Training Log Archive: alirobertson

Feeling pretty good but so so tired. Lower back stiff from all the running each morning, R Ham really achy this morning in office. No running club tonight sadly.

Yet another JK comes and goes, was ill for last attempt at it, injured and unfit for this one. One day I'll get winter training right and have strong hill legs, one day?

JK Relays - Graythwaite - Men's Short Leg 3 - 3.2k - 150m

A good race on battered legs. Felt so stiff warming up, and waited a while in warm up pen before getting out. Slog from start up the hills, tried to keep moving when I could, and make myself run when the hills stopped. Nasty sting from spectator control back up to #14. Fairly clean run, happy with performance given how tired and achy I felt.

9th for my course, but Jack punched 2 wrong controls so instead of finishing 8th we were DSQ'd. Didn't matter.

R Ham really tight from start, no better by end. L Knee never noticed any pain.

Great end to a fantastic weekend of O, good to get back to it again. It's what I love to do.

Results

Overall

Routegadget

JK Day 2 Ulpha Fell - M35L - 8.6k 465m

I AM NOT READY FOR THIS!!

Started steady and picked off first three controls which were pretty easy, then drifted right on #4 and got complacent so started looking for control too high. Lost 2 minutes just faffing confused. Out onto moor and good to #5, then slow up to #6, #7 was easy then down to #8 again just lost focus and let folk crossing my bows distract me, and followed them up to a control way too high and too far left. Stupid mistake.

Through crossing at #9 then into real tech stuff, took high line to #10 and missed, got confused and faffed about for ages. Another 2 mins burned.

Good high line to #11 making it easy, then should have stayed to right of wall but lost focus trying not to swim in bogs and ended up passing re-entrant by control, climbed over next hill and attacked about 150m too far on at next stream. Seems I lost 3 1/2 mins here! Jesus.

Good but slow to #13, steady through #14 - #18, not quick up to #19 but chose track option, wonder who else did? OK in rough stuff then felt solid attacking #21 only to not find it on the rocky spur I found near the rough open. Totally confused, did a full lap of the spur, nothing. Went up towards crossing point to relocate and found control. Think map was iffy here. Another 2 mins lost!

Solid again across moor, dying from the climb by now, so when I started to nav towards #25 I thought I was in control, but stayed too low on ridge and missed feature, then started to look below me, dropped and got well confused / pissed off. Went back up hill, long angry walk. 2 1/2 mins blown. FFS!

Drifted left on #6 before heading into woods, careless with compass, then got bang on line with attack on #27, standing over re-entrant but kite was near lying flat under some brashing that had been used to hide it then been trampled. Lost another minute relocating and attacking from different angle!

OK through next couple, then cursing the planners for #30, WTF is going on putting a control at the top of an 8m crag on a 35m steep slope when best route is down to a path, meaning 60m climb on one leg. Just unnecessary on an otherwise good course. Seems my shot legs after that climb meant I was a good minute slower than others on next leg too that I spiked.

Nothing left in legs to aid a speedy descent in rocks and mud, all I could do to stay upright. Felt broken, just wanted to stop. Slow into finish.

Lost 13 mins plus on navigation alone, not like me. Careless stuff and not learning from mistakes during race. That plus the buggered hamstring and lack of decent training, meant worst performance in a long time.

Results

Routegadget

C • I feel your pain! 3

Event: Jan Kjellstrom International Festival of Orienteering 2015
 

Easy morning run with Alex around part of Carnforth, first time we've had chance to run for ages. Good crack as we set off down to meet the Lancashire Coastal Way, running along the River Keer as it made it's way towards Morecambe Bay. A lot of jumping over gullies eroded by the sea, some bigger than others. Much more clay than expected, which I found out when I sunk past my ankles on one bank. Ran down to Wild Duck Hall.
Back via the Lancaster Canal.
R Ham more tight than I'd have liked.
Found sheep with head caught in fence, told farmer in house nearby.

Double time

Wee leg loosener in new mudclaws. Bit of tarmac to start and finish but stuck to verges where I could. Felt good but a wee bit heavier than I'm used to compared to XT4. But bought for grip not speed. Happy first try, will see how they fare on proper slopes and terrain.