Training Log Archive: NSW Stinger

This was one of the best mass start races I've run. We did 2 loops of a pretty similar course, but with various splittings on each loop. The pace was frantic up the first hill and I was suffering and couldn't understand the first control and ran to the wrong split- losing about 1min. I slowly started catching people thru 2-5. I was probably near the front again thru 5-7, but hesitated at the top of a cliff and didn't see the flag to my right while others punched and left. I was totally buggered up the hill to 9, and turned to the right and made a real balls of it. I ran with Simon Jager for most of 10-20 without any big errors but never felt that good. Fatrat ran past thru 14-17 but he was running much faster than me and I thought he would screw up anyway. I was back with him at common #118 on leg 2, but screwed up a route around a huge gorge with big cliffs. I tried to go above be hit it straight on, then tried to climb down but it defeated me and I had to waste lots of time traversing. 5-11 I was with Jager and Patrick Sale and we hit them quite well so I thought we might pick up a few spots. I nailed 12 and 13 and suddenely Brent was just in front going into the spectator control. But he looked back and saw me coming so it was all out for the last 3 controls. We had a split 2nd last and his was shorter so I went hard out, but missed mine slightly. I could then hear a pack behind me so I went flat out to the last and Brent was still just in front. He got me by about 2secs then there was a big pack of 4 just behind. I was amazed to hear Fatrat had won. He didn't even know he was in first, but that was the nature of the race. Awesome fun and I could happily have done another few races at Naseby.

I finally felt my running and nav speed improving in todays race. The first 6 controls were in a pretty tricky area of steep gold-mining and erosion gullys which brought many unstuck. I took it pretty causiously and got out to the tracks when I could. I wasn't real fast on the long leg and got slowed by the unmapped green in the felled section that caught many. The pivot controls were fun but a bit easier. I fell apart in the open felled section which was disappointing. Ran thru the final loop ok and reasonably happy overall. 3rd place, but still 8mins behind Simon. He has had a bloody great week.

According to Winsplits I lost 22secs at 9, 1.18 at 20, 24secs at 21, and 25secs at 23 (exciting 22). Total time lost = 2.29mins

http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.a...

At Humpy Bumpty near Duntroon. The terrain was mostly open farmland, with many small complex sections of limestone rock. I had a good run today with just a few minor errors of 15-20secs. Got caught by Mika at 11 and tried to stay with him but my ankles were really wobbly and I couldn't run around the hillside to 14 or down the hill from it. Didn't have much speed compared to the others but a good run for the confidence. 5mins down on Simon in 13th. I was surprised how many people made mistakes today because it seemed pretty easy.

http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.a...

morning climb with Reuben and Liggo, with the rest of the team going the other route and meeting us at the top. Not much running, just too steep. Really windy on the peak, but a top day with great views. Jog/walked down via Scotts track which was nicer but still took a long time.

At Craigieburn on road to Arthurs Pass.
Terrain- Subalpine hillside with many vegetation changes- mashes, small pine, beech, scrub, unique open ground from erosion and all very soft and hard running.
Today was an ok run overall but I made too many small errors and was too weak in the terrain. If I was in good form I could have done a lot better today but instead I struggled. I wasn't too worried about the small errors at the time and tried to remain positive. But when Simon, and Eric caught me about 40mins in I knew I wouldn't have much hope of staying with them. Totally died on the climb to 18 and lost sight after that. Biggest mistake was 21 when I had recovered and ran quite well down the hill and over ran it. 22, 23 24 were a major slog and I had my 2nd gel after about 80mins. Didn't make any significant errors from 24-32 but really tired and just trying and often failing to keep running.
Time lost= #7 1.28mins, #9 58secs, #14 45secs, #21 2.26
Total lost= 5.15mins
http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.a...

Kairaki Beach about 30mins north of Christchurch was a really cool sand dune map similar to Pittwater in many ways.
I started first in a team with Blair and Eric. Started hard from the gun and proceeded to missed #1 and head straight to 2. I was 2mins off the pace by the time I got back and ran really hard thru 2 to 7. Started getting back on the train to 8 where I saw Bryan and Brent running out of the control but I just never saw the flag and ran around in the circle for 2mins. Ran with Simone from Italy 8-12 where we caught Brent. 14-16 were ok but I lost Brent at 17 where I was confused by some dodgy mapping of vegetation. I caught him and Simone again at 19/20 and ran the last loop 21-25 quite well to stay in front.
It was a very ordinary run, but most of the guys on the 2nd and 3rd legs (besides Simon) ran slower. It would have been good to race here again and destroy a few demons. I love sand dune maps so this was disappointing.