Training Log Archive: Spur

SOL 1 Birsemore (short brown). Did most of the course really well, including careful and accurate through the rocks at the end, so annoying to stuff up control 2. Drifted through a path and found tougher heather near the gorge, but was ok until the crossing point. Missed the small path, finding an unmapped vehicle track instead, then a slog up the hill and missed the control to the right. Pretty tired after the nights. 30th/54, could do better.

C • #2 2

To/from start/finish

Sprint at Cove. Pretty clean run, 10th MV just 2 seconds ahead of Colin Eades and Mark Wood.

British Night Champs, Muir of Dinnet. Did a lot of good stuff but a few frustrating errors. Good to 4 but didn’t see path line in to 5, party due to red line over the end of it, but must have just missed below it, lost about 5 mins trying again. Bang on line to 6 and happy enough with long leg to 7. Bit of to-and-fro with Fraser Purves on the next loop. Drifted a bit low to 9 but ok, round in circles for a few minutes looking for 10 but then ok to the finish, apart from picking up an extra control before 15. Tough course with probably about 10-12 mins of errors but reasonable considering the area, and enjoyed it. Pleasing 8th/16 on M45, my best non-sprint British result (was 7th at Aldershot sprint). Edit - Results adjusted for late starters, now 9th.

To/from start/finish. Very tired!

Course planning at Dunrod. Gruelling conditions.

Gleniffer Braes. Putting out controls (accurately this time) for coaching and then a line exercise planned by Dave.

Planning at Dunrod. Sunny but fresh.

Machair with Ben.

Scottish Sprint Champs. Uphall South. Clean run, pleased to finish 4th M45 and 9th MV, ahead of John, Walter, Al and night champion Steve.

SOUL race 2. Another clean run, so feeling much better than last night. Overall 10th MV and held onto 4th M45 just ahead of John. I see the old crock Brad beat me by one second on this course though!

C • 1s 1

Scottish Night Champs at John Muir CP, Dunbar. Rather disappointing outing. Faffed a bit to 3, confused by marking of crossing point. Must have been very near 4, circled for 2 mins then found it further from bushes than expected. Ok to 8, hesitant to 9 in the dunes, then really messed up 11. Approached from the beach and overshot, something strange about the contours here, lost 4 mins. Flustered and hesitant to 12 but finished the last loop ok. Probably about 8 mins of mistakes. 7th/8 M45 (although not too bad vs 40s and 50s).