Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Event: YHOA Superleague, Burbage
 

Bit of a slog but generally enjoyed it, felt pretty economical across the heather. Not much paying attention to map going on due to temp and hacking (started snowing so I stopped and put some gloves on) but this only caught me out a couple of times. Good toughing-out practise, but I think I've done enough of that for a while.

Event: National XC Relays
 

30s faster than I have done here before (also set a week post-OMM). Felt pretty good, but was 30s faster over the first lap - where I had plenty of people to overtake - than the 2nd (still some to go past here). 17:30 5km is about what I was running Graves Parkrun in earlier in the summer which is probably a similar comparison.
Felt pretty good and set to work well but obviously lacking a bit of speed and freshness in the 2nd lap. Excited for XC season with Hallamshire though, but it'll take a lot of work to trouble the teams - but if a lot of guys put it in the team can only reap the benefits

ITW with a bit of an explore into Heeley

HFW via badlands and Hunter House road.

OK, I forgot to put my Hrm on for this, it spent the entire run in the top pocket of my bag. Yet I upload and I have him zones that are probably about right. Spooky...

Few strides in Graves.
Feeling pretty good and light, so need to watch out!
L knee a bit clunky so need to get on some more strengthening. Looking forward to pulling the HHS vest on on Saturday, 5km will hurt more than last weekend though!

one day more...
Tired but keep waking up early.
Parent have bought a camper van and just come back from Kilimanjaro. Retireds...

So 2nd again at OMM. However today I am in a much better state than I was in last year. Conversely, Jim says he's the most broken he's ever been after an event.
I had built the weekend up so much in my head that I was worried how I might react if things started not going our way. However, as a pair we got as much out as we could so there was no panic. This year I was definitely stronger (than both last year and Jim after his illness) and I believe I was, at times, the strongest on the hill, as highlighted by leaving Shane and Duncan on the penultimate climb (Bjorn may have been stronger, I don't know how his partner measured up). So last Wednesday's post wasn't a complete sham ;)

Feeding was good, I think I've hit on a good mix of real food (Flapjack, Rice blocks) and sweets (which I also supplemented with mango which I will do more of next time!). Rice blocks take a bit of time to eat so maybe stronger flavours required, but good to take your mind off what you're doing. I ended up with quite a bit of food left over (2 gels, 2 bits of malt loaf, loads of sweets, a flapjack block) as packed for last year's 7/6.5h times.

Bit of hygge now before cracking on in preparation for early 2017. I was thinking about focussing on shorter stuff, but the only definite races (outside of XCs) on my calendar start at 20miles and go up - might as well stick to what I know! - but my English Champs results do show that I need to do some serious work on short races (I did get a bit unlucky with the timings of both this year) as a best of 41st isn't good enough.

fwiw: =26th overall in champs. Middle and Long scores were OK around and in the top 30 (Langdale outstanding; Black Combe lucky). 41st/50th in the shorts not good enough. Need to be consistently top 30, pushing top 15 in long races.

C • Cultural misappropriation 5