Training Log Archive: mrsb

Saunders day 2 - Bowfell class.
We set off a bit later than planned, as managed to faff... just about made the start! Pleased to nail number 2, but then managed not to nail 3 (I am still not entirely convinced it was in the right place, but its difficult to tell when going off a 1:25,000 map and trying to read the detail). We were 5 minutes late for the time out at 3, but the control was still there (just about to be picked up by the person collecting it), so we carried on. Got to number 4 five minutes before the time out (it sounds like we were going slowly, but we honestly weren't). The route to number 5 was really tough - my feet were really sore, and coming off Snake Pass we found the contouring we wanted to do was just not really going to happen (too much bracken and rock). This meant a massive climb to 5 - which although we could have done, I was really worried about my feet on the descent. We had been out 4.5 hours and I figured we had another 3 to go as a best case scenario - unfotunately I just couldn't face it. I really didn't want to be out that long for a second day, and it is likely that we would have missed the time out at control 6 and not been able to get to the finish before the courses closed. Heather was keen to continue, but I couldn't do it, and made us walk back to the finish. This took another 2 hours, and was painful (for me), and I have to say that I don't regret not finishing at all.

My feet are a bit of a state - 3 toenails looking as though they are imminently going to detach themselves from my feet, and blisters on the sole of my feet. Maybe the heat was just too much for them.
Heather was going really strongly again, and I definately felt like the weak link in the team this weekend. I don't think I was quite fit enough for this course, and I wonder if we were a bit optimistic in picking Bowfell. However, more than half the starters gave up over the weekend (only 29 teams finished) and there were some incredibly long times, so it may have been a bit harder than previously.

So I am now a bit broken and licking my wounds!

On the plus side, the car wasn't clamped or ticketed despite languishing in Hallam car park for the whole weekend - result. Shame no one magically fixed the exhaust while it was there.

C • well done Clare 2

Event: Saunders Mountain Marathon
 

Saunders - Bowfell class with Heather. Tough course - Heather was pulling me up the hills (just follow the feet!) today. Lost a few minutes on number 2 as had marked the control slightly wrong, but navigation good apart from that. Probably took the wrong route choice to the last control, and got caught out by a gate that was open but we weren't allowed through (although to be fair we had already decided on that route despite the red line, it would have just been a lot nicer and easier to go through the gate). Feet pretty sore from number two onwards, not sure why. Finished 25th out of about 40 teams - we were out a bit longer than anticipated though.
Managed to get all my food down and the overnight camp was lovely - loads of sunshine, and a steam to clean the legs in. I have never been so warm on a mountain marathon!

In London all week for a course: From the lovely Southwark travelodge (everything actually screwed to the floor or wall, and not even a telephone or hairdryer in the room) along the south bank of the river to Lambeth bridge. Lots and lots of people out - a lovely evening, but way too busy to actually run properly. Did a couple of minutes effort after I got past the queues at the London Eye out to Lambeth bridge.