Training Log Archive: Anvil

Did 2x3km courses at 7 Mile Beach - I think from an old short course champs. Considering the map I was running on is over 10 years old, some of it holds up well - other parts not so much, shame really. There was an area of dense pines dotted with clearing that used to be really fun to run through - now the pines have died and there's vast sections where they've fallen over on each other like dominos has made it impossible to run through - just constant climbing over waist high brittle branches. Also the section of detailed dunes around the shops where they chopped down all the pines and just left them sitting there is totally unrunnable in places.
I'm not sure why it was never remapped since it's still a good area, you just need to know where the good parts to run are.

As I was criticised on Wednesday for making such a long course, I thought I'd try this loop out I've been thinking about for a Tour night. Probably a little too long at the moment, maybe closer to Easter - although I have picked up a possible short cut, but it will probably involve skirting round the edge of some private property, but will save on a couple of boring ks along the edge of the highway.
Up Stringybark Gully and turn right at the top of the hill, stay on the ridge and drop down to the highway opposite that City Gate church place.
They're building a lot of new single trail on the side of the hill there that should keep the mountain bikers happy - actually the whole area looks pretty fun if you like that sort of thing.
Felt really good the whole way round, which surprised me - I had that feeling at the start that it was going to be a strugglefest.

Same as Tuesday. Did some stretchy stuff afterwards, seemed to help - no soreness today.

Did 4x1km intervals with 2mins recovery. Did in "terrain", on the grassy slopes of the Domain below the athletics centre and TCA ground, so didn't need to push trees out of the way with my hands very often.
Splits were 4:23, 3:52, 4:22 and 3:54. Unsurprisingly, the 1st and 3rd were uphill and 2 and 4 down. Felt quite good, but never super fast.

C • Tree Pushing 2

Corporate Challenge on the Domain afterwards. Shock horror, there was actually non-easy navigation *and* a control site I'd never been to before.
Set the watch up to beep at me every 2 minutes for 15 seconds and this was the only time I was allowed to look at the map.
Consequently I took a bit of a crap way on the leg up over the top of the hill, but apart from that I know the area well enough for it not to be a problem

Usual Wednesday Tour. Ended up being longer than I thought it would, I guess all those brown lines on Knocklofty added up after a while.
Felt quite good tonight and enjoyed working on the hills, although I think I was the only one given all the complaints and whinging - honestly, it felt like I was back in the UK :)
Could really feel yesterdays core work, it was good that I was sore everywhere cause it made me really notice you use difference parts when going uphill/downhill/fast/slow etc.
Good turnout, good to see Louis Dogg Dog back from his Asian sojourn, impressive how he felt like he was getting fitter even as the run progressed!
Unfortunately we'll have to do something about the Ladies Legs after allegations of cheating. Maybe a nominated non-lady has to shadow the ladies on their short cuts???

Points:
1. Ryan: Cheating whistleblower 341
2. Nicko: Not getting lost once 134
3. Louis: Impressive fitness gradient over 55 minutes 133
4. Patrick: Boring 4
5. Brea
5. Emma: Cheaty cheaters 3 (between the 2 of them)

Hurt. I need to do more of this more often.

Good thing I had nothing planned today. I got the hiccups last night for about 4 hours and when I woke up this morning it hurt to breathe.
I admit using hiccup soreness as a reason not to train is a level of softness similar to 'blister on toe'.

Was meant to be a rest day, but got a call from Ryan who was keen to do some hills so decided to suck it up.
Did 8x1mins with 2 min recovery. Legs super heavy, but got a lot further than I used to and was quite consistent.
Quite a long cool down showing Ryany a potential sprint area. He concurs, so now that's 3 quality (urban) sprint areas I've identified.

3rd week down at Pittwater! Surprised that Ryan was actually capable of doing something on a Sunday so just had to head down again.
Control picking, 4 controls at a time giving each other 30 seconds head start. Flowed well and was picking the right features (I hope), got a bit lazy towards the end and wasn't using compass enough.
Good to do something a bit faster in the terrain.

From the car park to the edge of the map and back