Training Log Archive: MCrone

Event: GOC Urban 2 Joburg Zoo
 

I didn't have a good day of orienteering, but to make matters worse there were large problems with the map and the course was not very interesting.

1: The map was already a bit dodgy to 1, ran around the outside and through the rocks and was surprised to see a very nice path through the green straight into 1 that wasn't on the map. (also hadn't quite decided if this was uncrossable green flowerbed or rough vegetation, control 20 later on made me decide otherwise)
3: I would have liked the lines to be cut a lot more on this map, it was often difficult to see flowerbeds and where you could run through and where you couldn't.
6: Was paying too much attention to the next control so I missed the path down to the control, this happened a few times (planning too far ahead).
8: I had read my exit out of 7 very well and I knew where I was going to 8. I did not expect that feature to look how it looked at all. It is marked as the inside corner of the fence, but there is a very small flower bed (that is actually a hedge) along the edge. I ran around the corner and was extremely confused. Looking closely now I can see the flower bed, but this is terrible mapping in my opinion, it's also not necessarily a feature that is fair to use, considering that it is so badly mapped. (lost a good 30 seconds here)
12: Control number 11 was misplaced and I had merely read my exit out of the control. I read to go back about 10 meters and then take the first path right. This took me one level too low and I ended up having to run past the control again while I worked out what was going on. (20 seconds here)
13: Mistake of the day... Had read that the building was closed at registration (though this notice should have probably also been at the start). Didn't quite put two and two together until I got there. A lot more construction going on as well. Also interesting how members of some clubs are quick to dish out criticism to other clubs, but cannot take constructive (ok, probably a bit critical after having just finished my race) criticism. (30 - 40 seconds)
14: Only route that I could have probably optimised slightly more. (10 seconds)
16: Interesting man (holding a cigarette nonetheless) that told me that I should say excuse me next time while running out of the control...

Seems that in this race I struggled to get back into control when there was a problem with the map or the course. This happened at the bontanical gardens as well where I was headed to 19 instead of 16. I wasn't able to switch over to different features on the map to work out where I was (since I had been navigating using other features).

I don't mind losing when there is a good map and a good course and someone out orienteers or outruns me. I just don't like losing when there are clear problems with the map and course which are not just bad for elite runners, but newcomers as well. (and there was no controller)

C • Would you like some 1

MEN - Splits

Won the Nike Fly Run at Wits. Now I am in the awkward position of having won an all expenses paid trip to the two oceans half marathon on the weekend of the national training camp... yay...

C • prize transferable? tell m... 1

Cool summer series with some map memory at Delta Park. Collected all the controls.

Warm up/ down
Strides

6 x 4 min (90 seconds rest)

Forced rest day. On call until 16:00 and then street party.