Training Log Archive: pi

Warm-up before training.

WET at QE. Very tricky course actually. Even though I've been on this map so many times, it was a challange to find the good routes. My legs were very stiff from all the racing on the weekend.

Warm-up for the race.

O-cross, one man relay. Mass start with 2 forked loops first and then a final non-forked loop. Started out slow in the start to get a feel for the map. Could see that it was tricky and that it would pay off to be careful in the nav. Halfway through the first loop I felt like I started to pass some people making mistakes and ran together with Mike Smith on the way back to the exchange. He ran away from me out on the second loop, but I caught up to, and passed, other runners which I could see made mistakes around me. The last half of the second loop I didn't see any other male elite and at the exchange I heard I was third. Running up the road to the first control on the last loop, I could see that the first 3 km was almost all trail running and I felt like I would be caught by the chasing pack. Looked behind me all the way down to control 2, but couldn't see anyone. Got 2, 3 and 4 fine, but now I could hear the branches cracking from the runners in the forest behind me. Again, looked behind me on the long trail run back up to 5, but didn't see anyone. Almost over ran 5, but stopped myself about 50 metres past the control and got it fine. Was careful on the more technical last few controls and still didn't see anyone else and ran in alone in 3rd spot. Great little map and super fun format!

My photos from this fantastic weekend of orienteering here: http://flickr.com/photos/magjoh/sets/7215759432257...

A big thank you to Bender for inviting us to stay at the amazing Piller estate at Rocky Ridge!