Training Log Archive: rcroIn the 30 days ending Nov 30, 2014:
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Sunday Nov 30, 2014 #
Event: Four Colour (YOGB)
Orienteering race (NWO Cherhill Down) 52:54 [3] 7.97 km (6:38 / km) +260m 5:42 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
NWO local at Cherhill Down, in the fog. 6.5km blue.
Bit tired from yesterday, and given the climb here, was slow and steady pace rather than fast race. That said, wouldn't have managed to be that much quicker.
Clean for the first 10 depressions - but had initially disregarded 4 as it was on the side of the [unmapped] ditch rather than in the depression (the earth bank is mapped, but not the ditches either side).
Tiredness than began to creep in and was just slow for the rest of the way. Green vegetation blob at 11 now bigger than it was so went through it. 12 was a bit dodgy - veg boundary between rough open and ROST, where the trees went quite a bit further than the control!
Went down path and around on 13 as wasn't sure how clean the top was (it was good). Path wasn't great if you wanted to keep ankle in one piece. Walked up hill to 17, then bailed out of descending steep hill diagonally to crossing point and went right across bottom to western crossing point for 18.
Biggest mistake was on 19 as compass implied I was going too far west but turns out I was east of control. Assumed it was a large depression rather than depression on top of hillock so didn't go for the high bit. 1 min lost. Little pace left for the uphill run in.
9 mins behind Phil, 2 mins mistakes, maybe a couple of mins could have been got from running harder. Quite happy with the end time given the slopes and yesterday's runs.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224783246
Bit tired from yesterday, and given the climb here, was slow and steady pace rather than fast race. That said, wouldn't have managed to be that much quicker.
Clean for the first 10 depressions - but had initially disregarded 4 as it was on the side of the [unmapped] ditch rather than in the depression (the earth bank is mapped, but not the ditches either side).
Tiredness than began to creep in and was just slow for the rest of the way. Green vegetation blob at 11 now bigger than it was so went through it. 12 was a bit dodgy - veg boundary between rough open and ROST, where the trees went quite a bit further than the control!
Went down path and around on 13 as wasn't sure how clean the top was (it was good). Path wasn't great if you wanted to keep ankle in one piece. Walked up hill to 17, then bailed out of descending steep hill diagonally to crossing point and went right across bottom to western crossing point for 18.
Biggest mistake was on 19 as compass implied I was going too far west but turns out I was east of control. Assumed it was a large depression rather than depression on top of hillock so didn't go for the high bit. 1 min lost. Little pace left for the uphill run in.
9 mins behind Phil, 2 mins mistakes, maybe a couple of mins could have been got from running harder. Quite happy with the end time given the slopes and yesterday's runs.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224783246
Saturday Nov 29, 2014 #
Event: Western Night League
Note
£23.50 advanced entry fee for British Champs and £10 for colour-coded light green cheap alternative?? Afraid that's me priced out (>£15 = hmmm... it had better be very good; >£20 = no).
Am certain that I'll get much more cost effective enjoyment by parking the car in a layby and making up my own terrain run.
Based on this year's deflated entry due to high fees, good luck with making a profit out of it BOF.
Am certain that I'll get much more cost effective enjoyment by parking the car in a layby and making up my own terrain run.
Based on this year's deflated entry due to high fees, good luck with making a profit out of it BOF.
11 AM
Orienteering - Urban race (Farnborough Urban) 43:04 [5] 9.21 km (4:41 / km) +15m 4:38 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Farnborough Urban. 6.1km A course.
Hadn't originally planned to come, but keen to get a decent run after last weekend's disasters.
Planning ahead pretty well - identified the long leg well in advance and think I had the best route (Colin Dickson thinks it's best too). Navigation was pretty clean but went a bit wrong on route to 10 and ended up in a garden. Then on 11-12-13 was losing track of myself as planning the long leg. Small error on 22 - cutting corner and being wrong side of hedge and having to go back round. All told only 1 min of mistakes so fairly clean.
Clearly was a runner's course today as was really just a case of running as fast as you can once you've identified where the uncrossable fences are. With that in mind, pleased to have managed top 10 on course and maintained 4:32 km times pretty consistently throughout the run. Was going much better than I was at London yet ranking points almost 100 points lower! Suppose it's what you get from a runner's course when you don't consider yourself a good runner...
Not totally sure it was worth the fuel costs, but was a nice run out, "confidence boosting" technical difficulty, and the weather was brilliant.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224548659/overvie...
Hadn't originally planned to come, but keen to get a decent run after last weekend's disasters.
Planning ahead pretty well - identified the long leg well in advance and think I had the best route (Colin Dickson thinks it's best too). Navigation was pretty clean but went a bit wrong on route to 10 and ended up in a garden. Then on 11-12-13 was losing track of myself as planning the long leg. Small error on 22 - cutting corner and being wrong side of hedge and having to go back round. All told only 1 min of mistakes so fairly clean.
Clearly was a runner's course today as was really just a case of running as fast as you can once you've identified where the uncrossable fences are. With that in mind, pleased to have managed top 10 on course and maintained 4:32 km times pretty consistently throughout the run. Was going much better than I was at London yet ranking points almost 100 points lower! Suppose it's what you get from a runner's course when you don't consider yourself a good runner...
Not totally sure it was worth the fuel costs, but was a nice run out, "confidence boosting" technical difficulty, and the weather was brilliant.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224548659/overvie...
5 PM
Orienteering - Night race (WNL Painswick) 1:00:08 [3] 7.63 km (7:53 / km) +265m 6:43 / km
shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
WNL at Painswick. Route:
S-16-17-23-28-29-24-18-12-30-11-27-22-8-2-3-7-6-4-5-20-13-9-21-10-26-1-F. 505 points less 2 as penalty - 503 total (from 600).
Before start had already decided to go anti-clockwise, south first as avoided potentially nasty descents in areas around 22 and 26 - much rather go up than down here. Turns out it was a good move.
Started very early so was waking all the controls up south of the road - adds up to most of my lateness! Very hesitant early on and struggling with matching map to ground so lost a bit on 17 and 28. Took 23 early as thought it was only one on top of the hill (either faint contours, or just not seeing 12 why I ignored it) - Ifor's southern loop was far better.
Taking brambles pretty slowly into and out of 30, then pretty much right round 27 to find a nice entrance to the "green". Went back a bit west along road for entry to 22 and went over a massive hillock but couldn't find on map; soon started getting concerned and thinking of bailing out as have had trouble here in daylight - kept going north, found the crag, then the control!
