Training Log Archive: Thraws

Event: GO Level C event
 

If I’m honest, the state of my back means I feel less and less like I’ll be able to manage even a Half any time soon. So I was quite glad this weekend’s activity was confined to a 3 mile off-road run with stops to punch controls/check the map. I’d see how it coped with the twisting, bending and ducking that running through a middle race area usually means. I wanted to make some sort of amends for my last two woeful middle races as well. First technical leg was 2, a bearing up the hill, although in the cold light of day I don’t know why I didn’t run round the path to an AP. Was hugely relieved when the big hole came up slightly to the right of my line. 3 was similar, compass again. 4 had good route choice but I’d have been quicker heading out to the nearest path rather than ‘line-ing’ it. Minute lost. Steady eddie to 7, then binned 30 secs in the circle at 8 through no AP. Got a bit lucky with 9 and 11 (poor compass, again), then reversed leg 4 of earlier for 16 but missed the crossing point through the electric fence. Careless but lucky for tricky 18 and 19, but worst mistake was probably 20 where I lost another minute and three places (ie 3rd) by straying way off my rough bearing and coming out on the path about 200 metres south of where I should have done. I think I was running where I could (where it was runnable) rather than sticking to the bearing. In fact, I think I do that a lot. And I need to stop. There’s aiming off, and there’s losing three places …

Brrr. Two thermals and a windproof jacket.