Training Log Archive: Thraws

Event: Surrey Hills Trail Challenge 2012
 

Way too hot to treat this competitvely. Just wanted to run strong. Was following to 3 and leading thereafter and got a bit confused near the climb to Leith Hill. Had managed to make my own route decisions and stick with them regardless of others, but when you realise some runners know this race like the backs of their hands there's a temptation to watch them. I followed a pair on the very fast downhill away from the summit but started stopping and checking when it became obvious we weren't on the path I thought, and the control still hadn't come up. The two in front were still beasting it, but approaching 9 (correctly) I was pretty sure I'd somehow made my way back to 4! So was a bit more cautious (and alone) to 10, which I almost forgot to punch, then got roads confused just before 11 and lost about a minute. The guy behind me caught me up but then forgot to go back up the hill for 12. So finish position seemed like the right one, although times were embarrassingly slow. Kept going unless walking was just as quick and, on the whole, enjoyed workout.

Was looking forward to running on an area I've done a fair bit of planning on, so know pretty well. Courses didn't seem designed to avoid brambles though. Was OK through 1 and 2 but changed plan for 3. Quickest split to 5 after taking it steady, and enjoyed the running through to 8. Had an excellent line to 7 but people were wandering between the two trees which might have been the control, looking confused. Saw Peter running hard at another tree about 30 yards off and followed him, cause flag wasn't where I'd expected, and there it was (probably in wrong place). Walked a bit to 9 but had a good route, then played safe for 10 taking road through fight but losing a lot of height. Straight was quicker. Was way right - deliberately - for 11, and sensible through 12 and 13. Alan started after courses closed and I was collecting last three controls on blue so could have nobbled his run and won, but I'm way too nice. Very hot out of the shade.

... in shorts.

Actually timed the journeys. 28 mins there and 33 back, must have been the wind.