Training Log Archive: Thraws

Event: LOK Regional SE League
 

Eight people managed to run 10 minute kilometres or quicker. I think that says it all. 'Courses planned to avoid to worst of the bracken and brashings ...'? I don't think so. This was horrible. I reckon I became disheartened ploughing through the bracken on the way to 6, and looking ahead I could see there was going to be much much more of the same. I started to feel tired (from yesterday?), then demotivated when I realised I was going to be more than an hour, and then angry and fed up when 10 min ks started to look impossible. I was 200 metres out on 2 but got myself sorted, then orienteered pretty steadily (never felt fast) to 11. Found an unmapped path going to 12 and was lucky to relocate, but couldn't find the minor path down the hill into the village (!) and ended up in a jungle of bracken and brambles. Gave up in fury at this point and can see from splits that I lost 3 to 4 mins here. Battled holly and more grot on the horrible contouring leg to 15, then somehow got running again (where I could, i.e. on paths) through last three controls, though I'd long since stopped caring about the result. Saw Jan on way to 18 and she said she was thinking of giving up and I said I already had. So was a bit surprised at download to be told I was third!! Obviously I wasn't the only one who'd struggled with the rather thoughtless planning and controlling. Still hated it.

Really enjoyable run on a nice little area. Good look at the map beforehand suggested sticking to paths was best, and this I mostly did. Where I think I lost time was in trying to run too fast and so not planning ahead a bit. I practically stopped at most controls to work out a) where I was on the map and b) where I was meant to be going next. Main thing, though, was my left hip was fine throughout and after, and right hip was only a tiny bit sore. Threw away a second place finish by losing a minute at 6 (after going to 9 instead!), and 30 secs each at 12 (came out onto a junction and went down the wrong path) and 17 (tried to go through brambles when there was a perfectly suitable path). Hello new O season.

Inset day, but wanted the workout.

Note to self: wear coat and gloves next time. Freezing!!