Training Log Archive: nmulder

0800 - Putting out controls for the final JWOC training session. We did a corridor exercise, followed by a 1-man relay (3 legs) making use of a line course, contour-only map and a compass / pacing on a blank map.

4 hours of mapping

0740 - Hilly run along Cedar. Can feel the altitude after more than 2 weeks away.

1500 - 2.75 hours of mapping.

Spent the last 2 days travelling back home. Am rather tired after 2.5 weeks of O', but already itching to train again.

Pity I couldn't also get to Forssa and Jukola, but I had to go home at some stage.

0936 - The Nordic Champs / World Cup Sprint Qualies. I had a fair run, making one route choice error from #1 to #2, (30 secs) and then a hesitation and double-back after leaving #15 (10 secs). Overall I felt good, going hard and reading the map the whole way with no real errors. However, I still ended up last in my heat by a far margin, more than 4 mins off the pace. It was just too damn fast for me. Looks like my predictions were pretty close, you needed to finish 27s - 40s within the winner on the heats to qualify for the final.

1202 - Today was the Middle distance in the World Cup. 121 men racing one course, a phenomenally high number. This meant we were set off at 1-min intervals, which led to some good following for the weaker runners, which wasn't great for me. There was also a butterfly, which helped a bit, but not enough to overcome the 1-min interval problems.

However, I had a fairly good run, with few mistakes (no big ones! Only 3 smaller ones) on very complex terrain. Lots of the top guys messed up again today. I was able to keep contact with the map for most of the course, and when not, I was still confident about my direction and distance. I finished 113th of the 121. Had a NZL, GER, EST, IRE, BLR, ITA and even a Swede behind me. I should maybe have been about 5 places and 3 minutes further up, but I am still satisfied (for now). Once again, I lost time by being slower in the terrain (although improved already from Long) and by not running in a straight enough line (too much pinball running).

The GPS tracking once again did a superb job of tracking me and the others. Definitely the best tracking of a race yet and an important step for O'. Results, splits and tracking are here.

Tomorrow morning is the Sprint Qualie. I have never been no certain that I will NOT make the final. There are 41 competitors in each of the 3 heats, with only 11 going through from each. I think you'll need to be within 35 - 45 secs of the winner in each heat to qualify.

C • Middle run 1

Good warm-up in the terrain.

1100 - Took an easy jog across the model area for the Middle Distance. Didn't want to push it too hard, but it also meant my focus wasn't 100%. Do major blunders, but nice to have a good look at the mapping.

C • Happy Birthday 4

1345 - A few minutes of Frisbee with the Kiwis to kill time. Note: No hired cars were damaged during the performance. This was followed by a casual walk around the Sprint Model. The mapper has some weird ideas on what is 100% white.