Training Log Archive: rcroIn the 31 days ending Aug 31, 2015:
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Monday Aug 31, 2015 #
Running - off road race (Machen Mountain Race) 42:17 [4] 7.07 km (5:59 / km) +350m 4:48 / km
slept:6.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Not a good run from me today. Legs feeling very tired still - I think mostly from Friday's hills, made worse by the intervals at the maze, and then standing still for 5 hrs yesterday.
Good start up the (steep) road but slow on the gradual descent, and for being climb that was really of a runnable gradient ended up doing a lot of walking and calves not happy. Last climb to the top was the worst and caught up by pretty much everyone.
Then onto easier uphill gradient and was able to fly up the track to the trig. OK going down early on - it was muddy and was able to grip well. Main part of the descent was too fast and too dry underfoot for me to stand a chance - shoes weren't biting in to the ground and confidence knocked by a big sideways slide on a tree root (and on my bad ankle). Amazed there were still people behind me to be overtaking me once at the bottom on the rocky steps but as it turned into gentle uphill again was able to open up and make up some of the time had lost and drop Caroline Craig. Pretty nasty finish and wasn't prepared to risk knees by fully sprinting down the road.
Some rubbish result - but after a hard few days on the legs and not too much chance for recovery so shouldn't worry too much. Super fast descents aren't really my thing anyway. Good to meet some more Lliswerry people.
https://www.strava.com/activities/381843685/overvi...
Good start up the (steep) road but slow on the gradual descent, and for being climb that was really of a runnable gradient ended up doing a lot of walking and calves not happy. Last climb to the top was the worst and caught up by pretty much everyone.
Then onto easier uphill gradient and was able to fly up the track to the trig. OK going down early on - it was muddy and was able to grip well. Main part of the descent was too fast and too dry underfoot for me to stand a chance - shoes weren't biting in to the ground and confidence knocked by a big sideways slide on a tree root (and on my bad ankle). Amazed there were still people behind me to be overtaking me once at the bottom on the rocky steps but as it turned into gentle uphill again was able to open up and make up some of the time had lost and drop Caroline Craig. Pretty nasty finish and wasn't prepared to risk knees by fully sprinting down the road.
Some rubbish result - but after a hard few days on the legs and not too much chance for recovery so shouldn't worry too much. Super fast descents aren't really my thing anyway. Good to meet some more Lliswerry people.
https://www.strava.com/activities/381843685/overvi...
Sunday Aug 30, 2015 #
Note
slept:3.0 (rest day)
Plan was to do something after SBHM, but after 5 hrs of marshalling think rest day not a bad idea - as otherwise would be doing 6 days in a row.
Saturday Aug 29, 2015 #
9 AM
Running - off road race (FoD Parkrun) 20:46 [4] 5.0 km (4:09 / km) +20m 4:04 / km
slept:4.5 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
FoD Parkrun.
Tired still from yesterday's hills. After doing the last few as start slow, then speed up on lap 2 today tried for the harder start fast then slow down approach - first lap reasonably quick (15s down on best) and did make effort to do the "hill" slowly and didn't start upping the effort again until after the bow tie.
4th best FoD time so fairly happy with it. Three more runs and then equal with Ashton Court for attendance.
http://www.strava.com/activities/380374690
Tired still from yesterday's hills. After doing the last few as start slow, then speed up on lap 2 today tried for the harder start fast then slow down approach - first lap reasonably quick (15s down on best) and did make effort to do the "hill" slowly and didn't start upping the effort again until after the bow tie.
4th best FoD time so fairly happy with it. Three more runs and then equal with Ashton Court for attendance.
http://www.strava.com/activities/380374690
10 AM
O - Planning 3:06:46 [1] 13.52 km (13:49 / km) +110m 13:16 / km
shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Mapping - mostly GPSing all the non-parkrun paths in the triangle so that I can add to the base map, and some veg detail. A little disappointed with the GPS plots, but hope that, combined with LIDAR shading should be good enough. Lots and lots different to the old map.
Second wave was just tracks on north side of road. Some were very overgrown! Again lots of changes to what used to be. Not sure how much more progress I'll be able to make this month as bracken too thick and high in a lot of areas.
Second wave was just tracks on north side of road. Some were very overgrown! Again lots of changes to what used to be. Not sure how much more progress I'll be able to make this month as bracken too thick and high in a lot of areas.
4 PM
Orienteering - Urban intervals (Maize Maze) 55:53 [5] 8.49 km (6:35 / km)
shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Heat 1 #1 - 14:43 - 2.00km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374680
Heat 1 #2 - 12:00 - 1.90km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374677
Heat 2 #1 - 8:10 - 1.22km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374673
Heat 2 #2 - 7:42 - 1.22km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374666
Final - 13:18 - 2.15km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374672
Heat 1 #1
Complicated! Really challenging course and so easy to get it completely wrong. Enjoyed this run but some big mistakes.
1 - confused in zig-zags
3 - saw there was no join between 3 and 4 and picked southern route up the cat's nose. Overshot the mouth by some margin and stopped. Confused myself and disregarded northern route option as now navigating to 4. Once on the nose wondered why I didn't just carry on north on a whisker!
4 - knew the way back now, still a bit hesitant.
5 - worked out the tricks on the cat by now
7 - likewise, on the long run down the nose on 5 had worked out the best route for all south cat legs.
10 - got a little bit confused in the flower and stopped a turn too early.
Heat 1 #2
1 - tried my alternative zig-zag free route - turning right after start and going round the straights - only 8s quicker.
3 - took a whisker and entered dead end from east. 1:22 faster
10 - didn't go the way I expected, but it wasn't dead end so ok. 16s saved. Won the heat.
Heat 2 #1
Much easier. Biggest mistake on 2 (very simple control!) - overshot turning. Didn't think there was much scope to take time off on a repeat run.
Heat 2 #2
Exactly the same route, but without thinking time. Only got 5s back on leg 2 so got all the time back elsewhere. Beaten by Mark (7:29). As I was using my standard map simplification technique of using a few known good routes took longer route than necessary on 9-10 as would use the Heat 1 control 1 flag as my indicator to turn left. Still running less distance than others.
Final
Went fairly well. Autopilot to 1 - good as I didn't really remember it as not sure going the right way! Had to think to interpret the new paths (to me) to 2. NEarly didn't punch the control! Think doubling back to nose to 6 was best route. Managed a mistake - turned into dead end on way to 7. 8 - again took the less obvious non zig zag route. Left 10 south as now nailed that route from heat 1 - through the tortoise looks shorter but not sure if quicker. Won.
