Training Log Archive: AliMas

A Surrey Slog - Holmbury Hill trail half marathon
Took it fairly steady for the first 30 remembering last years big bonk on the last climb, but still managed to get a big nosebleed at 3 miles, had one guy just ahead of me and another guy quite far ahead who'd gotten a lead from the start. Got to the drinks point at 6 miles in 2nd and was thinking that the leader was obviously quite strong and might have it in the bag but on the next descent I realised I was gaining and he was looking back a lot so the game was on. Slowly reeled him in and went past on the next climb, didn't really want to push too hard as I was still nervous about the last climb but also didn't want to give him some hope so just went for it. Kicked down from the monument and ground out the last climb much better than last year, even feeling pretty good to finish so ended up with a healthy win. Over 7 minutes faster than last year so very happy with that.

Makes me think its strange that I wasn't stronger in JWOC long but I suppose its just a different ball game.

C • good work 2

Wet one out the Coach road and back with a quick visit to Betchworth Castle and a dash across the golf course. Feeling spent after a busy day at the Manor.

Easy along the river to Burford Bridge and then up Box, all very nice but feeling a little tired.

Three efforts on the regular Box Hill loop twice round (top of field - top, bottom of steps - top of steep bit, Brockham lane junction - top of field), pretty nice session. Surprised to see negative splits, maybe wasn't warmed up enough. So surprised with the split of the 4th rep I got a massive nosebleed.

4.46, 1.45, 4.14
4.27, 1.42, 4.08

Easy, breezy Colley Hill. Feeling tired after a lot of time on the feet and not much sleep due to the mad storms last night.

Yesterday I asked my sister if she could see if there were any jobs going at the hotel she has been working at for a few weeks, today I got a call at about 8.30 from her saying I should come in and now after a day of cleaning rooms I seem to have a job there, easy. Not the most fun but probably less likely to become a potato than at the warehouse. Anyway start at 7.30 and finish sometime in the afternoon so guess most of my training will be late afternoon/evening now.

Easy Headley with a few segment rages. Yep.

JWOC in brief

In the forest races I was probably average technically for me, fair bit of scrappiness but never lost my head too badly. The middle quali was a bit of a blow as I was trying my best not to rush things and stay clean but just couldn't quite hold it together, looking back I also think I should've been pushing the pace a bit more at the beginning of the race. Felt bad physically in all races really, especially the long where I just felt spent from the start, nicely highlighting that my terrain fitness is a very long way from the top. The sprint was pretty good, generally took good routes and just had a few little blips, funny one at the end where my oxygen debted mind momentarily thought the beach was cultivated land. The relay was okay but not especially pleased with the run, Felly and Barri both had very strong runs though.
Overall a very fun week and definitely a great experience, got quite a lot of good stuff coming up over the next months to keep me motivated still so all g.

Middle Quali - 29th +7.32, +1.50 from qualifying
Sprint - 25th +58s
Long - 60th +17.09
Relay first leg - 20th +3.39
Relay Team - 12th (8th nation)

Easy regular Box, lovely stuff.