Training Log Archive: Old Daniel

Knee is really sore and not getting easier oh B****r.
Remarkable I ran ok

C • injury. 1

I have been orienteering 5/6 times in Finland and its always been exactly as I would want orienteering to be and this year did not disappoint.

This trip was however was special
(i) the aspect from the summer house peninsula of the peaceful lake and islands in the glow of the low sunlight may just be the most beautiful location I have ever seen.
(iii) I have never really understood Finland or its people but I understand a bit more now

Many thanks to Tommi and team mates

C • a pleasure 1

Jokola Harpatti Team 1040 BOK 2 Leg 3

After 2012 I had decided that I was probably too old to compete in this race without letting my team mates down but decided as I was fitter and stronger than I had been for some time if I gave it some extra work on stamina (which eI did I might be ok). The late knee issue was an annoyance and disappointment. From what I was doing in Training the best I could aim for was 120 mins. I slept poorly and was concerned and unconvinced that knee would hold. Its best not to record how many Ipobrufen (but not a few) and I was in the start arena

Paul (leg 1) had run well (1.59) and Ifor was going well through 2nd of 4 intermediates so I warmed up and was quite excited, and ready to go. 14.30 We then ran into a snag -no Ifor at intermediate three -disaster had struck. Needed to regroup swapped big light for Petzel, kept jogging (to keep knee loose), checking screen (no change) and occasional look at changrover. This was not easy as whole area was chaotic.

Oh sugar -Ifor was stood on a chair in the changeover (I have seen him look happier and as he was not shouting had been there some time) -but he was there not 3 km away!

A long 3km+ leg to control 1 just what the doctor ordered. Map a bit difficult to see with just the Petzel (I switched it off about no 5). Straight but a bit sub-optimum route as went through some wood which was quite green. (I stopped to check map -so did about five other blokes -not only in a train but
driving -if only they knew- got to envrions of no 1 quite quickly but abandoned plan to go to attackpoint and cut corner along track which took me to dark forest and then semi-felled lost (a lot) of time. (6 mins?)
Also messed up no 2 -wrong track through wrong control too short another wrong control too far south but almost knew this and navigated to the control mimimising time loss and gaining confidence. (-4 mins?)

Maybe the race now got a bit easier but I did not make another significant mistake till 23. I was in contact with the map and in general running through others around me. (I don't think I caught my train from 1 till 12.
Round route to 10. Too far right at 11 and had to turn. Stuck to guns going to 12 whilst other went further south, round route to 13. Slowed by near stationary group through green to 17. Came across fast group on route to 18 which I found, they overtook going to 19 but I was first to 20, went round to 21 but could not cope with one guy but I was faster than those who were straight. Went round to 22 but too far and the forest was empty when I reached 22. Stopped too soon at wrong control and ran off to where I could see other punching. Wrong again and had to go to road to relocate (-3mins)
Suddenly got a bit tired and slow over last few.
Overall taking off time from changeover I must have done about the 120 mins

BLOODY BRILLIANT RACE GREAT TO BE PART

Watched Vennla -really good and interesting occasion. On feet a lot and knee worse

Orienteering training at Tannilanvaara, again knee not to bad, navigation ok but slow. Decided not to train again

Travel to Eastern Finland, opportunity to train but did not take it hoping rest the best startegy