May 2017

[glaconman]

Did I have an easy week? I think it was easy until Thursday. Then x4 mile repeats with 3min recoveries put an end to that. And then Sunday saw another cracking race; a real lung-buster.

Things seem to be going well. My training is 'spiky'. Maximum 2 hard efforts in any 7 day period. And some easy stuff pushed in between when I can. The complex science has been diluted and repackaged to give me a simple pattern to follow.

Great Whernside Uphill Only was Sunday's proposition.

http://www.wharfedaleharriers.co.uk/even...de-uphill/

I'm always thrashed on the descent. So the thought of actually finishing on the summit was very appealing. During my warm-up I felt quite tired and anxious about the task at hand. It really was a long and steep drag to the summit. More than the 2 miles advertised I would have said. Neither did I eat properly given the awkward 2:30 start time. Enough excuses though.

I was pretty pleased with the way I paced the run and how I kept working hard to the top. And it was a pleasure to just lope back to the bottom instead of risking life and limb. Oh, and the views were great.

http://myyorkshiredales.co.uk/trig-point...rig-point/

There were a couple of legends in the race. In 3rd place an 8 times English fell running champion. And a few seconds behind me (although I didn't even notice at the time) was somebody with a chapter devoted to them in FITC.

It must be the only sport where this happens. The long-tail of a fell race really makes it a very inclusive and democratic sport.