Training Log Archive: PrueD

Australian middle distance race at Cascades North. It was my first time here and, despite all the warnings, found the map fairly easy to read. I lost a bit of time on 5 and a loss of confidence at 13, but was otherwise smooth. 7/20. I was pleased. In summary, l was pleased my performance on the relay and the middle, but had a disaster on the long.
Back on the road tomorrow. I won't be sorry to say goodbye to all the mosquitoes here.

Australian long distance championships at Amiens. I started well but ran into trouble in the circle in 2, 3 and 5. I then ran down the wrong track and became very lost. I was almost ready to give up when l recognised a feature and was able to relocate and head back to 6. I was then clean in the second half (l'd worked out how to read this map by then) but it was over. I could have MPd but decided to finish as l kept coming across others who were slightly worse than me. I would have been a serious contender for the noodle award, if eligible.

I survived a wild windy cold wet night in the tent, thanks to Macpac, without even one drip getting in, which was good. Others weren't quite so lucky.
Today was the model event. I overshot one control (7 to 3) quite badly, which was a lesson in taking the conservative route, and had a few altercations with brambly blackberries, which l am not sure how to avoid. I don't really want to get ripped to shreds. The rest were OK.
Oh, and l had a near miss with falling pine tree, presumably loosened by the water lying around and the wind. I've never come acoss that in the forest before. I'm hoping the wind drops by tomorrow.

Watched the school's relays, where secondary to their amazing orienteering talent was the girls' skill in braiding hair and then running through the bush without any of it getting out of place. I then headed off to Stanthorpe via 'middle earth', spending time admiring the amazing scenery, which looked quite mystical in the mist and did the Queen Mary Falls walk. Decided to rest my knee and not orienteer today.

C • Plaiting 2

Race the Kids midweek public race. Pretty warm day and my knee was a bit tender from yesterday, so l ambled around course E. There were lots of 'kiddy tracks' to follow. Even so, l made a poor route choice to 1, opting to go around the green, and took a bad bearing between 10 and 11, which took me off me back to the start. Oh dear. Nice xanthorrea (can't spell) out there. Also, l found myself observing how dry the litter layer was and the smell of smoke and the yellow light from the smoke. There's benign burning off all around but l'm hard wired to detect smoke.

Walk up Mt Maroon. It was a very steep rocky climb, so l didn't go all the way as l wasn't sure how strong my knee would be on the way down. As it ended up, it was OK, but l probably need to do more of this to get the pro receptors working properly. I also didn't want to overdo it between events.
A contingent of NZ juniors were also climbing. I guess they needed to wear off all the food they had eaten, given the last time l had seen them was in Coles at Beausesert, where they had bought $500 worth of groceries. The checkout lady said it was the pinnacle of her career and then EFTPOS imploded, presumably never having seen such a big load of groceries
I also drove out to Maroon Dam and My Barney NP, which looked quite spectacular. Unexpectedly there is such a lot to see and do in this area. I'd love to come back, but would prefer some company on the walks next time.

Australian Schools Sprint - public event - Currumbin High School. I had a pretty good run with one slight error around 19 to 20 (started heading to 21) and a bit of a wobble towards the end when my glasses fogged up. Pretty happy with the run, just a shame l didn't run like this on Saturday. I am starting to enjoy running now that l am a little fitter.
Spent my last night at Beaudesert last night and will move to near Rathdowney today. Drove to Binna Burra this morning but didn't have time for a walk. The scenery was just gorgeous and l might have to come back.
I had a scallop craving and rewarded myself with three lovely plump fried scallops after the event.