Training Log Archive: Thraws

Event: Dorset Delight
 

Good job the rain stayed off till the afternoon. Otherwise could have been grim. Fairly easy orienteering on a fast area as long as you could avoid the deepest heather and marshes. Really enjoyed it. Only gripe was that you couldn't tell whether straight was better than round paths, as it all depended what the heather was like en route and that wasn't on the map. I opted for paths where possible. First battle with heather was on the way to 4, where I had to stop for quite a while to sort out my shoe laces. I didn't recognise her at first, but Jan led me into the pit control and then set off at a pace I struggled to match. We had the same next control and my round the hill route turned out a bit quicker. I missed the road route to 9, but the forest was lovely, and I had a river crossing between 11 and 12. The long leg 15 offered a choice of dull (but presumably quick) tarmac and path, which I went for for aesthetic reasons. Probably lost 2 mins going to 16 as I neglected bearing (and had to stop for the loo), but was pleased to be still pushing at the end. All good training for Steep Down.