Training Log Archive: nmulder

Day 2 of the Big 5. Dullstroom urban middle distance event on 1:7'500.

Had an earlier start today, still very hot conditions though. Made a route choice error coming out of #2, should have stayed on the main road. Got caught in a fence after #3, but caught Ant on the way to #4. Had a poor plan to #5. Wasn't paying attention, so had to turn back for the gap past the construction site. Then slow into the control, allowing Ant to gain some ground on me. Next problem at #7, where I didn't attack the control straight from the fence corner. Managed to get across the long leg without feeling too tired, so felt in good shape for the more technical second half.

I was spot on for #10 & 11, which was a good confidence boost. Also got sight of Michael en route to #12. Unfortunately didn't catch him and he pulled a bit away over the last 2 controls. Only other problem was to #14, where I should have stayed on the tracks.

Happy with my run and surprised that I was first South African. That shouldn't be happening on this type of terrain. Taivainen won, a good 9 minutes ahead of me, so 1.5 min/km faster.

From Orienteering Maps

Course 1 - M21E - Splits

Event: Big 5 Orienteering Week (WRE)
 

Day 1 of the Big 5 O-Week on the Middeldam map in Belfast.

I had the last start, and the looming thunderstorm broke just as I touched my map. Ran the whole way in heavy rain. The lightning bolts were somewhat distracting, but on the plus side, at least I avoided the afternoon heat. We had a good covering of hailstones in the forest, particularly in the middle forest block.

Control # 1 was a bit of lucky dip. I only saw it from about 10m away, on the second pass, despite having mapped the area. Passed Garry here, who was looking elsewhere. Then a clean run, pushing the pace as much as possible, until #18 where I hit the road a bit too far right. Finished just under 7 mins off the pace of Taivainen and Lundanes.

Grass was long, so stayed out of the open as much as possible. Forest was perfectly runnable, didn't notice the blackjacks at all. Froze my b*tt off for the next few minutes after finishing until the rain stopped and I went out to help collect some of the controls.

From Orienteering Maps

Out early setting up controls for Day 3 of the Big 5 O-Week. Approx 3 hours. Then 1 hour setting up the training area controls.

Out with Brian for a late-morning ride from the Coves. Felt much better than yesterday and Brian was still feeling a bit feisty. Obviously didn't give him enough to drink on New Years eve.

Out along the railway line, then up to the Greek Church, then back down to the Magalies river trails. Back along the railway. Av 19.2 Mx 49.3

Long training run with Brian, Mac, Alex, Neil from The Coves. Went out over the Skurweberg on the Pofadder trail, down the stream to just short of Van Gaalens, then back along the old railway line. Finished with a loop inside the Coves.

On the Van Gaalens trails with Mac, Alex and Brian.

Out on the railway track, then following the bottom of the Skurweberg. Got as far as the Vulture restaurant before coming back down the Magalies River to Van Gaalens. Back along the railway. Didn't feel good to start, but warmed up after an hour. I took it upon myself to regulate the speed of the group for their own interests by holding off the back... ;-)

Av 18.4 Mx 37.1

Around Eagle Canyon with Mac.