Training Log Archive: slow-twitch

NZ champs, middle, Woodhill. Definitely middle distance technicality, making full use of the Naseby-on-a-slope level detail in the northern block of the map. 3rd which is good but I know I threw away 2nd (or honorary 1st as those of us M45s that are not called Darren are calling it) in the last few controls. Was cautious but accurate through the first 3 controls, and in the process caught Neil Murray (previous starter and eventual 2nd) and Ionel. Perfect through 4 and 5 so if I'd been able to move through the rough open faster might have left the 2 of them behind, but instead it was crazy times through 6-13, almost alternating me getting ahead through spiking a control then missing the next by enough to let them both back in. So at 13 was still approx 2 minutes up on Neil, and with brief appearances in the circus by Nathan and Matt maybe I should have realised that must equate to a good placing so just followed stayed with him to the finish, rather than: trying to do my own thing at 14, being too quick with checking a bearing and missing it spectacularly, then to make sure I wouldn't just squeak in with a narrow advantage followed up with just as big a mistake on 15, funneling into the big re-entrant next to the big depression I'd meant to use... Went through the final 2 controls at angry-speed, but wasn't going to get the lost time back. But that reminds me of another positive - was finding some pretty good leg speed where the terrain allowed, so must have managed recovery from the Long quite well after all. Just need to manage the head-to-head situation better next time I find myself in it.

C • COngrats 2

NZ Champs Long, Woodhill. As expected, NZ 'long middle' course setting, with a few legs almost long enough to be key potential game changers, but mostly it was about detailed navigation into the controls. Very messy. But so was just about everyone else, so 4th again and possibly closer to 3rd than in the sprint! Staying on bearings seemed to be the main problem of the day, and seems I came off them so quickly at times the terrain cues I was going to use became completely irrelevant - or I'd find a parallel feature instead. Big misses at 2, 6 & 7 and minor in-circle issues at a few other controls (even when I was trying to be more cautious!) meant I was sure I was well out of the race by the spectator leg and was close to pulling out. But reminded myself that that would mean yet another incomplete nationals campaign, so carried on - then promptly caught Nathan Fa'avae on the next leg! So second wind hit - but unfortunately the benefits went more to the legs than the brain. Successfully got away from Nathan who was (probably sensibly) walking, but one more big miss (19) and a few more wobbles made sure I didn't achieve anything more than that. Didn't do a very good job of keeping plenty in the tank for the middle (my main goal for the day) either. Definitely a type II fun day today.

StatNav March Update (not sure if this includes all Nationals races, as I'm writing this in May and haven't seen an April update yet)
5735 points (up 107)
192nd overall (up 31)
11th M45 (up 5)

While some of the ranking movement will be inactive people dropping off the list, I like that everything is going up!

Originally mis entered this with an extra zero. Was tempted to leave it in to see who noticed!

NZ champs sprint, Auckland University. One of the best sprint courses I've run in a while, for the most part was able to run at close to 100%, but in doing so was only just keeping in control - not able to look beyond the current leg very much at all. Close to one of my best technical performances too apart from 3 lapses: 8-9 tried to go through a wall that was mostly obscured by a control number - doesn't seem to have cost me much as it was just a short diversion off a logical actual route choice (just not the one I would have taken otherwise) - (and maybe I got some of that time back because it put me on Darren's shoulder for the next short but mazey leg); 16 didn't pay enough attention to the levels and stairways and took about 3 goes and 20 odd seconds to get it right; and finally a process error, running into 20 I'd already sorted the route choice 21-22... so started running towards 22 - not far, but obviously had to do that extra distance twice, then still must have been flustered as was standing in the 21 circle for what felt like ages figuring out where the control actually was...all adding up to 25 sec or so. So add that all together and that's easily the difference between 4th and 2nd! Ah well, was fun.