Training Log Archive: AlanH

Early start for day 6 at 10:26, although was still 5th M35L away so not a terrible draw. Also not the sort of area that an early start was a massive disadvantage, although not the sort of area to suit me. After 190m climb in one go to the start, a couple of minutes to catch my breath then the first 3 controls about the same climb again made me quite weary and got me in the mindset of day 4 of just getting round. Made a mistake on 2 of about 2 mins as totally lost focus. Was not in the re-entrant I thought I was but one to the right, which if I actually looked at the map I would've realised. I actually went right past the flag without looking at it because it wasn't where my control was. Then 3 got a bit off line toward the end, didn't commit to the last bit of climbing soon enough. After 3 it was much more enjoyable course, nav not tricky but more pleasant physically. Lost a bit of time on the way to 11 as got two spurs mixed up and ended up way off line, think I got distracted by somebody at 10 who asked if the control was on a boulder (what part of a flag next to a 4' high rock do you not understand??), but I shouldn't have been distracted, splitsbrowser says only 40s lost, sounds about right. Actually the fastest mins/km of the week, but back to 15th place again so didn't actually count today, but more satisfied than my other non counting day (4). 15th overall as well, bit dissapointing given I was 6th overall after 3 days, but I'd have taken that beforehand.

Day5. Real varied area on the coast. First day I've really had path routes to choose, some hilly bits, lots of large flat areas of marsh and small vague shapes up against the coast. Much more enjoyable than yesterday and felt like I was competing again, rather than just getting round. Didn't get into the map straight away so slow to the first couple which were short ones, but better to take your time to get into the map than blow it. 10 was a ridiculous control though, shouldn't have been allowed - tiny re-entrant yet much larger re-entrants nearby not on the map, 45s lost. Little mistake at 14 maybe only 20s lost but a bit annoying as I shouldn't be making mistakes like that. Got a bit confused to 16 coming up the slope from the marsh and didn't go the way I intended, splitsbrowser says 42s lost but difficult to say as uphill always shows time loss. 23 should've gone out to the beach as it was horrible in the wood, but this is hindsight I think everybody was in the same boat there. Happy to be back to 11th on the day, but dropped overall again as others replace bad scores.

Day 4. Quite a dissapointing course and area for the 6 day, and frankly I found it too tough. I also seriously doubt either this climb figure, or the rest of the week's figures, seemed loads more today. Maybe it was just climbing in deep bracken and heather made it seem worse. Made a mistakes on 11 and 17 - just lost focus and where in the previous few days I would correct little mistakes before they became mistakes today everything seemed to happen in slow motion except the clock. Long leg to 8 I think I must've gone a way nobody else did as despite block 5 start found very few elephant tracks, splitsbrowser shows nearly 3 mins lost yet I didn't make a mistake. Hmm. Also wrong shoes today, wore fell shoes as all the days so far but wanted dobbs, had a number of slips and falls, bruised right hand. Down to 15th, and dropped from 6th to 11th overall :(

The clue is in the name "Rest Day", so no MTBO or sprint for me this time out.

Day 3 on the famous area Craeg Mhic. Actually I thought it was easier than yesterday, but still tricky. Cleanest run of the week so far, only about 30s in circle on long leg to 6, so small it doesn't even show up on splitsbrowser as a mistake. However, start block 2 so quite a few places where there weren't tracks the way I wanted and had to go bracken ploughing, and pipped by small margins by quite a few competitors. Still happy with 11th considering lack of running in the last 12 months and knee injury (which is holding together ok).

Day 2. More difficult, lots of vague shapes in typical west coast open moorland and scruby trees. Again a reasonably late start in block 4 (from 6) so quite a few tracks in the bogs which helped. Clean run apart from 14, think it was just lapse in focus, getting too cocky as the things I tried to make fit just don't make sense looking at it now. Woke up pretty sore and tired so very happy with getting round running ok, 7th place.

Event: Scottish 6 Days Oban 2011
 

Scottish 6 day, day 1. Not the most technical scottish terrain I've ever done, but wasn't without challenge. Was the last starter so elephant tracks helped, although a few places they had bogged down quite a lot. Also did a large section of the course totally on my own, which I always enjoy actually even if it's not necessarily so fast. Just the one mistake, had a tiny re-entrant near the beach about 2' deep, but the ditches on the map were about 4' deep and only marked as ditches, bit confusing. 9th place which is pleasing.