Training Log Archive: Magic

Short warm up to see where the nav leg boys were heading off to before jumping into the pen to wait for Will and David.

FRA Relays, Llanberis.

Shame that the nav leg on this race was yet again overshadowed by map issues. But even more of a shame to see so many orienteers blatantly cheating when they at least should know better. Pre-race information, the organisers and the announcer in the arena all stated that walls and fences were not to be crossed and crossing points were marked on the map and to be used. The map wasn't great (OS) but it was also obvious where there were walls/fences that shouldn't have been climbed. Even more obvious if you for to one and then had to climb it I would have thought...

Ran with Matt Stott and things went surprisingly well, cough was much better than yesterday and didn't make much different to my running. First issue was #2 where the two teams ahead of us (Eyeri and Pennine II) climbed the fence rather than dropping the 2m to the marked crossing point. Angry shouting at them but the didn't turn around.

However, #3 was the big issue. Matt and I followed a bearing to the top of Moel Eilio with all other teams disappearing to the right. Dropped the 80m down to the control to find loads of teams contouring around the hill. All of them having crossed both a fence and a big wall. Really annoyed.

Had no problem dropping all these slow teams and eventually also caught the teams who had crossed the first fence, again moving a lot quicker. Following the rules must have cost us at least five minutes.

Talked the the organisers after, the only things that could be done was to void the course and they weren't going to do that - what's the point in having rules that you can't enforce or are not willing to try to?

Really annoyed that doing the right things cost us so much time and quite a few positions (haven't seen results so can't say how many yet) but even more surprised at how many people willing did the wrong thing. Not good for fell running and for getting permission to use these areas.

Otherwise, the team ran well and we finished in 16th, Ben in particular having a great last leg. Really fun weekend and a great team spirit.

C • Hang on... 10

Event: NGOC League 10
 

Reccy of some of the FRA area with Matt. Cough improving but still hacking up a lot and coughing while running. Terrain was nice and soft but tough to climb in.

About 90 minutes cutting brambles on one of the more used winter run paths (and GD44 will be happy as its on the Craig yr Allt winter race route). Still improving but another day recovery before Sunday would be better.

IW. Very slow again, almost got passed by a girl but cut her up and held her off.

HFW. Definite improvement, though still breathing like Darth Vader.

HFW. Lots more people about - everyone making the most of these last few mild and light evenings.

IW. Strangely quiet. Not even a bad morning. Very, very slow pace, but still passing lots of people.

A slow walk around the village, just to get out of the house really. Body really stiff and tired, but cold definitely moving through.

IW. Lovely morning, why wasn't it like this in Sweden? Feeling very flat.

HFW. Think I ran over a squirrels tail. Bushes around Iron Bridge cut back, what a difference. Cold developing all day, feeling crap by the time t go home.

C • Squirrel 4