Training Log Archive: Bashman

Oringen Etappe 5 - Chasing Start - Livelox

Today was the first time at Oringen when I felt ready to race, despite an incredibly hot sun. Managed to stay in some cool shade at the arena and so felt energetic when running to the start. The start list was quite interesting, Filip G 10s in front, Olai L 40s, and then a few more runners including Pascal B a few mins ahead. Behind was Kalle B but it was a nice enough gap to forget about. Standard pre-chasing start banter was had and then we were into the forest.
I sprinted hard off the start and had Filip in front of me within about 11s. I sniffed his bum until the circle of number 1 where we joined Olai in getting lost. Found it before Kalle arrived though and gave it some good pace to the next three, myself exchanging leads with Olai running faster than I was hoping. We split before getting to the end of the long leg at 4 but then all of us messed up the circle and regrouped. A really awful bit of windblown craggy slope ensued and by the end we had formed quite a nice train and weren't far down on the leading pace considering a few mins of mistakes.
I lead like a hero down to the next section but then hit a climb and died hard. Pascal, Filip and Olai came past and dragged me up to the control but I was beginning to get dizzy. Luckily we all really hilariously messed up 10 in different ways and then regrouped at a drink station. About 7 of us, including Kalle now, all stood sipping our cups and sneakily glaring at each other, until everyone finished and we resumed the race.
I hit the wall again immediately but got the 11th control cleanly. Then took a path to 12 knowing I could stay with the pack at an easier pace (they were going straight lol). However, I then rejoined the pack and ran with them for 20s before one of them gave me the bad news that they'd all already punched 12. I swore loud enough for the arena to hear me and turned round. By this point a gentle slope was enough for me to have to walk so I dropped the pack and called it a day. I had lasted about an hour, which is much better than the previous day.
I stopped at another drinks control and had 8 drinks including a few energy ones (I had taken my gel already). I then jogged to the 13th and had to sit down for 1:30 afterwards feeling really dizzy and wondering if I could actually nap during my race. Then a woman elite ran past and asked me if I was okay, and I felt embarrassed and chased her to 14 for a bit. She dropped me but when I punched the control Olai appeared going at 4min/km after being lost for 5mins. We pissed ourselves laughing and I think the energy drinks/gel had suddenly kicked in as I was then able to push a bit more. I quickly died but had Olai in the distance for me to not have to navigate for a bit.
Then something amazing happened. We hit 17 and about 6 people from the previous train were waiting as they'd all wasted 5mins at different points of the past few controls. They were speaking in Swedish but the decision was obvious - we were going to jog the rest of the course in a single file line. This was very nice and I took the chance to semi-regain consciousness and practice my Swedish - "Jag är så jävle inte gut" was said many times with increasing pain. We stopped for some more water though and I felt much better. So much better in fact that as we inevitably began to pick up the pace towards the finish, I split off on a road routechoice and dropped everyone. Had a wee bit of a race with Pascal as we neared the finish but thankfully he went AWOL and disappeared. I ran into the finish thinking I was behind the pack but then turned round to see everyone decking it on the last turn and finishing behind me. So I gained 6 places after spending 3 minutes of my race either at water points or sitting down. Pretty funny.
Had a cider and then joined in as right back of the footy match as ROTW vs Sweden. We lost but it was very fun with a big crowd and Per commentating. By the end of this I was essentially a walking corpse but after eating a pizza and a 10min nap I was ready for the sixth stage. It was a very good week.

Splits
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Oringen Etappe 4 - H21E - Livelox
In short this wasn't a very good race. I started steadily and nailed some tricky controls but then the wheels came off about 20mins into the race. I was forced to jog the rest which was tough, but the terrain was absolutely gorgeous so could have been worse. Took on lots of water but didn't do too much to my condition, just barely breathing. Days of racing, hot weather/camping and nights out beginning to take a toll.
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Easy
Hungover to the lake and back with Fiona, Ali T and Pat J. Met some more people there and had a nice bit of swimming in some lovely warm water. TLines then split his knee which was grim.
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Easy
After a baaad sleep after a sober party last night. Feeling okay by the end.
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Event: O-Ringen Höga Kusten