Full loop of hill fort controls to leave options to get 14 and 15 from below at end if I had time (I didn't). Then messed up 7 by missing it and having to go back. Pretty good at the top end of map, but taking unmapped cycle path towards 9 wasn't sure if control was north or south of me so had to think a bit. Opted out of 19 and 25 because was a lot of climb and distance required for points.
Punched 26 with less than 5 mins to go so not time to hang around ascending hill and quite an effort to get back on just few seconds late. Pin-punching 1 on way down was some trouble as map got stuck on pins and wouldn't come off - had to rip it off. Easily 5s binned.
Enoyed it - nice night for orienteering. Apart from north edge of map, surprisingly dry underfoot. Have had a fair bit of trouble with the map over the years but got into it fairly well tonight.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224548655
S-16-17-23-28-29-24-18-12-30-11-27-22-8-2-3-7-6-4-5-20-13-9-21-10-26-1-F. 505 points less 2 as penalty - 503 total (from 600).
Before start had already decided to go anti-clockwise, south first as avoided potentially nasty descents in areas around 22 and 26 - much rather go up than down here. Turns out it was a good move.
Started very early so was waking all the controls up south of the road - adds up to most of my lateness! Very hesitant early on and struggling with matching map to ground so lost a bit on 17 and 28. Took 23 early as thought it was only one on top of the hill (either faint contours, or just not seeing 12 why I ignored it) - Ifor's southern loop was far better.
Taking brambles pretty slowly into and out of 30, then pretty much right round 27 to find a nice entrance to the "green". Went back a bit west along road for entry to 22 and went over a massive hillock but couldn't find on map; soon started getting concerned and thinking of bailing out as have had trouble here in daylight - kept going north, found the crag, then the control!
Full loop of hill fort controls to leave options to get 14 and 15 from below at end if I had time (I didn't). Then messed up 7 by missing it and having to go back. Pretty good at the top end of map, but taking unmapped cycle path towards 9 wasn't sure if control was north or south of me so had to think a bit. Opted out of 19 and 25 because was a lot of climb and distance required for points.
Punched 26 with less than 5 mins to go so not time to hang around ascending hill and quite an effort to get back on just few seconds late. Pin-punching 1 on way down was some trouble as map got stuck on pins and wouldn't come off - had to rip it off. Easily 5s binned.
Enoyed it - nice night for orienteering. Apart from north edge of map, surprisingly dry underfoot. Have had a fair bit of trouble with the map over the years but got into it fairly well tonight.
http://www.strava.com/activities/224548655
Thursday Nov 27, 2014 #
Running intervals (Westbury Harriers) 55:16 [5] 8.1 km (6:49 / km) +60m 6:35 / km
slept:4.0 weight:71.7kg (sick) shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers. 5x Bell Barn 1k loop (with rather undesirable 11m climb at end) - still 100% success rate for guessing these sessions.
Was delegated to lead the fast group but this didn't have to be from the front - just timings. Feeling steadily worse before we started, and thought I would struggle.
First 1 fast as some people didn't appreciate the warm up did loop of effort and wanted to be shown the way. Rest just plodding on as fast as I could and surprised at the consistency.
3:32, 3:50, 3:48, 3:49, 3:44
Again had a nice little group of us, fastest two doing 3:25-3:35, but top group thin overall - 8 - probably due to Weston Prom Race.
Really having to slow down for the corner as you get onto Canford Lane (amongst others) - Mark would have struggled - which kind of made 1 lap into several efforts with no recovery!
Quite pleased with how it went, and that it shouldn't have knackered me for the weekend. Not so pleased with cold, which I think I've had for a while, but coughing much more at the end. Hoping it's only a bit of dust being stuck in my throat rather than anything worse.
http://www.strava.com/activities/223866939/overvie...
Was delegated to lead the fast group but this didn't have to be from the front - just timings. Feeling steadily worse before we started, and thought I would struggle.
First 1 fast as some people didn't appreciate the warm up did loop of effort and wanted to be shown the way. Rest just plodding on as fast as I could and surprised at the consistency.
3:32, 3:50, 3:48, 3:49, 3:44
Again had a nice little group of us, fastest two doing 3:25-3:35, but top group thin overall - 8 - probably due to Weston Prom Race.
Really having to slow down for the corner as you get onto Canford Lane (amongst others) - Mark would have struggled - which kind of made 1 lap into several efforts with no recovery!
Quite pleased with how it went, and that it shouldn't have knackered me for the weekend. Not so pleased with cold, which I think I've had for a while, but coughing much more at the end. Hoping it's only a bit of dust being stuck in my throat rather than anything worse.
http://www.strava.com/activities/223866939/overvie...
Wednesday Nov 26, 2014 #
Orienteering race (MLS Mytchett) 1:08:56 [3] 10.51 km (6:34 / km) +280m 5:47 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
MLS at Mytchett. 9.1km brown course.
Really nice area so pleased to have been able to get to it - seemed even more runnable than last year. Going well but control flow was pretty poor and the first I knew that 10 was a long leg was after I punched 9 - still kept moving but didn't feel smooth.
No major errors, but hesitant on 11, a little off on 14 and well off line on 21. Felt like there was a lot of following going on after 13 - people relying on me to find 15 the safe way and then cut my corner, didn't think the route I was taking to 16 was the best. Left 20 heading a bit west to pick up a path that turned out to be a north line, yet they were behind me then too (and not military). Dropped them around 23 and did a good route on 24 to finally break away.
Felt like pace was slower than I would have liked, but didn't have much energy to go harder.
Best MLS of the year so far.
http://www.strava.com/activities/223432644
Really nice area so pleased to have been able to get to it - seemed even more runnable than last year. Going well but control flow was pretty poor and the first I knew that 10 was a long leg was after I punched 9 - still kept moving but didn't feel smooth.
No major errors, but hesitant on 11, a little off on 14 and well off line on 21. Felt like there was a lot of following going on after 13 - people relying on me to find 15 the safe way and then cut my corner, didn't think the route I was taking to 16 was the best. Left 20 heading a bit west to pick up a path that turned out to be a north line, yet they were behind me then too (and not military). Dropped them around 23 and did a good route on 24 to finally break away.
Felt like pace was slower than I would have liked, but didn't have much energy to go harder.
Best MLS of the year so far.
http://www.strava.com/activities/223432644
Monday Nov 24, 2014 #
Running (Westbury Harriers) 52:22 [5] 11.4 km (4:36 / km) +30m 4:32 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers Group 2 with Alex. Boring out and back Portway loop.
