Training Log Archive: rachael

Event: English Fell Champs - Edale Skyline - the Return!
 

So when you've been ill for 2 weeks and have a dodgy back/glutes what's the best thing to do? Ah yes, a 22 mile fell race.
Minimal warming up, needed to save everything I could muster.

Ouch.

So nearly retired at Mam Nick but my stubborn head forced me on.

Hip Flexors were in pain after about 45 mins and legs were wobbling before I even go to the top of Win Hill (slightly worrying given that was just under an hour in). I knew my back was sore last week but my hip flexors were obviously compensating for something else (glutes?) not working properly. The remaining 3 hours were just pain. Not sure if I got dehydrated (I drank at all the water stops and had half a camel back with me but that ran out before Mam Nick), got hungry (through the race I had 4 gels and 16 jelly babies), my muscles just weren't up for it or I was still not 100%, or a combination of all four, but either way it hurt a lot!

Got to Mam Nick in 2 hours, which was as expected and there was so much support I just kept going. The slog over to Brown Knoll killed me off and I have never been so happy to see Little Rob with bottle of water in all my life. Round to Grindslow Knoll I definitely didn't get the best line and fell in a peat bog I almost didn't get out of. Got some juice on the top which kept me going to Ringing Roger where I realised sub 4 was still possible, had a chat with my legs and managed the down relatively well.

As well as sore muscles I also managed to rub a raw patch on my back and get a blood blister on each big toe and another blister under my bunion. I think I need a bit of practice at these long races.

The support all the way round was amazing and if I don't run next year I will definitely be there handing out jelly babies. Great organising by Ian and despite everything I've just written I did really enjoy it and it was a gorgeous day. I would definitely like to run it again having 1. not been ill before hand 2. my back in the right place and 3. done a bit more training!

C • Well Done! 3

hanging some controls for the Endcliffe Park O.

5 x ultra sprints racing Alex on different courses for the first 4 then head to head on the last one. He beat me on all of them (despite trying his hardest to throw the last one away!)

A little bit of warming down. Finally feeling a bit better.

short rivelin loop with two hill sprints. The sprints induced a lot of coughing but the rest felt quite good.

short rivelin loop then on down to ICOSS. Felt fine until I went up hill then I died completely in a fit of coughing. Not boding too well for the weekend. We'll see.

attempt at running. short bole hill loop.

to S10

Morning spin with Fire theme tunes.

Ok, definitely not better yet. Another rest day. booooo.