Training Log Archive: MCrone

Started off with the corridor. I enjoyed it and didn't have too many problems until the very long section without any features (there were many overgrown clearings and I couldn't see the rock just before the main clearing). Then just after the open section I struggled to get the right angle from the clearings and so I crossed the roads at the junction (rather than probably 50 meters before that and so missed the cairn).

Line-O. Couldn't really gain anything from this session. Road was removed which made a tricky start. Map is very old and so there are new clearings everywhere (difficult when you are meant to go around certain clearings). Contours also did not reflect the terrain. Was meant to be a race but I gave up halfway and tried to salvage what I could from the session.

Good news was that although this was an old map there were probably far less blackjacks that the other maps used for the weekend.

Contour only exercise.

I probably had the worst first loop... Straight through the blackjacks on a very long leg. Runnability through the open area (with more blackjacks than... than... I have no idea) was not great at all.

I enjoy contour orienteering so was a bit disappointed with the pain caused by the blackjacks. My second loop was slightly better and I did a loop planned by Nic which included some very cool short legs where you could get your speed up.

Went back into the nightmare area to collect controls...

Decided to say no to night O. It was not the fact that it was Night O in this case, but rather the fact that I didn't feel the need to overdo the training and it was in the same area as earlier in the day (i.e. lots of blackjacks and an old map).

Had planned to run but on the way we were asked to pickup the guys from Polokwane so unfortunately we arrived too late at Elandskloof to fit in a run.

I had already looked at the program and was surprised that it had substantially more than last year on it. (3 or 4 sessions of 5km, rather than 2 or 3 of 5km [3 only on the day of the night O]).

Not good in terms of periodisation (with a week to Western Cape Champs and SA sprint Champs) and not good for the general orienteers that weren't fit enough for it [=injuries and illness].

On the first morning we were introduced to focus points which is a good idea to incorporate into all training sessions and races.

Warm up

5 x 3 minutes on, 90 secs off.

Warm down