Orienteering race (WC #3 Chasing start) 38:20 [5]
After a couple of hours reading and dozing in the shade by the river, it was time to emerge back out into the blazing heat for the chasing start.
Batteries were feeling anything but recharged, but I was relying on the fact that everyoone felt the same! Luckily the clouds came over just before the start for some, all be it very temporary, relief.
It was always going to be a tough race, but I'm not sure I realised just how intense it would be until we were out there!
Having started between Ida, Helena and Tatiana, all in close succession, there was always going to be some hard pack running. What I didn't figure til afterwards, was that everyone else in the top 8 had medalled at WOC at some point in the last 6years, and had serious venla and tiomilla experience.
In short, one of the most intense races I've ever run, with the pack pushing the pace. I could keep up (just!), but don't have the same mass/chasing start experience, which require completely different tactics to the usual orienteering course. So when I saw the pack heading on what I thought was a suboptimal route choice, I split. Not the smart thing to do, and I regretted it quickly, even though Ida followed me after a hesitation.
Stopped early on the control, and the group was gone by the time I hit it. Could see Helena and Ida 3/4 of the way up the next hill, but in that heat, there was no way I was going to catch them without putting my chance of even finishing in jeopardy!
So, knowing 9th was a wee way back, I eased off a little, and kept the orienteering clean (enough), through to the end.
Stoked with 8th place given the wealth of experience the other girls have in this sort of race compared to me. I've never been good with the mental side of things when it comes to a mass group race - it's one of the reasons I do orienteering rather than cross country! Definitely something to work on!
Oh, and I beat the girls going down a hill in the forest by sitting on my bum and sliding down :) classic!