Training Log Archive: rcro

Event: Galoppen
 

6 people beat 10 min ks?! Knew we should have put in more climb or made more effort to discourage fast people and children from coming.

C • mins/km 1

C • courses 3

Placing the remaining 42 controls in three loops from the common. Had to go and do part of it again as a control had been missed out of the masterplan.

Was running late because of this so offloaded checking the early controls to Joe and gave an update to start. Final trip up to the common getting very very very bored of the little footpath to south of adventure centre (12th or so time I'd been along it this weekend).

Then a bit of jogging between start and assembly to transfer equipment or relay information. All ready by 10.15 or so!

Left the start just before Doug Stimson started at 10:25ish so that I could see his route choice to 1 (he went fairly straight). Because of the good visibility and close proximity of controls this turned orienteering into quite a spectator sport and Joe had found us a good hiding place next to Blue/Green/LG 1s so he could try and get some photos. Stupidly hadn't brought any maps with us so we couldn't remember which course used which control

Did various bits more walking round interesting bits and the common before settling for some time just down the hill from the temporary crossing.

Very interesting to be out in the forest watching how people are tackling the courses, and the wide variety on route choices, particularly on blue 2-3, and to see if anybody made any mistakes in the rocky bits. Also quite interesting to see the styles of running - some were stopping to take bearings - and all this is a bit alien to us as we both usually practise the turn and hope technique.

Had quite a few people thank us as they ran past but not quite so sure that Jason Howell massively enjoyed it.

Good that NGOC had so many helpers that we weren't needed and could get into the forest to have our fun.

Not so good that so few people came as Knockalls isn't likely to ever be any better given the amount marked up for felling. I've kept back 26 of each of Blue and Brown maps in case anybody wants a go that couldn't. Really needs somebody good like Duncan or Ben M to come out and do the brown in under the hour.

Collecting the 7 controls SW of the common. Didn't need to do more as had plenty of volunteers to drive off to get the further away ones. Legs starting to feel the climb a lot but then I've done not too far off a mile's ascent over the weekend, and ran quite a bit of it.

Assembly all cleared up by 3.30, controls all in by 4. Kit dropped off and home by 5.15 (would have been sooner but got stuck behind a car doing sub-30mph in the fast lane of the motorway...). Not bad given we had 63 controls out there and courses were only due to close at 3!

May well be officials comments to be put up on NGOC website - I won't say much here on the planning without Joe's input. Photos may also follow - but if you didn't finish before 12.40 you're not likely to appear.

Plan was to take this easy as not done any fast running in a while and long day ahead but realised after 500m or so that the pack I was in was at the front. Slowed down and took it steady through the mud then roots, and didn't put too much effort in at the start of lap 2.

At about 3.5k somebody finally overtook me and I picked up the pace a bit to stick with them to the finish.

Got a bit distracted as Pete Ward (marshalling) started talking to me about putting out controls.

Steady, seems that the fast people were going quite slow as my slow pace in the mud wasn't much behind them.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/449403983

Interesting that I was third fastest of 4 in the SM20-24 category - making 7% of the male field. How does this compare to orienteering? Normally I'm the only person in that age band! (Best not to mention the lack of SM25-29 as Joe wimped out at the last minute...)

Galoppen prep.

- setting up crossing point
- finalising start layout
- putting out controls
- setting up finish run in
- looking over the assembly area and taped routes
- general walk around after Joe left and looking for controls.

Felt the climb a bit more after morning run.

Took a bit of a shortcut between orange controls when placing (Orange has an extra control to not go straight route) and a chunk of my leg was gouged out by a vicious bramble hidden in wind blow. Shouldn't have worn shorts for this bit. At least none of the courses go through here...

Did one effort on the run in but in reverse. Managed just under 40s which impressed me somewhat (but I was ready to collapse at the end). Would expect sub 20 for the fastest in the right direction.

Saw another boar. This one looked younger and friendlier - it ran off a bit then stopped and watched me from a distance.

Only 21 controls left for me to put out in the morning and 5 to check.

With Joe clearing tracks, paths and gateways and checking for damage by the quarry. Now down to one tree left. Now down to one fallen tree left so cleared a route under it.

Haven't plugged it here recently.

Galoppen at Knockalls this Sunday. Forest is incredibly nice (even after the recent storms), map comprehensively updated. Lots of rocks to see. Good mix of route choice and fine navigation. Plenty of controls for your money too. Climb nowhere near as bad as it looks.

Final details and course lengths now available:
http://www.ngoc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Knockall...

Should have enough maps for everybody but I won't be too upset if we run out if it means we get over 50 running brown!

C • 485m? 5