Training Log Archive: Torino

Gondola ride from Arosa up to the middle Station of the Weisshorn mountain ride. Slow warm-up jog in a driving snowstorm to the pre-start. Visibility was very limited and I hoped it would clear up by the time I had to start. Already about 10 cm of snow.

National meet, middle distance above Arosa. Started in about 10 cm snow and there were many tracks to follow which was also very confusing. It had some very technical parts again and lots of steep descents in the Woods. Not an easy course and physically challenging due to the downhills. I was pleased again with how I did; had a 2 min error on No5 and then loss of concentration towards the end where it was very technical again with lots of runners everywhere, and twice I got asked by women where they were which broke my flow. Probably lost 2 min there again which would have placed me quite a bit ahead. It showed me that with some O-practice, I could be back in competitive Areas of my class again. My knees Held again, but they were a little swollen and tender but noting out of the ordinary. Quite happy as this terrain was about the toughest for orienteering on the Body.

Riding down towards the start.

Hiking steeply up to the start.

Running in my first orienteering meet since Aug 2014. Very challenging, technical course on a very steep slope with difficult footing. Reminded me of WOC2011 in Franceè. My knee Held up, quite happy in the finish.

Biking back up to the town of Arosa.

A really nice mtb ride over and around Arosa. Changed our plans as the weather moved in from the South and we dorve back into the sun. Had some single tracks towards the Ochsenalp which was just beautiful.
Tried nnot to push much and it was good to ride with Urs.

After 4 very stressful days with some Deadlines I had neglected up to that Point, but also some successes :-), we drove up to Arosa, and I went on a smaller exploratory run around Arosa where I have never been before. As I didn't have a map, I opted for a hilltop that looked so tempting with the last rays of sunshine. From there, I wanted to go down cross-country through steep Woods to a trail I knew must be somewhere below. It was VERY steep, and seeing from all the flags marking off marshes and a big golf cource and houses, I knew I must have been in the area of the World Cup race for Saturday (?). Well, I just wanted down, trespassed the edges of the golf course and then some houses until I finally hit the road again. But this was slow going.
I had a nice flow going up along trails and paths but the steep downhill through the Woods was slow for me. I could do it which is good to know for my first orienteering race on Saturday across the valley.
Still very happy to have been out in beautiful landscape, in the sunset. I got cold though towards the end.