Training Log Archive: rcro

Not as much fun as Heath Park. Not in orienteering mode today.

Headline was DQ due to missing control. Seems a larger than anticipated turnout meant long maps hd run out so I took a medium course map with biro amendments to long - so that any novice didn’t need to surrender their map when finishing. In hindsight, this made it incredibly difficult to follow. Identified the three in a row straight line 11-13 and was careful to get 12, but in the mess of course markings never saw 9 at all.

Didn’t really mind about that - and accepted the high likelihood of mispunching when I took the adhoc map. I did mind a lot more about the inability to get my SI card to register at the controls I did visit. Found the gripple wire through the main hole even more awkward today and nearly had to give up with 1 after fighting it for a long time. I strongly recommend using the corner mounting holes when mounting an SI unit to anything!

Some mistakes around 3 which I think were down to distraction by overprint issues and dodging people. Caught out by 4 as the impassable hedge was a bit hidden by a contour line. Did find the impassable hedge symbol particularly hard to read tonight.

Seemed to be a lot of new people trying it today. Quite a nice evening to be outside.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2388711076

C • SI 2

MDC run around the top of Margam Park and bottom of Margam Forest. Quite a nice route. Legs pretty tired so went nice and steady - particularly on down and uneven as ankles not the best. Pleased that the uphills went reasonably well for steady - but the climb at the start was tough.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2386120942/overv...

Didn't stop for pub after as wanted to buy some stuff for the weekend. Do not recommend doing so in asda as turns out all their stuff is s**t. At least spoken briefly to Alice about our leg on Friday (Meol Ysgyfarnogod) - which looks pretty vicious. Hopefully the relay will be on time, or earlier, and have some clear skies. Was still light at 9.50 so we might be ok without torches.

Got into work and found out had meetings from 4 onwards. Nearly 11 hours in office so didn’t feel like doing anything after other than eating. Starting to prep for the weekend as otherwise only have Thursday afternoon (noting have got more visitors at work so *may* be a 6+ hr half day)

Originally intended a 15-20k run today but Marcus keen for more so put forward my big Mendip route to join up various different orienteering races. Winscombe > Lyncombe > Burrington > Cheddar > Axbridge.

Somewhat saddened yesterday by the passing of the Intercity High Speed Train, Man City winning, and Iceland losing - but this was more than made up for by the find of the century - a Taylors of Martley lorry parked up in a field north of Shipham. As for everyone from Whitbourne and surroundings, they were a big part of my childhood as we'd look out for them on any long road trip. The world has been a worse place since Bibby turned everything blue :-(

Legs were pretty tired and didn't have much speed so was quite a steady plod, and happy to go around the hills. Suffering a bit with stomach cramps from having eaten too much last night and this morning, ended up carrying bumbag in hand for the last 14 miles or so. Fortunately wasn't too severe and eased off for big chunks.

Area around Cheddar Gorge a little bit rough so lacking speed on the descent. Nearly trod on a small rabbit on the cycle path just before the end. Very well camouflaged but lacking awareness. It will get eaten soon. Marcus was licking his lips so I had to drag him away by the collar.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2380425630

C • Lorries 1

Because my heart rate was well above 190 for about 90 minutes despite the easy pace, my watch current predicts my 5k time is now 19:35. I'd say it's pretty accurate...

Somewhat compressed and less than I wanted due to watch taking >5 mins to get location.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2376519786

My last chance this month to get a good time for the club champs. Conditions very good with little wind - but I hadn’t slept well and legs not quite feeling fantastic after quite a lot in the week.

Was late getting to the start and fighting way through - so was in the crash barrier about 3 rows back when countdown began. Managed to cut on to main walkway quickly and into a top 6 position. First k went quite well but with people being 4 abreast found I was getting held up. About 800m in found a gap and got out into the front with a couple coming with me. Knew I was leading, knew I wasn’t going to win so didn’t get carried away. Lost the lead after the mile point and 2nd rest of the way.

3rd place was pretty close behind at the turn, and I think at 3k point too, but when I tried to look later seemed to be a big gap. Tried to keep pace high for all the down but seemed a struggle and at all km and mile points mental calcs suggested it would be *very* close to 18 mins.

End result 18:01, and had closed a few seconds out of the leader in last k. A bit disappointed not to break through 18 given conditions were so good, but the time isn’t that bad, and still a course PB. Really think this should be a PB course but at the moment can’t see how I could cut out another 9s.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2376520884

Same as last time, but on my own this week. Raining.

Caught up with Vanessa in the cafe after. Drive back somewhat affected by somebody having the clever idea of cutting up an artic lorry on the 2 lane section coming out of the tunnels. I got off the motorway before it started queuing but by the time out of the supermarket all the other roads had well clogged. Had to take avoiding action to not hit a car who didn’t look before driving onto mini-roundabout that I was already on. It’s quite depressing that there are so many people on the road who lack the sense required.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2376521317

Getting a semi-awkward join done on a day that trains are running. Backwell Lake to Yatton via Cleeve. Very busy, not my favourite part of the world and not exactly selling itself well to me. Lots of kids out and about in Backwell and one threw their drink over me - which meant I was soaking wet and cold for a lot of the run, and desperately wanting a warm jacket whilst waiting for train back.

Expensive watch GPS plot back to being fairly poor so confirms yesterday was a blip. No problem - happy to stick with the cheaper one for running and this as activity monitor, maybe using both next weekend if batteries run down.

Came home to see our new smaller wheelie bins had been delivered. If the idea is to force us to recycle more, why do we now have 5 when we used to have only 4? Between 4 flats we only just managed to fill 1 wheeliebin in the fortnight to collection day this morning.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2374460825

A few of us trying to restart Thursdays - so track intervals with Cory and Gavin, plus Ed (junior) and a couple of other juniors joining for a few of the efforts.

12x 400m with 200m jog recovery. Pretty much as the same adhoc session we did a few weeks back. Legs not totally fine so accepted that I'd be slower tonight. Aimed for 80-85s and was pretty consistent in range 82-83. It was surprisingly windy too. Finished with a long warm down lap of the whole Covernham triangle.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2373120853

Playing with the expensive watch today, having tweaked GPS settings. Performance wasn't amazing, but definitely better than I had been seeing without trees in full leaf.