Training Log Archive: Thraws

Event: SAX Regional SE League
 

Logged as training because my long-suffering lower back finally threw in the towel in the bathroom in the a.m. and it was only with the help of ibuprofen and a friendly driver that I got to the event at all. Decided I was just about able to walk round, but discovered on way to 3 I could run the downhills. Then realised I was just about able to keep up with runners who were wasting time in the circle so decided to concentrate on spiking the controls and trying to work out what caused me to have 'misses' at speed. But I lost a minute at 10 through lack of confidence and 30 more secs at 12 after getting paths confused. 13 to 19 in the northern part of the map was orienteering at its best, but I neglected AP at 19 and then overshot 20 through rushing. Spiked the flag after I'd relocated though, which was good. Probably lost about 4 mins to small mistakes, and some more to walking. But on the other had may have been navigating more accurately. Really enjoyed the area, the weather, the course and the map in spite of my back. Thought the mapping of windblow was brilliant.

Horrible area and a pretty poor course. Sort of lost interest in the whole thing quite early because we just seemed to be leaving tracks to hunt for flags in grotty forest. Like a Saxons event. First four legs were beyond boring. It improved after 5 but I mucked up 6 because I couldn't make out the brown printing on the map. There were some fantastic earth features near 8 but they weren't used, then I missed a path leaving the control and had a poor route to 9. 10 was back to boring, 11 much better though, and I enjoyed the tricky control pick near the end. Got really scratched and bloody as well. All in all, wish I hadn't bothered.

Was wet but rain had stopped. Hill was good and I felt like I was flying in second half. Left calf was OK, but I'm not so sure about throat. Enjoyed it though.

Dark. Both ways.