Training Log Archive: Bashman

NM Ultra Long - H21 Guest - +38mins

As painful as it would make any later comparison, I always had the intention to simply get round today with unbroken legs by the end. It wasn't my best interest to race because of the weeks coming up, and I was essentially first start which would suck in a race that was always bound to pack up and track. So I headed out at a very modest pace, aiming to keep this until half way when I could start to put in some effort if I wanted. Shop was out of gels so had to pack a chocolate bar instead, but luckily there was a drinks point every 30mins with sports drink (literally in the middle of nowhere - e.g. on the way to 17, water from the stream, fold up/mesh table, one person manning it = Scandinavian organisation).

Easy through the first few, getting used to my 1:15 A3+ map and checking out what was to come. Hit me that it was a struggle for the first few, but then hopefully the marshes would allow for relatively inexpensive running. Climbed easily to 2 but then had a really shit time trying to save height to 3. Also parallel mistake'd it and wasted lots of time and energy. When I began flagging to 4 I began to get a bit worried but a drinks point at 5 and final path leg to 6 saved the day. Very confused to 7 looking at the horizon and trying to see my hill but took a good line and saved height well to 8.

Then my head began to go as a kind of early-bonk so I slowed right down and tried to take the nicest running lines. This ended making a very funny trace to 9, but I can partially blame that on the swollen ponds in marshes. Pussied out of the climb at the end and really needed some energy so chilled before the next point at 11. Took a few seconds and several drinks and felt much better afterwards. Caught up my fellow Swedish guests and had overtaken them both by 13, and the legs were beginning to wake up. I took half my chocolate bar to 15 and began to plan for a big effort on the long leg. Had a few drinks at 16 and then unleashed a really nice amount of energy picking up the marsh lines well this time. Flagged a bit after passing the second lake and having to climb a bit, and then the stream was horrendous. Took a few more drinks at the crossing but the effort hit a close on the wall up to the next section of the course. Finished my chocolate bar, walked a bit trying to chew it, took a dodgy line but eventually found my first control for 40mins (6km!!).

I began to feel quite good again but the hills were ruining my hip flexors so took it chill once again and walked most climbs. Began to check my watch and realised 3hrs was on (I said this would be my time if I played it right today) so sped up a bit again. Thought I'd finished all the climb by 21 and was gutted to realised I misread the contours to 22 and had to climb 15m... But had a final drink at 23 and was feeling perhaps the best I'd felt for the whole race. This soon changed though as I decked it on a rock to 24 and cramped through every muscle in my body, a very painful episode. Loosened off after a minute or two and began the effort again, although I was pretty sure it was over by now. Had a last ditch attempt on the last few controls and finished well but just missed out by 2s.

Very enjoyable race, terrain quality made it feel like 1hr not 3. Quite possibly the nicest stuff I've ever been in, had it been bone dry it would have been even better. Noticeably sped up in the last few controls and almost matched the leader's paces by the end, but my lack of effort for the rest of the race doesn't really make this a good comparison. Happy to finish relatively intact though and after some real food/sugar/coffee I was pretty much fine. Hopefully get to train normally this week coming up now.

https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/doma/show_ma...
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C • Damn 2

Ante
Freezing, hands went numb in 6c and rain.
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Norges Cup Middle - H21E - 21st, +3:34

Focus of the weekend was on this rather than the Ultra, in a hope to preserve the legs a bit and focus on my best chance at good results this year - very apparent that my Long racing stamina has dipped in the last few months. Took it as serious as I could but still felt like a standard event. Weather was nice and cool for once so actually survived without overheating and if anything had quite a cold chest by the end.

Started steadily as has been the case recently, to get into the map and terrain. Hit the first few slowly but well and then began to open up on the longer legs. Tricky section after a good long leg and then into some semi-open, bare rock section. This was horrible in my demolished VJs and I found myself walking way too much, to avoid decking it, even down the hill. Had caught Ulrik by this point and we tip toed round together, losing a minute to 14 as well, after most likely getting into the race a bit much. Recovered well though and only lost 40s to the leader after this, with some big climbing/running legs. Even won a split to 17 which I'm way too proud of. Some dodgy RC on the last few controls but finished like I had used my energy well, probably slightly saved by the slow bare rock section.

One thing I love about Norway is that you can have a good race - losing little over a minute in the circles - and still be three minutes down due to micro routes and flow. Maybe still a bit on terrain speed but I like to think I've got mine to a level which matches the leaders (minus Olav) now as can be shown on a few controls today. Always pushed to improve, so a very nice environment for development. And that's without even mentioning the terrain... Fun to be back in Rauland and the JWOC Relay area three years later, some good memories coming back during the weekend!

https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/doma/show_ma...
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Easy O
With Will to start with and then split off on Hedda's D18E course. Cruised round just really loving the terrain and was as clean as I could have been without a compass. Would have had a big win by 2mins, which is nice to know.
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Ante
Nice wee loop with some strides. Another easy day.
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Easy
With Will, Ida and Jenny up the fort to watch the Women's Tour Team TT.
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Ante
Moving house today so got a bit of a lie in. Down to the fortress, hill to the east, back down, up Rødsberget, and home via the shop. A bit of a crawl today....
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C • training 2

WU
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Skogen Intervals - 6 x 4min (1:30)
Epic little figure of eight single track loop, with sharp turns, soft ground, hills, and other stuff in the way. Pace was clearly down but effort was there. Swapped leading the reps with Emil and his dog (tripping over occasionally) but happily began to make a gap on both by the end. Took a few to wake up but really enjoyed them once the legs started moving. Think I'll do more of these, especially if I'm not doing S+C these days - very high quality mix of speed endurance and a strength/agility session.
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WD
To the lake to give the dog a swim and then home with Will. Beginning to lose conscience.
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Ante
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Akselås Multi-Tek

Didn't have much motivation for this, picturing a thicc forest that was soaking wet with rain. Surprised myself though as the additional technique training was quite fun and everything was clicking into place. Cruised round with only one wee mistake, and legs even had energy in them by the end which hasn't happened for a while.

Played a few classic orienteering training games that I think we've all been guilty of. The first involved trying to prove my compass was in fact broken during the last few events but then failing by taking some good bearings; so unfortunately I'm just shite when it comes to racing with one. Then a game of "Screw that" ensued when faced with a control point requiring any additional climbing or descending to punch. This one was my favourite, and I set the range of the imaginary SI Air I was using to a very big distance. Finally, towards the end of the corridor I just wanted to get home so played a brief round of "F the corridor" and took a bearing home, dissecting the entire exercise.

https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/doma/show_ma...
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C • Naughty 1

Ante
This was grim, but legs beginning to recover.
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Easy
Admittedly longer than planned but was enjoying it quite a lot. With Emil, Will and Viktor on his last day round some Hoias paradise.
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