As per last week started out to be told we would go at the correct speed for group and faster people should go in Group 1. Doesn't seem we actually went any slower at all.
Felt like a hard session and got my fastest time W on Portway by 20s.
Was 2 degrees but still felt ok in t shirt and shorts, but did start feeling a little faint when stretching out afterwards. Not sure if they were linked.
http://www.strava.com/activities/222853245/overvie...
No idea if I'm going to do much training at all this week - haven't been able to find a lift for Wednesday so will have a fairly empty log unless I can think of anywhere interesting for a longer run instead (and the weather is any good for it).
As per last week started out to be told we would go at the correct speed for group and faster people should go in Group 1. Doesn't seem we actually went any slower at all.
Felt like a hard session and got my fastest time W on Portway by 20s.
Was 2 degrees but still felt ok in t shirt and shorts, but did start feeling a little faint when stretching out afterwards. Not sure if they were linked.
http://www.strava.com/activities/222853245/overvie...
No idea if I'm going to do much training at all this week - haven't been able to find a lift for Wednesday so will have a fairly empty log unless I can think of anywhere interesting for a longer run instead (and the weather is any good for it).
Sunday Nov 23, 2014 #
Event: BOK Galoppen & ASO League
Orienteering race (BOK Galoppen) 1:36:09 [3] 11.2 km (8:35 / km) +350m 7:25 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
BOK Galoppen at Moseley Green. 8.9km brown.
Another disastrous run - estimating about 20 mins of mistakes. Highlights:
1 - 2 mins finding lots of depressions but struggling to match to map, along with open and ROST. Control was effectively inside a tree.
3 - went in too early, maybe 1 min
5 - pathetically slow but clean
7 - couldn't run up the hill
8 - 3 mins lost being a bit too high - went in when half way down hill from top path to bottom path. Led Clive in who thought very low, and he was pretty much last person I saw on run.
9 - couldn't stay upright - 1-2 mins lost vs everyone else
15 - went to control on big wet hole (pit) to east first, but didn't cost me
18 - ended up far too far north and finding lots of small clearings and shallow depressions but nothing to relocate from. Hit fence to north and found 19 from it. Vegetation hopeless and felt contours were pushing me the wrong way - should have gone straight and taken elephant track. 9 mins
21 - ankle tried to go on landing on track coming out of control - having to pay too much attention to traffic leaving to watch footing. Luckily it was ok and managed to get going again almost straight away.
26 - no idea where I went here as I found 10+ large depressions on my way to this yet remarkably few are mapped. 2 mins faffing around before hit the black x and went back.
Often felt that the map was more of a hindrance than a help. Good course with little scope for path running, but more difficult due to under-foot conditions. Thought my pace when moving was pretty poor but taking out time for mistakes is pretty close to last week (which was quite clean).
http://www.strava.com/activities/222388787
Looking at splitsbrowser, seems a lot of people ended up paired up which may part explain why I seem to have made significantly more mistakes than most - could have done with there being a few other people out there to help me find some of the controls today.
Another disastrous run - estimating about 20 mins of mistakes. Highlights:
1 - 2 mins finding lots of depressions but struggling to match to map, along with open and ROST. Control was effectively inside a tree.
3 - went in too early, maybe 1 min
5 - pathetically slow but clean
7 - couldn't run up the hill
8 - 3 mins lost being a bit too high - went in when half way down hill from top path to bottom path. Led Clive in who thought very low, and he was pretty much last person I saw on run.
9 - couldn't stay upright - 1-2 mins lost vs everyone else
15 - went to control on big wet hole (pit) to east first, but didn't cost me
18 - ended up far too far north and finding lots of small clearings and shallow depressions but nothing to relocate from. Hit fence to north and found 19 from it. Vegetation hopeless and felt contours were pushing me the wrong way - should have gone straight and taken elephant track. 9 mins
21 - ankle tried to go on landing on track coming out of control - having to pay too much attention to traffic leaving to watch footing. Luckily it was ok and managed to get going again almost straight away.
26 - no idea where I went here as I found 10+ large depressions on my way to this yet remarkably few are mapped. 2 mins faffing around before hit the black x and went back.
Often felt that the map was more of a hindrance than a help. Good course with little scope for path running, but more difficult due to under-foot conditions. Thought my pace when moving was pretty poor but taking out time for mistakes is pretty close to last week (which was quite clean).
http://www.strava.com/activities/222388787
Looking at splitsbrowser, seems a lot of people ended up paired up which may part explain why I seem to have made significantly more mistakes than most - could have done with there being a few other people out there to help me find some of the controls today.
Saturday Nov 22, 2014 #
Event: League 3
Orienteering race (NGOC Woodchester) 1:07:57 [2] 8.31 km (8:11 / km) +250m 7:06 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
NGOC League at Woodchester. 6.8km blue with 220m climb.
Trying to work out which was best out of map, terrain, course planning and control siting. Decided in the end that the best positive was that National Trust charges are getting so high now that Woodchester gets retired after this mini-season.
Given I can't get 3 counting scores for league wasn't trying too hard, and then trying much less hard after 1 - took me 5 mins to do the path bit (1k), then another 5 mins fighting brashings on steep slippery slopes in the circle before punching. Similar trouble on exit - think taking below route would have been much better.
Another 1k path into 2, seems a bit orange-y... Slow up hill to 4 and struggling down, same after 6. Not sure what's going on with map at 5, or 7, and a lovely big dog leg on 8.
Things picked up after 10, as given how little I was not trying and how much I was enjoying it, skipped 11 out to save going up the side of the valley only to come straight back down. Thought about visiting 14 and 15 on way back, but saw them from path so decided that was good enough navigating. Still did the climb into the finish.
Not one of NGOC's finest hours and lots of people moaning afterwards. Just cannot believe how much worse it was today than last year's (which I thought was great). Can't imagine that many people with miss orienteering in Woodchester now.
http://www.strava.com/activities/221973133/overvie...
Much better news is that Geoff has agreed to be my controller at Gloucester!
Trying to work out which was best out of map, terrain, course planning and control siting. Decided in the end that the best positive was that National Trust charges are getting so high now that Woodchester gets retired after this mini-season.
Given I can't get 3 counting scores for league wasn't trying too hard, and then trying much less hard after 1 - took me 5 mins to do the path bit (1k), then another 5 mins fighting brashings on steep slippery slopes in the circle before punching. Similar trouble on exit - think taking below route would have been much better.