Great evening and barbecue. Pleased to have retained my crown once again. Certainly shows that I must be better at simplifying maps into just a handful of valid routes and saving on the thinking time - hence Barbican, Cumberland Basin etc. Bit of a shame that it's a less marked advantage in non-novelty orienteering!
Heat 1 #2 - 12:00 - 1.90km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374677
Heat 2 #1 - 8:10 - 1.22km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374673
Heat 2 #2 - 7:42 - 1.22km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374666
Final - 13:18 - 2.15km - https://www.strava.com/activities/380374672
Heat 1 #1
Complicated! Really challenging course and so easy to get it completely wrong. Enjoyed this run but some big mistakes.
1 - confused in zig-zags
3 - saw there was no join between 3 and 4 and picked southern route up the cat's nose. Overshot the mouth by some margin and stopped. Confused myself and disregarded northern route option as now navigating to 4. Once on the nose wondered why I didn't just carry on north on a whisker!
4 - knew the way back now, still a bit hesitant.
5 - worked out the tricks on the cat by now
7 - likewise, on the long run down the nose on 5 had worked out the best route for all south cat legs.
10 - got a little bit confused in the flower and stopped a turn too early.
Heat 1 #2
1 - tried my alternative zig-zag free route - turning right after start and going round the straights - only 8s quicker.
3 - took a whisker and entered dead end from east. 1:22 faster
10 - didn't go the way I expected, but it wasn't dead end so ok. 16s saved. Won the heat.
Heat 2 #1
Much easier. Biggest mistake on 2 (very simple control!) - overshot turning. Didn't think there was much scope to take time off on a repeat run.
Heat 2 #2
Exactly the same route, but without thinking time. Only got 5s back on leg 2 so got all the time back elsewhere. Beaten by Mark (7:29). As I was using my standard map simplification technique of using a few known good routes took longer route than necessary on 9-10 as would use the Heat 1 control 1 flag as my indicator to turn left. Still running less distance than others.
Final
Went fairly well. Autopilot to 1 - good as I didn't really remember it as not sure going the right way! Had to think to interpret the new paths (to me) to 2. NEarly didn't punch the control! Think doubling back to nose to 6 was best route. Managed a mistake - turned into dead end on way to 7. 8 - again took the less obvious non zig zag route. Left 10 south as now nailed that route from heat 1 - through the tortoise looks shorter but not sure if quicker. Won.
Great evening and barbecue. Pleased to have retained my crown once again. Certainly shows that I must be better at simplifying maps into just a handful of valid routes and saving on the thinking time - hence Barbican, Cumberland Basin etc. Bit of a shame that it's a less marked advantage in non-novelty orienteering!
8 PM
O - Planning 20:00 [1] 2.0 km (10:00 / km)
shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 10 r
Collecting controls on the cat in the dark - some irony that the two winners also happened to be the control collectors!
Having been told for many years by the pro-fox city dwellers that foxes are supposedly clever and cunning, makes me wonder why a clever fox would (a) be in the central reservation of the motorway and (b) think it would be a good idea to start running across the carriageway 2s in front of a car doing 70mph... Maybe if fox hunting hadn't been banned then this one would have been got long before it'd have got close to the motorway - alas it won't be murdering innocent chickens or ripping open bin bags any more.
Having been told for many years by the pro-fox city dwellers that foxes are supposedly clever and cunning, makes me wonder why a clever fox would (a) be in the central reservation of the motorway and (b) think it would be a good idea to start running across the carriageway 2s in front of a car doing 70mph... Maybe if fox hunting hadn't been banned then this one would have been got long before it'd have got close to the motorway - alas it won't be murdering innocent chickens or ripping open bin bags any more.
Friday Aug 28, 2015 #
Running 41:30 [4] 8.52 km (4:52 / km) +135m 4:31 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Lacking motivation but wanted to do something - and ideally not too flat - before the weekend.
Allt yr yn from Civic Centre side (60m climb in 1k) - started off slower but pushing hard for the last half. Good time, but knew it wasn't a KOM.
Fields Park Road (1k - with 30m climb in 400m) - 100% effort all the way but found it tough later on - but think it went pretty well.
Completely knackered after second effort so opted out of returning to top of Ridgeway on jog back - instead slow home the back way so get to enjoy the views whilst there's still daylight.
https://www.strava.com/activities/379518425
Allt yr yn from Civic Centre side (60m climb in 1k) - started off slower but pushing hard for the last half. Good time, but knew it wasn't a KOM.
Fields Park Road (1k - with 30m climb in 400m) - 100% effort all the way but found it tough later on - but think it went pretty well.
Completely knackered after second effort so opted out of returning to top of Ridgeway on jog back - instead slow home the back way so get to enjoy the views whilst there's still daylight.
https://www.strava.com/activities/379518425
Thursday Aug 27, 2015 #
Note
(rest day)
Nice afternoon so had wanted to get a short run in - but tired when got home so giving it a miss
Wednesday Aug 26, 2015 #
6 PM
Running warm up/down 13:00 [3] 2.0 km (6:30 / km)
slept:3.5
Jog to start with Mark.
7 PM
Running - off road race (Crook Peak Cake Race) 25:43 [5] 4.97 km (5:10 / km) +210m 4:16 / km
shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Second go at Crook Peak race. As expected, slower than last time - no pace up the hills as still not fully recovered from Sunday, and although the wind wasn't much, it felt significant enough to push me back even further.
Struggling on the flat and walked almost all of second hill - but did gain places doing so.
On plus side, descending felt better than last time and think made up quite a bit of time that I'd lost through tiredness on the ups. Didn't give Keith the chance to beat me and Ifor still nowhere near at the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/378162980
Struggling on the flat and walked almost all of second hill - but did gain places doing so.
On plus side, descending felt better than last time and think made up quite a bit of time that I'd lost through tiredness on the ups. Didn't give Keith the chance to beat me and Ifor still nowhere near at the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/378162980
Tuesday Aug 25, 2015 #
Running - off road (MDC Wentwood) 1:08:57 [3] 9.52 km (7:15 / km) +320m 6:12 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
MDC run from Earlswood.
Naturally feeling very tired and struggling on the hills. Got more into it as went along but am expecting tomorrow to be tough.
Pretty nasty road hill finish so maybe won't do this race in a few weeks now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/377395357
Naturally feeling very tired and struggling on the hills. Got more into it as went along but am expecting tomorrow to be tough.
