JK Long - Course 2 - 6th
Really wanted to prove something today, and put a lot of pressure on myself because of that. By the way I felt warming up, I thought things were going to go well. Headed off the start and had the idea that once I nailed number 1, everything would fall into place.
Hit number 1 fine and the banana'd to 2, small miss but no need to panic. Through 3 and ran past 4. Still only 30s down, all good. Planned the long leg and hit the hill and 5 where things began to fail. Had hardly nothing to give, which was worrying so early in the course. Forgot about it quickly enough and got to number 6 fairly smoothly but felt it took more effort than it should have. Next few were okay, had my gel and began to hit the climb to 10. This is where the carnage started.
Had noticed the massive death cloud coming towards me at number 7, however I thought little of it and even considered a bit of rain being nice on my overheating body. But unfortunately it was hail, and with the wind, became comparable to machine-BB-gun fire. It was awful and I couldn't see map nor terrain as I headed straight into it. Wind was so strong that it pushed me 45 degrees off line when I was fairly certain I was holding a straight line. But I thought if I could get to 11 I would be fine. Got to 11 and my lips started to swell and bleed, arms were far beyond feel and chest felt like it was being whipped. Swearing my head off to deal with the stinging.
Realised it was time to put on my cag so sat behind a hill and took 2mins to get it on, due to numb fingers and inside-out sleeves battling the wind. Did the biggest S-shape of my life going to 12 where I found someone hiding behind a hill, curled up in a ball - wanted to do the same. Dropped from 3rd to 11th in one leg here. Expected people at the crossing point to tell us to retire. But now things weren't too bad, as the hail was on my back. So I pushed on up the hill and carried on my course, thinking I might still have half a chance at clinching overall victory.
And I could have, had the conditions not completely obliterated my mental state. Wasn't thinking any more and coupled with a double ankle turn and arch bruising from a rock [sorry for the v.rude words I exclaimed for the latter incident - witnessed by many people] I was orienteering like a moose. Had no clean controls here on in and lost all hope for a good result. Trudged into the finish very annoyed.
A result I want to forget about, but probably shouldn't. Couldn't have changed the conditions but then again should have held things together afterwards. Also definitely not feeling very fit today for whatever reason, perhaps not enough recent experience at racing several days in a row(??). In the end Brutus won fair and square and I can only be grateful that I didn't drop down more places.. Still lots to work on.
Hail was so strong that my arms and chest are still covered with 100s small red bruises. Map also has punctures from several larger stones. Hopefully the worst conditions I'll ever have to face orienteering.
http://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/en/d...
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