Training Log Archive: GraceE

NOL 7.
The first two controls weren't done brilliantly as I wasn't concentrating, but the rest of the course was reasonable. I tried to keep up the pace as I thought it would come down to running speed. The course was quite enjoyable and the area was better than I expected. In the end it was another close race and I finished just ahead of Kathryn and Kirsten.

Australian Middle Distance Championships.
I was running well until control 8. Here I read a blue north line as a creek, so was looking for cliff, clearing, creek, boulder, and had ignored everything else. So I kept dropping and dropping until I eventually found a creek, but why is there no rock??? A closer inspection of the map told me the control was actually half way up the hill I'd just come down, and then it was a slog up to get it, costing me 3 minutes.

I was very annoyed after this so didn't care too much about the rest of the course just running and getting the controls, but this was stupid as I then lost 38secs on a 30second control right near the end, and then lost the race by 30 seconds, placing 3rd. Grr.

ASC Galaxy Sprint, Nuriootpa.
My biggest concern at the start line was crossing the oval boundary fence in full view of everyone. Ok, admittedly it wasn't that high, but I ended up going under both (at the start and finish). I lost ten seconds on control 6 (bad direction out of 5, uncertainty about being allowed to cross a ditch so I took the bridge, then faced with a locked gate before I found another one). Looking at splits I was consistently good for the first half up to control 14 then consistently off the pace by a few seconds on the remaining controls (22 in total). Luckily I was able to win it by a few seconds.

Jogged along the Coastal Cliffs Track near Victor Harbour with Matt. Lots of sand so this was harder work than I thought. It was a beautiful sunny day though (like it has been all week) and I suppose it was good to stretch my legs.

Easter Day 3, Worlds End South.
Clean run but oh so tired. Caught Kathryn on the way to 2, Hanny then caught us at 6 and I waved goodbye to them then as they charged on ahead and I died. It was just so steep and there was no avoiding the climb. I ran as fast as I could down and walked as fast as I could up; nav was clean and good route choices, so I still managed 3rd (and 2nd overall for the Easter carnival).