Training Log Archive: ba-ba

DVO Lindop, Chatsworth.

Nice area in places, bit simple at times. Was strolling around quite nicely until I decided to start taking 'bold' routes into controls - mainly down hell-steep banks my arse or through man-eating brambles. The last of these I could see the control but it took me 90s to granny-step down a bank - I lost 2 mins to Ben Beresford on this control and thus a (not in the slightest bit earnt) win.

Staggered about up to Chatsworth after.

Next week I shall mainly be sleeping and eating

Bright and Breezy or Shite and Wheezy?

The National. 252nd.

Set off steady and wind it up was the plan. It sort of worked, I was with some runners a bit above my levels for most of the first 3 loops - tempted to pop up next to Olly but thought better of it then he eased away. However once onto the last loop my lack of speed showed as I lost quite a few places. Dave Norman pulled away at the start of it, putting nearly a minute and 40 places on me. Harry Holmes eased away at the bottom end of the course, which was frustrating after I'd been moving well on the hills. I also found that, whilst strong through the clarity stuff, I'd get on the firm ground after it and just stop.

Got to be satisfied with my day's work but it's niggling at me a bit. My 3 good National results are 233 (Sunderland, extenuating circumstances!), 241 (Donny) and 252 (Wollaton) so I'm in my niche, but it'd be good to break out of it next year, although I know this can't be done off long hilly heavy days out and limited speed/tempo work.

Still, as ever a great day out and nice to not completely die like at Northerns. Good support around the course (wearing a HHS vest really helps). A good club turn-out but last year in a similar position I was 11th counter (12 if you include Horton) and this year I was 5th counter (behind Bertie, Steve, Rob, Dave).

1 39:35 Ben Connor Derby
2 39:49 Alexander Teuten Southampton
3 39:59 Sam Stabler Owls Leicester
11 40:28 Alex Brecker City of Stoke
19 40:54 Peter Hodkinson Notts
45 41:59 Gregory Jayasuriya Middlesbrough & Cleveland
54 42:06 Bertie Houghton Hallamshire
62 42:30 Steven Bayton Hallamshire
106 43:23 Robert Little Hallamshire
109 43:24 Daniel Kestrel Barnsley AC/Pennine
112 43:30 David Sheldon City of Stoke
153 44:13 Dave Archer Hallamshire
207 45:03 Oliver Langford City of Stoke
208 45:04 Oliver Williams Vale Royal
213 45:10 Dave Norman Altrincham
242 45:39 Harry Holmes Knavesmire
252 45:52 Nicholas Barber Hallamshire
283 46:14 Zak Mellard Hallamshire
310 46:38 Chris Donnelly Sale Harriers Manchester
318 46:44 Peter Hodges Hallamshire
319 46:44 Andrew Thake Hallamshire
323 46:46 Luke Beresford Ripley
333 46:53 Dean Richardson City of Stoke
337 47:00 Dave Sprot Hallamshire
342 47:03 Chris Rumsey Middlesbrough & Cleveland
363 47:14 Leon Foster Leeds City
365 47:16 Steve Worthington Hallamshire
378 47:30 Joe Gratton Hallamshire
382 47:34 Nathanial Winfield Buxton/Pennine
420 48:01 Andrew Minister Hartlepool
435 48:11 Gavin Keight Hallamshire
459 48:30 Harold Wyber Woodford Green Essex Ladies
499 49:02 Arron Larkin Rotherham
547 49:41 Gareth Briggs Wolverhampton & Bilston
549 49:42 Shaun Dimelow Penistone Footpath Runners & Athletic
573 50:02 Thomas Halloway Trentham
616 50:37 Paul Wilson Hartlepool
689 51:21 Carl Egdell Hallamshire
917 54:00 Craig Fishwick Hallamshire
...
1762 1:45:38 Tim Bentley Shelton

Last ever run in these shoes as I left them at Bridge's crack den. The uppers were on their last legs anyway.

Feeling much better, if slightly odd.

hfw

2x3min steady tempos, 4x strides.
Some nice pictures of muddy bits of Wollaton Park, but under no illusions that will only be a small part of the course. There'll be a lot of firm fast running to get through before it gets interesting.

Eaten a lot in the last 24h. You'd think given how much I eat not eating enough wouldn't be a problem.

Felt shafted all day so bunked off a couple of hours early to get some rest in. Tomorrow is my planned rest day but an extra one can't hurt to bank the last 2 weeks, allowe a couple of foot niggles to settle down and not be that dickhead. Excited for the next 2 weekends.

Watched the OMM Adventure Show. Not as much bollox as a lot of 'outdoor sport' coverage often spouts, though my Hyperbole meter did twitch at being described as 'one of the strongest runners in the world'. Going to get that on a T-shirt.
So that's sweaty TV appearances on S4C, BBC Scotland and early morning C4 (old transworldsport slot) in the last few months. Hipster sport TV stardom awaits.

C • At least 2

Wednesday Wobble. Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.

Had Han work some knots out of my back. Not sure if it's possible to combine loads of little knots into one big one, but that's what it feels like has happened...

6x [600(100)400] 200

1:51, 70
1:51, 72
1:52; 73
1:55, 76
1:58, 76 (bit of a longer break)
1:58, 74

Main group drifted away from me, but had a few guys, including Zak, around me throughout. Drop-off expected post-weekend. Need to relax a bit more when the legs stop responding

sloooow

with added pete bray