Training Log Archive: Leon

Meanwood trot with Susan. Flew by, legs not as bad as I thought, though we were going slowly.

Event: UKUL, North East Urban League (NEUL) and Orienteering League (NEOL) event
 

Newcastle Urban, 1st, 52.25

Probably the toughest urban I've done - both mentally and physically.

First 10 controls pretty standard, though was confused by building work at 3, was hanging round the southern hedge at 5 and took a shorter but slower route via the balcony to 7.
Then needed a lot of thought on how to navigate the long leg to 11 via all the subways crossing points, just about managed to keep on track but was unable to plan ahead as I'd hoped, all the sets of steps to sap you began to take effect here and to 13 and 14, almost mispunched as others did to 14 but luckily had checked code, route choice to W was wrong here, faffed at 15 due to intricate detail, and fell on my backside to 16. Brutal climb to 18 but didn't spot northerly route to 19 which meant yet more steps, but did go N to 21. Weaving through the market to 21 was a nightmare, should have been marked OOB if there was really a need for 21 and was stood working out the route around it, followed by more massive climb to 22, and went too far S to 24.
To 25 spotted the route in from the south, which I should have taken 10-11 under the railway. Split looks suspicously fast for me here, and I think the wall/fence projecting north from 25 was shorter than shown, certainly I ran past the control and did a 180 degree turn up to it, but too knackered to notice the difference. EDIT: Have worked it out now, the junction was actually to the north of the bridge which I ran under, though this isn't that clear on the map. Came down steps to E of 26 which were a ballache as several flights which you couldn't work out from map should have stayed on ramp. Tried to be clever to 27 by turning north and running under bridge to W of control but this was unnecessary really

After the first long leg I really was getting knackered and not really enjoying it, just ploughing on with minimal planning ahead, so I could have performed better, but in hindsight I think the courses were an excellent challenge as I was at the limit, a large contrast to running round a housing estate.

Rising Sun parkrun - 1st, 17.40

Odd one, for the effort and terrain should have been faster.
Potentially slightly long as watch had it at 4.99k and always measures short.
Didn't help I missed the turn for the finish
Quite a pleasant location

Leazes Park Sprint 1 - 3rd, 15.05

Cracking course including the maze and underneath St James Park
Not sure how I lost so much time as didn't make any major cock ups but I guess a few little ones add up, I was slow in the maze and overshot a couple, plus ran through gates and steps when didn't have to.

Very wet

Leazes Park Sprint 2 - 2nd, 13.35

Again, fairly solid, though fell over twice, once on a tree route and once on the wet grass, and wasted too much time trying to make the dead SI box work.

Down Hollins Hill fast
Up Hollins Hill slowly
Then some more sprint efforts

Felt terrible, drained of energy.
Summoned up enough drive to have a go across Hob Moor.

Oakwood - Garforth via Scholes and LCW.
Once into the countryside, delightful route.