Training Log Archive: Rosco

Event: HOC National Event, Brown Clee
 

Classic at Brown Clee.

It was very hot, unlike me - I did not feel anything like the lean mean running machine I aspire to. 1 was immediately into the dodgy pitted hillside and as soon as I was in it I picked up nothing that looked like it did on the map. I stumbled around and happened upon it since I knew I was in the right ballpark (unfortunately that's about as accurate as my bearings are...). 2 was a sneaky one which I missed in the circle and then at 4 I followed some wee wifeys to their control and then played hunt the pit.

It now came to 8 and I said to myself (so I did) "Right Rosco, this is the trickiest leg on the course: care is required." The plan was to run to the big obvious dark green blob halfway through the leg and then take care from there. However, when I got "there", I could see no vegetation that was obviously more impenetrable than the rest. Now I have to say that is a complete joke. What is the point of putting something on the map that you can't see on the ground?! I was quite annoyed about this as now I had no clue where I was. I stopped on the wee spur near the control but could not work it out at all and unfortunately gambled wrong. Claire and I had a little faff together and we ended up way over at the path. I was careful back in, but it was a long way and I missed again. Although I do think I must have been right past it. Then I found another control. Which was nice. I was really losing interest at this point as for a change I didn't feel it was my own incompetence that was responsible for my troubles. As I was wandering back up the hill, I spotted John Rocke looking confused, which gave me a modicum of comfort. And then I arrived at a spot that was exactly how I visualised the control site. I had been there before. I was standing there in a disinterested way when I suddenly spotted the control! It had fallen over a bit. I swore. A lot. Because this meant that I would now have to keep going.

Chose a better route to 12 than JR but it was a real struggle up the hill and he passed me again. However, out into the open I spotted a posse of guys who had started around me. And I was reassured that although I was having a hideous time, I was not alone. At 13 I wasted about 30 seconds as the flag was behind a branch so I went away from the site. Ever since 8 it had been a matter of just hanging in there but I now felt that there would be a lot of boys jacking so it was worthwhile sticking in. This was no longer a race.

We were all going incredibly slowly. There is no doubt the conditions really showed the difference between fit and really fit. The only other problem was the control after the spectator control, which was marked as being next to a distinct vegetation change. Now I'm sorry, but it all looked exactly the same to me. So what the bloody hell is the point in putting that on the map? Not impressed.

Anyway I made it round and I think you can safely say that was value for money orienteering.

C • Well done 3

WOC Selection Races/UK Cup

Shrewsbury Sprint Race.

eeaww. I am a total donkey. This was my best opportunity of the weekend for a good points haul. I completely wasted it. Perhaps as a result of doing quite a few running races recently, I started off quite aggressive. This is absolutely not the tactic I should adopt for orienteering. Also, I know for a fact that keeping it simple stupid is crucial for me in sprint races. This allows me to utilise my pace advantage over most of the field. I did not do this. Wally.

I chose a slightly shorter, but more complicated route to 2 which did not allow me to get into the map, I then ran up completely the wrong alley, studiously ignoring all the information that said this was so. Upset, I tried to "straightline" 3 to make up for lost time, got behind myself, lacked conviction when I was in the right place and ran to the wrong place. Then was so busy telling myself to get it together that I fell for the deadend trap to 5. Hector passed me at 7 and slowly pulled away. I was not feeling amazing but it was uneventful after this. Utter tripe.

Really good warm up. Too grumpy to warm down.

Middle Distance, Weston Heath.

This would have been a really cool area, if it wasn't for all the minging bracken. My wee legs had absolutely nothing in them so I toiled up all the hills. Why is this? Not sure. Hmm. Need to get back on the hill reps? Or was it bad preparation/underfueled?

Anyway, apart from choosing an utterly hideous route to 8, I didn't really have any problems pretty much because I was so slow. But it felt nothing like a middle race. Did waste loads of time though, going mmm wonder if I want this wee path or that wee path. Mediocre.

to the start

Event: GBR WOC Selection Races (Middle and Sprint)
 

Travelling down to Brad's maw's bit.

Went for a wee evening run flat-Riverside-Cambuskenneth-over the fields-scare the horses-thru the yooni-BofA-wee bit of exploring past old bridge inn-alongside the Allan-risky direct route home thru Cornton where amazingly I got no abuse-over the bridge (pretty French girl)-home.

Bit boring as my banter is rubbish.

A combination of pathetic excuses including Harry Potter, excellent tennis, all my gear being in the washing, a sneaking suspicion the bracken would be up, all wrapped in general lardiness (sorry lard) meant I skived off Barr Wood and did not execute my cunning plan to treat it as middle distance race prakkers.

Oh well, am loving the Euro Classics on Interactive.

C • You were right 3

Very nice soup run around Braco. No idea where we went but it was a grand night for it and my wee legs were feeling super. If I hadn't actually been there, and they weren't actually my legs, I wouldn't believe they had run a 10k race on Sunday. Which is cool. Braco is good for bird spotters and archaeologists. And it doesn't rain all the time there shock!

Still not feeling amazing.