Training Log Archive: Bruce

A training run on Rowdy Flat with Eddie Wymer.
I ran most of the M20E course. The terrain is easier when you are in racing mode. If you stop concentrating, then you can easily lose your way and lose large amounts of time. We explored the unused section of the map, but there are more blackberries there. Warren definately used the best bits of the map.
I tested a few different route choices. The best choices were determined by the depth of the erosion gullies, and the amount of undergrowth. Some of these were clear on the map, and others were not.
Eddie and I tested a leg with an easy track option, but we ran too fast and got lost on the tracks. I recovered quickly, but I had to wait 7 minutes at the control for Eddie who got totally confused.

This is a map that I will enjoy re-visiting many times.

I wanted to give my feet a rest, so I wore my VJ Sarvas. That was a big mistake. The erosion gullies were muddy from tracking, and the afternoon rain had made them really slippery. I felt like I was ice skating on many of them in the Sarvas. My Innov8s were much better yesterday.

Oceania Middle Distance Championships - Rowdy Flat
TracTrac Replay

One of my most enjoyable races ever - due to the technical nature of the terrain. It was a shame that I was not at 100% physical strength.

Great start almost to control 6.
I lost a minute on 6 (not seeing the erosion gap behind green bushes), which was my biggest mistake of the day. During the middle section, I started to tire climbing up and down all of the erosion gullies. By 13 I was really slowing down. The weekend gastro was now taking its toll, and I struggled with strength over the last 10 minutes of the course.

Event: Oceania Long & Middle Distance Champs
 

Oceania Long Distance Championships - Northern Spurs, Warby Range.

A very cr@ppy night! I picked up a nasty gastro bug from Sophie and was on the toilet almost all night (8 times between midnight and 6am). As a result I had very limited terrain strength. I could manage about 60 minutes ok, but on the climb to 11 I really started to struggle. I wasn't losing much ground to Simon until around control 9.
At 12 I abandoned the course, and helped Jim to search for an injured competitor. That is why the TracTrac looks odd at that point.

I was quite disappointed given that I had prepared well for the race, only to be impacted by illness. I will have to try again next week.

The weather was terrible, but otherwise the event was a success. All OV clubs contributed to a great team effort. Darren Meeking's efforts were extraordinary. The video screen was fantastic, and great to watch the AFL Grand Final.

Trac Trac Replay

Orienteering training at Beechworth.
After settling in at our house in Beechworth, I just had time for a short orienteering training run on the Beechworth map. This really is an awesome area, and severely under-used. I only ran a short course on the technical part of the map, but it truly is superb. Some parts of the forest are open and fast, but with complex granite features you really have to be careful. Other parts are a little overgrown, but would not require too much work to update the 2003 map.
With a damp forest and plenty of moss and native pines, it felt much more like parts of Europe than Victoria.

C • Access 1

Mona Farlek.
Feeling great today, keeping up with House and Dozer for all but the last 15s reps.