Pretty nasty road hill finish so maybe won't do this race in a few weeks now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/377395357
Sunday Aug 23, 2015 #
Running - off road race (Four Fans) 2:38:32 [5] 18.84 km (8:25 / km) +1165m 6:26 / km
slept:2.0 weight:72kg shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Four Fans Race. Heart not into this - was very close to not coming at all given weather, and doing lap of Forest instead. Glad I stuck with it.
Pretty miserable - heavy rain on and off, fog down on the peaks.
Started out wanting to be sick as had taken in quite a lot of jelly babies beforehand.
Early section was generally in the rough parallel and just above the path - found this easier running as less rocky. Had to stop to sort out rucksack (45s) which meant Andy Creber got ahead, so had the benefit of his short cut to regain a couple of mins on people going the long - less effective as rucksack came open again on the short cut.
Well tiring now, got to Fan Frynach with John Aggleton and just behind Alan. Took south route but struggling and very slow. Ankle not liking it.
Andy Creber about as far ahead as expected up Fan Nedd as would would have if he went my way, so very little in it. Descent had some very deep tussocks that got at ankle, river crossing was not easy - got taken off my feet and map got dunked to avoid banging head on rocks. Walked up to Fan Llia.
Not really best route down - changed my mind half way and ended up at a rather scary river crossing and crossed at the easiest place. About half way across basically had to lean over, jump, grab hold of other side as I was getting taken off my feet.
Long, long, long walk up Fan Fawr. Found the trig point, but getting to the highest point wasn't trivial in the fog. Descent was reasonably nice though.
Glad to do it, and enjoyed the challenge. Not able to consider this sort of distance/climb as a "race" as I'm just not fit enough. That said, very pleased to be under 10 mins behind Ben (after allowing for the two rucksack stops).
https://www.strava.com/activities/375723301/overvi...
Followed up with a trip back along the Beacons Way to collect car keys. Given they were on the track, and almost a k closer than I expected, took the fun out of it a bit.
Pretty miserable - heavy rain on and off, fog down on the peaks.
Started out wanting to be sick as had taken in quite a lot of jelly babies beforehand.
Early section was generally in the rough parallel and just above the path - found this easier running as less rocky. Had to stop to sort out rucksack (45s) which meant Andy Creber got ahead, so had the benefit of his short cut to regain a couple of mins on people going the long - less effective as rucksack came open again on the short cut.
Well tiring now, got to Fan Frynach with John Aggleton and just behind Alan. Took south route but struggling and very slow. Ankle not liking it.
Andy Creber about as far ahead as expected up Fan Nedd as would would have if he went my way, so very little in it. Descent had some very deep tussocks that got at ankle, river crossing was not easy - got taken off my feet and map got dunked to avoid banging head on rocks. Walked up to Fan Llia.
Not really best route down - changed my mind half way and ended up at a rather scary river crossing and crossed at the easiest place. About half way across basically had to lean over, jump, grab hold of other side as I was getting taken off my feet.
Long, long, long walk up Fan Fawr. Found the trig point, but getting to the highest point wasn't trivial in the fog. Descent was reasonably nice though.
Glad to do it, and enjoyed the challenge. Not able to consider this sort of distance/climb as a "race" as I'm just not fit enough. That said, very pleased to be under 10 mins behind Ben (after allowing for the two rucksack stops).
https://www.strava.com/activities/375723301/overvi...
Followed up with a trip back along the Beacons Way to collect car keys. Given they were on the track, and almost a k closer than I expected, took the fun out of it a bit.
Saturday Aug 22, 2015 #
Event: NGOC League 7
9 AM
Running - off road race (FoD Parkrun) 22:08 [3] 5.0 km (4:26 / km) +15m 4:22 / km
slept:4.5 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
FoD Parkrun - aiming for 22 mins given later run and tomorrow. A bit disappointed to miss it given it didn't feel easy. Lots of other people found it tough today as well - despite ground being about right - soft enough to be comfortable but not slippery - maybe to do with the heat/humidity and mosquitoes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/375041433
https://www.strava.com/activities/375041433
10 AM
Note
Looking around the Nine Wells triangle to see what map updates will be needed before WNL in November. Turns out it's a lot - and before looking at the other bits - could well take up the next few Saturdays and a couple of my planned Wednesdays at end of October.
12 PM
Orienteering race (NGOC Crickley Hill) 41:13 [3] 5.27 km (7:49 / km) +205m 6:33 / km
shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
NGOC League middle race a Crickley Hill. 4.6km blue.
No major mistakes but really lacking any speed or ability to run. Incredibly sticky and temperature was around 29C - hottest I've run in for well over a year - and still. Couldn't have run any more even if I wanted.
OK to 1, but ended up not where I expected on way to 2 - worked out where I was quickly and turns out mistake got me to run in very runnable bits.
Down to a walk up the hill from 5-6-7. Hard to know where best to turn off path into 10 but tree canopy was quite obvious if you looked for it. 11-12 evil climb. Not 100% sure 15 in the right place.
Hesitant on 16 - took the road and then didn't quite match map in the circle. Found control on left when expected to have to turn in to right.
Remainder ok but slow. Straightish on 22-23 was alright - found a massive hide and then some indistinct paths out.
Quite nice - and far less undergrowth/vegetation than would normally be feared at this time of year. Glad I wouldn't let them cancel this when Rendcomb access was lost.
https://www.strava.com/activities/375044558
No major mistakes but really lacking any speed or ability to run. Incredibly sticky and temperature was around 29C - hottest I've run in for well over a year - and still. Couldn't have run any more even if I wanted.
OK to 1, but ended up not where I expected on way to 2 - worked out where I was quickly and turns out mistake got me to run in very runnable bits.
Down to a walk up the hill from 5-6-7. Hard to know where best to turn off path into 10 but tree canopy was quite obvious if you looked for it. 11-12 evil climb. Not 100% sure 15 in the right place.
Hesitant on 16 - took the road and then didn't quite match map in the circle. Found control on left when expected to have to turn in to right.
Remainder ok but slow. Straightish on 22-23 was alright - found a massive hide and then some indistinct paths out.
Quite nice - and far less undergrowth/vegetation than would normally be feared at this time of year. Glad I wouldn't let them cancel this when Rendcomb access was lost.
https://www.strava.com/activities/375044558
Thursday Aug 20, 2015 #
Note
(rest day)
Another long day at work. After having three people spend two months checking over 2,886 policies, finished only on Tuesday, got sent a query this morning asking us to check over another 13,604 - yes, thirteen thousand six hundred and four...!!! - before we can finish. Suspect that my colleagues still think I'm joking but might at least give me more of a chance of escaping redundancy for another year.
