Training Log Archive: GM

Event: NSW Middle & Long Champs
 

NSW Middle Distance champs at Gardiners Gap East. Pagoda terrain with 'thick as' bush, and 20 controls in 4km meant it was going to be slow, and it was. I was pleased with my concentration and map reading, but made a couple of poor route choices which cost about 2 minutes. Started confidently and went through the first 3 controls ok. I couldn't see control 4 so stopped and double checked where I was then realised I had to push through a bit of head high scrub to find the high point. Good through 5 and 6 but took the route to the right on 7 which may have been a poor decision as the bush was very thick on the first half of the leg, so lost about a minute. Again ok through 8 and 9 and had to stop before 10 as I started turning up too early so lost about 30 seconds stopping and double checking. To head back to the pivot control I retraced my route back past 9 with the intention of following the bare rock straight back up to the control, but got a bit stuck in the scub trying to get to the bare rock so lost about a minute. Good on the last loop back to the pivot control. The leg to 15 was fun, but I stopped near the start of the bare rocks and cliff lines to double check that I wasn't going to run down the wrong line and end up in a dead end of cliff lines - should have been a bit more confident. From 15 to the finish was good and I was feeling fast and smooth (probably didn't look it though). Lost about 15 seconds on the last control as I ran left around the green but didn't compensate so stood in a shallow gully wondering where the control was, but recovered fairly quickly. Enjoyed the area and Nick Dent made great use of it - lots of variety, changes of direction, pivot controls. Managed to hang on for the win, but only 30 seconds in front of Michael Burton (new to 50's this year).

Felt very comfortable running, but got very cold after finishing. Took ages to warm up, but afternoon tea in front of the fire at the old Wallerawang railway station helped.

A good warm up, plus I tried to concentrate about my run rather than chat which helped get to the start feeling in the moment.