Training Log Archive: TheInvisibleLog

I hadn't planned much more than 30-45 minutes in deference to viral defences. However, the virus seems vanquished, and the day presented a view much like a New Zealand travel brochure, except that it was real rather than the outcome of digital enhancement. Blue skies and 8 degrees... great for a run along the Marne ridge. Its been almost two months since my last visit. Once up there, I just kept running.

Wasn't sure I should run today after spending the week with a minor cold. But I had some of the local event gear, and was feeling better, the weather was fine... so drove out to Jim's Skins. But when I got there I realised I only had half the gear, so turned around and drove home, collected the rest of the gear, then drove back to the event. With all the driving I decided I might as well run at least one of the three races. Toyed with the idea of just walking, but instead chose the B course because Nigel was doing it as well. We took it easy around the first race and ended up coming in first and second with John Chellew not far behind. So much for coming last.

Having survived the first race with only a minor reminder of the virus, but with very scrappy navigation, I decided I'd try the next. Once again Nigel and I were out in front. I was thinking that it might be fun to come last and then try and catch the rest of the field who would as a consequence be starting one or two minutes ahead of us in the final race. A minute later Nigel suggested the same thing. We ran past the finish and along the track away from the assembly area, to the amusement of Jim and others. Navigation was much better this race with only a minor blemish on the first control. Not enough pressure. The last race would solve the pressure shortage.

In for a penny etc.... Might as well run the last race. We watched the first wave of John and Mark start, then a minute late the next wave of Charles and Judy. Then a minute later Nigel and I started with relative newcomer Harm van Rees. The idea was for Harm to just run without navigating to get a sense of competitive orienteering.
The last race was about 500 metres shorter than the first two,so we had to run hard. There were 7 controls. Picked off Judy between 1 and 2 and Charles between 2 and 3. We could see the first two starters between 3 and 4, so the race pace picked up a little. Nigel was having trouble holding on so he told Harm to just keep up with me! That was a surprise. He did for the rest of the race. Caught Mark at the 5th control, and saw John half-way up the hill towards 6. I realised that from here I had to go all out as I am not known for finish chute sprints. I heard someone pounding along behind me and looked behind to see Jim had joined in the race as a spectator. Glad to see we were providing him with some entertainment.
John made a slight wobble going the wrong side of a mound and I arrived ahead of the pack at 6. Three of the four I had passed had made minor errors as I was breathing down their neck. It was now my turn to lead and I made a slight error on the last control. Only 10 metres, but that's important in these sort of races. So raced up the hill to the finish, taking the longer track option, and running as hard as I could to keep ahead of Harm. He almost pipped me!

Conclusions:
1. This sort of racing is great fun.
2. The pressure of leading the pack can easily create errors... same as in the Nordic Champs last week.
3. Its the hardest I have run in a race for some time. Now to see if it causes any viral relapse.
4. Harm enjoyed the experience and commented that he now understands what competitive orienteering can be like. It was a great idea to suggest he join our pack.

Thanks Jim for a great event. I think its his tenth event organised in as many or fewer weeks!

Event: Takas 2010
 

Scale read 'Lo' today. Unfortuantely I think it was reporting battery status rather than my mass.

As in 'Sick?'. Symptoms of what Julie has are coming on. Chose not to run. Helped by rain to make decision. Must be off to cough.

Relatively benign run through Welsford Forest. Was paced for part of the way by Uncle Jim on MTB (not O).

Maybe a run today...

then again, maybe not.