Training Log Archive: Thraws

Morning heats. 'Do you remember what to do?' the first person I recognised in the car park said. Good question. For sure, though, nothing inspires anticipation like a well-run orienteering event and I knew this would be. I was really looking forward, if only to see how my back/legs and probably more importantly vision would cope. It felt great, map in hand, burning up the grass to 1. I'd not made out the uncrossable walls though and had to backtrack right round the first building. Settled down for 2 through 7 and was quite pleased with the speed I was managing to hold. Got confused on the way to 8 and had to relocate when map stopped fitting. Lost over a minute here and was caught by DM. Tried to catch him in the easy section through 17 but couldn't and was quite pleased to see the last 5 legs were a bit longer as I was finding the nav challenge a bit straightforward. Careful what you wish for I guess. I missed 21 on the straight line between 20 and 22. Didn't realise and punched finish in 22.45. On the way to download the light dawned and I cursed a bit as a mp sort of wrote off the afternoon race as well. So I decided to jog back for 21 and then do the finish again and see if my hired SIAC card would allow me a result. It did, but I'd binned 12 mins. At least I'd have an early afternoon start.

Alan said the afternoon was more challenging and he was right. Despite the morning's mishap and the fatigue, was really looking forward to round 2 as well. 2, 3, 4 and 5 were real navigational puzzles whose quickest routes usually involved a fair bit of running round. 8 and 10 were longer and required keeping careful map contact. I was pleased that I seemed to cope ok. Caught my minuteman and tried not to make a mistake in my effort to open a gap. Biggest problem was probably leaving controls. Had no 'flow' at all but that's not really a surprise given how rusty I must be after all this time away. 16, 18 and 19 were quite long legs near the end but I managed to simplify them ok and keep pushing just. Result was probably distinctly average but I'm not bothered. I'd been worried about reading the map and avoiding the furniture and tripping on the stairs and those things were reasonably ok. My back/legs were 'there' as well, especially before the starts, but I think all the mental effort of orienteering means you largely forget about them when you're running. Overall feeling is one of huge relief.

Biomechanical function reached a bit of an all time low on holiday on Wednesday when I could barely climb the stairs to Orford Castle. Decided after that to simply ignore any 'feelings' and just try and 'walk tall'. And believe! Felt positive jogging to the park as I knew I was going to focus on enjoying my run rather than worry about time or lower back/legs. Steady first lap (7.00) which felt quicker as field was missing a few faster runners. Relaxed on second (7.45), then tried to pick it up from the top of the hill on third (7.20). Overtook a few and time was a marginal incremental improvement. Conditions were absolutely perfect. Such fun!