Training Log Archive: Lizzie

Lake side jog from our accommodation. Partly as I was getting antsy after sitting around for most of 3 days, partly cos i wanted a shower but struggle with the concept of showering without doing exercise first... and partly to shake the legs out before the middle, i guess.
It was really nice out.

NM Middle Final
Another very well set Middle. Started off getting out of oxygen up the hill to the start, then 3 control picking controls on the top and slopes of the hill then down and across to a flatter, greener section for 3 more close controls. Managed the first 5 cleanly enough, with a slight hesitation on the knolls at 4. #6, I had my direction off and actually punched a wrong control, which was obviously wrong, but which had a very similar code to our control (67 vs 87). Corrected but lost 30s. Nailed the long leg to #7, and the follow up to #8. Was really happy with my race up to the arena passage, where the nature of the course changed some what.
Rather than control picking split up by the odd longer leg, now it was more 300m legs on cleaner forest. My legs began to tire, and I made a fair mess of the route to #13. I saw the control was on the same height /1 contour below #12 so decided it wasn't worth climbing over the hill on the straight route. Instead I tried to contour but got well caught in the green and cliffs enroute. It's a shitty (but not-unfamiliar!) feeling, knowing mid-leg that you've stuffed the route-choice, but having nothing to do but keep going. To rub salt in the wound, I then made a mistake on the entry to the circle, so lost 1minute all up on the leg.
The next few controls were a matter of keeping the legs moving through the heavy terrain, although I lost another 15s each on 15 and 16, just through tired sloppiness on direction.
The leg to #18 was well set, giving a longer route choice right at the end of the course. I thought I'd executed the leg pretty well at the time, finding a nice line up a runnable re-entrant over the hill, and a secure route into the control (although I lost time hesitating here). However, in retrospect, my route was a nice S shape, adding too much unecessary distance. Disappointed to lose 30 and 45s to Kine and Jo respectively on this leg, both of whom took different routes (Kine over the hill, Jo around the track to the L).
A fast finish through the final controls to sneak into 10th place. Pretty happy with the run all up, especially the first half. Just need some more leg and brain power in the second half!
Map: http://www.tulospalvelu.fi/gps/20180915D21/
I was 11th last start so just avoided GPS ;)