Training Log Archive: TheInvisibleLog

All the lack of training has paid off. An almost flawless "run" in the Bermuda Triangle, and a very rare first place in Course 2. The one error was on the control I thought the most challenging, and I proved it to be thus. Lost four minutes, but in my favour I quickly chose to go backwards to relocate rather than running around in hope. There must have been a fair bit of the latter going on, because Winsplits didn't identify this leg as being in error. So this was a rare pinkless winsplits card.

I noticed daryl had set most controls with nearby bare rock attack features, so I used them. Ran (hobbled, walked) as fast as I could towards each of these features and then relocated when I arrived.

I think its been a pretty good effort by the Bendigo club (or a subset thereof) to provide three granite events in the three weekends before Easter - Mt Alexander, Korong and Kooyoora. It is hard to conceive of a higher quality trifecta of maps. Having played a behind the scenes support role in each of these events (file building, trailer towing, control collection etc), I am enamoured of what Covid has done to the sport.

Context - the falling number of active volunteers in the club is to me a compelling argument for finding as many ways as possible to streamline event organisation.

1. Pre-entry has streamlined the work at the registration and I will be keen to keep our events pre-entry other than for newcomers. The flaky EOD tablet system has discouraged volunteers. With Eventor Manager, OE file creation is now a breeze allowing entry closure up till 6pm on Friday. That allows a fair bit of flexibility for those unsure about attendance.

2. Not supplying water has made course preparation simpler. I am entirely unconvinced by arguments that serious competitors should expect water supply on course. If you want courses with water, I am not against you organising such events.

3. How to get rid of the need for a trailer? I have driven the trailer ot the last two events. It seems the only item from the trailer that couldn't have been carried in a car was the popup tent. I am on the lookout for a suitable car trunk sized, easy to erect shelter for the computer desk, The nearest I have found so far is a toilet shelter. Perhaps just a little too small.

4. Need a culture shift towards encouraging control collection self-nomination. With current guidelines suggesting orienteers leave immediately after their race, the result has been the people in the rego tent becoming control collectors by default. Some efficient course setting has been on display in the last few weeks which has minimised control numbers and collection effort without compromising courses. The Korong event was an exemplar. Kooyoora Nth is perhaps an area where control efficiency is particularly challenging.

5. I am considering organising a bonus low key event at the end of the season (under 30 attendees, no money so no permit) on a new map on high quality quality terrain and make a private invitation to all course setters/organisers and controllers in the club as a way of saying thanks.

Control collection. Always a slow process at the Bermuda Triangle. Got totally confused and dare I say it, lost, on a control I had spiked earlier in the day.