Training Log Archive: Cruachan

Another recovery run - from Hartest to Lawshall and back. Tired still - plus didn't sleep much due to half-night shift.

Crackered so ran v easy.

Finally - an actual day of rest AKA slobbing on sofa!

Around arena and down to start... a little afters with John Ockenden.

JK Day 2 (Wass Forest): 19th! (over 14 mins down on Charlie): I always knew this was going to be an issue (after the past year or so) and the Mad Fortnight but I have to give myself marks for trying! Struggled running in this kind of terrain (after all these years) and simply orienteering quick enough. I'd like to blame the map near #10 for costing me dearly (I blamed it at the time) but truth is I just don't have the O-brain for this stuff. Not enough 'purposeful practice' - my best years in the sport (2005 & 2006) came when I had spent 2 years living and training in Guidborough and running regularly (twice a week or so) in tough forests. My thighs were shot from pretty early on, especially ascending and there was plenty of that!; interestingly my best leg (#5-#6 where I got first!) was slightly down along a ridge. Anyway, what's done is done - head down for the British.

Event: JK 2016
 

A decent warm up, including the model event and then a very easy jog afters...

JK Sprint (Leeds Uni) - 2nd on M50 (58 secs down on Quentin H): probably my second strongest sprint race ever - was certainly up for it and hadn't felt too tired from the Mad Fortnight. Set off hard and got onto the map reasonably quickly. The 'long' leg to 2 had me briefly perplexed (was 12 secs slower than QH on this leg) but then I more or less rather on instinct and hoped the route would open up before me (I could see at least one route down to the far end). It did and it gave me the confidence I needed. I don't think I lost much/any significant time at all and had Kenny Leith in my sights from #4, although I didn't actually catch and pass him until #15. Maybe this affected me as #16 was my worst leg. Overall, running reasonably hard but lack of specific training cost me some time till as I haven't bee full out for ages (hamstring, step forward).

Up before 2am to do a training module and then off to a shift at 4.15am. Straight from there to work and then back over to Bury for training from 7-10pm! Thinking I'm burning too many candles..

Tesco loop - but really struggled and felt exhausted...