Training Log Archive: Mark3

EDIT: 38th
http://www.marsdentoedale.co.uk/Results.htm
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For some reason I was pretty nervous for this race; I think races with complicated logistics always have this effect. Had to get up at 4:40am which was pretty grim.

Along the Pennine Way from the start, wishing that I hadn't done the XC yesterday as could definitely feel that. But passed after a while. Very restrained as I knew it was a long way, so let the leaders (and quite a lot of other people) disappear into the distance.

Not much to do wrong to the top the Black Hill; just kept following the pack. Overtaken a lot on the climb, still trying to take it easy. The sharp turn off the PW onto the moor took me by surprise (was holding the map, but not looking at it). Caught by a lot more people on the moor whilst it was flattish, which surprised me a bit. Then gained back a lot of places on the downhill to Crowden.

The plan to Bleaklow was to go the way everyone else did if I was in a group; everyone did Lawrence Edge so I did too. I think in these conditions (ie, no snow) then that route was good. I think staying on the track up the hill would be better in the snow. In future from the top of Lawrence I would take more of an Eer bearing to get to Wildboar sooner, as it was significantly faster once you reached the path. Went pretty much due S. Then up the clough to the corner of the PW and along to Bleaklow - then pretty straight to the trig rather than via Hern Stones as you could see for quite a long way; this might have been an error though since there wasn't a trod for much of the straighter route.

My fingers were so cold at this point that there was no hope of eating anything, this worried me a bit for how I'd feel later in the race. Tried wiggling my fingers constantly for about half an hour to warm them up. This had exactly zero effect. Other than my fingers though, clothing choice (2 LS layers, tights, buff, gloves) was fine.

Wanted to look at the map coming from the trig since I had doubts about the nav ability of the group I was with, but couldn't use my fingers so hoped they could manage this bit. Turns out they could; phew! Reached the Snake with no issues. Unfortunately the whole group stopped for water or faffing or something at this point, so I was on my own. As a result of this followed the PW for far too long before turning S to the wreck, and actually had to turn SE; didn't really know where I was but the vis was excellent and could see the Mountain Rescue tent at the wreck for miles. Also came out at the corner of the clough which would've been a good AP had this not been the case. I did have the advantage of minimising the amount of moorland to run across, but since it was downhill it was pretty fast. Other routes went either due S or Nic came down before Within Clough - that's about twice as much notpath as I did; I'd like to recce before next year (?) to see what the ground's like.

Once I got the the fence corner I was pretty happy to be somewhere I'd been before, and started to reel people in. Had a good run along the edge of Kinder Plateau and gradually began to start to be able to feel my fingers again. Probably passed 4 or so before Kinder Low, another 4 by Jacob's Ladder (7th/818 on Jacobs Ladder descent segment, which I think is pretty good given the 35k beforehand) and another 2 or 3 on the PW to the end. I think staying on the PW and the extra 50m of ascent is justified, rather than the S path.

I see that:
- Nic stayed on the track, as we did on the recce, so maybe I shouldn't have been swayed by the group
- and came down between Noe Stool and the J of Jacob's ladder, would like to recce that too...

Also I'd like to try the Grindslow Knoll route. Got some training runs worked out, then!

Overall a good day, not sure where I came but think about 30th? I think I probably carried too much stuff for the conditions, but after the hypothermia experience I've got pretty nervous. Need to do something about the cold hands; gloves+mittens perhaps.

Self-laminated maps on my Amazon Basics laminator (<£20) worked extremely well. Need to design some map sheaths so that they're easier to insert in the race vest pockets, though. Decided definitely prefer Clif bars to the SIS things so will phase those out.

C • hands 2

1st.
Raced tactically :) stayed close behind the front guy for the first mile, as close as I could without falling over, to push him into going faster than he wanted. Then got into the terrain I like, technical flat with tree roots and things, and accelerated away, finished 30s up. Good fun.

Nice course, very muddy in places but firm underneath, probably needs off road shoes for most of the year.fields to start with then along through the trees by a river; one small bank but otherwise pretty flat.good warm up for the xc later...

http://www.parkrun.org.uk/marple/results/weeklyres...

Edit: 90th/404, 52nd/151 senior men.
https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2018/maccl1...
Significantly better than last time!
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Another 'proper' XC, although surprisingly mild conditions for January at about 6°. Took it steady as I knew it was a much more open course than last time and so plenty of room to overtake.

There wasn't much overtaking going on, though; other than on the downhill and then in reverse on the uphill. Very muddy in places, although not as bad as last time. I think my position was probably better, although still outside the top 100 I reckon.

Looking forward to Trigger tomorrow!

Bit of effort on two segments, won one, second by a few seconds on the other (ignoring the blatant cyclist).

Maybe one more run in these before I write the review; 100km should be enough for a valid test.

Off-road from work. Very muddy fields to get to the hill, then a good effort to the top. Now I know where it is, got my sights set on that segment. Probably leave it until next week though as I want to finish reading Compass Sport at lunch tomorrow!

Awesome evening, much less foggy and great views of the stars from the top of the Roaches.

Super foggy at the top; would have done a little more but my torch ran out and I couldn't really see anyway.

Probably the last time running around in Bristol, along the new road that I waited for ages to open as it would be really convenient, and then moved out before they'd opened it.
It's open now, but I still haven't driven it. Thought I'd run it instead. It's nice.

Also ran around work for old-times sake.