Training Log Archive: Becks

Final time out into the woods! One of our yellow groups was late returning, so I set out to pick up the second half of the course, hoping to bump into them and send them back. I found them just after 5, and it was a shame to send them back as they were a young family and the kids were navigating, and doing a decent job on a tough yellow. Still, we all needed to go home and they were already over time - they seemed fine about it so I hope they'll come back for more. I do think that beginners should really be given the white course, especially when they start late, hopefully giving them and positive completing the course experience as opposed to being shoved out of there by an albeit polite but very smelly and tired English girl. Very glad to be back at the finish once that was done, and that the wonderful Kat would be coming to pick me up.

So, I think a successful weekend from the control hanging team. They were wonderful - Paul Bennett, Nadezhda Popova, Steve I still can't spell your surname S, Francis Hogle, and last, but definitely not least, Eric Weyman. I am very happy to have made the acquaintance of all these fantastic people, and they were a great team to work with. Also thanks to all the others who pitched in with control collection, making things a bit easier on our weary legs.

Some notes for next time:

The more people the better.
Radios or cellphones (if they work) are good.
Ensure before time that control numbers will be printed by a computer and waterproofed before they get anywhere near the forest.
Always give yourself more time than you think you need.
Have a set of cleared SI cards for the vetters to take out with them.
Try not to have to sprint to the start and look angry when competitors are about to start racing.
Continue to surround yourself with awesome people who will go that extra mile for the people and sport they love.


Despite being utterly shattered now, I have had a great weekend, and it was exciting to see the WOC teams decided. I am awaiting a curry delivery, and after a couple of episodes of Veronica Mars I am going to sleep for a very long time.

C • I can't spell... 8

We'd done all the hard work last night, so this morning we just had to wait for the thunderstorm to pass and head out to vet. I took the spread out but technically easy northern section, and it was so much fun being out there in the gloom and pouring rain. It was so dark in places that I had to stand still to look at the map. When I was on paths. All controls present and correct, and pretty soon everyone was back out. Despite our start delay, we were done well ahead of time today, and I was very happy to call the start in a more relaxed manner and give the green light.