Training Log Archive: RobB

Grossglockner Berlauf - 12.67km with 1,123m climb. Started steady (running with Dr Rocke) as the leaders stormed off. My plan was to approach the race in a Wigginsesque style - keeping a steady effort below the red line and to keep tapping it out, running as much as possible (and ideally the whole way).

This kinda worked and I reeled in a few runners in the first few miles but my progress through the field slowed down after the first 3 miles. Ben Abdelnor was one of the runners I picked off, but he was on my back again from 4 miles onwards.

Ben and I exchanged places in the last 2 miles but he pushed on in the last k. At this point I became dizzy and light headed and was struggling to put one foot in front of the other. This was really frustrating as I felt fine in my legs. Staggered over the line in the snow in 1:22.37; not elated but glad to feel better in my running compared with the last couple of weeks.

Good running from the Brits and good to have 3 hallamshire runners toe the startline. Maybe an away trip next year?

Easy warm up, part of it with Dr Rocke checking out the competition and soaking up (literally) the atmosphere. Found 60 euros and a driving license on a small track near the start which I gave to a policeman (hoping for some good karma).

Run from the bus stop to the car in Heiligenblut, randomly bumped into a man searching the ground for the pass that I handed in (this was over 3 hours since the race started). He seemed very relieved to hear that the police had it.

Spend the day hanging out and exploring with Bernhard (a really friendly and interesting guy from Vienna who completed the Marathon des Sables this year and is into lots of crazy adventure races), including a visit to the finish area (cold and cloudy with no views) and the pasta pasta (surprisingly good pasta). Also managed to squeeze in 2 lots of kuchen.

Very easy run in the afternoon drizzle.

Flew over to Munich in the afternoon. Travelled over to Heiligenblut with Anna Lupton. Journey was pretty relaxed until I tried to find my Gasthaus. Took me over an hour in the pitch black. The road called "Hof" was over 2 miles long (and apparently in 3 pars) and the house numbers were non-sequential.

Found it eventually and had a very warm welcome from the 80 year old hostess. As an Austrian runner Bernhard described it the place had a good "soul."

Morning run to the top of Damflask on the road and then back on the trails. Threw in 3 x 60 second hills to try and inject some pace. Lungs felt ok.

No training too busy cooing at Baby Johnson.

Run from work to home and then out to Beeley and back. Started to feel more like my old self. Did 4 x 1 minute at tempo pace just to mix it up.

Easy run to work..in the rain.

Run home. Stopped off to pick up my mobile which is being repaired. It was not ready so will be mobileless for another day.

C • Well done in Hathersage 6

Run to work; very easy, very wet.

Warm up and down with Pete and Neil.

Hathersage fell race. The rain held off for a fun race. Rob L took the early pace and we jostled on the way up to Burbage. Managed to get away on the top, but knew that Pete and others were on my tail. Pushed on the descents, running scared of Mr Hodges.

Pleased to nick the win and certainly stretched my lungs - but felt that they were 15% full of cotton wool.

Great race pleased with the Olympic themed prizes. Strong running from Nails who suffered the tardy tax of arriving late to the start.

Going to take it easy for the next few days.