Training Log Archive: Frostbite

Yorkshire Long Distance champs, Pickering Forest, Short Blue. I entered Short Blue because I thought it would be about a middle distance sort of duration. It was very much a middle distance style course as well, many short legs and not much route choice. I pushed hard at the start but it was very physical and I struggled a bit with the hills and the heavy going.

I lost maybe 20 seconds at #6 - I had aimed to come down to the left of the control and turn right when I hit the flat bit, but I was further left than intended and then hesitated when I couldn't immediately see the control. I sort of did the same thing at #8, but at a much slower speed because it was uphill. I knew I was pretty much in the right place when I just needed to go another 20 metres and past a bunch of fallen trees, but I dithered for a while over it. Maybe 30 seconds lost. I was fine apart from that, and accurate with my bearings up on the flat bit of Stony Moor.

First on the course, 5 minutes ahead of Steve Whitehead. From the results I could see I might have been the only person on any course to go under 10 mins/k.

It was a lovely day and quite a good area but there was hardly anybody there.

C • Numbers 1

Plod up the valley enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Lovely temperature in the woods, actually a bit hot out in the open. A bit tired but no real effort.

Down to the station from work

From Leeds station to home, via the canal and up through Beckett's Park.

Spiced it up with a fast half mile on the canal, 3:36, then bouncing up the steps in Armley Park, 1:07, then another half mile along the canal, 3:33. After that I was fairly feeble getting up the hill from Kirkstall.

Seven Arches. Slow to the ring road, then fast for the Scotland Wood section, then slow back from the ring road. 12:10 for the fast bit, a little over a mile and a half.

Woodhouse Ridge and Sugarwell.