Training Log Archive: BorisGr

NAOC Middle Distance - M35

After spending most of the morning announcing at the beautiful arena overlooking Lewes Lake and the mountains behind it, I headed out for my late start, looking forward to a technical middle distance.

I got just that - the course was such that you had to be focused every step of the way. Route choice also played a bigger role than in typical middle distance races, as the big open hillsides surrounding the thicker woods and depressions were often faster than going straight. I started off well and caught and passed Jon Campbell early on. I made two sizable mistakes - about 1:20 on #9 where I drifted left and relocated off one of the big yellow hills, and then about 1:00 on #13, where a parallel error led me up the wrong reentrant. I lost another 30 seconds on route choice to #16 - I should have used trails more instead of basing through the woods in the beginning of the leg.

Still, a very good race for me overall. I won M35 by nearly minutes, and was only beaten by the speedy German junior Riccardo.

It was nice to step into the beautiful cold lake afterwards, to wash off a bit of the arena dust.

NAOC Middle & WRE - C-10 - Splits

NAOC Long Distance - M35

On the way to the arena we saw a small black bear! It was super cute, but I think it disappeared into the woods before Inara could understand what was going on.

Jeff T and I set up the announcing 'booth' with major help from Erik and Valerie and got some announcing going. It was fun, as usual, but this was probably the least accessible arena of the whole week. The whole finish chute was in the woods, away from spectators, and our speakers barely reached the crowd. Still, good to get started with some commentary and interviews. I clearly enjoy doing this stuff.

Once my shift was up, I went off to the start. I started ok, hitting most of the early controls and catching and passing Annika Bjork at 1. My speed wasn't great, but I was orienteering ok. Lost some time - maybe a minute each - on 6 and 7, but still went through the arena in good shape, 3rd on the course. The going was tough, and it felt like I had to fight for every step even in the white woods, as there was a lot of deadfall, and the ground cover was soft.

Disaster struck on the way to 13 after the arena passage. I normally do well in negative terrain, going along counting depressions, but this time i stopped short and then was totally unable to relocate. I ended up bailing way back out to the road and attacking very slowly and still stopped short. I finally convinced myself that I was short and kept going, getting to the control at the same time as Annika. I was clean but slow the rest of the way and ended up 4th in M35 (3rd North American) but only 14th on the course.

NAOC Long & WRE - C-10 - Splits

Event: NAOC 2018
 

NAOC Model Event

We arrived in Whitehorse on Thursday night after a delay in Vancouver, collected baby equipment from Justine Scheck, and made it to our awesome house outside of town. Friday morning Alli, Martin, Inara, and I headed out to the model event. It was so much fun to orienteer again, and in this great terrain, to boot! I took it easy for the most part, but ran a couple of legs hard. My body is clearly not used to orienteering at speed, as I felt like i was tripping over everything. Lots of familiar faces out in the terrain. The North American orienteering family is fabulous.

After exploring the model event, I played with Inara while Alli went out to explore.

Evening peloton ride

Elliptical intervals, 4x4