Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Event: Drammensløpet
 

Er, no. With the price of alcohol in Norway we had stocked up on Duty Free Vodka and Rum. This was demolished in the Tyrving club hut where we were crashing for the night. Before we got to NightFlash for dinner. The night isn't even a blur - I remember very little of it. I did however make it back to the UK without vomiting on a train, bus or plane, so take this as a win.

Not a great performance. Very tired in the legs and the middle-distance style didn't suit me, especially in the bushy green bit early on. A small but acceptable miss on 1 lead to a hasty retreat and relocation at 2. Too high on 3 as I tried to stick with someone but started getting into it a bit more - albeit moving slowly - from there on. I was dropped by a Fossum vet but managed to get away from an NTNUI team despite my indisretions. I was with a guy for the last few controls and we were joined by a Halden guy who couldn't navigate, as I found to my cost as we were way off to 15. Out on the path Cherry came past having been in the mass start ~20mins after me. He had too much over the bridge so I got the 'Full Haines' treatment.

Got GPS tracked. I'm SHU7: https://www.loggator.com/events/2015NHmen6-8
Just about managed to beat the Catalunyan team despite trying to throw away a 25min overnight lead.

Event: Night Hawk 2015
 

Went to find a shop. Back along the lake where we bumped into Toon and co. for a swim.

Such fantastic fun running in a mass-start. My plan was to get on paths where I could, but with all the people around I had the confidence to push on in the terrain.
Nailed the bearing to #1, ticking off features well. Went in a gaffle too early (with Cherry) at #2, confused by some houses that looked like rocks on the map, before missing a little bit in the circle. I then went through the marsh to the path, when I could have got out to it a lot quicker.
There was no way I was going straight across green craggy ravines to #3, so plumped for a round path option. I soon found myself on my own - maybe not the best idea, but thankfully once I needed to look for a small path a train came along on it. Not moving very quickly but good enough - the speed soon cranked up though.
Went into all the gaffles at #5 but had a vague idea where I was. Got here with Dane so figured I was having a fair run. Passed Jonesy out of 8. Hit an unexpected path, quick check of the map before haring back to the back of the train. We took a duff line to 10 but I was just in follow mode here. Last 2 forest controls were fine as I passed Kris again. Hit the run-in to the last control as hard as I could to stay clear of Kris which I just managed over the bridge. Finished just behind Joe and first back for the team by a way.

Shotgun Jukola first leg ;)

http://live.tyrving.no/emmanh-git/nh2015/10052/Nig...

Eccles Pike. 2nd. Winner Little Rob 23:14 (101.3%). 16s quicker than last year (which was damp).
Rob and Jack Ross went from the off. After getting past the Pennine bloke I don't know who starts like a train, finishes nowhere and wears a Helly in this weather (already don't like him) I was in 4th behind a Manc Uni lad. AT the top of the first climb he stopped to open a gate so I caught him and went over the fence next to it. On the flat run-out he got back ahead but at the start of the steeper climb to the Pike I powered up to Jack, closing about 30m on him and running much further up than normal. Probably should have pushed on for a bit longer, made it really hurt. Jack came past at the top but was 1m ahead at the summit, gave him a bit of rope on the descent so I could pick my own lines. Back onto the flat Jack was just ahead when a back-marker stepped out and T-boned him. I took the initiative and went ahead, picking lines and getting over stiles/gates very quickly. Held a small gap over Jack to the finish, digging in up the last little climb. First time I've beaten him when he's not sacked it in early on, although quite a way off his new-course record. Big gap over the 2 Manc Uni and Stockport V40 guys in 4-6 at the end, as we can descend and were pushing each other.

Off to see Flogging Molly tonight so got my run in morning-style.

C • In Manc? Fancy a drink befo... 3

Felt awful all day. My sum total of work was reading the WorldofO articles from WOC. A run was badly needed but I nearly didn't make it out. Treated myself to a drive out to the dams - I should drive to the peaks far more often as too much Standard Rivelin can get me in a bad groove - to shake off the funk, up Wyming Brook, round a bit, over to Redmires, Stanage (no longer a) Pole, High Neb to take in the view and give myself a brief talking to, Haunted House, Headstone and Bank. The air was crystal clear and all is good again.