Training Log Archive: Thraws

And it was all going so well! Actually I orienteered pretty alright for most of this course, but made a major error right at the start (3 mins) and a MASSIVE one on the open hill (9 mins at least). Just couldn't make the map fit at the start but ran anyway so missed no. 1 by miles. Was pleased to get 3 in the open area and could see that 4 was really difficult, but tried to use copses while running through marshy tussocks and when flag wasn't where I'd hoped I was stuffed. Just wandered rather aimlessly for ages, trying to fit map to ground. Eventually saw someone else punching. Was racing thereafter through 6 to 15, mostly behind the BOK guy, but overtook at 15 and led then till the end. The contrast of (easy) open hillside and dark runnable pine forest was exhilarating. And some of the control sites were brilliant. I really do need to do something about my technique on extremely technical areas. I let myself down today. Was wearing the garmin so will be able to embarrass myself on routegadget. Finished just before the rain arrived.

Rainy walk with Jan from Little Stretton. Had meant to go up a ridge and down a dingle, but took wrong turning and started up Ashes Hollow, which was lovely. Visited Pole Bank trig point then returned in cold wind via Haddon and Bodbury Hills to Church Stretton, then through trees and back to car. Good scenery but poor conditions.

Much better day! Even though I was looking forward to this one least, given the warnings about the terrain and the ridiculous amount of climb. I thought I'd be walking the whole thing. And almost half the control sites were platforms, dodgy features at the best of times. Was really relieved to get 2 and 3 on the scarp slope cleanly, but lost confidence and a bit of time in the crowds near 4. Had company for a bit but got away near 11 and felt good through to 18. The slope below 19 was a mess of felled trees, so I looked for but failed to find path which lost me time here. I also took a dumb route from the last control to the finish and lost a lot of unnecessary height. Another lovely day and a slow time, but finish position was respectable and I thought I coped with the area pretty well.

Circular walk near Clun with Jan. The quietest place under the sun living up to its description today. From Whitcott Keysett, up Spoad Hill then along Offa's Dyke to Mardu. Finally back along Shropshire Way. Brisk pace set by companion.

Event: HOC/WRE Springtime in Shropshire
 

Scrappy start, but no big mistakes so an OK time. Got slightly stuck in grot leaving 1, and lost map contact en route to 3 so had to relocate. Rubbish bearing for super-easy 4 and turned wrong way along ditch for 5. Was too low for 6, missed the path near 10, and lost my bearing leaving 11. Got through the open bit OK, though, then took wrong path for 19. Nice day and very enjoyable event.

Nice route and a perfect evening. Very glad I came. Started fairly steady as I wasn't sure how much of Sunday I had left in my legs. As planned, just went my own pace up the hill, which was slower than those around on the very steep bits but quicker where it was flatter. Didn't enjoy the ups and downs round the hill fort but completely loved the downhill! Just hung on for the last two flat kilometres but would have preferred a tarmac stretch. Only slightly disappointed with time, but I'm just not used to running at this time of day.