Training Log Archive: Torino

VERY rainy and cold day, around 4 degrees or less. Started in high spirit and wanted to concentrate, focus, etc. But right after the start over a hilltop took off 90 degrees wrong, realised it, corrected and was continuing running in circles until I realized that by now, I was by 180 degrees wrong. Eventually, found the start again (had intended to find it some time before but couldn't ;-)), and now I paid very close attention to find the trail (which was not obvious first) where to get into the woods.
After fining #1 after 19 min on a 3 min leg (!), I weighed my options as the motivation was gone. But I was thoroughly wet by now, had come a long way and wanted to orienteer in this beautiful and very difficult area, so in my mind I set my clock on starting over (and forgetting about those 20 lost minutes). Slowly, I made my way through the woods (similar area as for WMOC 2010) and more or less found the controls. Some were really hidden and hard to see, but basically I kept my map reading in focus. The speed was slow, I also slipped on a downhill and bent my right knee so much that the pain was severe for a few moments. But eventually, I could keep on hobbling on and was also determined to finish the course by now.
Looking back at the course and my performance I must admit, what was my problem?? really? I guess its not adequate training or orienteering races this fall. And the competition in my class is fierce though quite many did not show up or gave up. I am kind of happy to move up next year though the competition will still be quite hard.

Sprint Swiss Championships on a 1:5'000 map w 2 m equidistance. The first sprint in woods in a long time. It took some getting used to the scale and made smallish mistakes on #3 and 5 in as I went too far. At the third control I even passed mine but did not consider it mine as it came so quickly. Little later, I realized my mistake and turned back. It cost me at least 40 sec and who knows how many places. In the end, came in 13th out of 27. Was quite happy.

Running home from visiting SandraMarc's place (they're back from South Africa!) doing my loop on the way; most of it in the rain but the temps were pretty nice. The ground though in the woods was very slippery.