Training Log Archive: Ollie

Event: HH Ashridge
 

Ran M21S at HH's Ashridge Forest regional event. I've wanted to run in this forest for ages - it looks lovely on the map, but I've missed previous chances. The forest did indeed prove to be ultra-fast, pretty flat (except for the scarp sections) and really beautiful to run in, in the sunlight. There was little undergrowth and visibility was great. Only a bit muddy on some of the bigger rides.

I took the race really easy - I wasn't out to compete properly, but I really needed a run after four weeks of no races (or any sort of running.) I didn't push myself at any point. As soon as I felt any pain, I stopped or walked for a bit. I definitely felt a bit odd and "light" - I've lost 10 pounds or so in the last week. Lots of binge eating coming up!

My pre-race preparation was a disaster - first, I went to the wrong station in London, so missed my train, the next one stopped at station further from the event so had big, uphill bike ride with a headwind the whole way, then had to rush straight to the start without a breather, as they were packing it away. I also got a stitch (the stomach kind, not the metal kind!) at one point during the race, as I'd eaten only an hour before.

Because I was going so slowly, I made very few mistakes -
overshot #1 slightly (50m), went well off line to #9 (150m) as wasn't concentrating, and for #16 I was well off again (200m), due to lazy compass work. These mistakes only cost me 5 minutes in total.

If I'd been full fitness and "gone" for this race, I should have been able to manage a sub-60 minute time. Mind you, I still wouldn't have beaten Ian (AP:distracted.)

I stayed to have a snack at the tea-shop at the event, then had the long cycle back - at least there were some down-hills this way, but I'm sure the wind had swung around to be in my face again - or maybe it's just me. Couldn't face biking home from the station so got a tube back. I'm now shattered, not planning on walking more than 10 yards for the remainder of the evening!

My route.

Even though my pace was very slow, I'm putting this as a "3" intensity because I was rushing, and there was an almost continuous head-wind. Home to Marylebone (wrong station!) then Euston, then Berkhamsted to the event, up a seemingly never-ending hill. Then back to Berkhamsted. However I was too exhausted to bike back from Euston, so got a tube instead.

M21S - Splits

After yesterday's storm, still a string headwind - didn't try to fight it.

Trying to stay below 20km/h. Good to be back on the bike.