Training Log Archive: mattp

NGOC league event at Painswick Beacon.

Had a good aggressive start through to 3. Going straight to 4 was quite a bit slower and was hesitant across the paths. Was quite hesitant into 6 as was having trouble reading the contours and crag mapping. Big miss onto 7, wanted to come in the top but came in far too early and then didn't spot the control behind the tree.

Decided to take the bottom path and then cut up into 10 and lost about a minute. Not sure anyone else took this route as it was quite hard climbing through the light green section and there was a only slightly less direct path route. I assume the planner intended this route choice. Bad compass into 11, was way too far right. Straight onto 12 and hesitant into 13 as not sure which path I was on. Great bearing to 14. Was caught here by Richard and followed him mostly into the finish.

Ashton Court Parkrun

Went out for the 300th Ashton Court parkrun on a very sunny still morning. This time I didn't make the mistake of starting midpack, took it quite easily up the climb but went through the half-way point 5 seconds faster than last time.
Was quite a bit slower than last time on the descent but wasn't pushing at all.

Gruissan 25km route

I spent two nights in the beautiful Narbonne and was drawn to the hilly nature reserve, La Clape Masif, which lies to the east before the sea. On strava there quite a few segments set during the Gruissan Phoebus Trail race. This seemed like a sensible route so with the GPS trace in hand, I set off from the bus stop and into the hills.

The start was some indication of what was to come. Straight out the gate a punishing 17% rocky climb followed by a swift descent immediately got the blood flowing. Then a big climb up to the highest point meant a lot of climbing already packed into the first 5km.

At this point it wasn't clear from the GPS trace which way the loop was meant to be taken and I did it in the wrong direction. This would make sense as the path downwards was very narrow and so close to the start the field might be grouped closer together. This did also mean that I think I took steeper rather than longer climbs as there was an extended downhill after having to climb up a crag.

After this point, it was easier going but I was struggling from about 15km. The loop ended at 18km and crossed over the road nearer to the town. At this point, you are cruelly sent away and up and down another set of 3 hills. It seemed sensible to skip the last two and jog back along the flat cycle path.

There were stunning views from the start over Narbonne plague and Gruissan. The path network was never overgrown or difficult to follow.
It was a very technical route, the tracks were all very rocky which made descending and ascending challenging. It was difficult to get into a rhythm on quite a hot day. The area is also known for it’s windy gusts and today was no exception especially when exposed to the western side.

In the end I crawled into Gruissan in just under 3 hours a bit sun burnt but refreshed with ice coffee from lidl and pear sorbet from a cafe on the harbourfront. Do I prefer running in tepid England?(!)

https://www.strava.com/activities/931909277

SRC back-marking for Dave. Through the bottom of Ashton court, along the zig-zag path and back.