Training Log Archive: Mal

Driving back to Liverpool from Newcastle.
Washing and packing ready to go to Stockholm

Run about before heading to the start
Minimal afterwards

Scottish 6 Day - Glen Feardar West
Legs feeling a bit pants overnight and on the run to the start so didn't expect too much. Pushed hard out the start and caught sight of Ali Thornton leaving #1 so reeled him in en route to #3 before realizing I hadn't the foggiest of where I was and binned maybe 60-90s. Leaving the control I saw the danger man who had nearly caught me 2mins so I swore and tried to run harder.
Was ok through the control pick but wasn't map reading enough. Got #9 alright and chose to contour the hill which turned out to be pretty good managing to drop Ali. Again ok through till #15 able to run quite hard on some bits but losing time on #14. Going in to #16 I didn't really plan anything and was chasing down Meg, Fanni and Julie so managed to bin 3mins. Got a bit concerned that Lewis would have caught me at this point but only saw Ali again at this point. Caught him back up through the next few controls and ran in to the spectator in front of a pack. Struggled back up to #25 before trying to kick for home. Pleased to have a better run and be around some people today.

Overhauled the 1:13 lead to Lewis to take the win overall!

Scottish 6 Day Glen Feardar East
Feeling tired now. Got royally confused on the way to #1 but didn't lose to much time then overshot #2 ending up at #6 before relocating. Took a safe route to #3 in time to catch the Spongey express before uncoupling towards #8. Messed up #10 a fair whack and then #12 and #13 and finally #18. This was compounded by legs which were less than keen to run today. Pretty poor in all honesty.

Lewis extended his 8s lead from this morning to 1:13. Luckily his run wasn't too much better than mine.

A mighty warm-up and warm-down today

Out along the Deeside Line this morning to try shake the legs out a bit. Not too many complaints but could tell they were tired.

Scottish 6 Days Creag Choinnich
Lewis was starting 3mins behind me today so I knew I needed a decent performance otherwise he'd end up seeing me. Started quite hard but was blowing by #2 and regretting Lochnagar the day before. Overshot #3 as is becoming standard and spied Spongey heading over the hill and not Lewis luckily. Ran in to #4 but was a bit high, struggled to relocate before Spongey caught me and went in with him. Got insta-dropped pretty much today. But was ok through #6 and #7. Took the down and up routechoice to #8 before slogging my way up the hill twice. Lost a bit more time at #17. Didn't really enjoy this one but closed in from 5:30 to 8s on Lewis. The tension is building.

Ran the flatter bit to the start with Lewis. Arrived at the start and couldn't stop yawning. Tired!

Lochnagar with Mark Purkis, Phil Vokes and Paul Pruzina.
Phil decided to take it on on the way up so the pace was a bit unpleasant given the couple of drinks I had the night before. So I repaid the favor by taking it on on the way down and seeing what pace he could hack. We then 'cruised' in along Loch Muick with a short comfort break.
Cracking run in some nice sunny weather.

Morning run out along the path to the Pass of Ballater and back.

Scottish 6 Days Birsemore Hill
Set off ok but kept hemorrhaged time here and there particularly on #3 ended up way offline. Got my act together a bit through to #11 where Dane caught me. We then worked together quite well across the top and on to the steep slope before I got a bit hesitant and he pulled out a small gap. On the running legs in to the finish he dropped me but must have missed me as he forgot about the 2nd to last and I found him again.
Average performance I think. But still quite rusty. Physically quite pleasing though.

Run most of the way to the start until the steep bit started. Feeling ok.

With Will along the Deeside way from Cambus O'May. Stopped off for a chill in the river

Scottish 6 days Balfour Forest
One of those meh days. Nothing really went well with mistakes all over the shop. Legs feeling a little off in comparison to yesterday too. Didn't like how rocky it was so was struggling to keep contact with the map instead looking at my feet. Twisted my ankle quite badly to #22 so walked for that and just when I got going again I tripped and fell on a 'tussock' which turned out to be a rock and badly bruised my hip/strained my side and could barely walk for the last 3 controls let alone run.

There will be other days.

Jog to the start.

Easy with Will on Craigendarroch