Another 1k path into 2, seems a bit orange-y... Slow up hill to 4 and struggling down, same after 6. Not sure what's going on with map at 5, or 7, and a lovely big dog leg on 8.
Things picked up after 10, as given how little I was not trying and how much I was enjoying it, skipped 11 out to save going up the side of the valley only to come straight back down. Thought about visiting 14 and 15 on way back, but saw them from path so decided that was good enough navigating. Still did the climb into the finish.
Not one of NGOC's finest hours and lots of people moaning afterwards. Just cannot believe how much worse it was today than last year's (which I thought was great). Can't imagine that many people with miss orienteering in Woodchester now.
http://www.strava.com/activities/221973133/overvie...
Much better news is that Geoff has agreed to be my controller at Gloucester!
C • map 2
Thursday Nov 20, 2014 #
Running hills (Westbury Harriers) 53:13 [3] 6.7 km (7:57 / km) +100m 7:23 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers.
Hillsdon Road loop as expected - 10x short hills so quite easy session. Maintaining 50-55s for each and feeling ok, but was often getting boxed in on the last corner by people cutting me up and then slowing down for last bit of climb - went round the outside for the last 5 so had a bit of extra distance.
Fast group tonight, faster than normally are on this loop, but the recoveries seemed to be getting very long towards the end - was normally first to be ready to start again when often it's other way round. Still ended up lapping the slowest as early as the third effort!
http://www.strava.com/activities/221390119/overvie...
Hillsdon Road loop as expected - 10x short hills so quite easy session. Maintaining 50-55s for each and feeling ok, but was often getting boxed in on the last corner by people cutting me up and then slowing down for last bit of climb - went round the outside for the last 5 so had a bit of extra distance.
Fast group tonight, faster than normally are on this loop, but the recoveries seemed to be getting very long towards the end - was normally first to be ready to start again when often it's other way round. Still ended up lapping the slowest as early as the third effort!
http://www.strava.com/activities/221390119/overvie...
Wednesday Nov 19, 2014 #
Orienteering race (Hawley) 1:08:31 [3] 10.7 km (6:24 / km) +145m 6:00 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
MLS training event at Hawley. 8.9km brown course.
Am not this area's biggest fan and found the brashings hard enough to tire me. But then, wasn't pushing 100% as only found out when I arrived it wasn't part of the league.
Course planning was a little weird with some big dog legs (4 was the biggest), and I still think that the best route out of the start (based on map) was to double back and run through assembly and finish - I wimped out and fought through undergrowth to get straight to finish avoiding assembly.
Not too many misses - bit unsure about paths at 2 (30s), too far east on 11 (90s), a path too early on 14 (60s) - so quite a steady run. Was in a train most of the way from 2 until the finish, but seems we dropped the Guildford guy at 17 - still managed quite a bit of independent navigation.
http://www.strava.com/activities/220942406
Am not this area's biggest fan and found the brashings hard enough to tire me. But then, wasn't pushing 100% as only found out when I arrived it wasn't part of the league.
Course planning was a little weird with some big dog legs (4 was the biggest), and I still think that the best route out of the start (based on map) was to double back and run through assembly and finish - I wimped out and fought through undergrowth to get straight to finish avoiding assembly.
Not too many misses - bit unsure about paths at 2 (30s), too far east on 11 (90s), a path too early on 14 (60s) - so quite a steady run. Was in a train most of the way from 2 until the finish, but seems we dropped the Guildford guy at 17 - still managed quite a bit of independent navigation.
http://www.strava.com/activities/220942406
Tuesday Nov 18, 2014 #
Note
(rest day)
Monday Nov 17, 2014 #
Running (Westbury Harriers) 50:00 [3] 10.52 km (4:45 / km) +120m 4:30 / km
slept:4.5 weight:72kg shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers group 2.
Loop around Shirehampton with 2x Portway. Not too bad a route - still not very interesting but nice to go somewhere distant.
Put in a late effort up Druid Stoke Road with the other youngish guy there, but found tonight seemed a bit hard all round, despite feeling quite fresh.
Some suggestion at the end that we're being pushed to go too fast for our group, but since we can [just about] keep that pace, suppose it's all good. Lizzie trying to sell group 1 to us for next week if we want to avoid the Portway...
http://www.strava.com/activities/220337531/overvie...
Loop around Shirehampton with 2x Portway. Not too bad a route - still not very interesting but nice to go somewhere distant.
Put in a late effort up Druid Stoke Road with the other youngish guy there, but found tonight seemed a bit hard all round, despite feeling quite fresh.
Some suggestion at the end that we're being pushed to go too fast for our group, but since we can [just about] keep that pace, suppose it's all good. Lizzie trying to sell group 1 to us for next week if we want to avoid the Portway...
http://www.strava.com/activities/220337531/overvie...
Sunday Nov 16, 2014 #
Orienteering race (Pamber Forest) 1:17:34 [3] 11.17 km (6:57 / km) +105m 6:38 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
BADO Regional back on Pamber. 8.8km brown with 29 controls.
Big miss on 1 but split on 2s slower than on 1 last night - sneaky for them to put control on edge of start triangle!
Bit of a mess on 5 - the one control from last night (17 - which I messed up). Went on a bearing and found a control, only it was 6! Only about 50 yards between controls so good point for relocating.
Lost a bit of time struggling across fence by 10 - very slippery and wobbly. Took dog leg route in to 11 so led in to it by loads of people coming out. Small miss going in to 12 as missed crossing the big track as loads of people standing on crossing hiding it. Leaving 12, went along edge of high fence but the path just disappeared into bramble - not so good.
Now discussion on 12/16/20 (centre of butterfly) - lost a bit of time coming back into it from 15 and was too far west. Should have been able to head due south and hit path junction on way to 17 but was some way east - GPS has my south bearing as pretty good. Leaving 20 back to big path to east, it was much closer than I thought. Didn't put these all together at the time but in post race discussion concluded the feature is actually some way (40m?) east than mapped - GPS confirms. Yet another point feature on this map that's in the wrong place!
Spent a bit of time looking for Paul's rootstock, didn't seem quite right but did find it. Ended up bit too far west on 22 - on wrong distinct tree, that was also in rough open and bracken (mapped light green).
Tried playing it safe on common towards the end and mostly worked - taking chunks out of Mark here. Was just about in touch with map at 27 but map isn't as clear as it probably needs to be and lost 1 min looking around in the bracken with Colin Dickson. I then found it and left Colin looking in the wrong place.
