Training Log Archive: Jay-T

Played First Round Singles Tournament Match vs Kevin (Turton?)
He was a competent player, but my level was just a bit higher; a 6-0, 6-0 victory was still a bit flattering (lots of deuces).
Then general play, finishing with a set of singles vs Selby (lost 6-2).

Event: Harvester Relays / After Harvester Event
 

Running 4th leg for NOC on the A

Hard to know what to write about this event. I’m glad that NOC managed to get a team together but the event wasn’t particularly inspiring in any sense.
The area was probably the root cause of many of the problems – the extensive undergrowth meant that most controls were near or even on paths, making path routes and Orange standard legs dominate.

Wake up call came at just after 2am as expected – got kitted up and headed over to see how RR was doing. Unfortunately the only measure of progress before finishing a leg was visually spotting your runner through the spectator (where it wasn’t even necessary to come into full view).
At least one radio control is pretty much expected at the Harvester – the lack of one this year detracted from the spectator value and meant I had no clue when Rich was on his way in, leading to a disjointed warm up.

Anyway, set off just after 3am in 6th place. Quite a gap ahead (18mins) and behind (24min!) so no head to head racing whatsoever. Flowed through the first 7 controls ok, although probably chose the wrong route on #5 (initially thought I was saving climb, but wasn’t and the route I took used smaller paths) [40]
First notable error on #8; perhaps no coincidence that it was the first real foray off a path. #154 Depression next to linear ride. Headed up the hill and came to a ride; it felt too early, but was very distinctive and surely must be mapped. Ran up and down it a bit in vain before deciding it was unmapped and carrying on further up the hill – came to a large track and then the control – strange mapping [100]
Despite the above, only 40s down on Bown (leg winner) at #10.
#11 Overprint obscured earth wall so I was slightly hesitant attacking initially, but as the feature was clearly mapped in a white corridor with undergrowth both sides dismissed a section of wall that had head-high undergrowth and looked further along the wall. No luck, so eventually battled through to find the flag tucked away in the midst of the grot. There was a route cut through – but only from one direction, meaning if you didn’t approach from that direction... [4mins 30s)
#12 Classic follow up error – didn’t take enough care to find the small path within the direction of run that led to the control and ended up one path to the SE... [3mins 30s]
After those errors it was important not to do anything else stupid so ambled through the last section. Nearly mp on #17 / #170 (path junction) where the mapped paths didn’t seem to match up and I initially happened upon a similar control with a similar code (#171)... [30]

All in all not very satisfactory – enjoyed blasting around in the dark in a sense, but the course, area, competition on leg, general atmosphere and my own performance left something to be desired.

3rd position on my leg (8m 30s behind Bown). Team finished 5th which was a decent effort, although with a few less mistakes from myself (and others?) we could potentially have been in the mix for 2nd-4th.

It is important that people aren’t so desperate that the Harvester goes ahead each year that it is handed to anyone willing to take it on. Had this been my first experience of the event I’m not sure that I would be inspired to return next year...

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/818261151
http://www.wim.routegadget.co.uk/rg2/#55&cours... (sort of...)

Round the Garden of England.

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/818261169

Long, hot run partially along the South Downs Way (noise monitoring in Folkestone today). First half was lovely; great views, rolling countryside and clear paths. Getting back was less straightforward though, with various obstacles such as a military training area, the M20 and Channel Tunnel stuff in the way. After an hour or so, when Folkestone was still looking pretty distant and every path seemed to take me further away, I was starting to worry a bit, but managed to just make it back in time for the next reading with some slightly suspect routes including a bit of running alongside the A20!

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/815223090

In Croydon doing some noise monitoring. Went for a run in between monitoring times as you do. Found a little wood with a small hill so ran around / up / down that a few times.

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/815223103

Menial tasks after last week away / going away again tomorrow. Short walk to appease back which is already complaining again. Desk work is a killer :(