Training Log Archive: Thraws

The height may be an overestimation, but we did cross the stream five times. Thankfully the banks weren't too slippy as they are very steep in places. I had looked at one or two route choices before starting, but you do forget them sometimes in the haste to start the next leg. So I went down instead of up at 3, but used the fence rather then the paths to 5, which saved losing height. 6 was highly visible, thank goodness, and there were endless options on the longest leg to 8. I headed rather vaguely for the stream then up the hill to the field. 10 and 11 had people besides them, but people milling about near the tricky platform at 14 caused me to lose almost a minute. I was about 20m to the south. Decided on the trickier route to 16, which I think was right as it went OK.
Yet another quality SO event. Wednesday has shown that improvement will only come with more fitness.

Brisk walk linking Houghton, Eartham and Bignor areas on South Downs (mostly to help my back recover from Wednesday evening).

Needed a haircut and a run out on the bike, so decided to combine the two. Traffic and wind were horrible.

I've not raced as fast as that since August 1997, when I did a 5k in Gloucester in 16.36. That equates to sub-15 mins over this course, so in 13 years I've lost two minutes through age and lack of conditioning. I felt both, too, on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th laps. Biggest problem was getting oxygen through lungs, which just weren't used to intensity, and chest became tight. Started too quick and was getting overtaken all the way round. Splits were, roughly, 4.04, 4.15, 4.20 and 4.20. Superb workout, and atmosphere was great. Have to do it all again in two weeks time.