Training Log Archive: Ciaran

Hopefully i've done enough for JWOC selection. There's a definite trio that I would expect to be selected from the lads this weekend and then there's a few of us that could be picked to fill the last 3 places.

I probably had one of the next best averages for the 3 days so i'm reasonably hopeful.

JK Relay - 1st leg - JK trophy - Me, Olly and Dave

4th overall, which was really good in a really strong field.

Had a really good start, floundered a little in the middle, worked hard toward the end and then ran straight past my second last control which was pretty silly. Certainly not one of my better first leg relays, luckily Olly and Dave were there to keep us up there in contention.

JK long

2nd, very stable, speed, again a little off. Work to do, but very happy.

Decided to use my old compass for the first time in a couple of years, started slow and built up. I prefer running a slow start and faster finish in longer races and I needed it to make sure I got a clean start this time.

Had a little wobble on 4 where I lost focus and lost confidence, never actually left my bearing but completely stopped to check my position for a good 30 seconds. Also had a bad patch through the quarry where I lost time struggling to read the map, picked up after that though through to the finish. Really happy with my bearings, particulary to 8, 10 and 18 where my 500+metre bearing legs were absolutely solid (as they should have been yesterday).

Overall, technically solid and work to be done with my speed.

JK middle

5th, but still pretty unhappy with this race

After a week of training with the welsh squad on similar areas my tactic was to just use my solid bearings, run fast and straight. Immediately felt a little wobbly on 1, managed to pick up the spur infront and found it by slowing down and basically scanning. Should have realised something was off and been more cautious but ended up missing both number 2 and 4 by drifting rightwards. 2 minutes lost early on.

For 5, 6 and 7 I slowed up, checked, double checked and triple checked my bearings. Decided to completely scrap the bearings as I wasn't happy with them and used features instead which seemed to work for the rest of the race. When I checked my compass after I finished I realised it points about 10 degrees off left or right due to a big bubble.

Overall for the race, I'd say I started pretty horrendously and ran a little cautiously and much more accurately towards the end. My pace let me down by a minute or two, however my map reading/race tactics went pretty well under the circumstances.

Event: JK 2014
 

JK Sprint Race

Reasonably happy, there's still plenty of catching up to do with my fitness (but I knew that), my map reading however was pretty good.

Map geeking paid off and I got fastest first leg. A silly route choice mistake on 5 cost me a couple of positions. Managed to run myself back into 2nd through the control pick from 7 to 14. Then lost loads of time on the cross country race between 14 and 18 sending me back down to 4th again. A good couple of controls back into the botanical gardens and then my 'big' mistake of the race on 21 sealed my fate and sent me back to 4th.

Overall i'd say I started well in the technical section, lost time in the fast section and struggled a little on the last couple. Pretty happy, but just missed podium

Easy run with 5 sets of short strides. Feeling good

Helping Stuart put out controls on Clyddach terrace for the pre JK event. Then ended up in charge of download with not a clue what I was doing

Collecting in a rush before the sun went down