Discussion:

Sorry, can't work out how to delete the comment (embarrassingly).

then you might as well tell us all what it was!

I was just thinking, Blair, that if you take the same approach to your preparation for Oz champs as you did for Easter then you will probably have about the same form. I don't know what you've got planned, but if you want to be faster then maybe you should focus on that and try something different with your training than what you did before Easter.

But I didn't want to sound out of order, or pretend that I know anything about this or Blair's past training programs ... Sometimes I should just shut-up!

Interesting point. Historically during my peak years (roughly 1994-2000) I've tended to do a better job of peaking for Easter and early-year selection races than I have of doing well later in the year. In the 2006-07 summer, as best I could, I tried to replicate what I was doing in the summers during that period (2006-07 is the first time since 1999-2000 that I've had an essentially uninterrupted summer, although 2005-06 got close).

This year it didn't work all that well - in particular, having such a substantial base didn't really help me in being able to put multiple days together, which used to be a strong point for me (watching the Easter field, admittedly not exactly in the vintage years of Australian men's orienteering, disintegrate around me in 1991 on the last day was an especially striking example). It's now become something of a weakness. Age is the explanation that most obviously comes to mind but there are others as old or older that don't seem to have the same issue.

Of the three key races in July two of them are long distance (and all are probably going to be in physically tough terrain), so the need for speed is less acute than it would be with a more conventional mix. Definitely something to consider for the July-October block, though (particularly if I decide to run M35 rather than M21 for the A-NZ Challenge, something I've still got an open mind on).

Good points - particularly about the "need for speed" in July vs physical strength. I hope it all comes together for you!

I often think the need for basic speed is often underestimated for longer races, I think off-season is often a really good time to polish up your basic speed, running technique, turnover and efficiency.

If you are slow in a 15 minute race the chances are you are going to be slow in a 90 minute race as well. Of course the physical strength and fitness are important but don't neglect speed entirely or its value.

I know of several orienteers who's performances had plateaued, perhaps even declined before they started doing more 'speed' and 'technique' work on the track and were able to make progress.