Training Log Archive: rcro

SHI Relays at Castle Saunderson - fairly uninspiring mixed green plantation woods. Knew I would perform worse relatively compared to yesterday as shorter (faster) and likely to be rougher - so pace was pretty low.

Went out in a comfortable last place (10-15 mins back on 2nd last) so empty forest and 0 chance of gaining a place short of any mis-punches, so aim was to just get round the course. Pissed down for the whole run and ended up being one of my worst in several years.

Confused by the red overprint on some paths - assumed these to mean we couldn't go down them but appears I was wrong. Fought my way down horrible ride 1-2 for no reason then.

After 5 the "white" was pretty grotty and had come off line finding a way through (from GPS - I went through the dark green, as it was the clearest bit on the ground), and found a big ditch after the track that lined up with the mapped N-S one (but it wasn't). Got through and found 7 instead. 2 mins.

Huge loss on 9. Thought I was heading E of line but when I got to junction there was so much open, and a big gap in the woods, then I assumed I was at the junction 200m west - made big parallel error, relocated then fought the vegetation back. 5 mins. Back to back mistake with 10 - slightly off line and looking in wrong place. 3 mins.

Things got better from here with several easy controls but then lost 90s getting to 20 as knocked off line by vegetation, realised, then stopped too early as thinking I'd hit the path after the control not before.

Managed to complete - but would happily have given up and gone home at the spectator control. In two minds about the terrain but didn't enjoy this as a competition - a clean run would have put me low 50s which still shows the gap on this sort of terrain. Better hope there is a full Welsh contingent next year as I am much more like 3rd team material.

Have now done more orienteering this year than last so probably time for a little break from it anyway.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1177480224

First time running for Wales - and to be honest was never in the same league as almost everybody else, so a case of just go out and try my best.

Florencecourt is wet - very wet, and very rough. Rained a lot too. Worried that my ankle might not last the full 13.3k but it did, fortunately all the big falls, trips, slides were on left side.

Steady start fighting through bracken up the hill until I had visibility of big features to navigate from. OK to 2 but stopped slightly early as bracken mapping was misleading (as extra block of bracken, and similar contour features just before).

Main time losses came in pretty early with 3 min miss on 3. Saw others punching the control but didn't think it was mine so spent a while a bit further down the valley in the rocks. Then lost another 2-3 mins on route to 4, found it fine just had the most evil steep descent through "white" wood, with boulders and crags to avoid and some crawling. Not my terrain.

OK on 5 and 6 as behind Jonny Crickmore and not falling back - but opted to go around the valley on 7 rather than straight. Very rough getting to 8, and very boggy after going through the gate. Ed (9 mins) caught up and overtook, then kindly stayed slow enough that I remained close all the way back up to 19. Still did my own routes - straighter on 9-10 including thigh deep bog, had to find 10 for myself, but led into 11.

Took path as long as possible for 13 - rough and boggy, but from here on energy was pretty low and lots more walking than earlier. Went for southern route to 16 around bottom of woods I hated from earlier - think it worked better than the top route everyone else took.

Would have liked it to end here - slow walk up big climb against the wind and through bog; once at top is was rough going down so still slow. Woods at the end weren't too bad but very soft - descent to 21 more of a slide, and right for 22 but confused with the map and lost a minute or so thinking in the circle - down to tiredness.

Reasonably clean all in all, and enjoyed most of it. Am sure I would have done better if ankle was fine. Could have done with food or gels for being out so long but assumed would be a problem on the plane to didn't bring them. Still would have been well down on most of the others.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1175525414

Event: Evening Urban Event
 

Running to train. Stuck in work longer than I wanted so no time to change either :-(

Last street challenge of the year - Chepstow, dim and wet. 7.3km long course - which meant a decent course, but really not trying - legs suffering from all the travelling and not wanting any injuries.

Took the main road to 7 - not much longer but much less ascent. Seems most orienteers went down and up and most runners went around as I did. Not caught in trap to 8 but spent a while going around the canopy before finding it in the middle. Didn't lose time on 10 as slowed down more and kept going and looking around until I saw it.

Possibly not a lot of choices in the later part of the course, but still enjoyed it despite the rain. Lots and lots of runners out tonight which was nice to see.

Another fixtures meeting afterwards so not back home until 10.30 - very hectic week.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1173130792

No train problems today :-) Very wet 2 mile walk into work - doesn't sell the north very well! Back to hotel the long way taking in all the tourist sites. Working on stretching tonight

Paul Gebbett would have been impressed with my train today - delayed by too many people getting on (dur to line through Parkway being shut), then car ignoring lights on level crossing and bending the barriers, then signal fault, then additional stops because of strikes. Not only missed my connection in Manchester, but the train behind it and even had to rush to make the one after that!

Long walk from work to the hotel with heavy rucksack (30 mins) - but at least its nice. Have found the stash of biscuits already, hope they get replenished tomorrow :-)

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