Training Log Archive: Thraws

Ran the blue for a change to see whether I was capable of getting a decent result. Didn't do myself justice at all. Weather was dreadful again, and I was determined not to let it put me off. But started feeling a bit angry on the way to 1 because the optimum route was back through the start and along the walk from the car park, and I wasn't going that way. Then went down the wrong ride to 2 and wasted time looking in the wrong place before I actually saw the distant flag about 300 metres away (3 mins lost). Nice downhill run to 4, but I never had an AP and ended up running from hole to hole (3 more mins). Then I went and did exactly the same thing on 5 while all the people starting behind me caught up ( found it first but 2 more mins). Was rushing but lucky through 6 and 7 but started to settle down after that and got the tricky 10 cleanly. There was a tunnel near a difficult stream crossing on the way to 11 and I was completely unable to read the map and wary of the OOB, but eventually just followed someone underneath (1 min). The stream had to be waded for the control, then waded again, and that made me even angrier. But I found the bridge. Lost a minute at 13 because I couldn't decode the vegetation, then got angrier still in the appalling marsh en route to 14. Couldn't find 17 or 18 because they were mapped depressions in complex areas where so many others weren't (2 more mins). After that was pretty fed up, but OK. And very very wet. And cold. Reckon I lost over 15 minutes, but winner was 18 minutes up.

Not sure why, but I cared again today. Quite a lot. To begin with. Maps were after start (annoying!) and I found 1 because there was a berk sitting in the pit shouting at his family (he was still shouting at them in the car park after). Overshot 2 (30 secs) because of the unusual scale and was relieved to find 4. Ran hard to 5 but it wasn't there. Had been concentrating proper hard and now didn't know what to do. Waited for others with mild frustration as I wanted confirmation, so was accompanied after that for much of the rest of the course. Which kind of spoilt it. I was quicker than everyone else but not as smooth through the controls as them or as quick to make decisions so never really got away. Lost 1 min 30 secs at 9 by stopping too early (confused by proximity of finish) and 30 secs at 17 through being distracted by complete bumblers. Otherwise was going well. But then couldn't find 20 where I expected it to be and started to think that must be missing as well. Sort of gave up and was just walking around and waiting for about 4-5 mins. Eventually found it about 40 metres further on in the holly. Then overshot 21 (no. 1 again) because I'd started from the wrong place and lost another 2 mins. Legs 5 and 6 were voided, and if 20 and 21 were too I'd end up with a fairer result. But RW is a good little area (even with all the mud) and Alex had been to a lot of trouble with the courses.

Wasn't quite race-sharp on account of a mild infection so started more conservatively. Rough splits were 4.10, 4.15, 4.20, 4.10 which looks excellent, but time was slightly slower. Hopefully that is due to chestiness. Managed to pull out a strong overtaking burst in second half of last lap but paid for it straight afterwards when legs just turned to jelly. Fantastic evening as usual.