Wednesday Aug 19, 2015 #
6 PM
Running intervals (Lliswerry) 20:15 [5] 4.1 km (4:56 / km)
slept:4.5 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Lliswerry track session. Wasn't sure of the format so didn't GPS first 800m of warm up (estimated 6 mins).
Not really a great session and had no idea what was going on until it happened. Turns out it was relays - with all the faster people put head to head on same leg. 400m, 100m, 200m, 400m - so not particularly long but fun and sociable, and was running at 100% effort to make sure I didn't come last (I didn't :-) ) and quite a good experience. Was drawn in lane 8 most of the time and on the 100m got a straight section so had the bends easy but on the 400s, legs really were not used to running so fast on the tight inside lane.
No idea on the times - which surely will disappoint Mark.
Paid my membership now. Am told that after next week's Crooked Mile race the efforts sessions will be getting longer again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/372847999
Not really a great session and had no idea what was going on until it happened. Turns out it was relays - with all the faster people put head to head on same leg. 400m, 100m, 200m, 400m - so not particularly long but fun and sociable, and was running at 100% effort to make sure I didn't come last (I didn't :-) ) and quite a good experience. Was drawn in lane 8 most of the time and on the 100m got a straight section so had the bends easy but on the 400s, legs really were not used to running so fast on the tight inside lane.
No idea on the times - which surely will disappoint Mark.
Paid my membership now. Am told that after next week's Crooked Mile race the efforts sessions will be getting longer again.
https://www.strava.com/activities/372847999
7 PM
Running 25:11 [3] 4.69 km (5:22 / km)
shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Extended warm down - went to explore the transporter bridge. Also impressed with the big ladder going up the adjacent electricity pylon. Needed the longer jog to make session feel worthwhile and also to run out the sprints.
https://www.strava.com/activities/372847980
https://www.strava.com/activities/372847980
Tuesday Aug 18, 2015 #
Running - off road (MDC Machen) 1:08:33 [3] 8.51 km (8:03 / km) +420m 6:28 / km
slept:4.5 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
MDC run up Machen mountain. Quite a few poor routes so going the long way around fields etc.
Nice at the top on the spoil tips and interesting track back through the woods. Very poor descending - still feeling very unstable so not rushing at all. 2/3 of way down felt a stabbing pain in my hip - seems to be quite a nasty bite as swelled up straight away and still hurting now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/372095113/overvi...
Nice at the top on the spoil tips and interesting track back through the woods. Very poor descending - still feeling very unstable so not rushing at all. 2/3 of way down felt a stabbing pain in my hip - seems to be quite a nasty bite as swelled up straight away and still hurting now.
https://www.strava.com/activities/372095113/overvi...
Monday Aug 17, 2015 #
Running 36:21 [3] 7.76 km (4:41 / km) +110m 4:22 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Easy run to test legs out after another long day in work where I couldn't get comfortable at all (and having now investigated 500 policies in the last two days takes very little to persuade me away from my desk...)
Despite feeling tight, seems that running was fine. Got to top of Allt yr Yn no problem, and down was even easier. Reasonable effort back up from Civic Centre got me a bit tired but still seemed good so lap of the circle to finish - and probably did this a bit quick as needed the extra loop at the end to work down to a stop.
Fairly flat run so may head this way more often. Still doing very well in motivating myself out to run on my own - hope this continues into the winter.
https://www.strava.com/activities/371282502/overvi...
Despite the steady run, take away the cars/cyclists and the segment times look quite good.
Despite feeling tight, seems that running was fine. Got to top of Allt yr Yn no problem, and down was even easier. Reasonable effort back up from Civic Centre got me a bit tired but still seemed good so lap of the circle to finish - and probably did this a bit quick as needed the extra loop at the end to work down to a stop.
Fairly flat run so may head this way more often. Still doing very well in motivating myself out to run on my own - hope this continues into the winter.
https://www.strava.com/activities/371282502/overvi...
Despite the steady run, take away the cars/cyclists and the segment times look quite good.
Sunday Aug 16, 2015 #
Note
(rest day)
at work
Saturday Aug 15, 2015 #
11 AM
Running 1:12:44 [3] 11.48 km (6:20 / km) +460m 5:17 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Having watched the masses start, moved car over dam, along road to far end of Talybont reservoir (about a mile further than I'd expected...) then up through the roads to join onto the race route. Legs still not really liking the hills so decided not to go down the other side and up Tor y Foel from the east - instead went back along the ridge a bit, which gave some nice views.
Tor y Foel seems to get harder each time...
https://www.strava.com/activities/369718460/overvi...
Tor y Foel seems to get harder each time...
https://www.strava.com/activities/369718460/overvi...
12 PM
Note
Marshalling. First hour was nice as sunny and involved lunch. Next couple fine as steady flow of runners and things to do. Last 90 minutes was sooooo boring - 4 people and included both a 15 and a 55 minute gap. Beginning to think that marshalling is actually harder work than running (well, I could have run the course in not far off an hour less time than I spent at the top...).
Some lovely views which could be enjoyed when the wind wasn't strong, and despite another 15k all the runners were still just as polite as they were at Corn Du.
Might have to run the Four Fans now to get an excuse out of marshalling again!
Some lovely views which could be enjoyed when the wind wasn't strong, and despite another 15k all the runners were still just as polite as they were at Corn Du.
Might have to run the Four Fans now to get an excuse out of marshalling again!
4 PM
Running - off road 11:27 [3] 1.63 km (7:01 / km)
shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
On down to the finish as soon as the last runner appeared. Not racing - or would have taken straighter route down to the next marshal. Could tell that I'd been standing for nearly 5 hours before going in to this - legs felt a bit odd - almost brittle - on the rough.
https://www.strava.com/activities/369718417/overvi...
https://www.strava.com/activities/369718417/overvi...
Thursday Aug 13, 2015 #
Event: Summer Street Challenge
Orienteering - Urban (NGOC Hatherley) 49:08 [3] 9.61 km (5:07 / km) +20m 5:04 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Last Thursday evening of the year, from Park Campus.
Of course had no pace and running was quite a struggle, but maintained a speed and made no significant mistakes beyond not being certain at some little track junctions.
Ben clearly not put off after yesterday and only just a minute behind after losing 3 or so on first few controls.
Nice evening given the predictions of doom. Nice running temperature.
