Training Log Archive: Angus

LOC Controllers Report...glad to get through the day without major controversy, considering how things were only 6 weeks ago. Anyone who has been following my log will have read snippets of progress. Planning was done on an unfinished map. I checked 60+ controls sites on 7th & 10th March. 30 of them needed mapping. This was done by 17th Mar but I didn't get to recheck every site afterwards. Then I tried to sort out various route options. Got 2 further visits in before JK and sent PH (mapper) detailed instruction and included many of the significant legs.

In fairness PH did great work and on 1st April here, I said "Got updated Carrick Map from PH, all issues sorted and I'm satisfied with it now for the LOC." Certainly not perfect but good enough to get away with it...and I think that sums it up.

Controls were placed the day before and I checked most of the sites that evening. The first first one I checked was Crag 193, only on course 1 (no. 6) and what did I find but unmarked crag 20m SE from control site. It needed extensive remapping and I didn't get to visit control site after. Anyway from the spot, made a panicked phone call to planner who confirmed only on course 1 and should be approaching from above. I decided this crag should not come into play, although I'd say Dooby found it on his circuitous route. Thankfully I didn't come across similar issue with the rest.

OK so the bad...17-18, I didn't check this route (I never got round to running any course) and the veg mapping was not accurate. Conor got caught up whereas others (inc Zoe) breezed through. Glad this didn't cost Conor the race, though he would only have had himself to blame with what he did going to 16!!
From a controllers perspective the one I messed up was 197 Hill east side, on courses 1-4 & 8. Looking at Splitsbrowers, there are some large time losses. Some got it straight off and others faffed needlessly about. It wasn't fair. It was placed at centre of circle, at least within 5m, but what I didn't take account of was the visibility of the kite once it was placed there...until I checked it on the morning. When I came across it, it was really buried in the bilberry because that was where the tag was. I did move it out of the bilberry and placed in a spot that it wasn't buried in vegetation, but it wasn't visible from afar from all approach directions. This wasn't the only issue as the hill was broad and many didn't see where the actual top was and so did not know from where to go east. Hopefully I've learned from this and will pick up similar issues long before competition day in future.

Event: Leinster Orienteering Championships, Carrick Mountain
 

Just extracted a TICK....

Checking 21 controls

First parkrun of the year.

Have 5k road race next wed. Did this parkrun the preceding Sat last year and ran a comfortable 18min and went on to run 17.20 in the race. Went out to try do same by running 3.40 garmin pace.
First k 3.38 was fine, next k 3.47 so upped the pace or at least I thought I did as 3rd was also 3.47...so upped pace again and started coming back to leader who was about 20 secs ahead. Managed 3.40 pace to end and was only a few secs behind winner.

So lost my 100% Shanganagh record, but also worked harder for this 18.17 than I did for 18.00 last year.
Did 17.20 in the road race last year, thought I may be at 17.30 pace but I think 17.40 is a realistic target to aim for.

Checking 42 controls

42 controls checked, remaining 21 to do in morning. Weather will be ideal.

400s most of them into wind