Training Log Archive: NSW Stinger

warm up and cool down

Bendigo Today- Hagaby.
The first loop there were about 5 or 6 close at #1, but then a split meant I ran most of the loop with David Brownridge. He was running quite well and lead most of the way. At the map change we joined up with Kerrin and Bryan and the pace picked up. I dropped some distance to #2 and was back on my own til 7, where I met up with Bryan again. He'd had a lead of 45secs but made a parallel error. I decided to try a few mind games with the famously fragile Keely and surged past him up the steep hill to 8. He dropped off a bit but not much. I then drifted to the left to #9 and lost about 30secs, my biggest mistake of the race. Bryan then decided to put the hammer down towards 10 and I knew I wouldn't be able to keep that pace. But I caught up as he hesitated near the circle. On the way to 11 I decided to try a different route and went left along the water race whereas B when straighter and I lost about 15secs here. But I made it up with a straighter route to 12. The pace was pretty mellow over the hill to 13 and I again gave it a crack up the hill to 14 and had a small lead but then drifted a bit to the right coming into the control and Bryan got back in front. The pace picked up to 15 and then B really opened up and put a big gap on my up the slight hill to the last control and to the finish. The last few controls would have needed to be a bit harder for me to win today but otherwise happy with 2nd.

First race of the year and I'm pretty happy with how it went. Surprisingly with a month forced running break I haven't lost too much running fitness. I think I've turned into Shep of the last few years, who did mostly cycling training but still retained good orienteering form. Though I think I'll need to do a bit more speed work before I'll challenge Keely in a sprint finish. Nice work Bryan.

Splits http://results.bendigo-orienteers.com.au/20120226_...

Warragul Road Race at Shady Creek
It was the same circuit as a few weeks ago, but they moved the finish line to the top of the biggest hill on the course. Nice, I thought I'd better not miss this one. Plus it was a hot day so I knew that woud suit me too.
On the first lap there were a few breaks, mostly initiated by the A graders (who then did nothing for the rest of the race). Coming to the end of the first lap we hit the hill for the first time and I launched off the front and felt great for the first 500m or so. I bridged about 100m of the 150m gap before I felt like I was having an asthma attack or a brick wall fell on my chest. I finally got on the back of them as the group split up and the main bunch ended up catching me by the top.
The 2nd lap was pretty boring and by halfway it was no better and I got pissed off and started getting up people. The response was if I was bored then go up the road. So that's what I did. I rode half a lap on my own, just cruised up the hill and finally got joined by a few half way round 3rd lap. We then worked pretty well but the bunch started chasing and despite waiting a bit the group was down to just Neil Walker and myself. With one lap to go the bunch was just 50m back but I encouraged Neil to keep working and the gap opened again as the bunch got lazy. With 8km to go we were both pretty tired but they weren't catching very quickly. At 5km to go I thought we'd get caught, but then there are a few small rises where we held our ground. The next thing I knew we were at the last corner and descending. Now I knew we had a chance. I had Neil on my wheel for the first 500m of the 1500m climb until he dropped off. I tried to keep it steady until 500m to go before standing up and trying to give it all. With 300m to go I felt a little vomit. I looked back and still had 50m but didn't know who it was. I actually got to back it off a bit as no one got any closer and enjoyed crossing the finish line knowing I'd put my money where my mouth was. Very very satisfying win, can't think of many better actually. I wish I could race European sprint classics, but in 35degree temps.

C • Result! 5

After the bike race we drove to Melbourne and met Josh at Lysterfield lake for a padde. It was bloody hot but nice to be on the water.

I wanted to run my old long run route from Trafalgar, but didn't quite have enough time for the full loop so I started from the reserve. I felt ok, and my time up the climb was on par with most runs so that was pleasing. But I was done after about 70mins and it was a struggle to the finish. It was a pretty hot afternoon too. Love the views on this run.

warm up and cool down

LCCC Road Race
Again not the most interesting race except the finish line was moved to close to the power station because of some poor road surface near the regular finish. This new finish has an uphill section which is good, but then a slight downhill for about 400m which is around the corner and hard to judge exactly how far. I got in a small break with Duncan but that was brought back pretty quickly. I made and other go up the Switchback hill but it was into the a strong wind and I was just going backwards almost.
At the final sprint a guy when really early, near the powerstation and no one chased. I was sitting on Wayne Collins wheel (he is the best sprinter) but half way up the hill I decided if we don't go now we won't catch the other guy. I got a small gap but soon realised I would catch him, but that I was going to die before the finish. As I was able to pass him he swung accross to the centre line and I went past on the inside. But Wayne and Thommo passed on the other lane, and with a car coming. They should have been disqualified and I was a bit pissed they weren't as I would have won.

morning commute to the Summit. Cool morning, but I felt better than last night.

evening run with Kathryn. Didn't feel too bad either, after struggling to get of the couch.

Afternoon commute from the Summit. The legs were very heavy and a bit sore from yesterday's race.