Training Log Archive: grilla

Australian Relays, in a team with Felicity and Tracy. From the start area it all looked like hard work - surrounded by steep slopes and I was very tired...
Started well on 1 and 2. Took the wide route right to 3 ( should have gone left or straight for my controls). On top of that, I lost time at the end of the leg - about 4 minutes - going up the wrong spur. Need to remember to use my compass in this type of terrain. A bit wayward on 4, lost time trying to avoid crossing gullies to 5 but climbing in compensation. Saw Barbara Hill storming up the hill to 8 in front of me so that kept me moving on a tough leg. Went down the wrong gully, found 2 wrong controls before I got 8 (another 2 minutes lost here). Poor route to 9 (spectator) slow up the hill to 10, and more time lost on a bad route to 12 (went the high rocky goat track rather than the low grassy highway).
A good area, but very different terrain to the previous week. Wish I'd been prepared for it.

Australian Long Champs
I had been hoping that this was the last time I'd need to do one of these. A great venue to retire from etc etc.
Unfortunately I was not having a good race being totally off the planet on the way to 2 (turned 90 degrees off a track to take a walk through the few solid green bits on the map... and to cross a few extra gullies as there was not going to be enough climb!). I was unable to run - even across lovely downhill grassy fields, but still flogged myself to finish only to record a mp after not punching at the drinks control. (I did stand there for over a minute taking 2 drinks but no idea how I would have not punched the control!)
A fantastic area - I would have liked another chance here.

Australian Sprint Champs
An OK but slow run. Finally felt today that it was my fitness rather than my health holding me back. No major problems as again I was too slow to make mistakes. A couple of poor route choices, but the main time losses were all on the 'run across the field' type legs.

I hope Jenny appreciates the time I took to go back and punch the last control twice :) Too bad I couldn't transfer credit for it to the following race.

C • You mean you punched it 3 times in total? 3

Kaiser Stuhl - great area, just jogged/walked to get the legs moving. Very tired & slow.
Health improving.

Finally started antibiotics. They had a positive impact on head, ears & sinus! Chest still heavy.