Training Log Archive: ThrawsIn the 31 days ending Oct 31, 2014:
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| We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | |||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday Oct 30, 2014 #
6 PM
Walk (SDW by night pt 2) 10:00:00 [3] 40.0 km (15:00 / km) +950m 13:24 / km
weight:69kg
Didn't want to walk till dawn again so drove to the end at Eastbourne and got a train to Lewes. This was a bad idea. It forced me to rush the whole thing, which had repercussions in terms of mental state and fatigue, and driving for an hour and a half in a very tired state at 4 in the morning is way too dangerous. Went back up the Juggs Road in the twilight and was at my post soon after 6. I soon slipped behind the optimistic schedule I'd set and was hurrying when I tripped going up (!) Itford Hill and fell very heavily on elbow and knee. Was also winded for a bit. Knee soon became very swollen. Nevertheless, loved the familiar Firle Beacon stretch and was in the fleshpots of Alfriston by 10. Ate my egg sandwiches here and the salt in these may have caused me to become dehydrated as I got extremely thirsty as the night went on. It was muddy by the Cuckmere River, and scarily dark in Friston Forest, but by 11.15 I was on the home stretch over the Seven Sisters. But I lost the path at the top of the first hill and ended up near some buildings. I guessed where I was and, luckily, got it right, but I was rattled now about nav and, concomitally, speed. Never really knew where the best line was till I got to Beachy Head so was pushing hard and neglecting efficiency. Consequently got tired and a bit fed up. Also, you could tell even in the dark the area was a bit special, and I never felt I was doing it justice. At least I didn't have the crowds. Drove home with unseen dog mess all over the bottom of my shoes, yuk!
Monday Oct 27, 2014 #
6 PM
Walk (SDW by night) 13:00:00 [3] 56.0 km (13:56 / km) +1100m 12:41 / km
weight:69kg
I wanted to see the night time side of the South Downs hardly anyone ever sees, so decided to walk from Amberley to Falmer then get the first train back. Weather conditions pretty much perfect, if breeze on tops a little stiff. Can't believe I didn't need a coat or gloves all night in nearly November. Was at the Adur Crossing by bedtime, and thereafter it got slightly surreal. Nav was mostly very easy and just a case of following the darker line in the grass. So progress was quick and I was able to extend mileage before trains resumed. Finally came off the tops at Swanborough near Kingston as a rosy pink dawn lit up the eastern horizon. Got the 6.47 to Brighton and was home and in bed by 9 a.m.
Friday Oct 24, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
6 PM
Road run (Summersdale (2) and South) 52:43 [5] 13.0 km (4:03 / km)
weight:69kg
I've entered the Gosport Half in three weeks time, so decided instead of doing Parkrun tomorrow to add an extra lap to my usual Chichester loop. Was probably running too fast, but definitely felt fragile by the end and will need to be very careful with anything over 10k. Haven't really got time to build distance; reckon I'll just have to hang on for the last four miles or so rather than do any long runs. Otherwise felt fit and fast and enjoyed myself.
Thursday Oct 23, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Nice morning. Dark though.
Wednesday Oct 22, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Tuesday Oct 21, 2014 #
6 PM
Road run (Summersdale and South St) 32:05 [5] 8.0 km (4:01 / km)
weight:69kg
Felt fully recovered from Sunday and couldn't cycle to work today (weather), so decided to go for a run. Started steady and ran fairly comfortably so pleased with quickish time. Felt great throughout and plenty of zip and bounce still left over at the end. Really need to do a flat 10k but Brighton is now full up. Crowborough is at end of November?
Sunday Oct 19, 2014 #
11 AM
Trail race race (Steep Down Challenge) 32:20 [5] 8.0 km (4:03 / km) +160m 3:40 / km
weight:69kg
FRL race 12 out of 18. I don't think I could have been better prepared, and not through training. Reckon I'd cut my wine intake by a quarter in October and consequently got down to race weight without even trying. Plus numerous other benefits in terms of joint pain, recovery, sleeping, and so on. So felt fine on the line but wasn't sure how I was running or what to expect from the course. Knew within a few seconds of the start I was comfortable as I hit a good rhythm just behind the leaders. So, steady start in around 20th, easing past Steve where the gradient lessened. Got overtaken a bit going up to the trig point, but just did my own thing and saved legs for the very long descent. Took a few back but we were pretty spread out and whenever I looked behind I could see the numbers between Steve and me growing. Inside the last downhill mile just went as fast as I could really as I wanted a gap of a minute plus. Totally enjoyable run and loads of lessons learnt!
Results available: 17th, and 10 points for first 20.
Results available: 17th, and 10 points for first 20.
Walk (Billingshurst walk) 2:30:00 [2] 10.0 km (15:00 / km)
Muddy footpath walk with Jan through Duckmoor, Bishops Wood, Five Oaks and Tedfold. To get the kinks out.
Friday Oct 17, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Very mild.
Thursday Oct 16, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Tuesday Oct 14, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
6 PM
Road run (Summersdale and South St) 31:18 [5] 8.0 km (3:55 / km)
weight:70kg
Very slight head cold didn't stop me taking advantage of the best opportunity for one more hard run before Sunday. Wasn't sure If I'd have recovered from the New Forest, but had no fatigue at all really. That's encouraging. Felt fine on outward half and fast for return. Relaxed and comfortable and still running for warm down. Not sure about Brighton 10k though.
