Training Log Archive: jed

Morpeth.
Well that confidence lasted less than 24hours. Orienteered like a different person today. Way more stressed, making silly decisions - all for no reason! I can't really work out why? I am happy with 1, I had to run backwards out the start but I realised this very quickly. I felt like I was going slow though (in fact I was faster than all the MV and WO), rushed route to 2. Should have taken the road but ran on burn path which was slower and turned too early before crossing burn and had to double back. Then stopped at trees/buildings too early wondering why there were two trees and no control so lost lots of time. I need to make sure I stay calm and don't rush as this is when I make the best decisions and orienteer well. 3 was great again though, smooth and committed. Poor on 4 though, focused too much on running and was aiming for wrong road at top of hill, wondered why I could see a control on road before then realised it was mine.

On the way to 6 decided I should checkout what happened at the map turn over after 7 and it was a massive long leg. I spent most of the way to 6 not pushing the pace trying and failing to plan this. It was so long though that I knew investing time here would be gained back with a good route but I spent too much time worrying about getting it wrong. Therefore didn't to 7 though either as I couldn't see a good route and wanted to punch 7 and then commit. I did just that which is a positive and never worried about my route while running it but it was definitely the wrong one (AGAIN!!), at least I wasn't the only one but dad took 40secs off me on the better route which is way too much when I'm a faster runner. I did invest some good planning time for the rest of the course though here which was good. Happy enough with section through the estate and managed to be really good through the school - sprinty section:). Good route on 16 but ran right past the control due to not reading description so lost all advantage! Again good in sprinty section to the timed out crossing. The last few splits are pretty irrelevant as I and others basically had to walk as the crowds were huge and I didn't really feel comfortable. Running late was definitely a disadvantage here but I am happy with how I handled it, accepting it and not getting frustrated. Due to this didn't think could get through to 22 until I got there so a bit hesitant and caught someone just at the wrong time at 23.

Wasn't very happy with my run when I finished. Actually most of it was pretty good though, I'm just really bad at focusing on the poor parts. I need to keep practising long legs and urbans are quite good for that. It's particularly positive that the sprinty sections were my best parts. I'm not running badly so when orienteering need to forget about that and concentrate on the map as problems occur when my focus changes to negative thoughts. It was a great training session, identified more things to work and really fun.

Event: British Mixed Sprint Relay / Morpeth Fair Day urban (UKOL)
 

Usual inc. 1x90secs and drills.

British Mixed Sprint Relay Champs, Pegswood. Ran n/c in a JOK team but this meant I got to run 1st leg in the Open class. Relevant practice for the sprint relays in the Autumn so have to take the chances. I knew I should come back first so this added a bit of pressure.

Again a good start, I know my strategy and it worked very well. Knew I'd be doing the navigating and the others put in a lot of effort to go with me. Decided to put my foot down to 2 to give myself some space and got a gap very quickly. Realised then I could just do a nice controlled run. Took a very safe route to the control at 2 as it was a non existent feature so dropped a few seconds to those on later legs but the pack took my route. Another safe route to 3 as the wood didn't look nice and I opened more of a gap with a nice hill. Going to 4 couldn't even see anyone, just hoped I was just far ahead and the fact Jonny kept following me with a headcam kind of confirmed that. Didn't plan ahead well from 5 and took a couple of steps in the wrong direction but didn't stress at all. Didn't feel I was pushing hard enough so upped the pace slightly now I'd escaped from the wood but stayed in control flowing really well. Coming out of 10 realised I was coming to the spectator loop so didn't need to read the map so planned ahead the last loop. As all the spectators were at one side there was actually a bit of an atmosphere through the run through and was able to push on but without straining, enjoying it. Quick check was taking right road to 12 then pushed on to last control/finish.

Big lead 3mins+, I was surprised it was that much, no one was through spectator when I finished. I was so much more relaxed in my orienteering, I felt like I wasn't pushing hard enough at times as all alone but my splits don't show that so think I was just more relaxed / less strained so running better. Didn't stress when I made tiny errors/wrong routes just had a good focus on my course. All the other classes except juniors ran the same as the women's open and next best time was Quentin (14:12), even taking into account gaffles this was still a really good run. As Dad has pointed out I need to analyse why I ran well - I analyse the negatives to death normally but want to work out how to replicate this.

I (and the rest of my club) really enjoyed the event. Great to see Mum and Dad win a silver in a very competitive SV class. Hopefully next year the event will be better supported when it's alongside the British Champs.

Sticking to the plan, it's been a while since I've had an actual nothing rather than easy day (unfortunately still have work), especially one where I'm not travelling the length of the country or to Europe. Actually have a tiny bit of DOMS from last night...hahaa oh dear!

2x90secs (3mins).

New TT. Warm bit of a wind in places. I felt a bit nervous again as haven't done any race/test this short for a while. Marker put down and think I can go faster now I've done it once. Know where really need to dig in and need to work really hard in the middle to ensure pace doesn't drop as beginning and end were good. Still don't have the pure speed/leg turnover as really should be able to go faster than this but that is what I'm working on.

Ran along the canal and back to pick up a map for the sprint so I can do it at a later date.

3x90secs (3mins).

Off my food this morning didn't want my breakfast until after 10:30am but sorted a few things out and feeling much better by evening. Easy week coming up with a time trial. To/from Roseburn Park.

4x90secs (3mins).