Training Log Archive: rcro

Big loop of Wyre Forest area from Habberley valley to join up the bits of orienteering I’ve done before. Hot day.

On the brakes all the way down into Bewdley and was still faster than I wanted it to be, but slowed down a lot on the other side as it went uphill. Sun was very strong.

Had trouble navigating through the first bit of forest as was relying on heatmaps and 1:50k OS map and kept hitting deer fences. Eventually came across a fun contouring mtb track which got me to somewhere I could cross the valley and then stopped for food and to check I was where I thought I was with phone.

Second wind after food was reasonable and plodded up the climb to Postenplain slowly but continuously, even with no shade from the sun. Kept going through and down to Arley but stopped to briefly talk to a Harlequins orienteer on the common.

Last bit was mostly uphill and slow, and a bit hot and tired by now. Turned off a path earlier than intended as it was signed “Habberley valley”, and did go there, just via a route a mile longer than the next path. Got some nice views across to Birmingham though.

Happy to do it all as a run with no walking, stops only at 1/3, 2/3 for food plus the extra short conversation. Beforehand was very worried about how I’d cope physically and mentally with a long and hilly run on my own, and also how I would do the heat. Hopefully a good sign.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9112384180

In Worcester for athletics and then family reasons so did a loop south of the town and position for an extension of my heatmap to south. Warm day but windy. 0 Forest of Dean athletes turned up at the meet, just 3 Hereford on the track, so the combined team off to a bad start.

Think I have to stick to tomorrow’s plan, but think I will find it hard. Will need to take food and drink with me.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9104844181

Explore with Marcus south of Cowbridge along some of the Vale Millennium Trail before it gets too overgrown. Quite a lot of nettle stings, but could see it would get a lot worse in a few weeks!

Nice route and day. Some good castles to look around and lots of flowers. Struggling a bit at times, maybe heat/humidity related, so have to make sure I go easy if trying anything longer over the long weekend.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9099638625

Keynsham urban. 6km long.

Bit of a frustrating one as was a reasonably nice course but various bits of bad luck on the day got in the way and really lost me the will to actually do it.

Major loss crossing the road 100m out of the start. Around 1 min as couldn’t run in front of anything as the police were there. Then had planned to avoid the new construction site by crossing the fence just beyond, but it didn’t look crossable. Back up plan was to cross the fence after the bypass where it was slightly easier to cross, but then saw that bit was mapped uncrossable. A bit pissed off by all of this, and the inherent unfairness of not having the extent of the oob on the maps and gave up. If it were a bigger event I were controlling, I would void the leg - but the impact carried through to the rest of the course as my “race” felt like it was over.

Alternative route to 2 to see the western route to 1 would have avoided all of this. Then rest of the run spent trying not to get run over and complete some streets. Until reaching a locked gate that I’d be happy if it caused that leg to get voided (too) as it would also take out a 90s parallel error that was definitely wholly my fault. As said, I’d long given up trying to do well by then.

Smaller loss at 17 right by the start as planned to cut the terrain but there’s a massive retaining wall to climb up.

Not overly happy with the orienteering today but got a steady run in exploring some places I’ve never been before and for only £5 shouldn’t expect perfection or get upset about it.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9089368684

MDC from Pontnewynydd up Mynydd Llanhilleth.

This was a long run last time and I remember getting tired as it was too far for me, and being glad there were a few slower people so I didn’t fall too far back on the climbs. Generally good that today felt much better with a faster pace, longer route, less stops, and less fast downhill roads and tracks.

Still a long way off where I want to be on uphill, definitely off pace then even if able to keep up, or pull away from the group on flat.

Alternative route along the top rather than down the valley (we recall mostly paved track) was nice.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9083622171

Harvester very slow for food, and expensive. Would have been good to be home before 10 if getting up at 5.30 for the train tomorrow morning.