Training Log Archive: BrandNewMe

Dalkeith CP o training with Lucy.

She wanted to do some non-urban training, and we only got to swap B for the car at 4 so options were limited. For those not in the know, forest orienteering options in Edinburgh are shite, shite or more shite. It’s just so depressing, esp when one of my old Tisaren friends was flogging a lovely big new house right next to a great forest and a nice town today for <£200k. Move, move, move! I am so exhausted too. 2 weeks of potty training, the usual lack of sleep, and basically trying to entertain B in the house but not near any soft furnishings all weekend was tiring. And we’re in the middle of having people in to do a painting job at the same time as having all windows done. It was one of those days when not even copious sugar and DC salvaged energy and enthusiasm.

So I was so unbelievably tired and grumpy when we got to Dalkeith CP, a shite area which we have been to too many times. But once we got going the forest was actually quite satisfying. Lucy was running and navigating well, and I was telling her lots of good stuff and we were actually having fun. It was probably the optimal time to orienteer here. The nettles are yet to grow to chin height, more like knee. and the brambles haven’t started yet. Quite chilled. Did me the world of good.

P.S. we found ourselves rerunning the same course we did last time we were here, mainly cause the only maps we have of the place have this course on them. If someone wants to set up a company printing off and sending a new map to me on proper paper I’d pay good money for it. Our printer is shite, and I don’t have access to map files. If someone were to add a course I’d pay more. So why don’t clubs send courses on maps to a printing co that the printer prints off and posts on demand. Club gets some cash for maps. Printer gets cash for printing. Orienteer gets the latest version of the map, with a course that they didn’t have to plan themselves and that goes to the best bits of the area. Or at least clubs have pdfs online of A4 maps and courses for people to buy. A pdf I can take to a copy shop and it would be good to get the latest map. And clubs get to give warning about areas orienteers shouldn’t do sneaky trainings on etc

C • Dalkeith CP 1

C • https://omaps.io/users/1 th... 2

Round HW with Loz. Quite tiring for me, easy for him. He started doing patronising little jogs back to me, until I told him to f-off.

Ages since I did a flattish long-ish run. Disappointed to find the Myreside mud bath path was ankle-deep in mud still on such a hot day.

Run from Hebden Bridge onto Midgley moor and back. Not a flat run by any means. Shame to come down from the top cause that’s where the fun paths start but time and dehydration were against me!

After a really lame week last week - potty training Bertie, long days at work (haven’t seen 3:40 am for a while) it was good to get running again. Heading to Calder Valley for the sad event of Paulette Noot’s funeral with Fran, I got her to kick me out at Shap and I ran east of the M6 to meet her a tebay via some lovely bridleways. A real adventure into a hefty headwind and driving rain. A cow-related diversion added a little to the mileage. I’d recommend to anyone getting itchy feet on a long drive south.

If you are in Calder Valley (between Halifax and Todmorden) and only have one run it’s to stoodley pike, a beautiful monument to Victorian mill workers. Thems the rules. It’s just so atmospheric, esp in todays mist.

Fran wasn’t mad for running so it was a hike in the driving rain. Hungry after.

C • Stoodley Pike 1