Training Log: jed

+core & JC movement exercises.

4x 5mins tempo (2mins float), 2mins 10km pace (2mins float). One of my favourite sessions, good wee group and able to push on in second half. Big improvement from similar session a few weeks ago, it's coming back.

Dark & wet with a layer of ice, delightful. Inc. hill strides post gym.

Back to session B. Weighted 3x10 split squat, deadlift and hip thurst. Pull up/box work and skipping.

Dark and stormy on the golf course but Sophie is back and treated to plenty of mud.

Nice and easy group WoL/canal to finish the week, shame to miss the Glasgow Parks but sensible with how I've been feeling especially with race/travel. Home for a massage, ready to crack on with next training block.

East XC Champs, Aberdeen - 20th. Normally targeting a district selection at this event but knew I wasn't in shape for that. Motivated to race anyway as despite not having a standout performer we had good depth so in with a shout for a team medal, something the ladies team had not yet managed (and we wanted to send Anne off to NZ in style). Felt a bit nervous with the other 3 likely to run to their potential, knew it could come down to how I felt and even though I'm on the up I still wasn't sure how I'd fair over the distance. In the end the pressure was off on the day as Sophie was ill so couldn't race (but still came to support, legend).
No mud bath today even after all the storms, the ground was absolutely frozen solid so not my kind of XC but quite a varied course. Settled into a good rhythm with plan to properly race once onto the last lap. Felt stronger than past races and another step in the right direction but just couldn't quite close it (faded in the last couple of km, lacking my usual hill strength - expected with altered training and lacking confidence in body).
But....our 4th counter who can always be relied upon to turn up, give it her all and is training really well at the moment, snuck in enough places ahead of Edinburgh AC's 4th counter meaning we won team bronze! It was even more exciting when unexpected and felt like a win to all of us. Celebrating with a team of friends who all train together is just the best feeling, despite not being at my best, very much worth dragging myself around :).

Another lunchtime run. Easy round Carrick Knowe with Chris, some strides to finish.

+core & calf exercises.