Nice course and good to be forced off the paths unlike last day event here. Was feeling quite tired so didn't think my running pace was very good but still 5th of 24 or so when I left, and 2 mins or so ahead of Scott which makes a pleasant change.
http://www.strava.com/activities/219887011
Big miss on 1 but split on 2s slower than on 1 last night - sneaky for them to put control on edge of start triangle!
Bit of a mess on 5 - the one control from last night (17 - which I messed up). Went on a bearing and found a control, only it was 6! Only about 50 yards between controls so good point for relocating.
Lost a bit of time struggling across fence by 10 - very slippery and wobbly. Took dog leg route in to 11 so led in to it by loads of people coming out. Small miss going in to 12 as missed crossing the big track as loads of people standing on crossing hiding it. Leaving 12, went along edge of high fence but the path just disappeared into bramble - not so good.
Now discussion on 12/16/20 (centre of butterfly) - lost a bit of time coming back into it from 15 and was too far west. Should have been able to head due south and hit path junction on way to 17 but was some way east - GPS has my south bearing as pretty good. Leaving 20 back to big path to east, it was much closer than I thought. Didn't put these all together at the time but in post race discussion concluded the feature is actually some way (40m?) east than mapped - GPS confirms. Yet another point feature on this map that's in the wrong place!
Spent a bit of time looking for Paul's rootstock, didn't seem quite right but did find it. Ended up bit too far west on 22 - on wrong distinct tree, that was also in rough open and bracken (mapped light green).
Tried playing it safe on common towards the end and mostly worked - taking chunks out of Mark here. Was just about in touch with map at 27 but map isn't as clear as it probably needs to be and lost 1 min looking around in the bracken with Colin Dickson. I then found it and left Colin looking in the wrong place.
Nice course and good to be forced off the paths unlike last day event here. Was feeling quite tired so didn't think my running pace was very good but still 5th of 24 or so when I left, and 2 mins or so ahead of Scott which makes a pleasant change.
http://www.strava.com/activities/219887011
Saturday Nov 15, 2014 #
Event: Southern Night Championships
Event: BOK Saturday Winter Series
12 PM
Orienteering (BOK Oldbury Court) 39:31 [3] 5.3 km (7:27 / km) +90m 6:52 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
BOK Saturday series at Oldbury Court. 4.6km green.
Taking it fairly easy so not too tired for tonight. Slopes were pretty slippery so just not putting in any racing effort into/out of controls. Was nice to go around a bit of woods I hadn't been in to before.
http://www.strava.com/activities/219433588
Taking it fairly easy so not too tired for tonight. Slopes were pretty slippery so just not putting in any racing effort into/out of controls. Was nice to go around a bit of woods I hadn't been in to before.
http://www.strava.com/activities/219433588
6 PM
Orienteering - Night race (Southern Night Champs) 1:16:44 [3] 9.83 km (7:48 / km) +60m 7:34 / km
shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
Southern Night Champs at Pamber in thick fog. 7.3km M21 course.
Did ok in the open early on so had good split time on 1 and 2. Things started going a bit awry leaving 2 and not sure where I ended up. Then messed up 3 and did a bit of searching around - feature was mapped in wrong place last time and suspect not corrected.
Falling off paths right through 4-5 so very hesitant.
Miss on 10 - bearing was off, but control also seemed a lot further north than epected- hit path to south and had to go back. On 11 wasn't sure where was going, but took punt and found control.
Bit strange leaving 14, tried to hit indistinct path but think I failed - resorted to bearing. Then, on 17, plan was turn in and hope somebody else punches - they didn't - so had to relocate from ditch to NE.
17 to 18 lost the path and was back to bearing. Lucky on 20 as just went on bearing and hadn't even read map. Not so lucky on 21 as fog was very thick and map was unreadable - control was hillock but still can't see it on map. Found finish first and went back and still struggled.
Was 2nd when left (2 mins behind Tom Bray) - well ahead of Tim Morgan and only 5 behind Geoff (M35 class) which sounds pretty good. Probably a good 10 mins of mistakes but found it great fun.
Good that pub was clearly marked on map, food was very good and came out almost instantly - and only £9.50 - very much recommend this
http://www.strava.com/activities/219606221
Seems strava map doesn't want to load so done no analysis of where I went compared to where I thought I was.
Did ok in the open early on so had good split time on 1 and 2. Things started going a bit awry leaving 2 and not sure where I ended up. Then messed up 3 and did a bit of searching around - feature was mapped in wrong place last time and suspect not corrected.
Falling off paths right through 4-5 so very hesitant.
Miss on 10 - bearing was off, but control also seemed a lot further north than epected- hit path to south and had to go back. On 11 wasn't sure where was going, but took punt and found control.
Bit strange leaving 14, tried to hit indistinct path but think I failed - resorted to bearing. Then, on 17, plan was turn in and hope somebody else punches - they didn't - so had to relocate from ditch to NE.
17 to 18 lost the path and was back to bearing. Lucky on 20 as just went on bearing and hadn't even read map. Not so lucky on 21 as fog was very thick and map was unreadable - control was hillock but still can't see it on map. Found finish first and went back and still struggled.
Was 2nd when left (2 mins behind Tom Bray) - well ahead of Tim Morgan and only 5 behind Geoff (M35 class) which sounds pretty good. Probably a good 10 mins of mistakes but found it great fun.
Good that pub was clearly marked on map, food was very good and came out almost instantly - and only £9.50 - very much recommend this
http://www.strava.com/activities/219606221
Seems strava map doesn't want to load so done no analysis of where I went compared to where I thought I was.
Friday Nov 14, 2014 #
Note
(rest day)
Thursday Nov 13, 2014 #
Running - off road race (Moseley Green Night Race) 52:21 [4] 9.57 km (5:28 / km) +205m 4:56 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow1
First Rogue Run of the series.
Started off a bit quick and tiredness from last 5 days soon caught up with me and began to struggle - and falling in to a walk up many of the hills. Second lap was going a bit better as think I'd started to get in to it - according to GPS second lap was only 50s slower than first so quite happy.
Going well in the mud and don't think it slowed me down too much (except the start of the one cycle track where camber was bad) but had no grip at all on the tree roots - sliding off them and getting a bit worried about ankles.
For most of the last mile was stuck behind a couple of people on single track mountain bike track and was definitely getting held up. First chance to overtake was as it opened up 15 yards from the finish and cleared them both with a short sprint.
Quite good, but think the last 5 days training versus the hills meant I maybe didn't enjoy this quite as much as I would if I was fresher.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218962923/overvie...