Clever plan for travelling by train via Bristol to make use of season ticket has backfired - of course after 4 trains in a row were on time this one had to be 28 minutes late and currently sat on the floor in a doorway somewhere near Dursley - shame my connection at Parkway was just 22 minutes...
https://www.strava.com/activities/368374229
Of course had no pace and running was quite a struggle, but maintained a speed and made no significant mistakes beyond not being certain at some little track junctions.
Ben clearly not put off after yesterday and only just a minute behind after losing 3 or so on first few controls.
Nice evening given the predictions of doom. Nice running temperature.
Clever plan for travelling by train via Bristol to make use of season ticket has backfired - of course after 4 trains in a row were on time this one had to be 28 minutes late and currently sat on the floor in a doorway somewhere near Dursley - shame my connection at Parkway was just 22 minutes...
https://www.strava.com/activities/368374229
Wednesday Aug 12, 2015 #
Event: Pwll Du
Orienteering (SWOC Pwll Du) 1:28:36 [3] 10.14 km (8:44 / km) +220m 7:53 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
SWOC score at Pwll Du. Giving Ben some technical training so opted to leave the SI card in the car to score a safe 0 rather than risk a negative! Rather worried about being beaten by Alan MacKenzie...
Seemed like good training session - I think 19 controls and 10k - and Ben's navigation improved drastically once we realised his compass was completely hopeless (varying between 90 and 270 degrees out...) and swapped it for mine.
Lovely evening and good to see the sites on the north slope without gale force winds and driving rain as per last time. Quite nice at 21 being able to find the control from the contours without actually knowing where we were. Still managed a miss on 18 - reached a gully (mustn't have been mapped...) sooner than we had expected so went up hill to look for control before confirming original thought that just not far enough.
Just south of control 25 is the last big hill that Andy Creber's Gilwern race goes up. Watched an orienteer coming down the same track and it is *very* steep. Impressive cliffs though so great setting and glad to have found it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/367583600/overvi...
Seemed like good training session - I think 19 controls and 10k - and Ben's navigation improved drastically once we realised his compass was completely hopeless (varying between 90 and 270 degrees out...) and swapped it for mine.
Lovely evening and good to see the sites on the north slope without gale force winds and driving rain as per last time. Quite nice at 21 being able to find the control from the contours without actually knowing where we were. Still managed a miss on 18 - reached a gully (mustn't have been mapped...) sooner than we had expected so went up hill to look for control before confirming original thought that just not far enough.
Just south of control 25 is the last big hill that Andy Creber's Gilwern race goes up. Watched an orienteer coming down the same track and it is *very* steep. Impressive cliffs though so great setting and glad to have found it.
https://www.strava.com/activities/367583600/overvi...
Tuesday Aug 11, 2015 #
Running - off road (MDC Fan Fawr) 1:17:02 [3] 10.59 km (7:16 / km) +360m 6:13 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
MDC run west side from Storey Arms.
Very few quick people there tonight which suited me as really struggling - tired out from last week, balance was not there, struggling to get feet clear of rocks, and as a result of both had no confidence at all on the trod to Fan Frynach.
What was more apparent is that my injury from December has been aggravated from the drive back so going uphill, although not at the stage of crying in pain, was definitely not feeling right so for first time ever "wimped out" of doing the full run and went around Fan Fawr and through 1k of ankle deep marsh to save 200m climb and 200m descent. Disappointed to miss an extra hill but think it was probably a wise decision in the long term.
Tomorrow should be easier but depends on what tussocks and hills I get led up. Thinking of reducing my Saturday training run from Carn Pica, Trig, Tor y Foel to just Tor y Foel - at least I'll be getting a very long rest at the top!
https://www.strava.com/activities/366811739
Very few quick people there tonight which suited me as really struggling - tired out from last week, balance was not there, struggling to get feet clear of rocks, and as a result of both had no confidence at all on the trod to Fan Frynach.
What was more apparent is that my injury from December has been aggravated from the drive back so going uphill, although not at the stage of crying in pain, was definitely not feeling right so for first time ever "wimped out" of doing the full run and went around Fan Fawr and through 1k of ankle deep marsh to save 200m climb and 200m descent. Disappointed to miss an extra hill but think it was probably a wise decision in the long term.
Tomorrow should be easier but depends on what tussocks and hills I get led up. Thinking of reducing my Saturday training run from Carn Pica, Trig, Tor y Foel to just Tor y Foel - at least I'll be getting a very long rest at the top!
https://www.strava.com/activities/366811739
Sunday Aug 9, 2015 #
Running 33:45 [3] 5.02 km (6:43 / km) +130m 5:57 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Second break of the day at Dinmore Hill and went for a very slow jog to try and sort my calves. Struggling for any pace and uphill proved to be a challenge.
Seems to have done some good as able to walk ok down to the station and back but going up the stairs was still noticeable. Looking forward to a nice rest day tomorrow!
https://www.strava.com/activities/365147901/overvi...
Seems to have done some good as able to walk ok down to the station and back but going up the stairs was still noticeable. Looking forward to a nice rest day tomorrow!
https://www.strava.com/activities/365147901/overvi...
Saturday Aug 8, 2015 #
9 AM
Running race (Inverness parkrun) 20:30 [5] 5.02 km (4:05 / km)
slept:4.5 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Alternative to Glen Affric. Calf not feeling great after yesterday, pushed hard it felt worse after. Very windy for half the lap made it tough, and very possibly the last 8 runs might well have helped make this seem hard.
Good that NGOC laid on some supporters.
https://www.strava.com/activities/364300699
Good that NGOC laid on some supporters.
https://www.strava.com/activities/364300699
10 AM
Running warm up/down 5:04 [3] 0.88 km (5:45 / km)
shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Warm down lap of camp site with Chris Palmer.
Had planned on stopping off for a trail run on way back but calf seized up for being sat in car. Instead went for a walk around the waterfalls at Bruar and will see how I feel tomorrow and maybe stop off along A49 for a little jog.
Nice relaxed drive down A9 and able to take in the scenery - given how I feel now suspect good idea to have skipped day 6. Blister feels ok today as well (but not worn o-shoes)
https://www.strava.com/activities/364300672
Had planned on stopping off for a trail run on way back but calf seized up for being sat in car. Instead went for a walk around the waterfalls at Bruar and will see how I feel tomorrow and maybe stop off along A49 for a little jog.
