Training Log Archive: gg

Karst Cup day 4. Last day chasing start.
So despite being 8th, 3rd and 4th in the first 3 days, I managed to be in 2nd place overall. This is partly due to the fact that of the best guys there, most didn't run every day, or ran some days really easy. I was about 8 minutes behind Krepsta and 4 in front of Weltzein with an 8km course, but as it turned out, Krepsta had gone home (and as it later turned out, Weltzein didn't manage very much either). So I went out as the leader, and my plan was to race as hard as possible (although cautiously with my ankle). Again the terrain was steep and rocky, and extremely technical in places. I can't say it was the most fun I have ever had orienteering, but it was definitely a challenge, and hard work. I was quite nervous, and every time I made a small mistake, or heard somebody behind me, I was waiting for Audun to come running past. But he never did. I was actually pretty satisfied with my race. Some small mistakes again, but in general pretty good. I lost time mostly on the downhill and rough contouring legs where I was a little slow, but I finished first and took the overall win in the Karst Cup! It turns out that Audun had done something pretty stupid - he taped his ankle too tightly and lost feeling in his foot and had to stop for 5 minutes to fix it and then quit! Carl ran 63 minutes, a little faster than me, but I was satisfied.
I won a huge trophy, a nice Craft jacket, a t-shirt, a sports bag, an alarm clock, some sports drink. Not bad! Had to carry it all home though...

After that, me Pippa and Elise Egseth drove down to Dedinky to swim in the reservoir and chill out. Then we drove up into the Tatra mountains and spent the night there. Did a bit of tourist stuff - pretty spectacular mountains there. Nice training camp. Bit of confidence before WOC, and good to race myself back into some shape.

C • WELL! 4

Karst Cup day 3. Middle distance. Tried to crank it up today, really push hard when I could. That said - the terrain was steep and really rocky in places, and I was still worried about my ankle, so I was cautious in the rocky parts, and especially the descents. Had a decent run, maybe missed a minute and a half in total, finished 1.56 behind Audun Weltzein. Krepsta was about the same time and I was 3rd.
Slovakian Paradise - out of the Karst and a bit further north. Quite nice terrain, very tough technically and physically, but I think I prefer Karst.

Back in the Karst for an extra session. This time mostly open stuff, with lots of bushes. Bit reminiscent of French 6 day from last year, but with big holes too. Really really cool area, extremely technical and unlike anything I have ever done. Tough but loved it.

Karst Cup day 2. Bit of trepidation about my ankle, but I needn't have worried - the terrain was much 'softer' than day 1, less rock on the ground, and none of the grass covering everything. Mostly just leaves on the floor. Tried to push a little harder today, still not giving 100%, but running well. With ankle well strapped I ran quite a good technical race. I lost a little time in the open karst stuff - first time in that, and the veg mapping took a little getting used to. Think I chose quite good routes on the long legs, but didn't execute them so well - especially the 2nd one where I can way off my line. 2 minutes behind Krepsta who said he had a good race with maybe 1-2 minutes mistakes. Awesome terrain - technical but fantastic running. Hope WOC is like this.

Dinner with the Norwegians in Rohznava town square.

Karst Cup day 1, near Silica in southern Slovakia. I've actually run on this area a couple of times now, most recently in May on a GB training camp, but it is an awesome area (all maps will go up on my website).
First race since the WOC tests and subsequent illness, so wasn't sure how I was going to feel. Plan was to run like a qualifier - safe but not 100%
Started ok, although I fell on the way to #1 and gave myself a bloody lip!
Was running ok until number 4. Just leaving the control I went over on my ankle - the worst I have done for years and years. Hobbled for a few minutes, but decided it was ok to carry on. Managed to run quite well despite that, although there was a lot of rock, and most of it obscured by long grass - so I was treading very carefully at times! Took it really easy on the descents, and contouring to the right was a little painful.
Made one bad route choice to the 9th, but apart from that only made some small mistakes - however in this 'easy' terrain, it is not allowed to make ANY mistakes - the best guys will not!

Sat with ankle in cold river after, not life threatening, but definitely not fun.

Cool race though! Carl ran just under 67, and loads of Finns, Hungarians, Nogs etc... High standard race. I felt a bit rubbish after the race - a bit wheezy etc... Partly from travelling, partly rusty from lack of races.

Jogging after

Evening sprint training in Betliar. Debate as to relevance to WOC, but it was nice anyway. 4 short 'intervals' with jogging in between, head to head with Pippa on boy/girl gaffled courses, but to be honest neither of us put in much effort. Ankle felt ok, but heavily strapped and pretty even ground in general.

Travelled out to Slovakia for the Karst Cup. Flew into Krakow, waited a couple of hours for Pippa, then drove down through the Tatras to Brzotin - close to Rozhnava.

5 times 1km at Vallen track. Solo this time. Felt rubbish warming up, but ok once I got going. Pretty girls at the track to look at. 90 seconds recovery.

3.06, 3.03, 3.03, 3.02, 3.01

Beautiful summer series event in Nacka. Stunning terrain - not always the most technical, but a pleasure to run. Couple of tricky bits, couple of small wobbles. Quick dip after, followed by nice Greek dinner with SJ and John

Nice easy run with Jonn Are and Magnus in Långängen

Core back and achilles
Also did some deep standing squats on a fitball