Training Log Archive: Bashman

WU
To the start, some drills, strides, and loosening off my knotted glute.
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BUCS Individual - Men's A

Wasn't feeling anything special warming up, glute was totally knotted and felt fairly heavy in general. Did my best to sharpen up but I expected a muddy and slow running race. Off the start and spotted Jonny dipping over the hill 2mins away. Solidly to 1,(swear nothing seemed to fit on the map) and then round the track to 2. Spent this time planning the 2km leg to 6, and decided to follow a straightish line along some small paths. Huge coincidence that we planned a very similar leg beforehand, and unlucky that we never considered the road. Down to nail two but then dropped way too far going to 3. Lost 25s getting back up the hill but felt good and pushed up to hit 4 well. Across the slope to 5 quite cleanly, refolding the map in preparation for 6 and making my final choice.

Straight down to the track and down the hill which was the best fun I had on the entire course, flew down. Completely lost my rhythm in the sheep shit field and began to regret my routechoice. However pushed on to the muddy, endless, path and tried to decide between more paths and some terrain that was probably faster than the muddy swamp I was slipping on at the time. Chose terrain and saved some time doing so, nice. Found the control after a short hesitation and got bumped into 3rd, 14s down. Not sure if round the road would have been any faster really, it's hard to say.

7 went smoothly but heading down the hill I could notice I had pushed things a bit hard and was red zoning a bit. Lost my head going up the hill to 8 and would have lost a lot more time had I not stopped and reset. Lots of people seemed to loose time here due to an overly simplified map. Very happy to eventually spot the control though. Next up was another classic routechoice we had planned and it was obvious round was faster. No bother, and although I felt slow I was still matching pace.

Had a bit of a boost here splits-wise but never really felt it at the time. Across the road to a pretty obvious pit and then down the hill to the best site I saw on the whole course - Brutus and Dane. Pushed hard to catch them up and then stuck in behind to 12. Overtook and led going through spectator, with Dan mentioning Jonny not too far ahead. Took a bit of a break on the track to 15 and was met with another welcoming site; Jonny faffing about the circle. Pushed hard again to catch him up and was behind by the next control. The pace felt pretty extreme and Jonny was never going to let me past. We dropped Dane and Jonny set the brutal pace whilst me and Dan swapped around behind.

Began to plan the final choice to 21 and thought that over the hill was potentially quicker, but when Jonny began to speed round the track I knew I couldn't risk dropping time on him and allowing him to drop me by 2mins before the finish. He began to pull a gap as we dropped Dan and overtook Sebb. Jonny went a bit high to 22 and I began to settle down. Struggled up that final climb to the last pick and was very relieved to finish.

It seemed everything had gone to plan; somehow catch the boys ahead of me and cruise a train into the finish. And although it took a while, this unfolded pretty well. I warmed down expecting to see all the final starters pack in in front of me and was hence surprised to find such a tight, but successful, final result. Extremely pleased with this, and really happy and relieved to know that last week's race wasn't just a one off. Now to keep this form and not pick up any illnesses/injuries before the JK. Easier said than done...

Splits - http://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/en/d...
RG - http://www.bok.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#112&course=1
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C • BUCS 7

WD
Felt great once more, but got the classic ill stomach as soon as I finished.
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Gym
Nice relaxed session with some core and mobility. Feeling good.
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Easy
On the Watt bike, kept HR at about 135.
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Easy with the boys.
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Newtyle Middle
MUCH better, a seriously needed effort before BUCs this weekend. Shaky start but then caught Arri and injected some speed to get away. Smooth and quick orienteering followed and apart from a miss at the end, very enjoyable and clean. A good few inches of snow on top of some heather made things tough.

http://3drerun.worldofo.com/2d/index.php?idmult%5B...
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Easy
Regular Monday instead of a sprint race.
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Drills
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Kinnoull
First few controls of a relay but not feeling great and orienteering like a spoon so headed back.
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Middle Q
Taking things easy but this didn't seem to help my nav at all. Focussing on running and no where near enough map/compass contact. Also mispunched. Wasn't help by an awfully old and outdated map + ming terrain. Ah well, nice and snowy so still semi enjoyable.

http://3drerun.worldofo.com/2d/index.php?idmult%5B...
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Middle F
Still taking things easy and did a wee bit better. Orienteering quite well mostly but wasn't finding the best routes, still catching myself out not navigating at all quite a lot; doing map memory for way too large chunks of time. Map and terrain hardly better at all in this section. Stepped on a trunk at the end which put a stick through my shoes and way too close to piercing my skin. Took my shoe off and finished, with one shoe, still can't take it out now post-race.

http://3drerun.worldofo.com/2d/index.php?idmult%5B...
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C • why why why??? 2