Training Log Archive: murraystraining

South of England XC Champs - Parliament Hill.

It's been a very long time since I surprised myself in a race as much as this. My genuine aim coming in was for a top 25, with a stretch goal of top 20 if it was a good day.
With that in mind I set off fairly steadily, probably 100th at the top of the first hill - no repeat of my mistake in the National here today - then started moving through.

After the first lap I was about 40th.

After the second lap I was about 20th.

At that point I started to recognise people ahead of me - Kojo Kyerme from Shaftesbury would be a rival in the Team scores, Benny Cole an old rival from the Haries.
So I picked the pace up and passed them. Top 15 with 2/3 lap to go.

By now we're lapping quite a few people so it's hard to see who is ahead, but a Highgate supporter shouted that 10th place was in a group just 10s ahead. Well that sounds doable! By the bottom of the climb at the far end I'm on their heels and by the top I'm in the midst of them. With a quarter of a lap to go I've moved ahead of that group and I'm looking for the next victim. Sadly they were too far ahead so I just had to pin back my ears and bury myself to the finish to make sure no one could come back past on the run in.

7th!

What just happened???!!!???

I came 7th in 2015 and I thought that was one of my best XC runs ever. It's amazing what a good pacing strategy can do, particularly on a longer race like this. Approx 5km splits: 17:08 - 17:00 - 16:23.

To add to the excitement of the day Andy Maud took the individual win Highgate men took the team (closed the Gate in 39th) and the women took silver for their first podium action in a long time.

C • congratulations 4

To/from Parli Hill. On the way back the streets were soaked from a localised storm that completely missed us.
Impressive clouds

Enjoying the views from Queen's Drive.

Laps of the Meadows with the second special Welsh guest of the week then onto the treadhill. Aimed for 5 min/km @ 11% but only managed half a VK, got back on for a further 2km at 10%. Limit found!

Ten miles with a special guest, four on my own after. Good fun.

Treadmill Tuesday. 4-4-4-3 @ 3:00/km off 1. Would have been 4x4 but the touchscreen on the treadmill is knackered. Was glad to stop when I did!

Ran on my own for a bit.
Then with Tom for a bit.
Then with Tom and Hoddy for a bit longer.
Then with Tom and Hoddy and James.
Then with Hoddy and James.
Then with Hoddy and James and Jonny.
Then with Hoddy and Jonny.
Then on my own again.
Then I bumped into Pat but he had his bike so I didn't run with him.

C • Slag 1

HPSR medium size, regulation route. Pace fairly casual - legs fairly battered!