Training Log Archive: PrueD

Oceania Middle Distance event at Rowdy Flat Yackandandah. It was a lovely sunny day until mid afternoon when the tropical downpour hit. Like everyone else I was somewhat apprehensive about this map prior to the event - but found the actual event much better than I expected. I just plodded along slowly and carefully - messing up 3 controls (1 fairly badly) due to running too fast and losing contact with the map. I think my main issue both days was not giving up early enough and retracing my steps - I usually flounder around for a while even when I intuitively know I am in the wrong spot. I would have been better sticking to the slow and careful approach.

Overall it was a better result than yesterday - 10th out of 16. I enjoy technical orienteering and I just have to learn to trust my own navigation a bit better. Afterwards Ian and I drove all around Beechworth. We are looking forward to our week's holiday and hopefully I keep improving. The running still isn't looking good - but that has not been the limiting factor so far.

Forgot to mention - I enjoyed the big screen and the entertaining commentary. It was interesting to see the elite women going all over the place - but they recovered quickly (which seems to be the secret).
ALso thanks to Warren for his commentary about me which I could overhear. It want something along the lines of:
"Here comes Prue. But why is she going that way? Ooooh - she's sliding down the hill - *cheer* (as I slide down on my bottom) - and it's not even her control.......".

Oceania Long Distance at Northern Spurs Warby Ranges. It poured with rain all night and nearly all day - and certainly all the time I was on the course. I opted for the very unfashionable wide brimmed hat look - effectively giving myself an umbrella to keep the glasses reasonably dry. And it worked. I was terribly slow but hit the first few controls spot on and was then heading directly for the 3rd when I had a confidence lapse and decided I was off-course - altering it and spending the next 30 minutes noodling - all was then lost and I nearly gave up. I then opted for the road option to 4 which gave me a handrail - and I think it was quicker than the direct route, even at my slow plodding pace. I stuffed up 8 - I think from a wobbly bearing where I was too far downhill. Then I stuffed up 11 and 12 by aiming off too early.

All in all - a total DISASTER - 17th out of 18 (and that was a mispunch). 8 kms was an awfully long way to go in a 4.8km course.

The only funny bit was the finish tent who asked me if I was in wet T-shirt contest - obviously because of my rather soaking wet, now very transparent top.

It was really nice to be staying at home in this weather and I think my house guests all enjoyed being warm and dry as well.

I've had a fairly low key week with some sort of ailment that included joint pains. But I'm feeling a bit better today - although I'm a bit apprehensive about the week ahead as my running has been zilch for some time and I am a big bigger than I should be.

I came up to Benalla last night and swam in the pool this morning - and am hoping that the lack of clarity in the water had nothing to do with the large number of children there :(

It rained really heavily in the night (huge storms) with over 100mm in some places upstream - but it appears we may have escaped a flood. It is lovely here despite the rain.