Training Log Archive: Duncan

2nd out the field behind a cheater :-p, should have followed him to 1. Ahead by 3. Didn't want to lose too much time on 4 so held up a bit, probably too much. Willy was going fast but got a better line to 6. Ran into a barbed wire fence to 7, could have been bad. Really not sure which way to go to 8, followed Ben W straight at first then the track but punched it in 2nd still after Peter B who I hadn't even realised was in the race. The Bens and me had the same gaffel 9-10 which we didn't mess up. Was a little behind but managed to see the invisible thicket. Quite easy orienteering to the finish to set Mark Libby out in first. Matt Whipple brought us home in 7th. Serious time there from Jonny.

Event: BUCS Orienteering
 

The first race I've taken seriously for a while. Poor out of the start and got on the wrong path above the rocky slope - don't rush. Good to 3 and ran past 4 without seeing it - distance judgement. Thought I got a good line 5 but was well down and Lewis caught me back up a little. Not enough respect for the tricky 6-10 and had bad compass on the first before slowing down, Willy reeled us in. Again on 10 poor compass. Was surprised to have been caught as I felt I had been running fast, plan was then to run away.

Aimed for a heather-lite route to eleven but was a little tired over the hill. Hit it okay and seemed to have lost the others. Treb helped me massivel to 12 then got in front by 15. Lost a little time on 16 (bad looking) and 17 (should have realised the vegetation wouldn't be helpful and gone safer round the ditch).

On the way to 18 could see a long line behind so knew I wasn't getting away. Turned up too early to 19 (should have looked for a near-path attackpoint) and then should have been more careful into the vague stuff. Pretty much caught by all. Twatted my knee on a rock on the way to twenty and needed a lie down for a bit, got going again a good while behind Willy with Treb and Vokes inbetween. Beasted it until I caught back up at 24. Nice and steady and careful throught the boulders trying to lead. Didn't read the description to 28, looking for a pond not bare rock, much faster straight-ish anyway. Pushed to beat Willy into the run-in. Good running, average nav, great race.

Three hilly miles. 5.20, 5.15, 5.19.

Quite brashed but it's a nice forest. Found the rocky pit.

4*2mins, 4*3mins, 4*1min off one minute. Was scared of not finishing properly so made sure I didn't push too hard too early on the twos. Got faster and faster throughout the session running a significantly higher pace in the late 3s than the early 2s. Got a stich on the final 1. Overall it didn't feel mega hard but was def a good sesh. Not sure how I feel for the weekend.

Across the Downs, down Cote Lane and into 'Westbury West'...

...for a few controls round Cooper Road, Canford Park, Canford Cemetery, Coombe Dingle and South Dene. Finishing at Hiatt Baker. Good fun.