Training Log Archive: Kseniya

Set out to do the Iddefjordfjella multitechnique training in Norway, designed by Halden SK. map. I almost did not find this place being on an unnamed road as per google maps. Eventually I made it to the parking spot and was very happy to practice Oing on such a nice day. I did not do the whole exercise but started with the compass-O, then the control pick, and finishing with a few other random controls. There were streamers in the woods and I greatly appreciated those, not only were they letting me know I'm in the correct spot but they also provided a sense of comfort that other orienteers have been here. It may be brave or it may be foolish to go out into the woods alone. I did bring a whistle and was hoping to not run into any large creatures while out there. Moose are common here but I didn't really educate myself as to what to do when you encounter one. When running to the second to last control on this beautiful pine + blueberry hill I saw what could be a moose sleeping place. I thought, "nice, I would have picked these quarters myself but thank goodness I did not see any moose on the course". I thought too soon. Just prior to attacking the control, there the moose was, standing in all its glory and staring at me. Needless to say I almost pooped my O-pants. I tried my best to appear not threatening, it was hard but I managed while retreating into the hillside. That thing was giant, I couldn't believe it. First moose encounter.

So regarding the terrain and mapping here. The whole forest is basically covered in blueberry bushes, moss, rocks, and marshes of various sorts. As the terrain in the middle course, this was physically demanding. It requires one to jump and push off while sinking in, but the ground is uneven and rocky, yielding a retarded sort of running style where you stumble forward and sideways instead of using momentum to go forward. The month I took off due to my foot injury definitely let itself known because it ruined my jumping and plyometric practice.
I'm sort of getting used to how things are mapped here. Not only does it depend on size of the feature but on its uniqueness. It is selective and when one understands the mapping style the features that are on the map provide enough support when orienteering. I still found myself confused a great deal and I was going very very slowly on this training.

C • moose 12

I was really tired after the first training and although I planned to do another O-session I decided to give it a rest, and just went for an exploratory jog next the lake.

C • Café Snäckan 3