Started off a bit quick and tiredness from last 5 days soon caught up with me and began to struggle - and falling in to a walk up many of the hills. Second lap was going a bit better as think I'd started to get in to it - according to GPS second lap was only 50s slower than first so quite happy.
Going well in the mud and don't think it slowed me down too much (except the start of the one cycle track where camber was bad) but had no grip at all on the tree roots - sliding off them and getting a bit worried about ankles.
For most of the last mile was stuck behind a couple of people on single track mountain bike track and was definitely getting held up. First chance to overtake was as it opened up 15 yards from the finish and cleared them both with a short sprint.
Quite good, but think the last 5 days training versus the hills meant I maybe didn't enjoy this quite as much as I would if I was fresher.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218962923/overvie...
Wednesday Nov 12, 2014 #
Orienteering race (MLS Barossa) 1:14:57 [3] 10.68 km (7:01 / km) +250m 6:17 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
MLS at Barossa. 8.8km brown. Just after the rain.
More of a slow/steady pace rather than full on racing as feeling quite tired. Bits of woods were very nice but lots of crap and tussocks.
Left 5 to north so that I wouldn't catch Judith too quickly, but the paths didn't work as mapped and ended up going back to south. Lost another minute at 8 as slightly too high and in the unmapped trench that was same shape as the mapped one (but 50 yards too far north).
Straight line route to 9 was very slow and path would have been better, but did quite well to stay quite straight in the thick trees.
3 mins lost at 10 - vegetation might have been a bit different to mapped - certainly pulled me too far east. Relocated from road and hit precise control location, but it wasn't there. Relocated from path to west and went back until the end - not in right place. Apparently organiser did confirm this was wrong after Judith finished.
Trenches again not right to 11 but had half pathed out of frustration, and went in off the bush and it was just right. 13 wasn't a knoll, but was side of a very deep unmapped trench. Found a track through bracken on 14 which took me some way off straight line but was quick.
Overshot turning after marsh on 18, and 19 was a bit of a ridiculous control in fight mapped as ROST - found it based on a dot hidden behind control no that I took to be a veg boundary. Fairly steep finish (20m climb in 90m) through fight not quick.
Don't really expect much from army events but weather held out and gave me a bit more terrain training and think speed was reasonable for tiredness and amount of effort I was putting in.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218489786
More of a slow/steady pace rather than full on racing as feeling quite tired. Bits of woods were very nice but lots of crap and tussocks.
Left 5 to north so that I wouldn't catch Judith too quickly, but the paths didn't work as mapped and ended up going back to south. Lost another minute at 8 as slightly too high and in the unmapped trench that was same shape as the mapped one (but 50 yards too far north).
Straight line route to 9 was very slow and path would have been better, but did quite well to stay quite straight in the thick trees.
3 mins lost at 10 - vegetation might have been a bit different to mapped - certainly pulled me too far east. Relocated from road and hit precise control location, but it wasn't there. Relocated from path to west and went back until the end - not in right place. Apparently organiser did confirm this was wrong after Judith finished.
Trenches again not right to 11 but had half pathed out of frustration, and went in off the bush and it was just right. 13 wasn't a knoll, but was side of a very deep unmapped trench. Found a track through bracken on 14 which took me some way off straight line but was quick.
Overshot turning after marsh on 18, and 19 was a bit of a ridiculous control in fight mapped as ROST - found it based on a dot hidden behind control no that I took to be a veg boundary. Fairly steep finish (20m climb in 90m) through fight not quick.
Don't really expect much from army events but weather held out and gave me a bit more terrain training and think speed was reasonable for tiredness and amount of effort I was putting in.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218489786
Tuesday Nov 11, 2014 #
Running 1:02:35 [3] 11.48 km (5:27 / km) +80m 5:16 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
From Horfield, usual lap of Filton Golf Course.
Forecast heavy rain didn't come to much so this run could have been worse - regretting taking a jacket out though - far too hot!
Didn't feel like my running was great and hadn't much pace in my legs after a few consecutive days of training. Still, kept the pace within my target 5:00-5:30mpk for a fairly easy run and suspect it is actually the best I've run around this route.
Ground conditions not optimal for good running - very wet and waterlogged - but trainers were the right shoe choice and very little sliding.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218265664/overvie...
Forecast heavy rain didn't come to much so this run could have been worse - regretting taking a jacket out though - far too hot!
Didn't feel like my running was great and hadn't much pace in my legs after a few consecutive days of training. Still, kept the pace within my target 5:00-5:30mpk for a fairly easy run and suspect it is actually the best I've run around this route.
Ground conditions not optimal for good running - very wet and waterlogged - but trainers were the right shoe choice and very little sliding.
http://www.strava.com/activities/218265664/overvie...
Note
WNL scores up - Saturday goes in as my best ever score (didn't appreciate Matthew Owen hasn't a handicap, nor Chloe - so third counter was Paul!), and back to the top of handicap league - surely we've reached the point now where I stop leading this?
Monday Nov 10, 2014 #
Running (Westbury Harriers) 50:14 [4] 10.19 km (4:56 / km) +80m 4:45 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Group 2. Neil had asked a lot of the juniors from group 1 to take it easy and run down - then they saw that Lizzie was taking us and stayed put.
Slower pace than usual but with a lot more uphill and somehow into the wind when heading all of west, south and east. Not running too great but was at least sticking with the pace tonight.
Last 5 mins caught the rain, but sounds a lot worse now I'm back home.
http://www.strava.com/activities/217848440/overvie...
Slower pace than usual but with a lot more uphill and somehow into the wind when heading all of west, south and east. Not running too great but was at least sticking with the pace tonight.
Last 5 mins caught the rain, but sounds a lot worse now I'm back home.
http://www.strava.com/activities/217848440/overvie...
Sunday Nov 9, 2014 #
Event: HOC Local event
Orienteering race (HOC Castlemorton) 51:08 [3] 8.43 km (6:04 / km) +110m 5:42 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
HOC local at Castlemorton Common. 7.3km blue.
Started feeling properly unwell again on drive up so spent a while up there hoping I'd feel better before I started. Did, a bit, but still not feeling good for most of the first half.
For an open area with lots of blocks of undergrowth and gorse, thought it was mapped pretty well and most things were in the right place. Most, not quite all the controls - was a mix of some being very visible in slightly the wrong place, some right place very hidden, some slightly wrong very hidden - was lucky on several.
