Training Log Archive: Bashman

Carnethy 5
Perhaps the fittest I've ever been on a race. Didn't feel especially good beforehand, or even by the time we had started, but when fast people started powerwalking halfway up Scald Law I realised there was a lot in the tank today. Had a bit of a scare when I decked it down the slope to the stream but thankfully my legs were numb so I didn't feel the graze till the end. Kept things quite tame until the top, weaving about with Scott Lawler Oleg Doug and Duncan, and even took a few walks to match the steady pace, but felt great and excited to unleash the fury. Let loose after the cairn and took Oleg and Doug (with a good photo below) and began catching Duncan.



Reached South Black after battling the easterly wind and snow for a bit and began closing the gap. Reached East Kip a wee bit behind but a good split between the Kips put me right behind Duncan with a decent gap in front of Oleg+chasers. Went mad down the descent to take Duncan and dropped him on the long steady descent.

The stingy snow made breathing/seeing pretty difficult. So faffed about with the buff for a bit but didn't have any luck and just had to embrace it. Disgusting. Eventually reached some shelter in the Howe and I did the classic flying kick style slide down at least half the steep slope. Caught the next pair, consisting of Jethro and Mark A, and began reeling them in on the final brutal climb. Got a large chunk of the hill out of the way before I needed to walk, but this was purely because of the boggy 2 steps forward 1 step back situation.



Reached the top of the reentrant and had to face the full pelt of the wind and snow on my own with the pair behind me now. Got to a point where I couldn't see any marshalls runners or footprints and I began to crap myself. Thankfully the top soon appeared and I assumed the race would be over with this final easy descent. It was awful. Decked it near the top and sent my whole arm into a numb tingling (still numb today, Sunday). Then had to set my quads on fire to take the rest of the descent which was awfully heathery and dodgy. Began to real in Scott who was sliding all over the place but by now we were in the field and I realised I had run out of course.



Still a result to be pleased with and an alright time given the conditions, only 1:30 off the winners which is tantalisingly close. Hoping this full tank feeling is a result of some good training and not just a one off.
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C • Great run 17

Gym
Easier set, 3 x 5 DL (60kg) and 3 x 3 Pull Ups with some core after. Normal drills and plyo to start.
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Spinning
Two easier days before the weekend now. With Jacob and Dan.
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Long
First few km with Jacob but he was running fast so let him go as I trundled round the bog and crags for a bit. Very tired and ploddy, and foot still a wee bit sore. Still managed to take Montague Street on Strava very easily at the end, although Garmin glitched a bit. Time for some easier days.
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Ante Prandi
Nobody showed (don't blame them with the weather though) and Haries were doing their odd "no running below 150bpm" technique. Trundled round.
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WU
Lap of meadows, down to Holyrood, drills.
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Long Hills 4 x 3mins [3mins]
Best I've ever felt doing reps, put it down to a steadier start. Loving it, but possibly not pushing hard enough, should have worn HRM. Good to see Scott floating up the hill at the front.
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WD
Foot's a wee bit bruised from Sunday's tarmac bashing so needing to keep tomorrow on soft surface. Feels fine until I hit the road currently.
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Commute
Run down to the station.
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WU
After hastily changing shoes, down to the start with Tam into the minting weather. Freezing by the time I started.
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Scottish Sprint Champs - Mens Open - 3rd, 50s on Jonny
100mph off the start simply trying to get warm. Despite the fast pace I was orienteering well though and flowing through the first section at the same pace as Chris, albeit he was tired. Little slip on 5 simply from not planning ahead and not wanting to stop. Ran past 9 due to a fenced area but then tanked 11 to catch Ewan and bag a good split. However the oxydept showed when I panicked on the long leg and ended up in the business complex absolutely stumped, was beating Chris before this. Then stumbled round the last bit and into the finish, tired and cold.
Not too bad, but need to work on some stuff before JK. Fitness feeling about right.
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WD
After waiting for the tortoise, down to the start absolutely freezing, and then back to assembly.
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WU
Warm down worked well as I was fresh and ready to go. Managed to squeeze in a few drills before a 10min wait at the start...
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Chasing Sprint - 3rd behind Jonny (50s again)
Started off with a cheeky 1:33 500m to catch Chris and chase him into 1. He went down a dead end to 2 so I assumed the lead. Little loop round 3 and 4 and we split going to 5. Think I was quite lucky with my route as I nipped in ahead again. He then got me up the hill to 6 but again was unlucky with the control circle going over a wall. I spotted the round route and got in ahead of him. Lead to 8 and 9 but then he pulled ahead once again up the hill. We got caught out by the classic cheeky planner bridge trick on 11 and I led up to 12. But then Chris's sheer stamina kicked in and I was dragged into oxygen dept and forced back. Stood next to 14 for 15s as I began to realise the map was intended to be read at 1:4000 as I couldn't spot the narrow underpass. Then just trundled round the last few and into the finish a good 30s behind Chris. Ah well, a bit faffy, but a lot faster than I would normally run a sprint hence the time loss. Good fun event, and a great area too, will have to come back soon.
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WD
With Tam and Jonny to the start only to realise our tops weren't there. Cue massive search eventually leading to an obvious location in the assembly.
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