Nice relaxed drive down A9 and able to take in the scenery - given how I feel now suspect good idea to have skipped day 6. Blister feels ok today as well (but not worn o-shoes)
https://www.strava.com/activities/364300672
Friday Aug 7, 2015 #
Orienteering race (S6D Glen Affric) 1:30:10 [3] 11.21 km (8:03 / km) +330m 7:01 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
8.2km M21L course at Glen Affric South. Very possibly the most unpleasant terrain I have ever ventured into - using the internationally recognised unit for rough and inhospitable terrain, the Voose, I would go so far as to say this was two vooses - certainly far less enjoyable than Voose was and definitely knocked Ringwood Forest off the top spot of places never to re-visit.
Knew it was going to be rough, but in the first three controls there was very little that I could actually run, and I orienteer for running in terrain rather than for battling through rough stuff. Got reasonably close to 3 then stuck behind thick and inpenetrable windblow. After quite a while of deciding, I did decide to go in and punch the control, and did 4 as well as on the way to a nice path for a training run.
Gave up on course from here and started training run to get in some distance and climb, and reasonable pace - went up hill along stream then down a vehicle track into the open, which was dreadful - had to be run to be believed - Clive came along and agreed, 12 mins to do 600m so clouded my training run a bit.
Came back via the Plodda falls, stopping to look at them from the platform, and got some good views of snowy mountains and wooded glens - things that couldn't be done in a race.
Looking at various courses after, seems that we drew the short straw as most others had a long route choice leg allowing for path running, whereas ours was all shortish legs with no route choice, designed to keep us off the paths and in the worst of the terrain. Needed close attention to execute correctly but reasonably straight forward - I wasn't losing anywhere near as much time in mistakes as I was due to the very variable runnability "terrain and can't really muster up any enthusiasm - just not my thing.
Needless to say, won't be coming back tomorrow as although it should be better terrain, it surely isn't one million times better, and faffing with parking single occupancy cars 3km from assembly, 2.6k from assembly to start (5.6k car to start?) and it being 60 mins drive the other side of Inverness to home just makes it not worth it if I'm going to struggle to run and enjoy it.
Plan will be for parkrun in the morning, followed by a very relaxed drive down to England, probably stopping off for a terrain run somewhere before Perth.
https://www.strava.com/activities/363591983/overvi...
Knew it was going to be rough, but in the first three controls there was very little that I could actually run, and I orienteer for running in terrain rather than for battling through rough stuff. Got reasonably close to 3 then stuck behind thick and inpenetrable windblow. After quite a while of deciding, I did decide to go in and punch the control, and did 4 as well as on the way to a nice path for a training run.
Gave up on course from here and started training run to get in some distance and climb, and reasonable pace - went up hill along stream then down a vehicle track into the open, which was dreadful - had to be run to be believed - Clive came along and agreed, 12 mins to do 600m so clouded my training run a bit.
Came back via the Plodda falls, stopping to look at them from the platform, and got some good views of snowy mountains and wooded glens - things that couldn't be done in a race.
Looking at various courses after, seems that we drew the short straw as most others had a long route choice leg allowing for path running, whereas ours was all shortish legs with no route choice, designed to keep us off the paths and in the worst of the terrain. Needed close attention to execute correctly but reasonably straight forward - I wasn't losing anywhere near as much time in mistakes as I was due to the very variable runnability "terrain and can't really muster up any enthusiasm - just not my thing.
Needless to say, won't be coming back tomorrow as although it should be better terrain, it surely isn't one million times better, and faffing with parking single occupancy cars 3km from assembly, 2.6k from assembly to start (5.6k car to start?) and it being 60 mins drive the other side of Inverness to home just makes it not worth it if I'm going to struggle to run and enjoy it.
Plan will be for parkrun in the morning, followed by a very relaxed drive down to England, probably stopping off for a terrain run somewhere before Perth.
https://www.strava.com/activities/363591983/overvi...
Thursday Aug 6, 2015 #
Orienteering race (S6D Darnaway) 1:06:09 [4] 8.83 km (7:29 / km) +275m 6:29 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
7.9km M21L course.
In contrast to yesterday, a really lovely area. OK run, generally was able to match contours to the ground well so always had a good idea where I was.
Lost about 1 min on 1 - no idea where I was but lucky to recover. Another min or so on 3 - too far east and too close to boulder.
Maybe should have cut up to 10 rather than follow paths. Wasn't reading map closely enough to appreciate how much climb was required. Left 10 in a silly direction but realised quickly and still knew where I was. Maybe still lost 45s.
60-90s on 13 - read the contours to suggest the uphill was northwards but was actually south. Realised once I hit the path so could have lost a lot more.
18 - followed the M21E elephant track which took me a bit the wrong way - realised quickly and was only 50 yards or so run from control. Less worried about last few controls - lots of contours but they seemed to be placed next to very large features, or hills, so was straightforward run.
23 to finish with Nathan Lawson so reasonably quick.
Confirms that I can orienteer. Overtaken Strathfarrar for best day so far.
https://www.strava.com/activities/362641808/overvi...
A few cumulative GPS stats. Total ascent recorded in the year to date has now exceeded the record set in 2014 ( 25,199m vs 25,032m), and just 4km running away from becoming the second furthest I have run - with just under 5 months still to go, not bad at all.
In contrast to yesterday, a really lovely area. OK run, generally was able to match contours to the ground well so always had a good idea where I was.
Lost about 1 min on 1 - no idea where I was but lucky to recover. Another min or so on 3 - too far east and too close to boulder.
Maybe should have cut up to 10 rather than follow paths. Wasn't reading map closely enough to appreciate how much climb was required. Left 10 in a silly direction but realised quickly and still knew where I was. Maybe still lost 45s.
60-90s on 13 - read the contours to suggest the uphill was northwards but was actually south. Realised once I hit the path so could have lost a lot more.
18 - followed the M21E elephant track which took me a bit the wrong way - realised quickly and was only 50 yards or so run from control. Less worried about last few controls - lots of contours but they seemed to be placed next to very large features, or hills, so was straightforward run.
23 to finish with Nathan Lawson so reasonably quick.
Confirms that I can orienteer. Overtaken Strathfarrar for best day so far.
https://www.strava.com/activities/362641808/overvi...
A few cumulative GPS stats. Total ascent recorded in the year to date has now exceeded the record set in 2014 ( 25,199m vs 25,032m), and just 4km running away from becoming the second furthest I have run - with just under 5 months still to go, not bad at all.
Note
Congratulations to Jack Cooper for setting a new 100m world record on the run in - 125m in 4s.
