Training Log Archive: R Anderson

damn, oh well...

Conservative in the start again, lost a little time to 3 and 1min to 5 on a ridiculous mistake (ran out to the road but cut back in on the same side of the lake that we had to go around), but nothing huge. Tired to keep my cool but lost it with the shock that Magnus had caught me by 3min at 6. Flustered at this point so tried to take a risky route on the long leg to 8. Should have just stayed with Magnus though since I lost about 7min going into the control. Wil caught me at this point and we ran the rest of the race head to head except for from 14-16 where we took completely different routes. It was definitely advantageous that we were running together. The leading was about 50/50, we were both pushing hard, except for the last few controls where he was clearly ahead. I think he knew he was having a great race and was really going for it. A 1min mistake made together on 23 cost him the win I think.

Had the legs again today, the brain just wasn't in it, tired mentally. Happy though that I was able to keep pushing after the disaster at 8 and still come in with a respectable time and place.

Long Course 10 - Splits

Again, plan was to go easy for the first three controls, which, when looking at the course, turned out to be a great idea. I never felt particularly fast or fresh, and was thinking that I wasn't fast enough. Pushing it the whole way though and was constantly hurting.

Caught site of Hans going to 5, which helped me push a bit harder. Had enough time to examine some of the routes ahead which was nice. Passed Hans at 9 but had him right on my tail the rest of the race.

Going to 11 I thought I had taken the obviously slower route, but luckily I was wrong, and I actually had the fastest split. However lost a few seconds to 12 going to the right.

Started to fade by 14 but could see that there wasn't much course left, just tried to keep my focus for the last few controls.

Coming into the finish was crazy. Heard from Wil at 17 that I had the lead, but knew that this wasn't definite. Seemed like everyone was cheering me on into the last control, I was absolutely dead though. A bit of uncertainty at the finish but was thrilled to learn that I had won. The start treatment at the end was really nice. :P

GOLD!!!! First elite COC title.

Sprint Course 5. - Splits

Knew it was going to be very tricky so decided to take it easy for the first three controls. Glad I did because the first section was the hardest. Made a mistake on 4 where I got dragged over by some elephant track to a parallel hill. At the time I thought it was only a 30s miss but it was more like 1min.

Opened up on the long leg to 5, took a good trail route and got the fastest split. Caught up to Duca at 5, he rushed off to 6, but instead of chasing him blindly I slowed down and made sure to keep control. Lost 20s on the leg though by being really hesitant. Kept it safe from 7 to 12 taking trails whenever possible, had Duca 30s of me on these which helped a bit. Finally passed him at 13, on 15 though I went left to the trail which lost me 30s and he caught back up.

Going through the spectator loop I heard that I had the new lead, I knew I was having a good race and was just worried I was going to blow it like it I did in my relay leg. The last loop went smoothly though and I gave everything I had into the finish.

Thoughts of the gold fluttered through my head once finished, but it wasn't to be. Very nervous waiting for Mike to come in, never really had such an experience before. Still, exceeded my expectations, a great race.

First Canadian champs elite medal!!!

Sooo close to winning (5s)...

Middle distance, M21E - Splits

C • Congrats! 8

Good race except for a flameout at 13 where I lost 2.5min.

Really tired again today. Went decent on the trails but was taking it slow through the woods. I think a rest day tomorrow will do me a lot of good. Took a bad route to 2 (1min lost), made a dumb mistake to 4 (1min), and was swervy to 9 (1min?).

Annoyed at all the complaining today. The only real thing i'd say about the map was the unmarked fence, otherwise I think its more than fine. As for the thick woods, if a 70+ man with artificial knees can set up all those controls, then you should be able to get through it too. Welcome to Gatineau...

C • Gatineau woods 1