Training Log Archive: JonP

Legs are ruined! Walked the dogs for an hour. Not much else happening today.

moved some wardrobes at my Aunts which hurt.... a lot.

Event: Hell o' the Mynd 50km
 

Alarm set for 5:50am, took dog for a quick walk had a coffee and set off to the Long Mynd. arrived @ 8:45am, helped to set up gazebo which blew down before the end of the first lap. Had some breakfast and quickly got my act together ready for the start @ 10am. chucked an extra thermal top in as pre-race nerves got to me and the 25mph cross winds were getting to me. only 20 people toeing the line. 40 limit.

Not knowing the way at all and a brief look at the map i tucked in and waited to see what people would do. A couple of runners took the lead down and up the first hill. when it all levelled out I found myself in the lead with one runner following but taking a very steady pace. It was here where I knew that if I wanted a decent time I'd have to go around by myself...

I sped off taking the next hill with some pace hoping to bridge a gap on the pack and inject some fear, which worked. From here on (45mins in) I had nobody for company until the finish! The first loop went by pretty quickly in 3hr 50min. There were a few points where I had to stop and check I was right and where I'd passed the people marking the course. I spent 10min getting ready for the next loop, changing my socks, downing a coke/cup of tea and re-supplying my bag (including head torch).

I left aid @ culmative time of 4.02 passing second and soon after 3rd & 4th placed runners who were 15mins down. I struggled with lack of water on the 1st loop as I'd not drank much pre-race and not wanting to drink from the valleys straight away I held off and suffered for it. Now I was feeling much better so stormed on to Jonathan's Rock CP.

The second loop went by a lot smoother as I sort of knew the way now and didn't have to keep checking the map every few minutes. Reached the emergency tent midway with nobody in sight! Struggled through the next few hills thinking yay... never again and finally reached Cardington valley and a manned CP. As soon as I left the guy got back in the car and drove off which gave me quite a bit of confidence knowing the people behind me were quite a way back. Got back to aid station just before dark and quite happy. Downed another coke/cup of tea and ate some lasagne and wanted to head straight out. (8mins @ aid)

Jim asked midway through stop which way I planned on going. As with the Barkley Marathons runners were to head out on this shorter final loop in opposite directions but because I had such a big gap (40min or so) Jim said it'd be easier to marshall if we all just went the same way. So with the tiny last bit of daylight I headed out (anti clockwise).

I only struggled on finding CP2 in reverse as the clag was down and I could creating 5m vis. Once found I shuffled down into the valley for the mile long runnable section which was a treat at this point. Got to the CP @ the bottom of the valley to start the final few climbs and noticed a runner descending into the valley still on loop 2. The lady @ the CP now said I had a 90min gap! (Yayyyy! - victory lap)

I walked up the next hill with the other guy who was telling me how he had already missed a CP. I cruised off up and over the golf course and headed to the final CP. Here I managed to completely mess up the descent line and headed to far east to a small car park 100m down the road from the correct line. Taking in another hill too. I met up with the second loop runner again, a soon dropped him again... The ballzed up the last few hills too taking extra time to consult the map and compass bearings to make sure I was on track.

Once @ the final hill it took me 2mins to find the trod which had been lit up with glowsticks. once at the top I managed my best sprint finish and got to base withoput a cheer. Jim was there supporting another runner who was just about to head out on lap 3.

The runner behind me gave up after his lap and only one other runner finished the race! (2hr 40min down on me) I had a quick brew and half a sausage cob before retiring to my car for some much needed kip.

Woke up @ 1am Sunday morning and started the 2hr 30min drive home.

Treadmill taper.

Feeling good.

Borrowed me mothers car in the morning as I was not feeling it then cycled in after dinner with plans of a longer commute home. Back via Owlar Bar and down Barlow. Back up Cartledge andthrough Holmesfield.

13.5mile ~ 350m asc.