Training Log Archive: Garry

Spent about an hour doing a score event in preparation at Nelspruit - ensuring all the controls were in the right place and with the right numbers. Turned out to be a pretty cool finale to the Big Five O event. Well done to all :-)

Distance according to GPS tracker. I wasn't sure how well the legs would do on the day. They were pretty tired and I was still worried about the niggle in my left calf muscle. I had a major problem to #3 (3mins). Caught Alexander Frey at #4 (although later turned out he'd started 3mins after me). I got away from him at #7 and opened a big gap on the long down hill to #10. But I blew it all at #11 where I went low and had to fight through the veg, which was thicker below the ridge - lost 2mins & Alex caught me there. The rest of the race followed a similar pattern where I would pull away and he'd catch me when I had problems in the circle (2mins at #19). We both lost 2mins at #23, then I lost another 30sec getting to #26. All in all I need to really learn to be more effective in the circle!

Course 1 - M21E - Splits

Not sure of my exact distance. Had problems with the tent the night before, so cut it verrrry fine getting to the event. Ran to the start (1.8km) and made it to the start line 8sec before my time! At least I was well warmed up. Again decided to pace myself. I had a bit of a problem going in to #6 (1 min). Ake caught me and beat me to #7 with a better route - I tried to go straight. Proceeded to have a great tussle with him for the rest of the race. He was stronger up the hills, but I caught up again on the downhills. He seemed to make a big mistake to #13, going very high. I stayed low going as straight as possible. It was a bit annoying to see him at the control site! When I tried to get away I didn't have the legs.
Glad to be in the mix with the other South Africans

Course 1 - M21E - Splits

Distance as per GPS tracker. Pretty clean run. I knew I had Jeremy 2mins behind so didn't want to stuff up. Still I took it relatively easy for the first few controls, concentrating on accuracy rather than speed. I did have a 15sec error on the way to #8 and didn't cut directly across the open land with the cricket pitch. I was very careful in the tricky sections in the last quarter of the course and hit them all spot on except 14 (1min) & 15 (30 sec). Out of the SA runners only Nic managed to beat me - so technical skills ruled the day :-)

C • good run 3

Course 1 - M21E - Splits

Event: Big 5 Orienteering Week (WRE)
 

Disappointing start to the Big 5 for me. Had a tremendous problem finding control 1 - hidden in a pit! Still I lost my head as I correctly located the nearby boulders then proceeded on a headless chicken search lasting 10+ mins. The heavens opened and I mis-punched CP2, though only found out at the end. I couldn't work up too much enthusiasm in the sodden conditions.