Training Log Archive: Thraws

Did the short brown because it was the M50 course (and was actually first M50), but wish I'd done the black as the event was so good. Barossa is becoming pretty familiar now and all was fairly straightforward through the christmas trees and reentrants bits, with a 30 second miss at 7. Had picked up a passenger and was trying to drop him after 12 when I suddenly realised that the easy knoll control site I could see was wrong, and for a minute or so I just couldn't make out where I was. I also got copses confused at 14 and, more seriously, at 18 (1 minute). Otherwise maintained pace consistent with careful map reading and wrapped up race in a tidy hour. The area was, of course, brilliant. Wore a garmin for the first time and, according to that, ran a total of about 9.5 km at an average pace of around 6 m.p.h.

Mud, blood, sweat and tears. All the forest was filthy slippy mud, and nasty thorny brambles that scratched legs, hands and face. The sweat we don't mind, but the tears were to expensive clothing. In other words, the area is horrible and I only went to get a sixth scoring run for the autumn league. Lost a bit of time at 16 because I couldn't get down the slope from above and had to retreat and, maybe, at 14 when I went in a bit early. Don't care if I'm never here again.

Had to overcome massive reluctance brought on by freezing temperatures and rain, but needed a hard run and was having a bath anyway so just got on with it. Wore tights, coat and gloves and didn't expect to be quick. Was pleased with a steady sub-33 in the circumstances. Two O races at the weekend then 6 more days until the 10k. Must keep working on core.