Training Log Archive: AidanR

I couldn't do the relays due to a DofE expedition that began on Monday which was a real shame. Two days of walking finished me off but I will take it easy before getting back into training before the northern champs.

Similar terrain to the day before. The weather wasn't nice but I think I had a start where it was slightly more forgiving. Again quick off the start and was accurate through the early quarry section. I had realised before I had set off that the leg as soon as we left the quarry was likely to be the hardest as a result I had a strong plan and used my compass effectively and I hit it head on. no major problems with 4 or 5 and just kept on planning and focussing on compass work. 6 slight error as I got pulled high when I saw a boulder before my control. was quick to relocate however. By then I had picked up a Norwegian tail and we ran quickly through the next few controls including a tough one up through the valley to 10. #11 was a long leg but I was accurate with the navigation which was what was required. #13 was pulled too high by a control on the top of the marsh rather than half way down it. 14 drifted slightly left of the line on map. ran head first into the area near the finish filled to the brim with controls and ran between a few of them before actually thinking and hitting my own. rest fine. I had a really good run with max. 2min of errors and I ended up just second to Kasper Fosser by 5secs overall. Quite frustrating! I was pleased with the way I had ran over the weekend. Note that all distances were straight line.

The terrain was unlike much I had experienced before with a wealth of "great" negative features. I managed to get it right though. Prepared well and had a good plan off the start line. As a consequence I was fast off the start and hit the first control straight on. I continued with accurate plans and good compass bearings through the next two. Was just slightly distracted at 4 and pulled slightly off my line but max 20s error. The subsequent few were all quite similar and required solid concentration but I hit all of them well. #9 was a longer leg but I went in with the right plan of checking off features along the way. This worked and I was very accurate to the control. By this time I was quite tired and despite having a few short legs after the long one we were put straight back across the moor on another long leg. Due to a lack of concentration and planning I took a bearing which threw me badly off my line. Was in the process of struggling to relocate when I was put back on track by another runner coming into my control. I learnt my lesson and was smoother through 11 and 12. On control 13 I was already thinking about the finish and instead of properly contouring round the hill I ran straight of it. Was quick to relocate but it involved an extra slog up the hill to punch the control. subsequent legs were good. max loss of time was about 4min. it was an area where everyone made mistakes and in comparison mine were fewer and further between. End position was 1st with 30s over the Norwegian Kasper Fosser in 2nd.

Event: JK 2014
 

It was the first race of the weekend and I just wanted a really good run. Went well out the start and was straight onto the first control. The next section was in a part of park with some debatably crossable hedges. I was straight onto two as well but I lost time going round anything remotely hedge like. the same happened to no. 5 where I lost a good 30s avoiding the green lines that I believed were uncrossable. I was running quickly through the open section and managed to control my speed again as I hit the more tricky building section. Was hesitant on a couple but overall I was fairly quick. Last few controls came quite easily and I managed a good time to place me 3rd overall.