Training Log Archive: Thraws

Ryde Pier to Shanklin. Jan's brilliant idea, as an alternative to Cornwall at half term. The entire Isle of Wight (where I've never been before) coastline. Day 1 via Bembridge and Sandown. Mostly bucket and spade country.

Event: St Albans City Race
 

So rusty orienteering-wise. Probably a good one to come back with. Plus an opportunity to run through the town where I grew up (what seems like an absolute age ago now). First three were in a small park then there was a mega-leg from one corner of the map to the other. I was pleased to get the scenic route through the Abbey, though there were quite a few strollers about. The bells had such a familiar ring. It was past a room I'd once rented to 6, then into the shopping streets, and hunt-the-garden-gate for 9, which I spiked. Things got more technical for 10 through 13, and I'm not sure about a couple of route choices. I definitely dropped half minutes at 13 and 15 by missing little alleys and over-simplifying. Biggest mistake was 20, though, where I headed off down a blind route. 1-0 to the planner there. 22 was a complex puzzle, which I think I solved ok, but I missed the optimum 'tricky' route to 25 (although I had no idea it existed till I sat down with the map much later). Felt fittish, but achey, and thought I ran hard in the circumstances. But result was only top third. I'll have to look at splits to see why I'm losing time, when I thought I was mostly ok. Very stiff afterwards too.

Wet, dark, roadworks. Ugh!

Fabulous October weather.