Training Log Archive: JGidley

1 and 2 seemed simple. Made some fiddly route choice to 3, followed a re-entrant, then a open patch. Confusion at first in the marshy area. 3 was clear. Completely messed up 4. Too far east, felt a bit lost for 1 minute or so. Made a rough bearing from the fence corner and found 4. Rough underfoot, but no more navigation problems 5 to 6. Trying to dig deep with running on the open to 8. Powered out of 10 trying to leave Richard behind. Navigation in the open forest was spot on 12-19. Lost 15-30 secs on 20. Nearly didn't punch 22! Not used to fancy run ins. Fastest M21S, so a nice way to finish SinS. Maybe I should run M21 next year and come last

Day 3 - Brown Clee Course 3 - Splits

Long climb to start with Richard. Headed into the wood for 1, ended up confused as I had headed too far east, worked my way back into the wood found the path and was off. Found 2 simple. Lost 5 mins on 3. I was too low and there were certainly unmapped platforms lower. Frustrated. 4 and 5 were quick, jumping through brashings and tough underfoot. Had no energy on the hill to 6. Was followed into 6. Too far east at 7. Managed to punch before Richard and get away. 8 was easy. Walked hill to 9. Really struggled my way through 10-14. Walking often. Was faster 15, 16, 17. Followed annoying mountain bike track to 18. Couldn't face crossing the valley to 19 so I walked around. Probably a mistake. Tried to pick up the pace to end. Terrain was easier and heading downhill to finish was nice. Enjoyed 20,21 and 22! Not the best day

C • 786km! 2

Confusion at the start. Slow start. Jogged through to 1,2,3,4. I started to realise that Urban pace is a lot faster than I thought. Started to run harder to 5. Made a glaring error at 6. Entered the park from the north. Made two mistakes 10-11. Slightly dodgy mapping northeast of 10 meant I ran onto the ramp but thought there was no way out, so turned around retraced my footsteps to make a dog leg, when i could have carried on. Ran the long way round to as 11 as I couldn't make out the way through the pub. Joe T caught up around 12, but chose a marginally slower route to 13 meaning I punched first. Long leg to 14 slowly trying to catch Richard who had made good time and overtaken me. Ran a doubtful route to 15 with Joe T. Had to queue to cross the bridge to punch 18. Went straight up the bank to castle, but gained no time as Richard was just steps behind. Missed that 20 was under the bridge. Richard overtakes. Sprinted finish to overtake Richard as a slight moral victory. Second ever Urban and I still much prefer to run on anything but concrete and tarmac.

Urban Course 1 - Splits

Day 2 - Hopton Course 3 - Splits

First time at a multiday orienteering event. Walked to the start with Richard and Mark. Nervous. Glad they started ahead of me. Slow start to 1. Kept between the veg boundary and fence, then took eastward path to 2. Missed 3. Aimed below hoping to spot slight re-entrant to guide me in, but failed and had to retrace my footsteps slightly higher. Bearing to 4. Glad I cut through undergrowth to 5. caught Richard. Contour to 6. slightly too low, but spotted the open and headed up. Not very fit up hill to 7. Followed the line across valley to 8 which was a small mistake as I didn't have to lose the height. Richard was catching up at 9. Ran hard to 10 crossing triangle of dense forest. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 all straight forward. Slow across common. Richard was catching me, but I didn't turn to look. Simple to finish. Very enjoyable course!

Day 1 - Croft Course 3 - Splits