Training Log Archive: Thraws

This was the big one. And I decided to go off-road so the scenery would distract from the discomfort/pain. It was muddier and slippier than I expected and I had a very muddy fall in the first mile. So much for avoiding the puddles. First half was fairly routine (I'm pleased to report) and almost pleasant in places. The real work is done in the homeward section after Inholmes. I added a mile and a half by heading out to Stoughton village then up Bow Hill on the track. Running wasn't difficult but pace plummeted. My watch indicated an average of just over 6 mins/km so the final road section incentivised me to get this back under. Last 7 or so miles were the usual grind. Training doesn't make this any easier, but the time on my feet surely made this useful practice for the day itself. 3,589 cals and 'dangerous' training intensity according to Garmin. Short stops for bumbag, loo, mucky farmyard and gel.

Windy.

Five seconds down on last time, but I'll take that given the race on Sunday and the lingering cold. Conservative first two laps meant I could pick it up for third, but I was unsure as to how much I had in reserve and never got a gap on Ben, who outsprinted me in the last 400. There's more to come, though, and back and heart were all good. Encouraged again. And great fun, as ever. Average pace for each (part) mile was 6.39, 6.35 and 6.42, so pretty even throughout.

Good challenging conditions.