Feeling better after the turn around point but noticeably tiring on the dead running sections. Caught out a bit after 16 trying to find a route around impenetrable bramble (this area was a bit not so well mapped), and pretty slow up the hill. Didn't take a great line on 20-21 but meant I took a proper gap through the light green and kept a good bearing from that gap into control. Glad of the slight elephant track through the marsh/undergrowth out of 21.
Joe put in an appearance today so at least made the results not look quite so ridiculous.
http://www.strava.com/activities/217354734
Finished off with a stop in Gloucester - first look around the Docks and Alney Island to see where I can fit in a sprint and an older juniors course. Bit of a small area but should be able to do something good with it.
Started feeling properly unwell again on drive up so spent a while up there hoping I'd feel better before I started. Did, a bit, but still not feeling good for most of the first half.
For an open area with lots of blocks of undergrowth and gorse, thought it was mapped pretty well and most things were in the right place. Most, not quite all the controls - was a mix of some being very visible in slightly the wrong place, some right place very hidden, some slightly wrong very hidden - was lucky on several.
Feeling better after the turn around point but noticeably tiring on the dead running sections. Caught out a bit after 16 trying to find a route around impenetrable bramble (this area was a bit not so well mapped), and pretty slow up the hill. Didn't take a great line on 20-21 but meant I took a proper gap through the light green and kept a good bearing from that gap into control. Glad of the slight elephant track through the marsh/undergrowth out of 21.
Joe put in an appearance today so at least made the results not look quite so ridiculous.
http://www.strava.com/activities/217354734
Finished off with a stop in Gloucester - first look around the Docks and Alney Island to see where I can fit in a sprint and an older juniors course. Bit of a small area but should be able to do something good with it.
Saturday Nov 8, 2014 #
Event: BOK Western Night League
Orienteering - Night race (WNL Pur Down) 1:00:24 [4] 9.08 km (6:39 / km) +130m 6:12 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
First WNL of season and some pressure on me to beat Ifor. Despite having rested for the day, knee wasn't feeling great and as soon as I started began feeling unwell again (should be better soon!)
S-9-19-7-6-27-17-16-29-28-26-15-13-12-5-18-4-30-10-25-24-14-3-21-11-1-F. 510 points less 4 pt penalty.
Pretty dreadful performance. Slow up hills, very tentative down the muddy paths. Worst of all was the 5 mins or so accumulated in stopping to try to match the map to the ground (or failing to do so...). Had a reasonable route lined up to get them all but no hope with these delays.
Got on well with the top wood on the map for once, but feel that the rest would benefit from a full re-map rather than just patching - it's a difficult area to get right and it seems that many of the paths are quite fluid and have moved a lot since 2006.
Still, Charles planned a good course that gave a good tour of the area, and left plenty of options to cut short towards the end. Good to get some night-O in ahead of Southern Nights next week.
http://www.strava.com/activities/216996538/overvie...
S-9-19-7-6-27-17-16-29-28-26-15-13-12-5-18-4-30-10-25-24-14-3-21-11-1-F. 510 points less 4 pt penalty.
Pretty dreadful performance. Slow up hills, very tentative down the muddy paths. Worst of all was the 5 mins or so accumulated in stopping to try to match the map to the ground (or failing to do so...). Had a reasonable route lined up to get them all but no hope with these delays.
Got on well with the top wood on the map for once, but feel that the rest would benefit from a full re-map rather than just patching - it's a difficult area to get right and it seems that many of the paths are quite fluid and have moved a lot since 2006.
Still, Charles planned a good course that gave a good tour of the area, and left plenty of options to cut short towards the end. Good to get some night-O in ahead of Southern Nights next week.
http://www.strava.com/activities/216996538/overvie...
Thursday Nov 6, 2014 #
Running intervals (Westbury Harriers) 57:48 [3] 8.4 km (6:53 / km) +90m 6:32 / km
slept:5.0 weight:71.7kg shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers in the drizzle. Elmlea school loop so Ifor glad not to be there.
Wasn't really going to try too hard, but as we were split up into smaller groups formed a good group that worked together quite well - usually me leading up the hills and Ollie on flat, but harder to tell as I was taking slightly longer recovery on middle two so was often chasing for the last 2 efforts.
Certainly feeling that I did this a lot better than last time (2 years ago?) - nowhere near as tired up the hill, and going well for me on the flat, and felt like I could have done another 2 or more laps if I wanted after.
Have to say that Westbury intervals are a lot better nowadays with being split up into fast/medium/slow for efforts, and very good that we have a good sized group that actually does put some effort in.
http://www.strava.com/activities/216273325/overvie...
Wasn't really going to try too hard, but as we were split up into smaller groups formed a good group that worked together quite well - usually me leading up the hills and Ollie on flat, but harder to tell as I was taking slightly longer recovery on middle two so was often chasing for the last 2 efforts.
Certainly feeling that I did this a lot better than last time (2 years ago?) - nowhere near as tired up the hill, and going well for me on the flat, and felt like I could have done another 2 or more laps if I wanted after.
Have to say that Westbury intervals are a lot better nowadays with being split up into fast/medium/slow for efforts, and very good that we have a good sized group that actually does put some effort in.
http://www.strava.com/activities/216273325/overvie...
Wednesday Nov 5, 2014 #
Orienteering race (MLS) 58:53 [3] 8.7 km (6:46 / km) +60m 6:33 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
MLS Score at Hawley.
Route S-2-27-25-26-24-23-22-28-21-20-19-18-17-16-14-13-15-12-11-10-8-3-30-29-F. Missed 6.
Left 27 and somehow convinced myself that my next control was 27 and approaching from west - so went wrong way for 26 and should really have gone south anyway for 25 as 26-24-23-22 made for a nice arc.
Not sure I took a good route at southern end as 20 and 17 pretty close was tempted to go 19-21-20-17-... but fitting in 18 would have been hard. Found a 15ft wide stream (2ft deep and smelling unpleasant) where the thin blue line was between 17 and 14 - had to go round.
Little unsure on 15, seemed further from ditch than expected. Uncharacteristic big mistake on 12 as went the wrong side of long linear thicket and didn't realise quickly enough - just not paying enough attention as clearing needed to stagger my crossing of path. Ended up crawling through gorse for about 50m so don't think it cost me too much. Just then very wet around 12, and brambly going in to 11 and 10.
Annoyingly not enough time to get 7 towards end.
