Training Log Archive: nmulder

Event: O-Ringen 2014
 

Commuting to and from the WC race.

Av 17.0

World Cup Long Race - Bockeboda 1:15'000

The race went overall well, but I was surprised that my better results were in sprint instead of this long. Got passed at regular intervals, but the competition was going at a notably higher speed than me and I couldn't hold on to most of them.

Started steady, but couldn't find a feint track into #1, so loosing about 15s. Got caught already by +2 just before #2. Took the technical way into #3, which may or may not have been a mistake, then started the butterfly which was very early on in the course. Mistake into #5 when I reversed out of a path thinking it wasn't the one into the control (it was). Next mistake in route choices to #6 where I didn't stick to the plan. Better to 7,8,9, and 10 and the map flip.

Started the 2nd loop badly when I had a head-on with another competitor who was coming down a hill. Bent map board, but otherwise got off extremely lightly but some increbile luck. Nerves were bad for the next few controls, but slowly settled intoa rhythm again. Mess up at #15 before heading off to the common control and then the final section (bad place for a common control).

Fairly okay for the first part. Came into #22 from the back, which apparently was slower. Then overshot a turnoff to #23 as I was getting tired. On the long leg home I got caught up in some bad tracks in the middle, but then at least chose the correct main route on the south side of the map.

Overall okay. Need a lot more practise to refine skills.

65th place / 80. +31:28. Thus 132%

Av 21.4 Mx 42.8

Splits: http://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/sv/d...

Commuting to and from the WC race in Kristianstad from the O-ringen village. Also went past opening ceremony.

Av 15.1

World Cup Sprint - Kristianstad University (Nasby Falt) - 1:4'000

My first ever Elite MTBO race, and it went pretty well. Both Brian and I got results a lot higher up the field than I was expecting, leaving a good 26 competitors behind, from a full mix of countries.

From the start, took road to #1, which was the better route. However, control was hidden behind the hedge and I lost about 15s looking for it. Good to 2 (we were allowed to ride x-country) and then okay to 3, where I cut the corner through the forest. Brian didn't and our times are similar. To #4 I cut too quickly maybe and portaged through the ditch? Attacked #5 from behind, which was correct. I x-c'ed to #6 and saved big time. Then some controls with straight line grass riding before I made a mistake going to #12, taking a wrong path, loosing 25s. Easy to #13 where we entered built up area for the first time, then quick to #14 where I had 17th fastest split. Overall my splits positions improved in the urban landscape, even getting 15th spots to #18 and #19, by which stage I was lying 43rd.

I got mechanical problems here when my handlebars started coming loose, but I didn't stop to fix and rather made do with the loose bars. Next few controls I got no problem and finished okay. I probably lost about 20-30s in riding conform as a result of the mechanical, so 5-6 positions.

Overall extremely happy with this debut result. Brian 1 place and 7s behind me.

50th out of 76. +6:17, so 128% of winner.

Av 19.3 Mx 35.9

Splits: http://obasen.orientering.se/winsplits/online/sv/d...

Spent the whole of Thursday at the airport before giving up and leaving for O-ringen village. Brian went back on Friday and the bikes came in on the 2nd flight. This meant we missed the World Cup Middle Race.

Unpacked our bikes, attended race briefing for next World Cup race tomorrow (Sprint) and then headed out on our bikes to today's Middle map to get some familiarization in. About 45 min along roads to Ahus, then 1hr messing about in some beatufiul forested sand dunes then back home again to our tent.

Av 22.1 Mx 28.4

Fly to Copenhagen. Bikes did not arrive with Brian, they're stuck in Paris (we hope).

Nice loop through a small piece of Switzerland. From Sattel around Aegeri, then bike route 22 to Rothemthurm and back. Weird being back on a 26"er.

2 days to World Cup in Sweden.