Training Log Archive: Thraws

It's been over 5 years since we were last here and I've really been looking forward to coming back. And the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Then missed our starts because I had to meet Lucy off a train from Chelmsford with almost all the timetabled services replaced by buses. Felt alright, though, better than yesterday in fact. Got into my bubble quite quickly and only really thought about running/pushing when I was going uphill. Got confused by unmapped paths near 6 and lost a few seconds. Couldn't read contours inside the circle at 9 and ran into the wrong hole. Got a bit distracted at 10 and 11 and tried to go straight to 12 but tracks through the bracken didn't go my way so ended up on path and had to relocate. Lost bits of time at 13, 14 and 17 because the terrain around control didn't match my visualisation and I just ended up searching. But I was going well and kept up steady pressure. Mental images were all wrong again at 22 and 23, but I don't think a single leg cost me more than 30 secs in mistakes and I ended up with a good position. Would have had dry feet too had I not attempted to save time by running straight across a marsh. Lovely and warm in RHS car park after.

Didn't warm up much and felt distinctly post-viral and sluggish to begin. Just focussed on spiking flags. Was wary of map, too, but biggest problem was just the paths which weren't as obvious as indicated. Was a bit careless at 7 and missed ditches so lost a half minute. All the rhoddies between 8 and 9 had been cleared, along with a path, but was just about OK. Lost another 30 secs at 12 because I couldn't be sure I'd come through the fight where I thought, then again at 14 because I couldn't find a path. Biggest mistake was near 15, when I decided I was on the wrong path, then relocated on the ride but got a bit stuck in the vegetation. Felt a bit better and quicker near the end. Enjoyed myself; thought the courses made good use of a middling area.