Wednesday Aug 5, 2015 #
Orienteering race (S6D Darnaway) 58:19 [3] 6.2 km (9:24 / km) +125m 8:33 / km
slept:4.5 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
5.2km M21L middle race at Darnaway.
Didn't really like the area very much today. The nice bits were good, but a lot was quite unpleasant.
OK to 1 - nice forest. OK to 2, less nice. 3 - went along bottom until bracken became thick and then went up side - had to be bent over double to get under annoying branches for rest of way to control.
Went straight on 4-5 through open. It wasn't nearly so nice as mapped. PRetty horrible from track into control. Straight to 6 ok but slow.
Lots 5 mins+ on 8 - overshot but knew where I was. Heading back from the big depression with thick wood kept hitting the re-entrant with control so stopped early and ended up looking in wrong place for control, disregarding the hill on other side of re-entrant since shouldn't have to cross one on map. Eventually admitted defeat and followed where people were coming from to find control. Shame it was such a grotty windblown bit of wood that it was distinctly un-fun.
Next few in the nice bits but given up by then; cutting across to 11 in head deep was the last reminder of totally crapness and most of the rest (apart from clearing by 20) was ok.
Don't ever seem to enjoy middle races, but think that's often because they use horrible areas for them. But second half of the course was alright and still preferred it to Simpson Ground from last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/362143723
Didn't really like the area very much today. The nice bits were good, but a lot was quite unpleasant.
OK to 1 - nice forest. OK to 2, less nice. 3 - went along bottom until bracken became thick and then went up side - had to be bent over double to get under annoying branches for rest of way to control.
Went straight on 4-5 through open. It wasn't nearly so nice as mapped. PRetty horrible from track into control. Straight to 6 ok but slow.
Lots 5 mins+ on 8 - overshot but knew where I was. Heading back from the big depression with thick wood kept hitting the re-entrant with control so stopped early and ended up looking in wrong place for control, disregarding the hill on other side of re-entrant since shouldn't have to cross one on map. Eventually admitted defeat and followed where people were coming from to find control. Shame it was such a grotty windblown bit of wood that it was distinctly un-fun.
Next few in the nice bits but given up by then; cutting across to 11 in head deep was the last reminder of totally crapness and most of the rest (apart from clearing by 20) was ok.
Don't ever seem to enjoy middle races, but think that's often because they use horrible areas for them. But second half of the course was alright and still preferred it to Simpson Ground from last year.
https://www.strava.com/activities/362143723
Tuesday Aug 4, 2015 #
Orienteering - Urban race (Forres Sprint) 21:37 [4] 3.9 km (5:33 / km) +75m 5:03 / km
slept:4.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
2.8km Men Open sprint in Forres. Lots of controls very close together so had to pay attention.
Took south route to 5, think north route fastest. Missed 6 a bit - didn't think the right turn was public so overshot, then did whole lap of little building to 7 - shame they didn't void those two legs for the shut gate.
Took north route to 15 seemed good, lost a bit on 17 as hidden in tree. Silly route to 19 around bottom of gardens than next few controls all came very quickly and hadn't time to read ahead. Hill at the end wasn't welcomed and final run was tough against the wind.
Felt like was more technical that the actual sprint finals - but also a lot more dangerous with so many people running fast around corners. Good fun.
https://www.strava.com/activities/361184313
Watch the Middles at Darnaway after. I'm not an elite so maybe my comments aren't going to be valid, but making navigation mistakes are forgiveable, but giving up trying and just jogging in the World Champs isn't - and the same goes for Saturday. I do hope the relay team gets adjusted to include people who actually want to run for their country. Great runs from Cat, Jess and Hector in forest that looks rather horrible.
Took south route to 5, think north route fastest. Missed 6 a bit - didn't think the right turn was public so overshot, then did whole lap of little building to 7 - shame they didn't void those two legs for the shut gate.
Took north route to 15 seemed good, lost a bit on 17 as hidden in tree. Silly route to 19 around bottom of gardens than next few controls all came very quickly and hadn't time to read ahead. Hill at the end wasn't welcomed and final run was tough against the wind.
Felt like was more technical that the actual sprint finals - but also a lot more dangerous with so many people running fast around corners. Good fun.
https://www.strava.com/activities/361184313
Watch the Middles at Darnaway after. I'm not an elite so maybe my comments aren't going to be valid, but making navigation mistakes are forgiveable, but giving up trying and just jogging in the World Champs isn't - and the same goes for Saturday. I do hope the relay team gets adjusted to include people who actually want to run for their country. Great runs from Cat, Jess and Hector in forest that looks rather horrible.
Monday Aug 3, 2015 #
Orienteering (S6D Strathfarrar) 1:15:55 [3] 7.42 km (10:14 / km) +280m 8:36 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
Day 2. 6.5km M21L course.
Quite a relaxed drive to event - mostly with engine off - but long walk to assembly was more tiring than I expected.
After hearing people complaining at how rough and difficult it was, not really in the right frame of mind from the start. Picked up map, saw first control had big scope for error was even less keen! Still, tied up the contour features and got within 10 yards on control before deciding I was one ditch too far west - realised when I saw Dane punch. Not sure I was really trying early on, but didn't have speed in the wet and rough for the rest.
Took a couple of minutes to find a way up the very steep and slipper bank before 3, and then seemed to be in a rough pack of slow Scandinavians from 4 onwards. They weren't very good and by 8 had got ahead of them all. Was generally navigating off the most obvious contour features and crags - often as handrails - maybe a good way to keep in touch with map in this sort of terrain.
Went straightish on 9-10 before deciding down to track and back up might be better. Seems to be the case as dropped a few more people. Marsh between 10 and 11 wasn't fun.
Slight miss on 18 as seemed to be more crags than I had expected and was too low but generally slow, steady and clean. Seems shared a lot of the course with M21E as saw Peter Bray a lot.
Not as bad as people were saying it was - although it was quite physically demanding. Nice in its own way.
Parking officials did a good job in stressful circumstances. Well done to them for sorting the exit gate by the time I left - didn't have to stop and only queued for 30s or so!
https://www.strava.com/activities/360381186/overvi...
Quite a relaxed drive to event - mostly with engine off - but long walk to assembly was more tiring than I expected.
After hearing people complaining at how rough and difficult it was, not really in the right frame of mind from the start. Picked up map, saw first control had big scope for error was even less keen! Still, tied up the contour features and got within 10 yards on control before deciding I was one ditch too far west - realised when I saw Dane punch. Not sure I was really trying early on, but didn't have speed in the wet and rough for the rest.
