Training Log Archive: olsoran

Event: British Orienteering Championships 2013
 

On the way to the start at Winterfold.

Reckoned top 5 was realistic target today. Reckoned without the straightforward navigation. Ended up 7th. Not displeased given the course. 4mins down on 3rd and 6 on DP. Couldn't have found 4 let alone 6. Generally please with my O except for the route choice on the long leg where I lost 2 mins to DP (17 to 19 mins), although on reflection I'm sure he was running that much faster than me on that leg.
DonP, PN, JC, CD,GC,PH in front.

Later Note: Same route choice as DonP for the long one so bang goes that theory!

Would have made the podium for those north of Watford Gap. Just wait until the 6 Day. And fastest split on the run in.

Recce in Dess for next weeks forest sprint. K came too. Leisurely.
Strange who you meet in the forest sometimes..JessT, J and A

Interesting to reflect on Highlander with the aid of planners "preferred" routes. Need to get out the measuring stick but there seems surprsingly little difference between the B and C if you take into account distance and climb. B is longer ...but there isn't that much of a difference that you could really shake the self same stick at.

Crathes steady. Still slightly heavy legged but happy with things. Nice evening. Paths and woods in good nick.

Sunny Aberdeen.
Turn the legs over. Felt better than I expected. Even did a few sets of strides to make sure everything working. Minor right heel ache. Sort the blister then all should be good for the weekend.

Change of focus. Start thinking about BOC. 2005 World Cup/FCC map geeking. Do something with heel blister.

All MMs are tough in some way or other but time is a great healer. This one will always be up there though. It had everything. Classic terrain, all types of weather, deep snow, peat hags, raging torrents in deep ravines to cross, steep climbs and descents and an almighty sting in the tail on Day 2...and the ceilidh and beer at the overnight camp...and good company at that ceilidh and throughout.

K got one heck of an intro to MMs.

Here goes:

Day 2:
Queues for the loos (how long do some people need?!), supplement the porridge with a sneaky couple of bacon rolls from the marquee then off again. Usual MM 2nd day reticence. How can we do that all over again?

Path, then the first small ravine of the day, only knee deep river this time, then a steady climb through tussocky grass to number 1. Back in the swing now, if that’s what you can call it.

2 was long, 1 hour 40m of long. Down, across another river then diagonally uphill through more rougher heather on the slopes of Geal Charn. Joined by a few other teams now including the first of the chasing start folk – with numbers on – even one pair in shorts. Sorry, but that’s not too sensible. Really cold, and now into the deep snowy heather again. A stop to put a fleece on and then catch up with K. Terrain started to flatten, but also came a lack of distinct features. Warning signs with the cloud being somewhat down, easy to go wrong here – wouldn’t be nice in these temperatures – make that, it would be Scottish winter mountains dangerous – so go carefully. Snow very thick in places. Stayed with another couple of teams including Heather H’s team. Safety in numbers. Finally after an age we were dropping down into the steep river valley and the junction with the control site. Stop again to reassess the clothing. Just so difficult to get it right. Wet gloves - inevitably. Over trousers on this time. Force some nuts and raisins down and a gel.

Off uphill to 3, the teams we had been with had left us behind whilst we stopped to refuel and reassess. 3 was short and sweet up the hill then through a narrow pass to a stream bend.

Then it was on to 4. Major gorge of Red Burn this time, scramble straight down where we could – wet gloves now wet and muddy. Then find somewhere to cross the torrent – waist deep and wild, then up and up the rough stony brittle slope. Tiredness really starting to bite now. Over the lip and onto the snowy peat hags. Reached the hill a km or so further on and then started contouring interminably. Should have gone along the top. Leap of faith across a snow bridge over a stream and then finally up onto the ridge. Masses of deer across the valley against a snowy backdrop. Started leaving the snow behind, and feet were warming up…sounds good but that in itself brought its own excruciating pain for K as her numbed up feet from km after km of snow and icy rivers started coming back to life. A forced ten minute stop to ease things didn’t make it any less painful. Finally stumble down the track to 4 and the control on the stream.

And then, the look of total horror on K’s face when she became aware of where the next and third last control (no 5) was. That I will never forget. "You have to be joking". A very steep 250m drop into the valley of Allt Madagain, another torrent to cross, followed by an equally steep 350 m climb (was it really only that?) to the summit of something unpronounceable..Mullach Sron na h-Uamhaidh and we could see every step of what appeared to be an almost vertical mountainside. No alternatives - it was the only way back and we’d started so we would finish. 15 minutes bumbling down the hill, holding hands to safely cross the fast flowing river this time and a real trudge, 55mins worth of really slow but steady plod, up the hill, into the snow again, along the ridge…and made it. Huge relief. Fastest teams took 45 minutes for that split, we took 70 and it felt like twice that. Then again some did take 90.

Downhill to Laggan via the last couple of controls: one in a steep sided stream valley; and one on a gate – seemed like a walk in the park. Even managed to run, nay jog, most of it. Minor amusement on the way as an unknown asked " are you from Banchory"..weird, but we "sped" on.

Collapse with macaroni and a cup of tea and indulge in more good chat with Dan & Esther and Bruce D. Then the time started healing…maybe it wasn’t quite so painful after all. Yes it most definitely was, but partner done better than good.

Good organisation and great event. Really like the ceilidh and beer idea. It's far more sociable than disappearing to the tent at 6 or 7 in the evening. We got lucky with the weather...it would have been really challenging if worse. We wouldn't have wanted to be there.

Really self-indulgent bit – apologies.
Mission accomplished – long time personal target complete
2005 KIMM – NE Lakes with dc
2011 LAMM – Beinn Dearg with c
2013 Highlander – Creag Meagaidh with K
All memorable. Proud of that.

C • epic 9