Training Log Archive: Thraws

Five-star walk along the West Sussex Lit Trail, from Billingshurst to Horsham, whence we got the 5.02 train back. Via Barns Green, where we got a coffee, and the Red Lyon at Slinfold, where I had a pint.. Easy, dry walking on a very pleasant late summers day. Running shoes got wet in the long grass early on, but I managed to dry socks and feet in the sun at lunchtime.

It was a difficult toss up between this and Stanmer, and went for the Singleton race on the grounds of proximity and I liked the look of the route. Also, haven't felt right for a bit and wanted a confidence boost with three weeks to go to the Oxford Half. Well, I got one! Loved the event and felt really good throughout. Just ran steady up the first big hill out of East Dean and was a bit surprised to be in touch with the leaders. NP from Chi Runners was ahead, and I decided he was the guy to beat. Well, overtook him comfortably on the first descent. Even wondered about trying to catch the leaders on the second hill, as the gap wasn't growing, but even though they walked some of the very steep third hill (over Levin Down), so did I. I got passed by a whippersnapper on the last descent, but I was much stronger in the last flat mile and just cruised past him. Finished in 5th. The first four all had a good twenty years on me, so I was very glad I came. Two or three speed sessions should see me ready for the Half. Losing 5lbs would probably win me a couple of mins as well.

The height-adjusted pace for the Valley Challenge is almost exactly the pace I'd like to be running on the flat roads at Oxford. Cool!

Pouring down in the morning but went for it anyway.

Haven't felt like running at all, but wasn't doing anything so made myself go out for the usual. As expected, felt pretty rubbish. It's a mind thing.