a safe route into the control. Very tired along Doctor's Gate back to the finish, glad I only had to semi-push and wasn't ever really in danger of being timed out.

I went 4-2-1-3-5-6-10-11-13-14-15-12-8-9.
Rich went 1-2-4-5-3-11-13-14-15-12-10-6-9-8-7 (I think) and was 9min quicker.

C • Worth doing? 2

Stoke were really struggling for numbers in the local North Staffs league. As defending champs (last year's total points from the 4 fixtures was similar to 2nd place's best 1-race score) and not wanting Trentham or Newcastle AC getting too big for their boots (along with not getting 6 over the line meaning a probable instant relegation) I said I'd come down for the team. As it was travelling from Sheffield/New Mills wasn't that big a deal as Brecker came from London.

Alas my willpower crumbled again, last night resulting in 6 pints with Shaun -well, it takes that much to take his twirly mustache (not a Movember production...) almost seriously.

Simon Coldrick and Mark P from Pennine were there running for Buxton.

20th. Winner Alex Brecker 34:26 (113%) (last year I ran 38:06)

Maybe not the best idea to go drinking last night, but got in a 'I'm just there to count' mindset. Poor.
Felt quite good on the first lap - don't think I went off too fast - but it didn't last. Started going backwards, including being re-overtaken by a lad who looked buggered after lap 1 (he finished 1 place ahead of me...). Just about managed to dispose of 2 guys (1 from in front, 1 from behind) in an extended sprint finish - at least that still functions. Ish.
Nice and misty. Effectively a trail course so fast underfoot. Short sharp hills were ascended at about the pace I can grind out for 15-20 minuters in a fell race - just couldn't go any faster today (slight hyperbole)

Last 2 weekends think I'm about 1min off something I'd be happy with over 10km. Time to go.

1 Alex Brecker City of Stoke AC SM 34.26
9 Seb Duffy City of Stoke AC SM 37.37
10 Gareth Briggs Staffordshire Moorlands AC M40 37.38
12 Steve Bazell City of Stoke AC M40 37.46
16 Simon Coldrick Buxton & District AC SM 38.10
20 Nic Barber City of Stoke AC SM 38.51

WD with Alex and Tom (coming back from injury). Decided being a student is the 'acceptable version' of being on the dole.

HFW, Endcliffe memory lane, Ranmoor, Xpool and Crookes.
Miles were neither cheeky nor dirty.

C • What's the difference 2

HFW with pack. Crookesmoor and Crookes

I am alive. I'm not ill but I don't quite feel right, thinking a bit of a rest is maybe for the best. Perking up now though.

F5