Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Greba Mountain shaking off a slight hangover.

Event: Bradda Niarbyl (English Fell Champs Long)
 

warm-up past a motorbike race

19th. Winner: Simon Bailey (2:09:54, 114.2%)

It was warm, especially when we dropped down into the bays and were amongst the bracken, but not as warm as it could have been. I didn't feel very good at all - I got on the back of the Lloyd train on his sneaky (well-strimmered) lines but once onto the 2nd and 3rd climbs I couldn't get going like I could earlier in the year (i.e. March-April). I passed Jack and maintained the distance to Woodsy, but unfortunately he was being distanced by the group ahead, including Dave Taylor, Spyke, Vic and Dave Lund.

Hit the bottom of the big climb with Rick H, Mark Roberts, Tom Cringle, Woodsy and another Manx lad who asked me how old I was - the others enjoyed this, asking if he wanted my phone number as well.. Tom and Rick gapped me (so now 3 V50s ahead and one close behind...) and, although not feeling like I was moving very well I toughed it out, gapped a few behind and limited losses to Rick, Tom and Woodsy. A brief glance back near the top and Jack and the Manx lad were not too far behind.

Got a good descent down to the drinks point and moved well up the next climb, closing down Dave Lund, Rick, Nigel as my legs started to perk up a bit. Hit the descent fairly hard, deciding I might as well give it some to get away from Woodsy and Rick (Dave had already gone). Turns out I also passed a group containing Spyke, Dave T and Vic who had gone walkabout off the path. The last climb was tough but I had a target in sight - Ben Mounsey with water just behind Tom Cringle, meaning I kept moving and ahead of those behind. Took Tom off the top and held off a charging Woodsy, finishing at the front of a big pack.

19th is my best champs result so far, but the performance was probably worth 25-30th in a more stacked race. Just couldn't get going early on meaning I missed the group I'd have liked to be in, around people like Pete, Spyke, DaveT, Vic.

By the time I got onto IOM I was up for food. Cracking Calzone filled me up too much to think a jog was sensible.

Pennine Thursday nighter. Three Knolls, Downfall, Mermaid's pool for a dip then across to the bottom of Sandy Heys and back via the Cabin and 20 trees. Cruising along with Simon for most, lots of stopping as per. Feeling good - nearly didn't head out for hills this close to Saturday but glad I did

Damp and cool so went for a grassier route around Rivelin. Cobbles were interesting!

Loxleys common and valley.
Gagging for a run by the time I got home.

Trying the 2-rest-days approach, as much as I'd love to be racing.