Raatojuoksu/Kadaverloppet 2016
Sipoo
Sibbo Vargarna-28
15.1km - 28c
Second largest
mass start in Finland (maybe the world?) after Jukolan Viesti but ahead of Venla. Lots of people aiming for a small gap lead to a bottleneck and fallers, decided to cut through the forest and see if I could make up some places, an LS-37 guy followed me here and we did ok I think, forest was kinda rough and a good bit of snow around. Worked off the hills to number 1 and had to adjust my line a bit. 2 was pretty much just compass bearing and run over the bare rock. For 3 I ran safe along the veg change and then up to the control using the 2 massive boulders to guide. Slipped near the control and banged my compass, some bubbles in there. Totally wrong direction out of the control and ended up confused as to where I was. Figured out and just ran the trails and climbed, poor route. Ignored the compass to 5 and just ran off the features, no problems. Then towards the centre control for the first time. Didnt hang around just punched and moved on.
Solid into 7 and found a way down over the crag, fairly big drop though. Up to 8 I caught a small group who went over the hill while I went through the re-entrant part and got there maybe 20sec before them. Safe track route to 9 aswell. Compass to 10 and it all went wrong and hadn't a clue what was going on so bailed to the track once I had some grasp on where I mustve been, 4mins dropped here, maybe more. Back to the feed station and took my first gel, 1hr running at this stage and was feeling tired.
Track where possible to 12 and caught another few guys, good line into the control and 13 was solid too, not using the compass at this stage really, lost confidence in it. Back up to 14, same as control 3, and back again to the feed control.
Off out on another loop, was really flagging now and trying to focus on which lines to follow this time round. Was close to 16 but didnt know where, lots of rock features all looking the same, eventually found a control and figured out where it was, then into the control. ~10mins binned. Physically and mentally tired at this stage and tried to refocus, got 17 solidly and 18 did a bit of a banana for some reason but was in control, I was looking at the long leg so maybe lost some focus. Had found a smooth and simple route on the long leg (2.8km route) and no issues. Took my second gel on this route. Safe on the track to 20 and good into 21 followed by some hesitations to 22. Then came a 1.1km track run, which normally I'd be excited about but having done a longest run of 85mins and this after 122mins I wasnt delighted about it.
Last loop in around the ski trails I just tried to keep on chugging as best I could but everything was tightening up. Caught 3 guys and 24 and lead them to 25 before pulling away on a better line to 26. Took a round route to 27 to avoid most of the climbing and have an easier attack. Down the hill into the last control and got a cheer from Momma Komi waiting for me.
Long day at the office with some silly mistakes in parts. Not fit enough yet but at the same time it wasnt a total disaster, was fitter at Jukola for sure and I was doing 7:12min/km there with far less climb and easier nav (I know I was injured then). Toe held up pretty well with the taping and hip didnt give out apart from being tired after 90mins.
Good day for Rastiaasit with everyone surviving:
Mens 15km:
78
th Josh O'S-H - 2:28:25 (+51:31)
Mens 10km:
105
th Antero Komi - 1:58:06 (+45:18)
190
th Markku Matikainen 2:26:48 (+1:14:00)
Womens 10km:
75
th Katariina Komi - 2:26:39 (+1:01:35)
Tulokset
Didnt do a cool down, just had some warm juice and layered up since it was -5 since the start, looked at some compasses and did some more online, then home for Karelian pies and cake and then burgers and cake a bit later!
Now to try and recover for what should be a tough Munster Champs next weekend back home.