Training Log Archive: Thraws

Map Memory, Attack Points and Control Pick exercises with Sam. First was perfect, but the second and third taught us both one or two things about the downside of rusty technique (although I'm not sure all the CP controls were in the right places). Map was only an approximation of the ground in one or two areas and isn't really good enough to stage an orienteering event on, if you ask me. Bit wheezy to begin but soon alright.

Score Relay. Team of three had to collect all fifteen controls between them. I opted for the two farthest and was given three more which were on the way. Couldn't keep up with Ali but had Sam and Jack for company most of the way. I think we were first team back, although our scores didn't add up to the right number apparently. Fun!

From Whiteways Lodge, through Houghton Forest and the car park, round the masts, and back along the SDW over Bignor Hill. Wanted a 45 mins-plus run that I wouldn't be tempted to rush, so went for the hilly off-road option. Biggest problem was not falling over as I had difficulty 'reading' the uneven ground. Also, trainers would have been better than studs as tracks are very hard. Was lovely being out in the sunshine, though, and felt OK if not exactly fast.

Had to get used to two very unfamiliar sensations today, the feel of warm sunshine and what running's like. Last time I did the latter was almost a month ago, since when I've been proper ill, on holiday, or at work and too tired. So I could hardly be bothered to warm up today as I didn't expect to be busting a gut, but a very gentle uphill jog to the start got me breathing a bit harder. The Ring was lovely, if slightly over-populated, and the nav was very easy. I overshot the open area en route to 4 and lost about a minute after I'd watched my minute man go off somewhere weird. By running at all I kept overtaking walkers and was feeling good enough to make a bit more effort on leg 13 so I had the quickest split on the uphill leg to the cairn (but was beaten by 1 sec by Barry M). Turned right not left on track near 15 and made a complete Horlicks of 18, the last control. Seem to have strayed well left to avoid thickets and then got two distinctive trees confused. Lost another minute and a half here but I don't think mistakes affected position. Runny nose and sneezes afterwards suggest I may have been shaking off the last of the cold. May have more appetite for 10k training now. Hopefully.

Holdstone Down - Great and Little Hangman - Combe Martin - Widmouth Head - Hillsborough - Ilfracombe - Kitstone Hill - Sterridge Valley - Hodges - CM church - Holdstone Farm

Lynmouth - Lee Bay - Woody Bay - Heddon's Cleave - Trentishoe Down - Hunter's Inn - Croscombe Barton - Valley of Rocks - Lynton

County Gate - Yenworthy - Foreland Point - Countisbury Common - Lynmouth - Lyn Cleeve - Watersmeet - Brendon - CG

With Jan. Minehead - 'rugged alternative' - Porlock Weir - Culbone - Yenworthy Common - 300 bus back to Minehead

Felt like the coldest day of the lot, but nothing was going to stop me running first leg of the JK relay. However, felt terrible right from the gun and was soon dropped by almost everyone, regardless of age/gender! Tried to focus on navigation and realised by about 4 I was overtaking all those who went to wrong controls. Had identified a group by 5 and was able to use them to try and get a bit of speed up and locate my controls. Had useful help with 8, 11, 12 and 15 and stuck with a crowd I was fairly pleased to hang on to. Thought I'd handed over in quite a high position but was actually 26th! I'd kept the gaps to a minimum though and good runs by team mates brought us through to a respectable 12th in the end