Training Log Archive: rcro

Tenbury MapRun to earn half a chocolate bar. Had to sit in the car and wait for half an hour for a torrential rain storm to pass over (local weather forecast on the radio just beforehand said it’d stay dry in the west, and Tenbury couldn’t exactly be any further west and still be in Worcestershire…)

Started by heading over to Burford (Shropshire) to explore as my previous visit concentrated on fields and footpaths to the south. Burford isn’t too bad with a fee bits seemed interesting. Skipped the one in the fields as trying to stick to tarmac today.

Back across the river did much the same as last time, but in reverse, tried a 30 pointer that was 40m away from tarmac and it was hard work. At about half time still unsure if to do the lanes loop for 29 and opted out - but after I’d cleared everything else at 38 minutes did an out and back for it just to get distance over 10k.

Nice to explore here again, and doesn’t have the feeling of terminal decline. Last time I came here was end of Jan 2020, and I think the last big Teme flood was about 3 weeks after. Surprised quite how high the river, the Rea and Kyre Brook all are today - been a lot of rain last 3 days. Must have sat on the upper catchments longer than it did on us.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6429252315

Christmas MapRun #4 - Bringsty as I did this one last year too.

Actually felt a little cold today as wind was strong. Not really keen to try so just went for Brockhampton and then see how I felt when I came back out. Went for an unconventional route through some fields I’d previously assumed were private.

Bringsty was surprisingly dry given all the rain, but Brockhampton properly wet and slow going. Made some effort to get a new segment that had cropped up from the Lawn Pool. I thought it was from the bottom of the disabled path to where the picnic tables used to be but turns out it started well before and finished quickly. So, did quite well to get that KOM.

Not overly quick in Bringsty but thought I might as well use the time and go on around without really thinking too much about route. Found a group of people walking in the muddiest bit of the map, just like I met a different group last Christmas. A bit of an odd choice from them given I was going to deliberately visit checkpoints to avoid this bit before opting to use the full time.

Reasonably tight on time towards the end with climbing to do, but had a comfortable 13s to spare when I finished.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6425305314

My 3 runs here are still the three highest scores so really needs somebody else to come out and do it.

#3 Christmas MapRun in Ledbury. Planned the course long ago but never run it nor given a lot of thought into optimal route.

Aim to do at least 10k running and not worry about getting everything - so kicked out the three outlying checkpoints straight away and stuck with the more interesting navigation. Did everything I planned despite stomach not feeling too great.

Fairly wet day - not one for hanging around so ran straight back to car at the end.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6422744570

Ridgeway again. Finished work for Christmas at last.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6419282653

Still trying to stop working at 4 for this week whilst it's quiet. Meant going out in the rain though, but never actually noticed getting wet (and just socks actually wet at the end).

A little cold to start with - as was trying to help a delivery driver identify which house he was delivering too. Hands took a while to warm up but core was fine.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6415501983

MDC Caerphilly Mountain. Staying at the back again as not totally confident in dark terrain, but keeping up better than last week. Tough climb up Rudry Mountain which was a walk for most, but at least got up first. Legs not feeling great on the climbs.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6412213353

Western Avenue loop for first time in ages. Pace not bad but too dark for this now being on the wrong side of the car headlights.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6407397847