Training Log Archive: Lizzie

Norwegian EOC middle distance trail, my first proper event back.

I feel fit enough to get around a middle distance now, so was ready to try a proper event. Have been looking forward to the satisfaction of finishing a proper course, rather than just training, for a few weeks :)
My aim was just to go as I felt and not worry about other people, results, or compare with what I used to be able to do. Not the easiest! Felt like I had a thousand and one thoughts spinning around my head for the first part of the course. The main worry was that I wouldn't be able to hold back my competitive spirit, or that I'd get stressed when people caught me up. But once Jo caught and passed me, I realised that I wasn't phased by it at all - I had no desire to try race her, or to push any harder than I already was. Once I realised that, I could relax into things and start to enjoy the orienteering.
There were a couple of spots (e.g. when Sigrid breezed by me at the road crossing and up the hill after), that I realized this is when I would have struggled with breathing and chest tightness before. The ingrained reaction was to slow down and walk - but after a dozen steps or so I realised that I was fine, and could still run (/jog, it was a hill and I was stuffed!).

That sort of reaction will take a while to erase, but today was a good first step. The confidence will build with each positive experience. Was so nice to run into the finish feeling unstressed, just a little smashed.

And after all that, my time wasn't too shabby at all ;) I was the tail end of 5 HSK girls within 45s in the results.

C • Woot 1

Sun was out and it was oh so close to double digits, so on with the shorts! Tracks in the forest are still half frozen and tough going. Thought my ovine friends might have been released from their winter captivity. But no. Not yet.

Today is my 6 month operation anniversary. Was quite looking forward to the milestone, but the last 2 days have been a reminder of how the recovery is still ongoing.
Still, just need to think back to remember how much things have improved over the months :)

C • recovery 4

Still getting pains today, so had a good long sleep and stayed home from work. In a better mood, so didn't get so hung up on the pain today. Eventually got out for a jog in the evening. Snow is melting and the streams are filling up fast.

Another day another new readjusting (i hope) pain in the upper body. Just not in the mood for it. Today was one of those days I wish I had a resident cardiologist to ask if this particular pain was OK. After getting home from work and sulking on the sofa for a bit, I at least got myself out for a walk/ice skate. picked my mood up a bit.

Down to town and a long slow slog back up home.

An old sprint interval training from Sept last year. 6 intervals, but ran them as 3 longer ones. Had Fredrik starting 1 minute behind, as extra motivation. Probably started out too hard, as my pace dropped a lot by the last interval, but ah well. It was good fun, although all the grit on the streets left over from winter meant that down hills and cornering were a slow business.
Intervals: 1.9k, 8:44; 1.65k, 7:45; 1.5k, 6:33.