Training Log Archive: PrueD

Victorian Long Distance Chanmpionships at the remapped Kangaroo Crossing map at Eldorado. The map was very steep and rocky, with lots of green - but beautiful at the same time. Peter and I have often gone to the creek there for picnics.

I found the going rather tough and couldn't run as there was too much bushy understorey, fallen timber and rocks. I needed to be protective of my knee as I am going to Tassie next week - so walked fairly slowly most of the way and was particularly careful on the steep rocky downhills. I had a couple of problems - no 5, which I overshot and no. 7, where I was too high but took some time to relocate as the features 'more or less' fitted. My time was more than twice Jenny Bourne's, who won the class, which was a bit sad - but I still came in at an (undeserving) third. But I had a good time, was fairly comfortable with my navigation and am in one piece for next week. So all good.

I thought my firefighting skills might be called upon at the conclusion of the race when Jenny and John's gas cylinder caught on fire and made all sorts of interesting noises before burning out.

(Correction - not entiely in one piece, as I cracked another tooth last night and will have to fit a dentist trip in next week).

Victorian Middle Distance Championships at Rowdy Flat near Yackandandah. I knew that this map was all about brains and little about brawn. My knee, while not technically injured, is still a little tweaky and not strong, so I am definitely short in the brawn department. I am normally a bit short in the brains department as well, so decided to take this course very slowly and carefully. After all, how long can it take to do a 2.1 km course? I took a poor route to 1 - going up and down the steep erosion gullies rather than the track, and lost time here. I also lost a bit of time on 7, travelling too far to the west. But other than that I was just slow and careful. I could actually read the map at this pace (possibly addressing a blocked tearduct issue that I have had for some time has helped - I still have watery eyes, but not the full deluge I previously had, where strangers in the street would come up to comfort me).

Anyway, I came 3rd in W50, behind Liz Abbot and Jenny Bourne (who both got around 38 mins) with a reasonably respectable time. I was rather pleased with this.

I then had to wait for Ian who was travelling with me and was one of the last starters. He almost broke the record for the slowest km rate ever - 2 1/2 hours for 2.9 kms!. He searched for one control for over an hour. At least he persisted until he found it.

C • Illustrious company 2

C • Ian 2

Just in case anyone wonders why l am so lazy this week - it is because l am being dragged around the countryside wirh the commissioner reading the riot act pre summer. 12 hour days - no time to exercise. The commissioner never eats, drinks or gets tired. He always looks good, has endless patience and presents well. Not like me! l am tempted to stick a pin in him to see if he is real. I don't want to be tired for the weekend but think it is a fait accomplis.

C • excuses 1