Training Log Archive: SarahD

Scafell Skyrace
Hot day. Plan was to set out steady and do my own thing, but that’s so hard at the start of a race like this and inevitably I got dragged up the first hill faster than I wanted. And it felt rubbish. Ground it out and as soon as we got over the first top I was able to relax and get into my own groove. After the initial climbs the first half of the course is relatively easy but was trying to stay in good shape to be able to tackle the second long half. The climb up Sourmilk Gill after the feed station was gruesome - so hot and steep. Had filled up with water at the bottom but should have replenished again at the top of this as it was difficult to find anything much on the next section. The terrain was a lot more technical from here on and with already tired legs I couldn’t move as smoothly as I felt I should, but otherwise kept going steadily. Had a couple of twinges of cramp, but managed to get enough salt tabs in that it never developed into anything worse. Felt I was climbing better by the time we were heading up Scafell but the descents were still awkward. The rest of the race went pretty well, I picked up a few places and managed to finish strongly. Highlight was the descent down the Great Slabs - scarily steep to run straight down but grippy enough in dry conditions.
All round pretty happy with the race day execution - anything better would need my body to handle the effort more effectively and sadly not sure that’s likely to happen! Tough day out for sure but really chuffed to have done it. First FV45, 8th F - I’ll take that :-)

C • Fabulous 2

Squeezing in a Craiglich from X roads end with KH and JS. Lovely evening with a pleasant breeze to keep it cool. Good chat and back in time to make myself presentable for Board meeting. Shoe decision finally made.

Up the Fungle and down by Masterblaster. Feeling reasonably fresh with a steady effort until I managed to trip on the flat down at the bottom giving myself a dead leg and elbow shred- smart :-( Testing out new Xtalons deliberating over shoes for Sat.... still not decided! Diversion to Queens Loch at the end for a lovely swim and bumped into S&PP doing likewise. So warm in the water that I did a full loch crossing and back. Feeling lucky to have places like this this on the doorstep.

Loop of Potties in the sun. Put in an effort up to the top of Craigmore to remind the legs how to climb.

Monday spin - up to Xrds, along Tar Rd to Learney and back by P'murchie. Lovely.