Training Log Archive: OJ

Long day of traveling, which was not much fun with a stiff back. It felt worse than ever when we got back to Sheffield at about 1am.

Couldn't resist having a jog around the sprint final as well - a good way to recover from the party. My back was very painful this morning (too much dancing) and my feet were a bit sore (walking on hot coals). Enjoyed the course, lots of variety and some really challenging orienteering.

To the start and back.

Spectated all day at the long final, then ran the sprint qualifier at a very gentle pace. It felt good to loosen my back off, but I had to be very careful not to make any sudden movements.

Jog to the start and back to the cabins after with Kim.

EOC middle final. We were expecting something special from today's area, but it turned out to be a physically demanding but pretty straightforward race. Lots of running on compass through fast, open forest and toiling up and down the sides of steep gullies. I managed to avoid any real misses, although I had a couple of hesitations and slightly-too-wide curves into the controls, but I could feel the rest of the races in my legs on the final climbs and 800m+ run across a field at the end. I finished 26th and couldn't really have done a whole lot better today - I'm pleased to have managed a good clean race, but it goes to show that I have some work to do before August...

Oh yeah, and I crocked my back as well - I jumped a gully and landed with a straight leg, jarring my lumber spine. A couple of days on and it's very stiff and sore.

Good warm up of running and a few strides, not much warm down as the back was starting to stiffen up.

Nice gentle morning jog with Scott, GG and Jon Are. Not feeling too bad considering, going to enjoy a day off though.

EOC relay, a late substitution into the team to run second leg. Scott ran a good first leg to set me out at the front of a chasing pack, not far down on the leaders. The pace was very high for the first couple of uphill legs and I was struggling to hold on as a few teams tried to close the gap to the front. I took a slightly too wide route to a road, which cost me a bit of time and then I found myself alone through some gaffled controls. I made one smallish mistake and ended up in a small group led by Khramov, which I stayed with until the end. So I ended up dropping a bit more time than was acceptable, but fortunately GG had a storming run to beat Novikov and others back and pull us up to 8th place and 6th nation. Happy with the result, but a bit frustrated with my own performance.

Decent warm up, although too nervous to do much, and a decent jog down after. Legs were feeling nice and light, which is more than I can say for the feeling during the race.

EOC middle qualifier. Bushy and tricky terrain today, but a lot of fun. I felt much better running, but tried not to think about that, stay relaxed and concentrate on the navigation. I was worried about having one of the first starts in the grassy terrain and knew that it would be tight to qualify, so I guess I am pleased and relieved to make it through in 16th, although I would have hoped for a more comfortable margin and start position for the final. Maybe I was too cautious? Still very hot and humid, but not a problem for a short race like today, bring on Friday!

C • Good luck for the final! 10

Not too much warm up - another hot day, and a jog down after. Went for a good walk on the model map to have a close look at the terrain.

Warm down along the coast road with Matt later in the day.

EOC long qualifier. Tough and bushy area of erosion gullies, and a hot and humid day. I started well and ran the first half of the course in good control, but then things fell apart. I made a really simple mistake and instead of correcting, lost touch with where I was on the leg/course and spent a couple of minutes literally standing still trying to work out what I had done. Turned out, I was where I thought I was in the first place. Tried to keep up the motivation and pace for the rest of the course but struggled with concentration and made further mistakes to finish 18th. Poor performance and didn't deal well with the conditions, which were tough for everyone. Need to believe in myself in spite of the demons.

Decent warm up and shortish warm down. Very hot and humid today, maybe didn't need to do this much.