11:39 AM. Creswick, VIC. Temperature: 25.2 °C
Burned 541 calories.
Australian Long Orienteering Championships - Chapel Flat Course: M21AS 6.7 km 200 m
Not a bad race other than the injury, but we'll get to that later. I was a bit hesitant leaving the start triangle to 1 thorugh the bush as the first 10m or so were quite thick, but thankfully it cleared up and running near the creek was quite fast. I didn't have any difficulties until 4 when i left 3 in the wrong direction (about 45degrees out). I chose the relatively straight line option for the long leg. I thought that by the time i hit the track before the green, i'd be able to either bolt around the track or dive through the green. The green was a good option with my pace not really slowing for the vegetation, and only the contours. The shock of hitting the goldmining for the last few control on the course took some extra concentration and a still messed up 7 a bit drifting too far to the right on the leg and stuffing up the approach to the control by not seeing the erosion below the bracken. After that it was pretty good going, opting for the cautious navigation over the speed to ensure i pick off the controls cleanly. I wobbled on 12 as my attacke point was further off the red-line than anticipated and having to take a sharp left hand turn on the edge of the circle to get the flag. Climbing out of 12 was a struggle and just as i managed to start running downhill again on the saddle my left ankle went pop as a went down a hole, leaving me to hobble (as fast as i could) into the finish. Managed to win the class today! So Australian Champion, that's pretty good i guess. The ankle will be fine, but still swollen tonight (5th October). Hopefully it will be fine again soon, but i skipped competing in the relays to let it rest.
Great carnival! 5 races, 4 of them championships and got a place in all of the champs. Pretty happy with it all.