Training Log Archive: AC

Tough terrain run in Fontainebleau. Very cold (6 deg) and the forest was very damp after heavy rain the day before. Fortunately, it is a very sandy forest so it had mostly drained away. But it did make for very heavy going through the vegetation, which is mostly heather, moss and ferns. This makes for difficult running, especially up hills as your feet sink in to the moss quite a way and the heather and ferns mean you have to lift your feet even higher. Very good training, but very tiring. Great for running down the hills though!

Plotted out a course across a couple of maps, taking in as much of the nice terrain as possible, mixed up with a bit of junk, and picking out a few big hills to climb. There is one small section of the forest that has been burnt out - this is the first time I have seen anything like this in Europe, whereas it is a reasonably common occurrence in Australia. After about 45 mins, the heavens opened and a steady rain fell, gradually increasing in intensity. I was getting colder and more tired and stumbling - couldn't fel my feet for the last 20 minutes of the run. So was relieved to turn for the car, taking in one last big hill climb before a nice run down through the burnt part and across a lovely flat open forest. A good run overall. Not very fast pace and stopped a few times to check that I was at the right control site. And had to walk the last part of a couple of the long hills - my legs just gave out! Left knee a bit sore afterwards and will need to keep an eye on it in the next week.