Training Log Archive: ba-ba

Had to pay my EA subs, and there was little chance of me getting out on my own so headed out to the club. Legs felt fine most of the day, but felt it after a few kms, pace feeling harder than it was - it's odd that often I find it harder to keep pace going in a group then on my own, shown here by speeding up with no extra effort when I struck out on my own to get the distance up.

got home to my housemate curled under a blanket on the sofa (softlad) informing me that we needed gas and leccy and, as I was in my running gear already, I might as well pop to the shop and top up. Every km counts!

C • you buy your gas from a shop? 2

Event: English Fell Champs - Edale Skyline (Long)
 

Trotting around, then a slow jog to the start where I bumped into Tim. Became clear the last stretch of the race into the headwind would be tough. As such the plan of 'steady away' bit the dust as I wanted to make the most of the tail wind in the first 3 miles or so.

Not the Edale Skyline.
20th, Winner James Askew 54:18 (108.5%)
A fast start with the tailwind. Didn't go stupid. Sat with Aly Dixon (GB International) for the first 4 miles or so before she pulled away. After that I was on my own, a group about 20-30m ahead. Went through 5miles in 27:55, feeling good. Turned east and into the headwind. 10km passed within 5 secs of my 10k pb! Working hard but group too far ahead to make catching them worth-while. The dog-leg provided respite from the wind at just the right time (and a chance to cheer a lot of people through), but once back onto the A61 the wind seemed to get even stronger - the last 2.5miles was pretty harsh, with the last mile really blustery - even got grit in my eye as we crossed the railway! After 3miles only passed by 1 guy (crook runner - on the dogleg) and picked off 2 myself.
Halfway I was thinking sub-58 may be on the cards, but the wind put paid to that and I had to dig in at the end to get under 59mins. Quite pleased considering, in good shape and strong - but watching the pacing of an international runner was something else, the way she eased away from us after the first few fast miles!

http://www.sportsystems.co.uk/ss/results/Thirsk%20...
There, I now have a 10 mile time.

For reference - I was within about 20 secs off the winner at the (mud-fest) NE XC champs in early December. I definitely prefer it when it's tough!

trotting about after, speaking to people.

Then went for a walk around Errington woods where i'm slated to plan an event (that clashes with the intercounties fell champs...). If we could remove 2/3rds of the contours it'd be cracking, just a bit too steep to be ace. Can tell the mapper is involved with its upkeep, as all the interesting bits of contour details are well cleared!

The plan today was 30mins easy to get the legs moving before Edale. However, with that off (a great shame but correct decision regarding transport) plans have changed. After a good taper (I even went on a works do last night and didn't drink!) and feeling pretty fresh, I want to race this weekend. The Blakey Blitz fell race (by all accounts the most 'fell' of the NYM races) has also fallen foul of the weather, but Thirsk 10 is still on (at the moment) so I'm going to go and do that. Whilst I'm not road-race/speed endurance fit at the moment I *should* set myself a sub-60 (weather dependant!) benchmark. First few miles at 60min pace, then wind it up depending on how I feel.

Anyway - today. There'snot even a frost here, just a cold wind. Went out and grabbed a 1.5km-ish segment by 20odd seconds. Legs felt a bit off after yesterday but started coming good after 7km or so.

This is the first time I've ever really tapered, so I'll see how it works!

C • tapering 3

Rest day. Feeling good.

Did watch this a couple of times, which counts as 5 minutes of core workout as it still makes me laugh so hard.

20mins moving it along, 2.5 faster retaking an insignificant segment, pootle back.

SprintO on the Riverside, wot Peter and Duncan did a few weeks back.
6min sprint, jogged around the line (as the freezing rain came down - 7min), 7.5min sprint. ish.

Keeping on top of the nav, but not quite as much as I'd like given that I know the area, and I'm really not moving quickly over short distances at the moment!

out to riverside (6) then winding around after (30min)