Training Log Archive: Zed

Jenny also entered this and kindly came and picked me up beforehand. The usual pre race rush ensued. This was the second time I had done this run and I tried to start closer to the front to be in a better position on the single tracks to avoid the frustrating bottle necks. I was a bit closer to the front, but still found there were hold ups as soon as the single tracks started. My problem was I was stronger relatively on downhills so would pass people only to have to move aside on the next uphill. On nearly all of the downhills in the race I was not able to go full pace which was a bit disappointing to have to brake. This year ropes were placed across creek crossings which made it a little tamer or less forbidding according to your point of view. I was around a similar group for much of the run passing in the down and being overtaken on the up. Seemed to find a reasonable pace to be pushing but at a sustainable amount. Early on I had a woman in front who was stronger uphill and I kept getting caught behind downhill and on any rough patch. She had a light blue raincoat on so was highly visible . I nearly lost her completely on a longer uphill on the south side of the gorge after half way. We then had a long downhill and I finally caught up to her but right at the bottom. I expected her to get away on the up but she seemed to be getting tired. I sat in behind her on the long switchback coming up the north side of the gorge with about 5 guys behind me. At the top the track widened and I decided to pass . It was great to finally have clear space in front of me . Here the 14 kms runners also joined and I bumped into young Adrian from rogaining 4 km to go from here. I actually felt ok still - still feeling steady and enjoying the downhills. I noticed with surprise I seemed to be ahead timewise compared with last year but felt relatively better and not having to try so hard as last time. The last few kms ticked by smoothly. A section along magpie gully then a steep climb up then the last 600 m or so gradual uphill. Back in my horsey days this was the finish section of the annual pony club cross country and I tried to channel galloping horse but was more like plodding old draft horse at this point. Pleased to be nearly 8 minutes faster than last year ( with no additional training- cooler conditions maybe?) Quite fun. Much more fun than Mt Misery. Pleased and surprised to come 3rd female.

C • You make it sound so easy :) 2

Pottering about on my bike checking control sites for my score event, on an interestingly ( as unusual) cold and wet ( and at times sunshiny) Saturday afternoon. I kept reminiscing as I was cycling through Craigburn - remembering horse riding through there as a teenager on cold wintry days. Nice memories!

Lunch time swim. Would've loved to keep going longer today, felt in a nice rhythm.

Redwoods and South over the hill back via Karka with Jenny and Callum.

Via lake over to sheoak road, up tracks behind lower waterfall to top QJD, Redwoods, up and over and down Melville house track and back via valley, with Callum. Last minute hill practice before Sturt gorge run this Sunday.

Yoga with the family after tea. I needed this as I am quite stiff at the moment.

Lunch time swim.

Manawarra middle distance. Lovely day on a part of the map I usually enjoy. I started with low confidence born of yesterday's run and gradually got into it ( with Leith catching me 4 minutes at 3) but then missed 6 and completely lost where I was. I started the leg just behind Leith - he took 2 minutes and I 23 minutes. I had decided to give up after several relocation attempts and was heading back to dnf when things fell into place and I worked out where I was and completed the course. Pretty disappointed I had such poor focus and confidence- brain too full of distractions. Possibly should not have gone out today, I don't always know when to let things go.