Training Log Archive: Frostbite

Urban/campus/woodland race, Aberystwyth, Croeso day 6. Feeling quite good beforehand, but it didn't last. Actually I wasn't bad as long as it wasn't uphill, but as soon as I hit a hill the palpitations started and I was down to walking speed. One little mistake in the woods (the control 'on top' of the earthbank was only visible from the far side, so I ran past it and ran back), possibly a couple of controls in the university I didn't get the best lines, but otherwise quite good. I don't really like this sort of thing though.

21st place.

Overall 13th place, but after the first 2 days I was never really in the game. I've had a good few weeks following my rest, and I was quite hopeful for this week, but I think the build up of fatigue is just too much. And trying to do too many other things other than orienteering, but then we are supposed to be on holiday. I just cannot expect to be able to compete at multi-day events.

Evie did really well to win her class, the most consistent performer over the week.

Croeso day 5, Teifi pools. Still having heart trouble all the way round, but not so tired as yesterday and I was determined to finish. There seemed to be plenty of fast moving people around me early on and I watched them disappear into the distance as I plodded along. We had a long route choice leg around the lakes and I opted for the long way around the road - not particularly because I thought it was quickest but because it was easier, and increased my chances of finishing. I did the last part of the course quite well, probably the most enjoyable bit of orienteering all week for me. 27th place, and beaten by Parkino I think probably for the first time since Midland champs 1984.

C • 28 years 1

Croeso day 4, Teifi pools. I knew before I started that I was going to struggle. I was able to run a bit as far as 2, then I was down to walking even on the flat bits. Colin Smith overtook me before 4 and I just watched him go, then made my way slowly back to the finish, which was almost as far as doing the course.

Middle distance race, Hafod. This should have been fairly straightforward but most people seemed to have trouble with it. I made a couple of 1 minute errors - at number 1 entirely my own fault, and at number 9 where relative height on the map from one control to the next seemed to be all wrong. I was having lots of heart problems though and could not run up hills, and towards the end was struggling even to walk. 12th place, but could easily have done 7 or 8 minutes quicker on a good day which would have been a good result.

My best run physically of the week - no problems at all with the heart and ran virtually every step. However the combination of an earlyish start and relatively easy navigation meant the result was not so good, 12th place.