Training Log Archive: Frostbite

British Champs - Wharncliffe and Greno. Started well - in the lead up to number 6, and lost less time than most in Greno. Heart started wobbling a bit on the long leg to 15, but I was sound round the loop to 19 and still clear in 3rd place at that point. AF started between 18 and 19 as I climbed the hill. I could go on the flat alright but hills were a real struggle. Then I lost 2 mins at 20 - went into the circle with no idea what I was looking for, wandered around for a bit getting further away from the control, then wandered back, all a bit rubbish. I was still 3rd with 2 controls to go but had nothing for the last hill and got overtaken by Jon Cross. Beforehand I would have been very happy with 4th place - in the circumstances it seems like I threw 3rd place away. Last year I was 14th. Apart from 20 I lost 40 secs at 7 looking round the much smaller quarry short of the control, and I started climbing away from the road at the start of leg 15 because I got confused about where I was. I probably lost 27 seconds there.

Course 7 - Splits

Dragged my tired aching body round a fast lap of the park, just to see how unfit I have really got. Surprisingly quite a good time. This means I will have to run on Saturday after all.

I'll have a nice rest tomorrow.

to and from the park

Aire "sprint" in Meanwood Park. It was a bit long and a bit rough for a sprint, exacerbated by the surge in the undergrowth in the last 2 weeks. I hope Wharncliffe isn't like this.

I was struggling a bit with the running but ok until I got caught in some windblow/bramble/nettle. The map showed a path but there wasn't one. I should have reversed and gone round like Supersaint did, but instead I ended up trying to cross rotten tree trunks covered in brambles. I could see clear ground in front of me when a bit of tree gave way, I toppled backwards and landed wedged between two trunks with my legs in the air. I must have lost a minute extricating myself. I plodded round the rest of the course but the pulse was wobbly and I had really lost interest.

Now I am sore with minor strains to stomach and shoulder and a graze across my back and I feel really, really old. It's all superficial though.

C • Wharnclife 3

Jogged out through Meanwood Park for 10 minutes then sped up to do Adel Crag - not too bad and reasonably quick but still felt stiff and awkward from not enough running. Slowed down again when I got back across the ring road because it was getting a bit like hard work. HR was too high the whole way for the pace, although it is now back to normal 42 when at rest.

The bits that were slow

Had a long chat with the consultant today about the results of the tests. Basically there is nothing new to worry about, which is good news. He had forgotten he had asked for an MRI until I reminded him. It took about 45 minutes to track the results down and fortunately there is no new damage to the old myocardium and the MRI people don't want to do any more tests on me. That might be a money thing I suppose. There is an issue with a long P-R interval and occasional dropped beats but there isn't any evidence of AV block and the P-R interval came down under exercise as it should, so I don't need a pacemaker just yet.

C • Good news 3

From the Pedley's to Stoodley Pike with a slightly longer return. Struggled with the initial climb as Mike set the pace, then we both slowed down but I slowed down the most. A struggle from start to finish. Lovely day though, and slightly envious that this is Mike's default run. HR stayed normal throughout (below 150) but it was the legs that were the problem. Just knackered.