Training Log Archive: FE

Blean Wood - Saxons Blue
Disappointing race, did at least change from brown to blue (only 7 runners), 10mins errors!! 2.Diffiicult to run, took bearing halfway but too late lost 1.5, 3. Did 180 error lost another 1.5, 5 somehow lost 30s on simple field edge. 6-12 error free and running very strongly 13. AP was track bend but turned out to be gradual bend and should have waited to mid-point curve, control was on a tiny rhoddy bush surrounded by more prominent unmarked thickets, it seems it was a well known/used control feature and most people knew about (-3.30). 18. Relocated near control, but failed to see banks that fitted exactly further uphill on map, blind even with bifocals (-2.30). Was running well enough for 43mins, doubly frustrating. Keen to go back again, great, natural woodland, runnable Kent area (oxmorone? - there some others as well), worth the drive even if made a right horlicks of it.

Brief WU, no WD.
Major accident on the M25 near Leatherhead on way home, around 4 cars ahead, van flipped onto its roof (roof completely collapsed), amazingly the driver escaped with bad head wound and cuts to hands. Helicopter, plus 12 other accident vehicles.

Should have been doing intervals, drained after pre-op tests and need more rest from 3 races last w/e.

Swinley East - BKO Green timed training event, lovely balmy evening.
Meant to run at tempo speed but got carried away. Well planned, 2 errors both at controls in rhoddies, despite taking bearing for one of these I then followed unmarked ditch and ignored bearing. Took some long routes to avoid errors and tactic seemed to work and maybe gained time. Good planning, took bearings, but mediocre execution, -2 min errors.

Quite jaded from w/e and took longer than usual, short WD and stretch

Bringewood - Day 3 SINS - Middle Distance - 2nd class (6th course) 1st class over 3 days (4th course overall - M16 up starts!)
The organisers allowed people to start early due to heavy rain. I opted for late start and found myself in deserted forest for middle third. First 4 controls were orange standard and managed to overshoot 2 (-40s), 3 the map was wrong (-20s). Settled down, first 10 legs were ice skating on mud, no grip despite spikes up/down or on slopes, rather neutralised my downhill ability. Lost 45s on 11 and 20s on 12 (overshot - orange standard control again). then it was 150m climb over the last 1.5k, technical zig zagging up/down hillside. Put some effort in, good grip underfoot helped and made up some time. Only dropped 45s today to Mikhail, I dare say drier conditions and letting rip, rather than protecting lead I could have done better, but pleased I held it together in trying conditions for everyone! Hardest thing today was being alone in forest (no atmosphere), plus not being able run properly during first half, worried it was slipping away from me in both senses!
Very pleased with performance on all levels, stuck to strategy and took longterm view of not taking chances (leg 6, day 2 excepted) and improved each days performance as a result, also tried to avoid any negative thoughts, perhaps this was the difference.

Struggled, legs beginning to feel it, but seemed to do just enough, no WD.