Sunday Oct 12, 2014 #
Event: Dorset Delight
11 AM
Orienteering race (Bisterne Close, New Fores) 1:09:59 [4] *** 9.4 km (7:27 / km) +205m 6:43 / km
spiked:15/17c
Good job the rain stayed off till the afternoon. Otherwise could have been grim. Fairly easy orienteering on a fast area as long as you could avoid the deepest heather and marshes. Really enjoyed it. Only gripe was that you couldn't tell whether straight was better than round paths, as it all depended what the heather was like en route and that wasn't on the map. I opted for paths where possible. First battle with heather was on the way to 4, where I had to stop for quite a while to sort out my shoe laces. I didn't recognise her at first, but Jan led me into the pit control and then set off at a pace I struggled to match. We had the same next control and my round the hill route turned out a bit quicker. I missed the road route to 9, but the forest was lovely, and I had a river crossing between 11 and 12. The long leg 15 offered a choice of dull (but presumably quick) tarmac and path, which I went for for aesthetic reasons. Probably lost 2 mins going to 16 as I neglected bearing (and had to stop for the loo), but was pleased to be still pushing at the end. All good training for Steep Down.
Saturday Oct 11, 2014 #
10 AM
Orienteering race (Rivers Wood SOG) 53:10 [4] 5.9 km (9:01 / km) +160m 7:56 / km
weight:70kg
Had ages to look at the map beforehand, and did, but it doesn't seem to have helped AT ALL. Rather, I switched off a bit while running the longer legs, lost contact, and then lost lots of time by not being able to run with confidence in the right direction. Went wrong on the way to 3 first, because I was running too hard, then panicked before relocating. Was OK to 7 but couldn't find 8 - along with a load of bumblers - and am pretty sure it was in the wrong place (or map was wrong). But biggest mistake was 10, where I suddenly realised track I was on wasn't going in the right direction! Was lucky not to lose more time. Map around 11 and 12 was more confusing than helpful, but I alone was responsible for 'switching off' again on long leg to 16 and only spotting mistake when, weirdly, I ran past number 3 again. More confusion on the way to 18 just about topped off a poor morning's work. On a positive note, I was running well and did not feel any fatigue after. And I did enjoy the workout despite the result.
Friday Oct 10, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Got caught in a huge shower. Soaked.
Thursday Oct 9, 2014 #
7 PM
Note
weight:70kg (rest day)
Fancied a run, but worried that my back might complain, especially with two races at the weekend. So went for a brisk 75 minute walk instead.
Tuesday Oct 7, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Big puddles.
10 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Cycled to Waterstones in Chi and back to do a library stockpick. Improving weather.
And after all that I still had the energy and enthusiasm for ...
And after all that I still had the energy and enthusiasm for ...
7 PM
Road run (Summersdale and South St) 31:35 [5] 8.0 km (3:57 / km)
Have been walking a lot to use up energy, but needed a run. Unsurprisingly, felt smooth and relaxed and had lots left in the legs at the end. Time was average, but I had plenty in the tank. I'm so relieved my hips have cleared up.
Sunday Oct 5, 2014 #
11 AM
Orienteering race (Rewell Wood) 1:09:50 [4] 8.3 km (8:25 / km) +125m 7:49 / km
spiked:22/27c weight:71kg
Was feeling much better at the start after a fairly sober October and looking forward to a hard run. But when I picked up the map I noticed the first five controls were all on brown features in the light green, a technical pick! With Barry a minute behind I focussed on hitting them cleanly, although the low light in the trees made reading fine detail impossible. Was a bit surprised to be leading Jack into 2 as he had started a minute ahead, but he soon got away, even though his route to 3 looked wayward. Used the paths for 4 and slowed right down for 5 and was running by 6. Saw others near 7 and was joined by Jack again, but he was much quicker through 8 and I followed him to 9 until his route went way too far right. I led him into that one but he overtook for 10. I went round the paths to 11 so I'd have a good AP for the scarp slope controls and was pleased to find the two reentrants quickly. Jack rejoined me at 12 and was obviously getting careless near the controls so I made a note to ignore him. I found 13 but his quicker speed meant he got to 14 first. I was alone for the tricky 15 but overtaken (!) by Jack on the downhill run to 16. We entered the quarry together but went different ways to 17 and at this point I was actually winning. I got 18 first and we were together to the spectator, but I slightly lost contact with the map near 22 and got two hills confused at 23. Lost more seconds near 26 as well, so the final sprint cost me first place in a good field, but mostly I was pleased with my fitness. It made the running a pleasure and allowed me to concentrate on the map. Really good event which all came together rather at the last minute.
2 PM
Orienteering (Control collecting) 1:00:00 [2] 3.5 km (17:09 / km)
Collected 9 of the mid-distance controls. Took it easy as had changed out of running kit.
Friday Oct 3, 2014 #
7 AM
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Misty murky morning.
Wednesday Oct 1, 2014 #
Cycling (Felpham and back) 1:05:00 [3] 22.0 km (2:57 / km)
Warm for October. And dry. For the time being.