Training Log Archive: Jon X

Too nice an evening not to - so just a little trot up past the sawmill and along below the crags in the sunshine, descending back through the wood.

Nice recovery jog with Alfie and Lucy. Although we were far too slow for Alfie who eventually disappeared into the distance.....

British Relay Championships 2013, Men Open, Leg 3.
FVO (Daniel, Roger, Jon), 8th place.
Men Open as the M40 team fell apart on Friday - a shame as a top 3 in that was looking very likely. On the other hand not sure I have ever managed top 8 in the Open before.....

Differences in gaffling meant the different leg lengths varied from 6.3km to 6.7km.
I am not sure it was to best advantage of our team that I got 6.7km.
I am sure it was not to best advantage of our team that I shelled 3-4mins in the first 6 controls :(

Lucky to only drop three places in that time from the great 5th place Daniel and Roger had given me to work with. Not what I wanted as had been wondering about my chances to pick up places. Ho hum.
I did run pretty well after #6 and did catch back to Duncan Archer but just couldn't quite get past him round the final loop, spent it all suffering a painful 20-30m or so behind him.

Event: British Orienteering Championships 2013
 

British Championships 2013, M45L, 3rd place.
Decided on Thursday that it was worth at least trying to race, glad I did!

Bit shaky on direction early on (kept drifting right) although with not much associated time loss - maybe because finding the running tough and maybe not quite enough attention to map/compass.

Felt like my running started to pick up once it got flatter but wasn't sure how I was doing in terms of pace or on route selection on the long leg - reassured on both when I got Ben (4 mins) in sight midway along that leg., and spurred to push on and pass him.

I was just ahead through 10-11-12 but we took different routes to 13 and I missed in the circle, lost about 45secs. Pushed hard to get back to Ben and passed him again at 15. Running strongly by now and stayed ahead but more dodgy compass work by me to #16 and #18 (again drifting right each time) meant he was breathing down my neck a few times including on the run-in!

Delighted to hear on the commentary that I had gone into third - pretty much wrote this race off when I signed up for London so it was an unexpected bonus - a very nice one :)

C • Congrats 5

Course 13 - Splits

Another little tester to see if the weekend is a goer.
Feeling a bit more like it although hip flexor still very iffy and legs not too keen on any inclines.
Tightening up a little after 15mins again.
But better than yesterday which was better than the day before.
So Saturday will surely be better too. Fingers crossed....

Thanks to the cunning fact that my employer is sponsoring RideLondon, I now have an entry for the 100miler the day after the 6day finishes.

I last rode a bike in the La Santa triathlon in January 2012. And I didn't exactly ride one much in the months and years before that!

It is good to have a target I believe.....

Barr Wood in the evening sunshine, a delight to be out there!
Jogged the first 16 on the brown only map, met MC there so did a few random controls with her, then jogged the last bit home down the track.
Very pleasant at that pace but no desire to go any quicker or to push through/duck under branches.
New pub after - thumbs up for the Inn at Torbrex!