Training Log Archive: Totem

COC Middle distance
This map was way more challenging than the previous events and that's saying a lot. Needed way more concentration to stay in touch with the map. So much so that I blew the course and MP-ed. On my way to control 7, I planned a course that took me past control number 10 and at some point I switched to thinking that I was actually running to number 10 and continued on. I didn't realize my mistake until I downloaded my SI stick. Totally bummed out but later realized that things happen for a reason. Later at dinner I figured that I need to focus on being able to turn my concentration on and off. I felt mentally overloaded as the course went on and mistakes were becoming larger and larger.

It comes as no surprise that Patrick (MrPither) and Steven (Steveng) (who finished an impressive second place) have learnt to orienteer on maps like these. It's challenging yet provides amazingly great lessons.

I'm choosing to run in my age group tomorrow instead of m21-35E. The 15k and 27 controls in the 21-34E course sounded awesome when I registered but after fighting with the course today and my pride I'm choosing to make the switch. Bummed out at first but feeling better all the time about the decision.

Typical view of the course

Event: Canadian Orienteering Championships
 

Spruce Woods PP, Manitoba - Training Yellow Quill
Squeezed in more O practice before the Sprint event today. Feel a little better about reading the terrain as its way tougher than I think it's going to be.

Sprint Model Map - Hogsback
Walked to the controls, and then ran the course in reverse, followed by a self made course. Still having troubles making the connection between the way the vegetation is mapped and what's out there. It was suggested (possibly) by Brent (theshadow) that the mapping is done for when you're moving at speed rather than the walk pace that people do on model maps. I have to agree but it's confusing when you go slow.

COC Sprint 20:01
I was happy with my early designated start so that I didn't get distracted by other competitors but Mike Smith and Brent blew past like I was standing still about 2/3 through the course and I tried my best to charge into each control at the same rate as them but there was no chance. Keeping in touch with the map and pushing that hard was too much for me. Happy with my result here. This terrain is the toughest I've run on and yet I felt I had a good flow to the run. It seemed like the room for error was tiny but I stayed with it until the second last control where I rounded the wrong bush and searched for a good minute before I realized my error. Despite the 12th out of 14th spot I'm very happy with my run. Competition here is way more experienced and accomplished than when I last ran a major event at the North Americans in 2006.

Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba - Yellow Quill map - Team relay event (Leg 1). I had a good run with the exception of one leg. Had great flow in the start and knowing that the terrain and type of orienteering was completely new to me so I'm happy with how it went. The bad leg resulted because I saw what I thought was my control in the distance and ran hard for it without further looking at my map, in the end the control wasn't mine and I suddenly released that I had to relocate myself which took way longer than it could have. A rookie mistake that I'm happy to make as I'm sure that it's one I'll never want to repeat. The orienteering in this park is fantastic! Glad to have made the trip out here.

Spruce Woods Provincial Park, Manitoba - Yellow Quill - Training
Basic Practice on the model map. Tried a line-O, slow walking to observe as much as possible. The model map proves to be more difficult than the relay map perhaps due to the fact that it?s older mapping and slightly different terrain?

Calgary Airport - Strectching to loosen up muscles after all the mountain trails on the Sunshine Coast. Needed it and had the time. Meet a group of triathletes from New York on the way to the Ironman in Penticton this weekend.

Nanaimo, BC - Certainly unplanned training! Had to run from the "Tofino Air" floatplane dock to Greyhound bus station in 20 minutes carrying 20kg of luggage. I was expecting the airplane to arrive in downtown Nanaimo and not Departure Bay so I barely made it to the station in time. Looking forward to being in Winnipeg but not the two and half days it's going to take me to get there.
View from the seaplane. Waving good-bye to Carol and the J man.

C • 20kg? 1

Sechelt, BC - Run on the old MOMAR Sunshine Coast course near Porpoise Bay. Mix run of trails and roads.