Training Log Archive: blairtrewinIn the 1 days ending Nov 1, 2014:
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Saturday Nov 1, 2014 #
Event: WMOC 2014
11 AM
Run 39:00 [3] 7.0 km (5:34 / km)
WMOC sprint model event - of only limited value as a model event because the already slim area had been reduced by half by last-minute building works (although I was still able to get some useful info on map interpretations), but getting there and back was still useful as a shake-out-cobwebs run. Lots of people poring over the map and trying to read too much of it, as usual. (The long distance model will be much more useful as it will be our first chance to have a proper look at Brazilian forest terrain).
Met Janne Salmi on the way back to town. He's first-year 45s this year so is someone else's problem from a competitive point of view. Thomas Jensen is probably the M40 favourite (though Nick Barrable will have a decent shot, especially in the sprint), and Rune Olsen will take some beating in M35. I really don't know what to expect for myself competitively because the Brazilians who make up 60% of our field are such an unknown quantity (I'm guessing that not many of them can navigate well but at least some of them can run); if I can get through qualifying OK the final terrain should suit me better.
I may not have mentioned that I'm on the jury for this event. The last time I was on an IOF jury (WOC 2012) we had precisely no protests to deal with but I doubt we'll be so lucky this time - to start with, someone will inevitably be disqualified for crossing something they shouldn't have in the sprint and won't be pleased about it. (Maybe disqualification will be the least of their problems; we heard today that there are 150 soldiers guarding things like uncrossable fences).
Saw my first Latin American political demo in town this afternoon (noisy but peaceful, with no vehicles overturned and nothing set on fire). Judging by the number of "Aecio 45" banners I'm assuming it involved opposition supporters unhappy with the verdict the (slim majority of) the Brazilian people delivered last weekend. (I was wondering what the story was with the "Aecio 45" and "Dilma 13" signs, but it seems that party tickets in Brazil are coded on ballots by number).
I'm still on edge in Porto Alegre in a way I wasn't in Rio (let alone Curitiba) - maybe it's all the electric fences, though the city centre feels OK during the day. One thing I did spot walking through the suburbs which I didn't expect was a Melbourne Victory shirt. (Previously, I've seen two brave - or possibly foolhardy - people wearing Argentine ones).
Met Janne Salmi on the way back to town. He's first-year 45s this year so is someone else's problem from a competitive point of view. Thomas Jensen is probably the M40 favourite (though Nick Barrable will have a decent shot, especially in the sprint), and Rune Olsen will take some beating in M35. I really don't know what to expect for myself competitively because the Brazilians who make up 60% of our field are such an unknown quantity (I'm guessing that not many of them can navigate well but at least some of them can run); if I can get through qualifying OK the final terrain should suit me better.
I may not have mentioned that I'm on the jury for this event. The last time I was on an IOF jury (WOC 2012) we had precisely no protests to deal with but I doubt we'll be so lucky this time - to start with, someone will inevitably be disqualified for crossing something they shouldn't have in the sprint and won't be pleased about it. (Maybe disqualification will be the least of their problems; we heard today that there are 150 soldiers guarding things like uncrossable fences).
Saw my first Latin American political demo in town this afternoon (noisy but peaceful, with no vehicles overturned and nothing set on fire). Judging by the number of "Aecio 45" banners I'm assuming it involved opposition supporters unhappy with the verdict the (slim majority of) the Brazilian people delivered last weekend. (I was wondering what the story was with the "Aecio 45" and "Dilma 13" signs, but it seems that party tickets in Brazil are coded on ballots by number).
I'm still on edge in Porto Alegre in a way I wasn't in Rio (let alone Curitiba) - maybe it's all the electric fences, though the city centre feels OK during the day. One thing I did spot walking through the suburbs which I didn't expect was a Melbourne Victory shirt. (Previously, I've seen two brave - or possibly foolhardy - people wearing Argentine ones).