Training Log Archive: Bertbennett

Took one of Andrew's maps and ran a short course. Probably not a great idea for keeping fresh for the run this afternoon but I might as well maximise my training benefit over the weekend.

Focussed on compass as much as possible which was tricky sometimes with the thick bushes blocking my direction. Quite a few termite mounds might have been destroyed since 2011 I suspect.

I seem to be mentally incapable of processing information fast enough on a complicated sprint area around buildings etc. Just unable to keep ahead of myself for most of the course.
Super frustrated... not exactly sure how to improve speed of visual processing as it seems like more of an innate skill rather than anything trainable. Slowing down seems like a solution but not a satisfactory one. :-/

C • Training 4

Event: Sprint Canberra
 

Unfortunately as I've been working manually the last few days and have had absolutely nothing left after the days work to even consider a run. Just to let my loyal attackpoint fanbase of which I know there are at least 3 in the loop.

Also unfortunately I will not be uploading my usual quickroute jpeg of the race because I am away from home and forgot my ant+ stick among other things.

Ok onto todays race. Started with 5 bush controls on termite mounds. Took care with the compass and got all 5 straight on (apart from #4 which I wasted about 10 seconds on because the vegetation had expanded to include the termite mound which was in white on the map) which was incredibly satisfying after having worked on my compass over the last few weeks. Into the buildings and I think I might have taken one or too sub optimal route choices along the way.

I aimed to keep the effort level down and just run smoothly at a comfortable pace in order to keep within a "map reading zone". Basically trying to keep the amount of oxygen going to my head enough for nav. Was almost successful in my plan for a mistake free race however on the 2nd last control my exit direction was off and I just didn't read the map for a few seconds and ended up making a ~~45 second mistake. That was very annoying so close to the finish after going so smoothly for most of the race. I feel like if I'd optimised the whole race a tiny bit more 16 minutes was definitely possible at the pace I was running. Happy with 95% of my race. Quickroute to come on tuesday night!

Calves feeling pretty average today so decided to rest ahead of sprint Canberra.

My god that was difficult. I actually managed to go alright for about 80% of the corridor but as soon as I got off the corridor on a really vague section of the map it was almost impossible to find anything to really get back on track with. (I'm thinking I might take an emergency full map with me just in case I get drastically off track next time)

The main issue I had was clearly caused by going about 200m too far on a vague downhill section with nothing to really go by, which then meant that the next section was all off the corridor :/ oh well. Hard training easy race right?

Saw a wild boar today while out training. Towards the end of the corridor next to the watercourse there was a sort of pile of leaves and grass which looked a little out of place then this big fat pig went squealing out of it!