Training Log Archive: jonny crickmore

Lairig Ghru Hill Race 1st.

Was looking forward to this but also unsure how it would go as it would be a lot faster than any other long distance race I had done before.

Pack of 5 formed on the first road with myself, Steve Feltbower (Ochills/FVO), Jason Kelly (Aberdeen), Chris Richardson (Aberdeen) and an Australian ultra runner Brendan Davies. I only knew Steve so had no idea how good they were.

First 10 miles were pretty cruisey, Steve dropped off at somepoint around 10k but otherwise we were pretty evenly matched. Then after crossing Luibeg burn it got more technical and I just pulled away without seeming to put much more effort in.

It was so much fun dropping into the the valley at around 20k just nice technical rocky single track. Climb was okay too just kept on moving. At 90min I had my second gel (a caffeine one) and had an instant crash for about 5min but perked up quick enough.

The boulder field at the pools of Dee was pretty fun. Not as rough as I thought it would be and was able to mostly keep running/jumping along. Then more technical downhill which was probably the hardest bit of the race to stay on your feet. Some single track forest before the grind that is the last 10k.

I knew Murray's record was well gone but thought I had a shot at the second fastest time that I thought was 3:03 so tried to keep pushing and managed fairly well. My right knee and top of left ankle got sore on the last 5k.

Overall the race went pretty much perfectly, no big drops in energy. I had a torq gel at 45min a shot block at 70, caffeine gel 90, and a cliff chocolate gel at 2:15 along with about 600ml of water and 300ml of carbohydrate electrolyte drink.
The weather was nice too, it rained a fair amount but was warm enough. One torrential downpour but I was down in the woods at that point and it just made it even more enjoyable splashing along.

Looking at the splits Murray just seemed to take about 1min out of me every 10k so happy with my pacing.

C • superb run! 4

Easy seat lap

uni to station

WU

JOK Chasing Spring Prologue

Early start and blew about a minute at first control in forest looking around in head high bracken for a ditch. Otherwise was okay but remembered why summer orienteering is often limited in Britain.

Still in a group of good people most of whom also had early starts so was excited for the chase.

Fast start in the easier section chasing people. Then we all followed Spongey to the wrong 5 and a big group formed. To 9 I went straighter than the rest and ended up in utter crap so lost a load of time then lost another minute in the bracken trying to find the control.
A nice fight with AT and Freddie ensued and got them in the sprint finish.

The arena, organisation, format and atmosphere was amazing though and it was a great evening nonetheless.

To sprintelope. Feeling rather bonky

Jogging round Sprintelope. Lovely evening and nice to run round some different bits of Edinburgh.

Home. Feeling much better than on the way there.

Steady effort on the seat for first bit then long strides and jog back home.

Easy seat with Carcas'

Back in proper gym