Training Log Archive: Thraws

Easy stroll on circuit from Billingshurst to Kirdford and back. Better than anticipated.

Been stretching everything since Wednesday to try and sort my back out. And with some success? Walking has been looser. But warming up today I felt very lethargic, and right ankle was a big worry. Was I over Wednesday's effort? Too much cycling? The big hill felt hard. Forget racing today then. I just wanted to finish comfortably. Took first hill very easily and was surprised by the quality of the company. Stayed relaxed through rest of lap and second hill. Got slightly distracted by event organisation then, as we made the circuit of the planter boxes in the wrong direction (!), and then lapped runners/walkers two and more abreast on the narrow sections started to annoy me. Was pleased (and surprised) to take a few on third and fourth hills so dug in for the line and was amazed by the time. Almost a minute up on last week. With that fatigue! Only problem: unable to run or even jog straight after.

Minus 1 and headwind. Wore two of everything.

Confirmation of the decline in the past year, and insight into the actual cause. I did everything I could to be the best I could be for this. I have what feels like a really good routine of exercises to support my back and I've been doing them religiously. Weight is fine. I stayed off the bike. Tried to develop - and succeeded - a positive mental attitude. I was really looking forward to running despite the difficult last few months. And I decided to give the A race a go. But during my warm up I knew things were seriously amiss. My back was definitely all wrong. It wasn't specifically painful, but it felt very inefficient. As though my ‘drive’ was going through my left glute. And it wasn't mental. Mentally I could not have been better placed.
Plan was to do my own thing and stay relaxed. Four 4.30 laps ought to have been a cinch. So I ran the fast first lap in last place with the sweeper bike (4.20). At the start of the second (4.35) I easily passed Ben and a few others. But I wasn't rolling. It really felt as though my left hip could go into spasm at any moment. Movement wasn’t ‘natural’. I kept it up through lap three (4.35) and knew I'd just floor it for 4, so I passed a few more. Fitness felt spot on; body far from it. Crossed the line in 18.07. Massively disappointing but could have been worse. Looking now to the right ‘physio’ to get me back on track. Trying to 'walk' this off isn't working.

Car at garage.