Training Log Archive: rcro

Doing this as a FoDAC champs race - but was never going to do Twmbarlwm, and this sounded better anyway. Fortunately car seemed to be behaving as didn't notice any messages pop up.

Legs definitely aware of yesterday's long run. Started not quite at the front but was being boxed in behind people who didn't want to run uphill very fast. Soon past at right up at the front just behind Rob Gordon of Mynydd Du.

Once off the road it was quite wet/underwater, rough with roots/stones and low branches - so slowed down and lost a few places. On the next up - all the way to the trig - dragged on and by this point legs had remembered I'd done 13 miles yesterday. Remainder of the course became a struggle - and the mud, water, rocks etc became more and more sapping. What kept me going was that I was slowing hauling in the guy in front for quite a few k - ultimately came to nothing as had 4 stiles in the last k (no other stiles on course) which broke my flow and was having difficulty not sliding off.

6th overall - don't think I was that far back from 2nd so quite happy with how the race went given yesterday. Time not that bad - last year Cory was 4 mins faster, but course was 200m slower, 2 of the 4 stiles were bypassed by open gates, and the whole course was bone dry rather than ankle deep.

Definitely would consider doing it again.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2838078260

Was supposed to be doing XC in Malmesbury but this was cancelled because of wind. Used the free day to slot in one of this month's long runs - with Marcus - just 3 more to do this year.

From Chepstow leisure centre, up ODP with a bit of a detour for extra distance at the start. Finding it hard work, and that legs were heavy from bouldering - so, in hindsight, for the best that the XC was off. Quite a lot of stops off for views etc - had never appreciated just how big and nice the grounds of the one house is at Boughspring.

Once on OD proper path was a bit slippery and rough so pace slowed for ankle preservation. Past Devil's Pulpit and half way around Tintern Trot loop so that cut down a relatively gradual track.

From Tintern, found that the WVW signage wasn't so good so turned one path early - so ended up going to Penterry and adding a bit more climb and muddy fields in. Once down into St Arvans, opted to stay on the grass by racecourse and cut straight back rather than slide off the WVW into river. Not had the chance to look at it properly in the daylight - but the park is mappable.

In need of food at the end. Quite pleased to have had a drink with me on the way round.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2835654386

Not my worst go at this but feel not used to the shoes or the footholds. Fingers sore quite quickly.

Easy run from home to see Halloween decorations. Not as good as last year but lots of people out. Added a few bits on to make some distance as was quite a nice evening to be out - but didn't want to do anything too hard or long.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2831511730

Rather unfortunate day for the street-o in Gloucester. Lots were going to come but with the motorway still shut and it taking upwards of 2 hours to drive across town most understandably kept away. Not so bad for me - took only just over an hour from Bristol.

Not really taking it seriously, start was in the middle but there was no obvious nice loop for starting and ending Quedgeley - and I was set on going that way as I've done Kingsway before. Just started with a lot of dead running to avoid crossing the dual carriageway at the lights.

S-27-28-15-20-9-29-25-16-19-17-8-14-13-23-24-18-26-30-7-4-12-3-F. 470 points less 10 for being late.

Moving reasonably well but cut the grass on 29, and through a hedge, and not sure quite where I came out and overshot. Was lulled by the dryness of the grass here, then got totally soaked swimming the grass to 19. Think there may have been an unmapped path between 17 and 8 but didn't risk it.

Caught out after 24 by the metal fence being quite high - and not exactly crossable. Did cross it, but was difficult. Delay was enough to cost me the points at the end. Had wanted to divert via 5 too but not enough time. Possibly the delay would have been less than 47s though.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2829395575

Stayed at work a bit later than usual for a Tuesday. Think it's the last day I'm working for my old team (doing the job I was told I was surplus to requirements for back in July) - as the 18 month project is completed and the £1.7bn deal that was the outcome has been announced. Found out the next project I'm working on part time - and it sounds like it might be quite good as similar in a lot of ways to the job I liked having 4 years back.

Doing my bit for the environment by not driving today - in Gloucester tomorrow and don't want to drive two days in a row (and have a £2,600 train ticket to buy in a fortnight so a little sensitive to expenditure). Not enough motivation to do intervals on my own but wanted hills so made up an octopus on the fly.

Going nice and steady but stomach feeling a bit rough after the 4th. Could have gone and done another couple though, but octopuses don't have 10 legs.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2826699545/overv...

Lost a segment tonight (by 5s) - to somebody who's run just happened to start at the start of the segment. When I got it I'd already run a hard 5k with 150m climb - think morally I'm the better one here.