Training Log Archive: Thraws

Soon got into a bit of a pack with the same boys as yesterday and, again, their haste led them to make small mistakes. The only error I made was trying to go straight for 3. The heather was short but those who went right round on the track were still quicker. After that I stuck to the paths, which made the nav very easy, but you had to be careful oxygen debt/fatigue didn't lead to silly mistakes. I wasn't too proud to walk a few paces near the top of one small climb. There was a dog leg at 8/9 then at 13/14 so I was able to see those in front on the way in and behind on the way out. I seemed to be holding position and making up lots of ground on those on the shorter courses. I didn't really make any errors to speak of, but the course was technically very easy, with no tricky legs at all. I think the planner had tried to get us to go straight, but the truth was that if you did (the right thing!) you'd lose lots of time fighting the furrows. So, a pretty rubbish area but a good race for me as I held off some good juniors all competing for interland selection.

The Short Brown course seemed a bit, well, Short, but the word was that the area was really rough underfoot and very slow going. I was expecting the worst (Ringwood!) but in the circumstances it wasn't too bad and I was halfway round in 22 minutes when I looked at my watch. The whole thing felt very much like a SOG, so a bit of what I know best. I seemed to be running with a load of M16/18s and was quite pleased that I was able to keep up as they kept making silly small errors, though most of them outran me. First mistake was leaving 9, when I kept on up the rentrant to the track in the north although there was a more direct path to the south. Then a moment of self-doubt caused me to needlessly check the code on a control I knew wasn't mine and I lost another 30 secs. I managed to make out the hill with 11 on from another hill so went for it straight, then spiked 12 too. Opted for the tracks to 13 but cut across for 14 and was dragged off bearing by blasted furrows. Consequently went in too early and overshot the flag which cost another minute. Overall, though, felt the race had gone quite well and I'd have a good start in the chase.

Workout with Lu. After 10 minute warm up we did a longer loop with a big climb near the end which we used to raise HR. Then we did the 1.7 km yellow course at a steady pace, first, and then fast as possible. I gave her a two minute start as an incentive and made up over 2 and a half minutes on first lap but didn't catch her as she made up almost a minute. Ran loop once more as warm down but walked up hills. Not too tired from yesterday's efforts so must be right over infection.

Last minute entry. Was a bit caught out by the numerous ups and downs and underfoot conditions which made it impossible to find a smooth rhythm. And I could hardly get going again after the last stile. But judged pace about right as managed to hang onto position even though I was fading by the end. Mile splits very roughly 6.20, 6.30, 6.50 (through cow field), 7.30. Lacking cardiovascular fitness.

Walk around Stansted Forest with Shelagh and Phil. The area was a bit short on detail but would be pretty good to run through, like Winkins.

After the disappointment of the Lakes it was good to be back on a proper orienteering area again. I did the Blue course so that L and I could swap notes after. Got through the first five legs pretty smoothly, then there was a brilliant long leg to 6 which would require formidable concentration throughout. My idea was to simplify by using the open areas, although it meant battling some pretty grotty marshes. I was in a small group which kept splitting up but reformed to hit the good path just east of the control. I dropped them to 7 by going straight across some lovely forest and caught Lu spiking the control. Legs 8 and 9 were a bit easier, and I did everything right to 10 but wasted time in the bracken slightly west of the flag. I was too low for 11 then left the control badly, in haste because I didn't want to be caught, and was about 90 degrees out on my bearing. Leg 13 was textbook but I had to walk up the hill. Satisfactory result but still had a lot of running left at the end and probably should have run Brown. Really enjoyable event though.

Coached Ali round Control Pick, Simplification and Map Memory exercises. Dodgy start but soon got the hang of the tiny area. In the afteroon we did a Harris Relay. I did three spine controls then went to what I thought was the fourth, but was thrown by the absence of SI unit and started to think I was at a non-spine control but couldn't work out which one. Then did all my seven 'extra' controls before completing spine. Had to add up nmbers at control sites but we got the wrong total somehow. Was pretty exhausted at the finish. Legs heavy from cold.

Top-notch event on new area. Good old Southdowns. Got lift in minibus so was late to start and cold was lingering, but stayed sharp because there were people just ahead and behind who went about same speed. Lost 30 secs on 3 as flag was inside hedge and ran right past 6. Knew woods would be completely different so focussed on keeping contact with paths. Ran round to 7 and 8, where I caught Alex, then followed stream to uphill path and 9. Went straight for 11, but it came up real quick, then compass to 12 and paths to 13. Retreated, then cut across to bridge for 14, then path to 15. Made for marsh on way to 16 and got away from Alex by heading into open. I could hear him crashing about in trees. Slowed down to read paths to 18 and simply retreated rather than tangle with lake to 19. Cold made legs very heavy uphill to 20, and I could see we were heading back into buildings, but play area made nav easy and I never saw my chasers again. Satisfying result, as so many were caught out by changes of terrain. I thought map and course were really well done and left for Peter Palmer relays with a little warm glow inside.