Training Log Archive: Magic

Highlander Mountain Marathon, Glen Cannich, Day 2, B course, 25km, 1500m.

Slept really well, in fact had too many clothes and had to discard quite a few. Had also eaten and drunken well so was feeling great in the morning. It was also nice to be able to take it easy while everyone else rushed off to their starts (reverse chasing meant we were out last).

Ciara is a girl who knows what she wants and knows what she doesn't want. Today she wanted to catch and pass every other team out there and you were in trouble if you were going to try and stop her. I decided not to and just tried to hang on. She was a real beast today.

We opted to save time and draw the course on the move meaning that, despite starting a minute late due to to some last minute faff (last starters on the last day of the last Highlander) we had passed B2 (the two guys who had been economical with their bag carrying yesterday) before the start flag.

They passed us on the flat running to the first few and pulled away on the big climb up the hill to the cluster (#4 & 5), but from then on Ciara really started beasting. We caught and went straight past B3, keeping B2 in our sights and slowly reeling them in with better lines.

By #9 we were passing dozens of slow teams and were up to about B10 (though still missing a few) and Ciara pushed on even harder. The climb to #10 was hard but as we approached the control we saw B2 going high. Couldn't see them either ahead or behind us after that so didn't know what had happened to them.

Ciara beasted in over the bogs and down the hill for the last few k, meaning we caught just about everyone (as the numbers only went up to about B15 it was hard to know - but the exclamations of "look, B1" as we flew past only served to spur the beast on even more.

Great to do this event, it really was fun and special and to do it in such great weather and with a fit and determined teammate made it one to remember. B2 also lost enough time at #10 and 11 to mean that we had enough time in hand to be ahead of them even without their penalty. Job was a good one. Fun prize as well.

http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2016/Highlande...

C • fun. 4

Event: Highlander Mountain Marathon
 

Highlander Mountain Marathon, Glen Cannich, Day 1, B course, 25km, 2500m.

What an amazing day. Found ourselves out early (courtesy of registering early last night and only being given the choice of early buses) with clouds covering the peaks on the ride to the start up Glen Cannich. Opted to start in shorts and shirts though this seemed like it may be a poor choice as we disappeared into the clag for #1.

Off line to #2 (my fault - should have listened to Ciara) and was saved by a spectacular cloud inversion as we neared the top, showing just enough of the surrounding peaks to work out where we were and where we had to go. It was proper hot up hear already by 9am.

Back into the mist for #3, which we navigated very carefully to but got to it to find it just below the cloud level and in excellent visibility. A brief stop here to balance out our pack weights a bit more efficiently and we were off, moving well for the first time.

Bit of a faff at #4 as we had to cross a gorge (not on the OS 50k map) and then hunted around a few hill tops looking for the one with our control on (only one on the map).

Tough climb to back into the mist for #5 (passed by the A course winners here) and then a long and steep route choice leg to #6. Opted to drop low back the way we'd come and follow a path as the more direct route would have been tough in the mist. Worked well and when we appeared above the clouds again we thought that we'd made the right decision. Nasty control though right at the bottom of a steep corrie.

Pretty easy run back to the finish from here with some nice running and not much more climb - and the cloud suddenly disappeared from everywhere on the climb out of #6. Ciara livened things up a bit by steeping into thin air along a river bank and promptly disappearing off the edge. Quite scary to see, especially the expression of fear on her face and she went over. Fortunately she kept her balance, grabbed some heather and fell less than 3m, whacking her knee and getting a few cuts, but not seriously hurting anything. Even managed to run well from there to the finish.

Pretty happy with the day, we started quite slow and were hampered a little by the mist, but happy to be at camp early and not to be running in the hot afternoon sun. Even had a dip in the river.

Finished second, 17.5 minutes down. At least we initially did. Apparently the leading team had dropped their packs and descended into #6 without them, picking them up again on the way out. Apparently there were seen doing this and fessed up at the finish. The result was a 20 minute time penalty, putting them right behind us. 3rd, also a mixed team, were also less than 10 minutes behind, so all to play for on Day 2.

An easy run from the campsite in Cannich to loosen out the legs after the days traveling. Was supposed to be easy and was when I started out along the road, however I got tempted by the lovely woods and gorge parallel to the road and went exploring...

IW. Nice and easy. Aware that last nights session is not the usual sort that my body is sued to alright.

HFW. Although I did stop off at Blackwier to enjoy the sun for a while I have no idea why this was so quick, I went through the park, took it easy and there was a bit of a head wind. Strange.

Event: Summer Park Series 2
 

IW. Tyre soft again. Nice cool morning, bit overcast, made it quite dark under the trees.

Across town to Victoria Park. Tyre still hard.

CArdiff Park Series, Race 2, Victoria Park (and Tompson Park and Pontcanna). 5.1km, 18 controls.
A most enjoyable way to get a bit of fast running in. As I know all of this area well I didn't have any problems knowing where the gates in and out of the parks were, but did have a bit of a problem with uncooperative legs and quads not liking the road sections between the parks. Great to see quite a few kids running around the park in the evening sun and looking like there were enjoying the O.

Home from the O, partly with GD44. Easy pace - feed don't like cycling without SPDs. Windy.

IW. Following wind - smashing. Driver pulling out in front of me without looking, not so much. Luckily I had predicted what she was about to do and was prepared to take avoiding action.

HFW. Quite a stiff head wind but also able to move okay at times. Rear a bit soft again so taking it easy over the bumpy bits.

MDC run around the Coity race route, well sort of. Took a few detours to check out the local scenery (including Big Pit) and even nipped across the road to play on the spoil heaps in Pwll Du. Legs were tired but moving okay. Really enjoyed it.

Checking a bit more the terrain and the map on Llangynidr. Another stunning day, although there was a bit of a wind up here. Had the hills to myself, an empty wilderness with big sky - it really doesn't feel like the type of place that will be improved with a racing tack along side it.