Not sure I could clear this on a good day, might only have managed an extra couple of controls. Not so keen on the area as the woods were very brashed, bit brambled, and lots of long grass (and unmapped marsh) so the going was much slower than I had hoped.
http://www.strava.com/activities/215816941
Route S-2-27-25-26-24-23-22-28-21-20-19-18-17-16-14-13-15-12-11-10-8-3-30-29-F. Missed 6.
Left 27 and somehow convinced myself that my next control was 27 and approaching from west - so went wrong way for 26 and should really have gone south anyway for 25 as 26-24-23-22 made for a nice arc.
Not sure I took a good route at southern end as 20 and 17 pretty close was tempted to go 19-21-20-17-... but fitting in 18 would have been hard. Found a 15ft wide stream (2ft deep and smelling unpleasant) where the thin blue line was between 17 and 14 - had to go round.
Little unsure on 15, seemed further from ditch than expected. Uncharacteristic big mistake on 12 as went the wrong side of long linear thicket and didn't realise quickly enough - just not paying enough attention as clearing needed to stagger my crossing of path. Ended up crawling through gorse for about 50m so don't think it cost me too much. Just then very wet around 12, and brambly going in to 11 and 10.
Annoyingly not enough time to get 7 towards end.
Not sure I could clear this on a good day, might only have managed an extra couple of controls. Not so keen on the area as the woods were very brashed, bit brambled, and lots of long grass (and unmapped marsh) so the going was much slower than I had hoped.
http://www.strava.com/activities/215816941
Tuesday Nov 4, 2014 #
Note
(rest day)
Monday Nov 3, 2014 #
Running (Westbury Harriers) 51:09 [4] 11.14 km (4:35 / km) +80m 4:26 / km
slept:6.0 weight:71.7kg shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Westbury Harriers group 2, interesting route.
Really struggling from the start - off the pace, and still feeling unwell. Quite a surprise that the overall distance and time pretty much same as for last week - a few months ago would have been 10k PB pace.
Look forward to more runs where I don't feel like I'm going badly!
http://www.strava.com/activities/215186706/overvie...
Really struggling from the start - off the pace, and still feeling unwell. Quite a surprise that the overall distance and time pretty much same as for last week - a few months ago would have been 10k PB pace.
Look forward to more runs where I don't feel like I'm going badly!
http://www.strava.com/activities/215186706/overvie...
Sunday Nov 2, 2014 #
Event: November Classic (UKOL)
Orienteering race (November Classic) 1:17:12 [3] 11.71 km (6:36 / km) +190m 6:06 / km
slept:1.5 shoes: VJ Integrator High (2)
November Classic at King's Garn Gutter. 10.4km Long Orange course.
Was one of the nicest orange courses I've done but the yellow standard controls 8-9-10-11 weren't very exciting. Maybe in hindsight should have entered brown or black.
Quite a nice area so pleasant - 1 was iffy as was beyond a bush when supposed to be before. Then from 2-10 hand the fence as a handrail as, for some reason, all the controls were put just off it, and nearly did a complete loop of enclosure. Quite runnable apart from boggy bits 3-5.
Next block of course not much harder - all just off paths. No idea why area by 12 was dark green as I would map as white run - could go fairly straight no problem. Lucky on 15 as was a bit far east in the bracken.
First scope for mistake was taking the wrong open after 19, but bearing was easy. Slight miss on 24 but it was TD4. Surprised to be looking too early on 25 - must have gone further off course than thought trying to find a way to cross the 2m deep gorge that was mapped as stream.
Wasn't feeling well before starting and working on very little sleep after wind kept me awake almost all night. Would still have liked to have done this in 70 based on last year's time - maybe just need to consider that KGG more hilly and boggy - hence more physical - than Round Hill and the course probably was harder today with much more off track running (come to think of it, only did about 250 yards of paths over whole course!)
Glad I came, and glad I didn't run black as feeling very tired towards end.
http://www.strava.com/activities/214734537
Was one of the nicest orange courses I've done but the yellow standard controls 8-9-10-11 weren't very exciting. Maybe in hindsight should have entered brown or black.
Quite a nice area so pleasant - 1 was iffy as was beyond a bush when supposed to be before. Then from 2-10 hand the fence as a handrail as, for some reason, all the controls were put just off it, and nearly did a complete loop of enclosure. Quite runnable apart from boggy bits 3-5.
Next block of course not much harder - all just off paths. No idea why area by 12 was dark green as I would map as white run - could go fairly straight no problem. Lucky on 15 as was a bit far east in the bracken.
First scope for mistake was taking the wrong open after 19, but bearing was easy. Slight miss on 24 but it was TD4. Surprised to be looking too early on 25 - must have gone further off course than thought trying to find a way to cross the 2m deep gorge that was mapped as stream.
Wasn't feeling well before starting and working on very little sleep after wind kept me awake almost all night. Would still have liked to have done this in 70 based on last year's time - maybe just need to consider that KGG more hilly and boggy - hence more physical - than Round Hill and the course probably was harder today with much more off track running (come to think of it, only did about 250 yards of paths over whole course!)
Glad I came, and glad I didn't run black as feeling very tired towards end.
http://www.strava.com/activities/214734537
Saturday Nov 1, 2014 #
Orienteering - Urban race (Winchester urban) 1:01:27 [4] 11.89 km (5:10 / km) +75m 5:01 / km
slept:4.5 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
7.6km Mens Open at Winchester.
Not running too fast and some pretty crap route choices on 7-8 and 9-10. Couldn't read the map properly at 27 and only just made a decision to go to the right place before it was too late. Having to take lots of risks with traffic but still had to wait 20s at one point.
Despite the mistakes and feeling slow, results are very bunched up and not too far down. Suppose that the benefit of training is that bad runs aren't actually too slow now. Less than 30s down on Tim Morgan sounds quite good, and well ahead of Kit and Michael.
Great to see that Tommi must have had a good run today - 3 mins up on Michael. Also great to see so many from UBOC running (although not so keen on them beating me!)
http://www.strava.com/activities/214302318
Not running too fast and some pretty crap route choices on 7-8 and 9-10. Couldn't read the map properly at 27 and only just made a decision to go to the right place before it was too late. Having to take lots of risks with traffic but still had to wait 20s at one point.
Despite the mistakes and feeling slow, results are very bunched up and not too far down. Suppose that the benefit of training is that bad runs aren't actually too slow now. Less than 30s down on Tim Morgan sounds quite good, and well ahead of Kit and Michael.
Great to see that Tommi must have had a good run today - 3 mins up on Michael. Also great to see so many from UBOC running (although not so keen on them beating me!)
http://www.strava.com/activities/214302318