Training Log Archive: rcro

Event: November Classic
 

Never seemed to get into this run, nor did I feel that I was enjoying myself although I did seem to have more energy than yesterday. Struggled to work to bearings with both the compass and emit brik on the same hand and found it very hard to be sure where I was because of the lack of good point features to work from.

Had to relocate from the clearing to the south in order to get into 2. Fine 3-6. Ended up in the clearing to the SE of 7 and compass was telling me the clearing went due north - lost two minutes trying to be sure I was where I wanted to be, would have been easier if the small clearing just to the south had been more visible on the map.

Found a great big thicket where I thought 9 should be and assumed it to be the one that breaks the control circle to the south. Spent 4 minutes going around, relocating off a gate to find that the thicket was where the fence corner N of the control was.

10-14 ok. Thought 15 was a bit unfair because of the unmapped clearing next to the control but cost me no time. Lost lots of time on 16 getting stuck in brambles finding all sorts of ditches and gullies that weren't on the map.

Did something to my ankle on the "safe" stream crossing point (there was a 6 inch tall step in the tarmac beneath the water) and paused to get the ankle working again. Then came to a left turn and assumed it to be my path - it wasn't and probably cost me another 4 mins from extra distance. On the plus side, my attackpoint into 18 was bang on despite there being no reference point.

Small loss on 19 and hated having to go through forest fight on the run in. I'm sure BOF event guidelines (for ranking events at least) require the final leg to be taped as the finish has no control description.

Lost a good 20 minutes out there.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/126903380

Quite a nice course. The first time I've run on the south part of Mallards Pike since my first "real" orienteering back in 2007. Seemed to think the map had gone a bit strange - between 9 and 10 and 15-16 there were a lot more contour lines on the map than height change on the ground. First event I've seen to adhere to this new regulation of printing the event number on the maps.

Slow to 1 because of brashings and getting used to lack of grip. Track route to 2 because of poor speed on terrain - didn't bank on the control being some way further south than was mapped.

Ended up running with a Gordano lad from 4 to pretty much the finish, and, I think, Nick Dennis from 4 to 12. Could have turned into a procession but generally people in Gordano tops go the wrong way so I knew better than to follow...

Didn't pick a good entry off the track into 11, could have done 13 much better and thought 15 was too high. Lost 2 or 3 seconds on the run in because of slow people not getting out of the way.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/126586164

Spoke to a good few WNL regulars today. All understanding re Ashton Court. Having the chance to see David Palmer, Pat Mcleod and Pete Ward seems to have clarified that the Brierley WNL will not be happening at Brierley. Not as much opposition to the suggestion of going south and using Stock Hill as I had thought.

BOK WNL fixture update:

12th November - Ashton Court - access refused by ranger
21st January - Brierley - area forfeited by Mark Dyer and Mike Forrest for use by NGOC on same day
10th March - Silk Wood - no organiser

Going well...

C • Ashton Court 6

Going at a more sensible pace this week, around Fishponds and Staple Hill. Seemed to be lacking energy all the way around.

Nice to take the torch out for a run again.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/125886703