Training Log Archive: markg

... and an absolute shocker to finish the weekend. Massive 15min mistake on number 11 and legs in pain because I stupidly didn't wear full-length pants wasted my motivation and I pulled out after 13.

I started pretty well, despite getting a bit confused by a termite mound that appeared to be unmapped but in fact was right under the line and printed very small. Was clean through to 4, had a small hesitation on 5 and another 6, then clean to 7. A wobble into 8 was followed by confusion in the circle at 9 before I finally realised that the feature was the little cliff on top of the big cliff. 10 was a substantial mistake after running to far along the top of the cliff and

Very ordinary race. Minor hiccups at 4 and 5 were followed by a big one at 7 another small one at 9 and a final big one at 11. I pulled the plug at that point and eased off to save myself for the middle distance. My pride was then injured further when I got a random stitch 20m from the last control and had to walk into the finish!

The two big errors were really poor. I simply wasn't focussed and didn't have my head up looking around and so took the wrong gap between buildings. Small errors were mainly poor map-reading - I need to take a little longer to read details like uncrossable walls (at number 3) and fences (at number 5). Leaving 8 I got confused by the overprinting of the course lines over the building. The line had a grey 'shadow' which gave the impression there was a way through. I had to take a few looks before convincing myself I had to go around.

Another poor race but at least this one was in fantastic, challenging terrain. A wobbly start was followed by a good stretch then 3 shockers in quick succession and then a pretty steady run to the finish, mostly alongside Kieran. Time lost was probably 10-11min.

Despite attempting to start steadily, I got a little off-line on the way to 1 and faffed around the in rocks losing about 40s. I then pulled my head in and ran strongly through to 6. On 7 I lost contact but had managed to get into the circle and found the control with only minimal time lost. Exited 7 in the wrong direction but caught it with only 10-20s lost. Then 2-2:30 lost at 9 after losing contact mid-leg but managing to relocate of a little spur. 10 was good but then I lost 4min at 11 in an error I can't explain. Finally got it when Kieran came through and showed me where it was. We both proceeded to stuff up the next one by about 2:30min but then summoning some focus, proceeded to run fairly well through the next stretch. There was a small time loss at 16 and a bigger one on the very short 18, and clean from there to the finish.

I had a lot of trouble working out what rock was mapped and how it was mapped, and how big the rock was going to be. I noted particularly that bare rock didn't seem to be mapped all the time. I don't usually have problems reading granite but sandstone is quite different and I need more practice.

I'm really pleased that I strung some good legs together but disappointed in the several big errors. I could do a lot better.

Just found out that I'm not entered for the WOC Trials ... bugger!