Orienteering race (London City Race) 48:20 [5] 7.7 km (6:17 / km)
ahr:181 max:193 shoes: Saucony Triumphs
That was quality. This is technically only the 2nd true street race I've done so I don't have much to compare it to, but damn, that was so much fun. The first 80% was through old London Town, with all its twisting streets and covered alleyways followed by the insanity that is The Barbican.
Wasn't feeling the best whilst warming up, my heart rate was pretty high so was a little concerned I wouldn't be able to take it at full tilt. Not much I could do about that though, so started off and just see how it went.
First leg OK, relatively easy as long as you picked the quite narrow alley entrance once you got in the circle - noticed already there was quite a lot of temporary construction barriers about, had an issue with some on the way to 2 (underneath the Gherkin, very cool) and got yelled at by some people so had to go the long way round (turns out only the late starters were effected, dangnammit). Settled into a groove here, most legs involved some sort of route choice followed by reading off the detail in the circle or picking the entrance to a tiny alley, with the exception of 6 to 9 which was a control picking loop through a network of undercover alleys.
First mistake at 14, missing the alley entrance and running round a similar one, probably about a minute. Was impressed popping out of a little street on the way to 16 and seeing St. Davids Cathedral and the first hint of tourists for the day. Unfortunately had to run right through some wedding photos on the north steps and collided with a fairly large gent in a tux and he stepped into my path. Sorry mate, I did yell I was coming through.
Going up the road to 17 saw the London Museum surrounded by high walkways and new the Barbican was looming. Was tiring here and stopped short for no reason there and didn't see the flags on 18 and 19 despite being within punching distance so told myself to get my head in the game just in time to slow down on the leg to 20. This was the most complex orienteering I have ever done, it wasn't even a case of finding the most efficient route, just finding a correct route, there were 2 choices I think that would lead you into the control and a couple others that would lead you to the lower level within sight of the control, but a very long way away from it.
I'm not sure if I got the best routes on any of these; I never ended up on the wrong level, but I never felt I was moving very fast. It was amazing though, I don't think I've ever had to concentrate so hard for that amount of time on a course before. It was such an amazing relief after punching 27 that it was back to regular street orienteering and just a few short minutes from the finish.
Finished 7th out of about 100 overall, about 8 mins down in Nick B. Pretty much beaten by who I would expect and finished above a few other who I'd expect to beat me. Pretty happy with that cause I think I've lost some fitness in the last couple of months. I know I was robbed of a few minutes due to road works that only appeared on the day, but imagine there were people behind me who may have been robbed by more and you can't really get upset about that when you're running through the centre of London. Garmin measured 11.6km, though that could be a little out due to all the undercover running, never lost the signal though.
Did it live up to the hype? Definitely. I don't know how it compares to Venice, but I don't think it needs the comparison - it's a unique map in its own right and I think the race should join the orienteering 'must do' list if it becomes a yearly event. Top marks Ollie & Brooner, just brilliant.
Running warm up/down 20:00 [2] 2.0 km (10:00 / km)
shoes: Saucony Triumphs
Spent a fair bit of time trying to get the legs to wake up. It was a struggle.
Running warm up/down 40:00 [3] 5.5 km (7:16 / km)
ahr:132 max:158
Collected the first 9 controls + 2 more. I think it says a lot about the area that I was happy to go out again and look at the map at a bit slower pace. Was only able to fnd one mistake and it was an insignificant one at that!