Training Log Archive: rcro

Getting the remaining streets in Caerleon, and adding on Christchurch to make the distance up. Started early as one of the roads looked dodgy to run down, and wanted to be finished before the rain came in.

Going ok, fairly easy, but legs definitely tired. Knew the climb back up would be hard work - but it was harder than I was expecting (1:4) and did well to keep jogging.

There's only a few more reasonable runs left for getting new streets in Newport now - if I want to wait a bit for Llanwern steelworks to be built more.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10832087208

Easy streets around Langstone on the way to the WNL. Had originally thought about spending the day, or even weekend, over in Wilts but it being cold put me off a bit.

Had a route planned which didn’t look far but seemed to get longer as I ran it. Got to decision point at 4.6km having already decided to cut short, then looked down the road and estimated the extra couldn’t be more than 2k so stuck with the full route (extension added over 3k).

Keen not to get myself too tired as still considered possibility of doing something else before WNL but this seemed far enough, and got cold as the rain came just when finishing.

Reckon that’s now 89.7% of Newport’s streets done now. Might be able to break 90 tomorrow.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10828089285

WNL Shaw Forest Park, Swindon. Former tip - so landscaped hills with soft muddy ground and (very) brambly and hawthorny woods you want to avoid. Started with the greenest and muddiest bits first each lap - so wasn’t liking it early on but got into it after first 15 mins.

S-61-63-75-59-51-57-77-65-53-69-73-81-71-79-55-67-52-76-54-64-58-66-78-56-68-62-72-70-82-74-80-60-F. 600 points plus 50 bonus.

No trouble finding 163, but it was bramblier and further than I had expected. Had to come back a long way to get around brambles on exit, then missed the white block of woods to cut in for 175 - the bottom end was very green and lost a lot of time. Didn’t see the first path to 159 on the map (really struggled to see any of the black dash paths tonight, and also struggled with reading contours as big paths), then didn’t take too well to the mud at the bottom first time round. Rest of the odd loop was ok - but the water over the ground at 169 smelt very sewagey.

Second loop much easier with knowledge from first lap. Maybe not the best route but enjoyed this much more. Only real issue was the very last control (160) where I caught Iain (started 5 mins before me and lost it all on this one). I didn’t lose a lot of time but veg didn’t seem right so it quickly came down to luck rather than skill - and seems I was lucky today. Looking now - map has lots of rough open yet seemed to be pretty continuous tree cover, for which I had to practically crawl under to follow Iain back out to the path.

Second to Rhys, 4.5 mins behind. Just the two of us in the bonuses - despite being a tiny area and mostly path running.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10829294202

Express trip home post run to wash all the nasty stuff out of my kit. Glad I didn’t book accommodation and be stuck with it overnight.

C • wooded rough open. 1

First day in the office this year as thought I was well enough but turns out I’m not. Train home was “on time” when I left the office but 30 minutes late when it actually turned up - and in the extra time waiting my core temperature dropped too much and when that happens there’s not much I can do to recover beyond stand under a hot shower for 30 minutes.

So not great condition for doing longish (12k) streets in Caerleon - and it wasn’t to be and abandoned once I’d got the most tedious section done forever.

Having said I would try to go in to work more often, shouldn’t be using the train until temperature is reliably over 10C.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10815924618

Cathays MapRun. Been feeling tired and stomach cramps today so a bit meh. Just planned to stay on the flat to bag 510 points comfortably.

Route: 2, 3, 21, 16, 7, 18, 6, 20, 25, 27, 8, 12, 4, 17, 26, 10, 24, 11, 30, 15, 13, 28, 23, 19, 22, 9, 14, 1. 560 points out of 600

Obvious to start with 2 and then form anticlockwise loop. Tried to avoid counting roads in the grid by going around the edge - but would have had to link them differently if trying to get all. Bit surprised at the pace the watch was saying, even when running against the wind.

Got to decision point at 10 too soon so had to replan to include the hill, which wasn’t so bad once up. The two controls I missed would have added about 5 mins (40 points) so not worth risking it, but in hindsight I had 3 mins spare meaning 580 could have been possible.

Tiring a bit after Roath Park and stomach becoming more of an issue. Fortunately deliberately planned a fairly direct return leg so was over quickly.

Tom showed his optimal route at the end, and seems a bit obvious now. I was largely on the right lines, but in wanting direct finish and automatically ignoring the hill - never looked to string the route in that way.

Looks like another tie with Elliott. Pretty happy with result and pace. Just need to be feeling better when I actually go into the office tomorrow.
https://www.strava.com/activities/10809905283

Not feeling great and weather a bit windy and rain forecast so skipped MDC. Though main reason not wanting to drive given doing a lot again next weekend.

Actually moving ok, but slow into the wind. Legs feeling wrecked from all the sitting and working.

https://www.strava.com/activities/10801733513