Training Log Archive: Culbin

Event: FVO Regional Event, World Ranking Event & Scottish O League 1
 

Jog to start from helper car park. Couldn't decide if I needed a thermal as it was a cold wind but glad I just went in my O top.

This was value for money! The best area in the UK and the most physically demanding bar none. Made three massive mistakes and plenty of small errors too. Lost 12 - 15 minutes at 2 looking around knoll to the east and couldn't find anything to relocate on until I spotted the large marsh 250 m away and 60m climb back to control.Then lost seven minutes at 4 as I went too far right and ended up climbing again. Bad route choice to 8 I should have run around the road! Then number 9 what can I say about this control? When is a spur not a spur? When it's a boulder!! I spent ages, well 20 minutes, looking for my spur. I saw the boulder twice but didn't think it was mine. I ran up and down that hill, with 30m of climb each time, looking for that spur until I saw someone on my course punch it and then realised it was mine. Too low at 11 and so tired by now. My legs ached and cramped up like never before on the long drive home.

Total distance approx 8km climb 600m+

Will I go back....

... you bet. You haven't been orienteering before until you've tackled the mighty Trossachs. I do think the map should carry a health warning though:) Another superb weekend from FVO

I know its hard to believe but this is not my slowest ever minutes per km.
The first time ever in the Trossachs, as a 17 year old, I managed 35 minute km's and only the second time I had been orienteering in Scotland. Then an event at Bestwood on a map where yellow was green and green was yellow I did 34 minute km's for obvious reasons!

Collecting controls after middle race. Wish I had entered now as it was a fantastic area in superb conditions.