Took a couple of minutes to find a way up the very steep and slipper bank before 3, and then seemed to be in a rough pack of slow Scandinavians from 4 onwards. They weren't very good and by 8 had got ahead of them all. Was generally navigating off the most obvious contour features and crags - often as handrails - maybe a good way to keep in touch with map in this sort of terrain.
Went straightish on 9-10 before deciding down to track and back up might be better. Seems to be the case as dropped a few more people. Marsh between 10 and 11 wasn't fun.
Slight miss on 18 as seemed to be more crags than I had expected and was too low but generally slow, steady and clean. Seems shared a lot of the course with M21E as saw Peter Bray a lot.
Not as bad as people were saying it was - although it was quite physically demanding. Nice in its own way.
Parking officials did a good job in stressful circumstances. Well done to them for sorting the exit gate by the time I left - didn't have to stop and only queued for 30s or so!
https://www.strava.com/activities/360381186/overvi...
Sunday Aug 2, 2015 #
Orienteering race (S6D Achagour) 1:28:39 [3] 10.7 km (8:17 / km) +180m 7:39 / km
slept:2.0 shoes: inov8 Mudclaw300 Yellow2
First day proper. 8.5km M21 course.
Started out ok and safe. Then lost 4 mins on 2 as not used to their mapping distinction of white and yellow open - so stopped far too early. OK for a while from there and kept seeing both Ali Gardner and Ben Beresford - both started ahead of me.
Left 14 slightly the wrong way and passed close to 12 but still just behind Ali at 15. Took better route through marshes on long leg (but walked as it was very tough) to get ahead then lost nearly 10 minutes in the circle at 16 as spent all the time looking for a hillock (description "East side of southern hillock"). Went within a couple of yards of it but didn't see it as hidden in a shallow depression surrounded by thick veg. Relocated from south, north and west and did complete tour of all hillocks in the area before Ed Stott caught up and was able to show where it was. Accept that it was in the right place based on everything around it, just I didn't look there as it wasn't a hillock! Seems that somewhere Ben had ended up behind and we found control together, but Ali must have punched and gone ahead.
Not so happy by now so set about trying to make back the now 5 mins I'd lost to Ed. Straight route to 18 and got to control just ahead of Ali somehow. Reasonably lucky on 19 but was surprised it was my control as feature so small and good into the finish.
Managed to get the 5 mins back on Ed and finished well ahead of Ali and Ben - who I know were both going at roughly my speed - so *reasonably* happy. Not the nicest area with the open tussocky marshes and furrows towards the end but pleasant all the same and good to be doing a bit of proper orienteering once again - and without much in the way of actual mistakes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/359455458
Watched the sprint finals in Forres followed by pizza in Nairn and weather held out for most so made for a nice day.
Started out ok and safe. Then lost 4 mins on 2 as not used to their mapping distinction of white and yellow open - so stopped far too early. OK for a while from there and kept seeing both Ali Gardner and Ben Beresford - both started ahead of me.
Left 14 slightly the wrong way and passed close to 12 but still just behind Ali at 15. Took better route through marshes on long leg (but walked as it was very tough) to get ahead then lost nearly 10 minutes in the circle at 16 as spent all the time looking for a hillock (description "East side of southern hillock"). Went within a couple of yards of it but didn't see it as hidden in a shallow depression surrounded by thick veg. Relocated from south, north and west and did complete tour of all hillocks in the area before Ed Stott caught up and was able to show where it was. Accept that it was in the right place based on everything around it, just I didn't look there as it wasn't a hillock! Seems that somewhere Ben had ended up behind and we found control together, but Ali must have punched and gone ahead.
Not so happy by now so set about trying to make back the now 5 mins I'd lost to Ed. Straight route to 18 and got to control just ahead of Ali somehow. Reasonably lucky on 19 but was surprised it was my control as feature so small and good into the finish.
Managed to get the 5 mins back on Ed and finished well ahead of Ali and Ben - who I know were both going at roughly my speed - so *reasonably* happy. Not the nicest area with the open tussocky marshes and furrows towards the end but pleasant all the same and good to be doing a bit of proper orienteering once again - and without much in the way of actual mistakes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/359455458
Watched the sprint finals in Forres followed by pizza in Nairn and weather held out for most so made for a nice day.
Saturday Aug 1, 2015 #
9 AM
Running race (Strathclyde parkrun) 20:39 [3] 5.04 km (4:06 / km) +10m 4:03 / km
slept:3.0 shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
Making the most of driving up by doing a bit of parkrun tourism. Between a very Welsh me and a kid from Bedford I think for the furthest traveller.
Paced myself for 21ish as didn't want too hard - and was bang on time at half way. Then in the last mile set about catching the 21 min pacer and passed with half a mile to go.
Tough finish as the head wind was fairly strong (sadly, it was also there, but less strong, going out from the start), but coped ok.
https://www.strava.com/activities/358708122/overvi...
Drive up to Inverness was fine until Inverness - just over 3 hours non-stop but had trouble getting back across Inverness from Eden Court after
Paced myself for 21ish as didn't want too hard - and was bang on time at half way. Then in the last mile set about catching the 21 min pacer and passed with half a mile to go.
Tough finish as the head wind was fairly strong (sadly, it was also there, but less strong, going out from the start), but coped ok.
https://www.strava.com/activities/358708122/overvi...
Drive up to Inverness was fine until Inverness - just over 3 hours non-stop but had trouble getting back across Inverness from Eden Court after
7 PM
Orienteering - Urban race (Nairn sprint) 19:39 [5] 4.15 km (4:44 / km) +30m 4:34 / km
shoes: Saucony Powergrid Triumph 11 y
3.2km Men Red course - basically an extended version of the ladies' courses.
No major mistakes - just hesitant into 1 and missed that I could exit 7 to the south.
Pushing fairly hard - to see how I compare to world class athletes. Turns out punching properly rather than with SI air units is quite a bit slower!
Quite nice run, but as it was actually fairly easy had to take it hard to get anything out of it. Good start to WOC, maybe not so good for GB but tomorrow is another day.
https://www.strava.com/activities/358983538
No major mistakes - just hesitant into 1 and missed that I could exit 7 to the south.
Pushing fairly hard - to see how I compare to world class athletes. Turns out punching properly rather than with SI air units is quite a bit slower!
Quite nice run, but as it was actually fairly easy had to take it hard to get anything out of it. Good start to WOC, maybe not so good for GB but tomorrow is another day.
https://www.strava.com/activities/358983538