Training Log Archive: tinytoes

Slept through alarm plus (too much information coming) completed b***l screen requirements so was very pushed for time. Hence Blackbutt was the go. Anticipated warm morning and very humid so my position was just to have a stroll. Sooo many people there with seemingly the majority being kids <12 preparing for the Cross Country races before Easter. Headed straight for the back of the pack to start but there was jostling for that position, which surprised me. I took off and eased into it. Got a bit of a rhythm up and just kept going. At about the 1km mark there was a group of 10 walkers ie just random people about the same pace. This was a suprise and so i worked/waked my way though them. Top of hill saw the last of them overtaken but of course they didn't want to have a woman of a certain age striding out so a few decided to have a run or trot downhill. That didn't last long. Set my sights on tall guy in black singlet and shorts about 200m ahead with about 1.3km to go. Mowed him down by 800m and shook the girl who'd elastic banded all the way (she ended up not being registered anyway). Time was meh but effort and consistent pace were pleasing
Had great talk with old guy from lakeview - 83 and I got the full medical history, plus running feats, but gee wizz i didn't know he was in the 80% last week at Woy Woy. As tall as me and about half the weight - he is light on his toes. Also lovely chat with John C who was "celebrating" his 2nd anniversary of his heart attack at Blackbutt parkrun. We caught up on our various children all of whom had gone to school together - Emily now in Geneva with UN - and compared notes on 7 year old grandchildren. parkrun is a lovely family.

Gee this was tough, and the newbies were feeling it too.

C • Newbies 3

Really hot and sweaty, despite the time of day.

Donna filing in for Deb. wow such a tough class but a good feeling for the change up in style.

Poor Tina. She'd put so much effort into this Step class following on from the aerobics class last week - disco ball and lights as well. But the class wasn't up to the task. She'd broken down the moves well but the twists and turns were a challenge for some. She bailed at 30 mins in and moved onto weights. I was grateful!

Quick walk to PO box. Probably should/could have run, but don't want to tempt fate on sloping grass.

Oh dear this was awful. After the excitement of the SSW today was awful - who took all the buildings? This was (not unexpected as I know the map) open land running plus up and over the levee banks to give some spice to the very bland terrain. In addition 3 ovals (all out of bound - that's fine) and then some construction so not even allowing round the perimeter. All grass which is very difficult for me currently. The self imposed handicap was I struggled to get out of the Start triangle - between 3 ovals and 2 lots of construction I struggled to get the direction to go - visually. Physically it was fine. Hence Ingrid caught me by #1, and we played tag all the way, with each of us having silly route choice mishaps and each having 1 good choice. Weather was nice - unlike what is to come.
But I was buoyed by receiving my prizes from SSW - very nice!

Kettle Bell bonanza.

Oh and yes it had to be legs focused! Legs are dead from the weekend and this was a necessary struggle.

Early start and just as well. Drama packed drive to event taking me twice as long to get there as advertised. This didn't bode well for the day. Some mindfulness and focussing used and a little bit of luck. Starting at 30 sec intervals put pressure on all of us and any slight slip was deadly. The first slight slip was 3-4 where I didn't see the infinitesimal opening which passed for a gate from the maze/tennis court... but Helen did. Whoosh she went. We were all disappointed to have some junk miles in this course. Handled the intricate building work well, only having a bit of a wobble 8-9. This was caused by #6 being directly above #8 and I thought it was my #9 and it took quite some time to sort out a 6 from a 9. Another blunder in the Finish shute - yep I was pleased to see a #73 on the stand which pointed out to me that I hadn't actually punched the Finish, hence looking quite foolish.
Comparing splits with W60 and W70 my route choice 5-6 was deemed the best!
3rd place, +3:21
Lovely extended chat with Jenny afterwards.

C • Nice to chat :) 9

Arrived early and had lunch and chats in shade of carpark then into Arena. I found full shade and chaired it. Fantastic looking campus - beautiful outlook and some nice sculpture! I placed sufficiently highly in the previous races to score a place in the 6 person match race Final. On paper I would probably hope for 3rd, or an unlucky 4th. But with match racing unless it is a well set course and a suitable map it will be following and keep up! Befitting a final it was a very well set course and a fantastic map!
I got to #1 (well 90% of the way) and bottled it and turned around as I didn't see the flag. Thought it was on the other side of the hedge and then saw people coming back, but no it was actually about another 3 steps from where I'd stopped! So back in a peloton...Fortunately thereafter there was lots of route choice and I did well in quite a few choices, gaining some precious seconds. #3-#4 was particularly good but then I hit the uncertainty of #6 and #9 where I hesitated to ensure i was going to the right number. Having guessed that the stairs 10-11 were steep and me not being that happy and certainly not multiple at a leap I took the exterior route and while it wasn't that much faster it WAS that much safer.
Got 3 fastest splits and felt strong throughout.
2nd place +1:05
Fantastic weekend of racing.
Nice catch up with tRicky afterwards, having to almost lassoo him. He asked if I'd tried to talk to him on course, then recounted his "bit of biff" on the course. Looking at the pics on fB - he ran through the Start triangle while I was at the line. Oh so close to "running with tRicky".

Race 4 Public Course 5 - Splits

Race 3 Public Course 5 - Splits