Training Log Archive: GM

Run from home over Cook saddle through Aranda Bushlands to Black Mt. Some fire trail then up the southern spur to Circumscission, around to the lower car park then over the top and down. Finished back through middle of Aranda. No rain but quite muggy. My left foot was getting sore towards the end.

Sprint Canberra event 5 at ANU South. Jules produced a great sprint course - it was fast with some great route choices - even the ones I didn't see at the time. And you really had to concentrate to keep the right direction going out of controls. Started a minute after Phil Walker and had nearly caught him at 6 and passed him between 7 and 8 but then he was just behind the rest of the way gaining a couple of seconds a leg over the last four controls - he put it down to having someone to chase. A couple of poor route choices on my part: I went around to the left on 2 to 3 which involved climbing the steps where the route to the right was flatter. There was then a straighter route to 4, passing by 6, which I didn't see but at least I realised that the entry to 4 was around the back. Good route to 6, 7 and 8 but then had to stop at the top of the driveway near 9 as I couldn't see an easy way in so went left. Leaving 9 I saw the little set of steps that were almost invisible on the map. Nearly left 11 to head back towards 10 before stopping for a second to collect my thoughts then headed off to 12 around to the left. Phil went right and was only a couple of seconds quicker so not much in the route choice. Finished in 4th and 27 seconds behind bloody Morten again!

Pleased with stringing together 5 consistent runs and only stuffing up one control over the 5 races, and probably 4 or 5 legs where I didn't make the best route choice. Finished 2nd overall on 19 points with Morten the clear winner on 9 and Mark not far behind me in 3rd and 26 points. And what a great event!

Sprint Canberra event 3 at Holden's Creek in Stromlo Forest Park. This was a bush sprint and Shep picked out some nice parts of the area - I didn't end up in any blackberries. Great course with lots of route choice, both small and larger. I had a good start and was reading the map well, but then had a bit of a brain fade going to 5 - must have gone within metres of the control on the way through but didn't see it and thought I wasn't quite there so ended up 50m beyond and confused. Worked it out and doubled back but Mark Shingler had caught the 1 minute on me in that time. Straight on 6 and around the fire trail on 7 then fairly straight on 8 to 11. Not sure of my route choice on 12 where I crossed back over the creek and then ran past the running track - apparently my entry into 12 was a lot easier than those who went right. The rest were just straight but I should have run a bit harder. Finished in 5th place 1:47 down on Morten but somehow I passed Mark out there without seeing him as he was only 7 seconds quicker. Good to see StK66 had a much better run and was feeling happier.

Longer warm up, at a slightly higher pace, than planned as I needed the loo and they were back over at the crit track.

Sprint Canberra event 4 at ANU North. Another great course, this time from Phoebe. Quite a bit of controversy both during and after this race because of the circle obscuring a thin piece of building between 5 and 6, and the impassable wall between the second last and last controls. Luckily it wasn't the world champs. I was thrown when rounding the corner to 6 there was a great big piece of building in the way. I had my map folded so I didn't see the route to the east (dumb) so I back tracked past 5, wiggled my way around the OOB construction area, up the steps, around the olive green and then along to 6. Probably wasted a minute with that route choice, but at least I had some fun picking out the details along the way. Went to 7 the 'right' way. Didn't stop to admire the sphere at the pivot control but have been back since to have a look - very cool. Had an ok route choice on the long leg but could have made it a bit straighter early on rather than keeping right. Took the ramp near the Union and then along the canopy to the tank. Backed out the same way and was feeling in control. The only time I wasn't was leaving the second last when I headed for the gap without checking first, and then realised there was garden and no path so back tracked out and around. Another 5th place but this time only 1 second behind Morten (just can't beat him) and 34 seconds behind the winner.

Nice warm up. Golfer and I were admiring each other's shirts.

From home to the GDE then through to the Barton Hyw, then down to Northbourne. Took the Majura Parkway exit then followed the new bike path all the way to Duntroon. Around ADFA to Russell, then across to LBG. Past Acton, then a wiggle through ANU and finished off along Belconnen Way to Aranda. Met MaryMac at 2b10 for coffee. Had a look inside Grant and Shannon's house on the way home to check on the progress - looking really good.

Sprint Canberra event 2 at Radford. Olle and Ciaran did a great job with the courses and I found mine really interesting with some great legs, multiple route choices on short legs, and lots of variety. Felt good until 13 where I didn't read the control description so dropped down below so had to climb the steps. Then compounded it by retracing my steps down - easy navigation but too far and too much climb. Didn't read the end of the leg to 20 until too late so did a bit of an 'S' shape. Other than it was good but I just can't run that fast especially compared to some of these young kids. Finished 19 seconds behind Mathew Stocks with Morten tucked in between. Pleased to get through two races and no 'pink' legs on winsplits.

C • a pinkie 2

Event: Sprint Canberra
 

Run down to lake G and some extra bits around John Knight Park to warm up.

ParkRun at Ginninderra with MaryMac and Heather. With thoughts of having Sprint Canberra on this afternoon I started off in the middle and ran an easy first km, nearly 1 min slower than last week. I then started going a bit quicker and it was fun passing a few people every now and again. Very humid but overcast so not unpleasant. There were cows along Diddums which was nice. MaryMac ran with Heather and Natty who coaxed Heather to a 1 minute PB.

Sprint Canberra event 1 at Bruce CIT. A bit rusty in parts - first sprint O in well over a year - but overall not too bad. Managed the first four bush controls without any drama but didn't go straight to 5 - pushed by the green at 4. Stopped on the way to 9 to read the map - yes the fence is uncrossable at the gate. Not sure of my choice to 11 going around to the east. Then just got very confused by the hedges at 12 and the lack of anything on the map except white - so dithered for about 10 seconds before trusting to direction and distance. Took the wide route to the east to 13 which had easy running and navigation. The rest was good. Ended up 25 secs behind Morten and would have needed to be a lot cleaner to match him.

Great sprint course that made excellent use of the area - and some great route choices especially 8 to 9. Liked the arena too.

Late leaving work, but not as late as MaryMac. Got home and changed clothes and bikes and rode towards ANU. Nearly there when I met MaryMac on her commute. We rode back home together, with a short detour for beer and fish and chips at the Bolt Bar. The beer was excellent.

C • Nice 1