Training Log Archive: rcro

Event: NGOC League 4
 

NGOC League at Chalford. 8.3km Brown.

Legs very dead today and warm up before start (much needed) did not go well. Surprisingly able to run ok.

Very confused on way to 1 as found some steps that I couldn't see on the map. Eventually decided to go up them and found 17 so was going the right way. Mud route to 2 wasn't great in trainers but not awful.

Planned 5-6 on way to 3 and that seemed quite easy to follow on the ground. Biggest problems early on were running straight past 5 as it was hidden from view, and towards the end of the leg carried on the main track too long as was expecting a bigger path based on symbol on the map.

OK through the partially mapped woods, but scrappy in the new estate 9-10. Much easier going downhill towards the end - but missed turn for 16 as distracted. Maybe around on 18 was better as significantly more climb than I expected.

Quite a surprising venue - nothing like any other urban area.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1538900683

Knew there was an outside chance of winning today - but legs feeling wrecked. Hoping someone quick would be running but there wasn’t.

In fourth place from the start but matching the pace of the two other humans, whilst the dog in front was fairly effortlessly getting away. It’s owner didn’t look like he would keep up so confirmed I would have to try.

One man cleared the dog at the sawmills (1 mile in) but me and the other guy couldn’t pass until 3k point - by then the leader was well away. Got into 2nd place after the crossroads (the first time) and steadily widening the gap along sawmillls.

Another 2nd for the collection. 30s slower than last week but course is all pretty wet and a lot slower in itself. Hard work, but felt more comfortable than last time and could have kept it going.

5th fastest time here (of 48) so pretty good for conditions.

Lot of time to kill with nothing planned so stop off at Bringsty to see how I’d do on the hills with tired legs.

Set some “unbeatable” times nearly 5 years ago and never been close to them since and just trying to jog around on the way to the bottom was clear legs weren’t going to get me a new fastest time today. Some effort up the “killer” hill and HR topped 188. Killed me and matched my previous best. So think I could beat it on a dry day with fresh legs. Reasonable attempt at the “little” hill by the main track, but well off the pace (5s).

Amazed at how much bracken has been cleared. When Treasure Hunt came here (back when I was 2 weeks old) - there was no bracken anywhere. By the time I started getting dumped here (aged 5?) it was all bracken, and on fire in the summer. Now about 50/50 with lots of bluebells - which there never used to be so clearly been planted. Seems still no intention to start grazing again.

Cleverly managed it so sat back down in the car precisely 1 step over today’s activity monitor step target of 15,354 steps. It’s starting to get hard to keep up on weekdays if I don’t run after work.

Just 5 today. Talking to a guy that has birds of prey and by the sounds of it he found the big snake from Saturday as he said it was about 3ft long - so big for an adder.

Think I’m now definitely accepted as a forester by the locals...

Newent and surroundings. Some brilliant planning meant it was pretty hard to work out the best route. Legs pretty shot so opted for road shoes and an <12k route that mostly stuck to road, which would have got me 460 points.

S-10-20-30-21-38-36-26-37-12-25-34-28-32-11-22-16-23-29-31-19-14-35-15-18-13-F. 500 points.

Only 2 very small mistakes - over-ran the turning for Ell Brook aqueduct as expecting the path to be canal width, and started going left a junction early between 19 and 14 but realised quickly when roads didn't match up.

Kept an eye on watch and was 2 mins ahead of target at 4k so detoured to add 12. 13 would have been better after 34 but wasn't sure of timings at the point so left for the end if I was early.

Clearly early at 31 so had to add 19 in. Didn't want to as expected it to be very muddy. It was. Comfortable for getting 15, which I would have dropped if late, and for adding 18 and 13 at end. Back with enough time that I could have added 27 in at the expense of one of 12 or 13 - so I could have got 510 by this general route.

Going better than I expected. Seems I'm running well at the moment given lack of speedwork.

Ran past a toddler called Gary.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1533589527

lap of lake with rickyp

Tired after last night - longest I've slept for in over a week.

Both trains ran on time; the complaint I lodged yesterday about mis-sold insurance in 2011 has resulted in return of premium paid as a "goodwill gesture", and got my fourth "win" at work (out of 8 worked on) - so *mostly* not a bad day.

The promising morning seemed to get more blustery, so cool walking in t-shirt and shorts (we can now "dress for the day", and my day currently involves a lot of time on feet at lunch), and jacket cold by time of going home. First time wearing a base layer since Gilwern Grunt.

Easy paced doing pretty much my undulating 7k route. Barely moving up the hills early on but overall pace was pretty similar to what I was doing in the winter for more effort.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1531556228

Desk to train. Saving a file took 10 mins due to crap network so only just made the train.

It was the train in to work that was cancelled today.. 8 cancellations in 8 days so spent the morning wondering if I should just drive in to work when the tolls go. Then rushed back on the early train to get to Pentyrch and traffic was so bad it took over an hour to get there via the motorway...

This year's race didn't follow the script and the weather was foul - pissing down and very windy.

First road - was trying harder than I'd done previously and making some effort on the downhill, but feet were sliding on some slime layer over the tarmac so had to slow down.

Uphill wasn't as good as I'd have liked, but not hugely slower than last time. Field descent from top was ok (but quite muddy at the kissing gate), but onto the old road was lots of water and couldn't see where the road surface was and where was hole. Was on my own from here until passing somebody on climb to top. Ridge run was pretty tough direct into the wind and at times was struggling to go forwards. HR above 170 for roughly walking pace on the flat... Would have been grateful of someone in front to follow.

Reasonable pace down to finish but cautious due to the sliding earlier on.

Ben Littlejohns (UBOC 2009-10) was running, so good to see him again.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1529553651