Training Log Archive: mdryak

I got news yesterday of my official admittance into the U.S. Orienteering Development squad! I am OVER the moon and cannot wait to see how much I can improve navigationally, given I can remain uninjured! SO EXCITED. #letsdothis

C • Congrats! 2

Relaxed recovery run with Jessie, legs are quite tired from training this week and I can feel a dull ache in my shins at times. I have got to be careful.

Did 3x long hill loop workout with Aine, which was just as mentally challenging as it was physically exhausting. Started by Mary's roundabout and did a hard effort around along the science site and past VM and Trevs to the top of the hill, which we jogged round and repeated. Recoveries were a few minutes max, it was good to have Aine there to push me.

We practiced navigation using just contour lines in Houghall Woods today. I found it quite challenging, as the contours are so vague there, but it was really good practice as I know I need to use contours a lot more when racing.

C • Big Weekend 10

Morning run with Caitlin around Durham, ended up running near the river which is always awesome

Steady run with Aine past Freeman's Quay and along the river into the forest. Good recovery from the weekend.

O-race on Arthur's Seat, following a night of ceilidhing--I felt really great navigationally at the start...but towards the end my legs were really feeling the Saturday miles and I struggled to stay running through the last controls. Exhaustion also made me make a stupid navigational mistake towards the end (missing out 24--then realising and having to backtrack). I think that the vegetation in the area was a lot of fun to navigate with, most likely due to the accurate mapping. After discussion with some teammates I think there was a general consensus that although the first side was a lot of fun...we got a bit bored towards the end as it felt as though they were just trying to make it longer. The long leg (20 to 21) I took high, when I should have run through the valley instead, but it was a good learning lesson.

Overall this weekend was a BLAST. And I really enjoy spending time with the team, or orienteerers in general. I think I am falling for this sport. HARD.

Event: EUOC Burns Weekend - SOUL & UK Urban League / & SoSOL 2
 

First urban o-race, which was interesting! I got a bit frustrated after making some level mistakes (which I had been so intent on avoiding). The last few controls of the event, although kind of boring, suited me well as they were easy navigationally and quite fun to run fast on.