Training Log Archive: Leon

Long run there, chest feeling better but still not 100%

In a first, passed another pr venue on route, Roundshaw Downs.

Mighty climb up.

Riddlesdown parkrun - 1st, 19.19

This was recommended to me on the basis it was a nice one.
Which is probably true, in the spring/summer
As it was, a mudbath 80% of the course, and of the thick clay type.
Possibly the hardest parkrun in terms of effort when added to not being 100%.
Neck and neck with the eventual 2nd guy 1st mile, when we hit the trail I tried to wind it up but couldn't break clear, I was expecting the trail to continue and when it tuned to mud again after 1 mile, I was gapped, and really struggling, but managed to hold it to 10m.
Other chap then seemed to struggle into the wind, and back together we came, then on the other bit of trail I managed to get a small gap.

Very uncomfortable from there to the finish, the one small hill nearly had be walking 2nd time round and the finish field was torture, but managed to eek out a 13s gap. Brutal.

All downhill to the train

Brighton City Race - 2nd

Been meaning to do Brighton for a while, and as final race in UKUL, gave it a go.
Running the best I had for over a week but still hindered by breathing issues when in top gear.
Never been adept at mass starts that aren't score and this proved no exception.
Initial reaction was my slow start cost me 1st place, but in hindsight that isn't the case, probably to/from #11 was the real cause.
Was well down though on the first beach section, usual over-exuberence from some, though some splits are so quick as cause a slight degree of suspicion.
Overshot #3
Only really got in the mix after #8
Got route choice to #11 wrong, plus was slow pace wise and held up crossing both main roads.
Despite telling myself several times to carry on out of #11, turned round, and by the time I realised and turned round again, would have been quicker to continue that way.
Almost lost track of where I was to #15 but managed to redeem things just about.
Coped with gaffles well, pleased, though even as an urban fan I found running through the Lanes pretty uncomfortable, and if I'd been stood outside a pub with a pint with all these people running past I'd have been pissed off.
Had the shortest loop last which gave me a spur to push on, and having run down the seafront on one of the earlier loops and been battered by the wind, took the ginnel to the final control which got me some time back.

Good to have a mass start in the UKUL, who can host a score in 2017?

Very well organised event, one downer was the map didn't seem up to the usual high printing standards, not very sharp at all, especially when looking post race!

Feeling better but still mucus/wheeze combo. Thought I'd battle on.

Yeadon Streets - 1st

Felt better chest wise at the end than the start
Tete a tete with Jack for first 8 controls, I couldn't run my fastest so was clinging on, was falling back, then dropped my map.
But then he kept going when I turned right which seemed odd, and I never saw him again.
Swept round the Guiseley end but realised entering the park I'd missed #3 in the very top left. No time to go back and get it, back comfortably got the rest despite running off map out of old railway, and this proved enough.

Feeling better but still a bit of a cough
Set off for SLS session but straight away couldn't breathe properly, wheezyness of 3 months ago is back.
Worrying.
Called it a day when I got there.

Felt hot and ill Sun evening, improving today but will play it safe I think and see how things are tomorrow.

Highroyds Loop

An alcohol free weekend ahead of xmas things, but would have been happy doing an hour today after yesterday, but basically felt awful from the word go and never improved, struggled to the minimum 4.