Note
(rest day)
I am now home, and have been dominated by jetlag, so I am writing my attackpoint at 6am.
Reflections on JWOC:
Will start with the positives.
I was physically prepared for the races, I never felt like my fitness level slowed me down and when I caught or was caught be other runners I was easily able to stay with them and out do most on the hills.
When I ran well (ie the middle qual and parts of the long and sprint) I was running how I normally do in NZ. Orinteering is not hard if you just read the map and are able to keep up the concentration.
In all the races I never felt like getting a top result was impossible, last year I felt I would never be good enough to do well, this year it could of happened. I think I was good enough I just didnt bust it out on the day.
Why I didnt do as well as I think I could have:
Lack of big race experiance/pressure - NOTHING freaks me out like jwoc does, i know it shouldnt but it did. I got nervous and by the time I started racing most days I was already mentally fatigued and felt I had run the course over and over. I dont know how to improve on this, maybe I somehow need to make nz races more stressful/important in my mind.
If I go to europe to race again there is no way I would only race jwoc. Not because of money, time etc, but because I think it puts even more pressure on me to race well at jwoc. Other european races before or after jwoc would give me a chance to get rid of a few pre race jitters and also leave me feeling a bit more positive about the whole trip I think.
And now I have to decide what I want to do with orienteering. During JWOC week I completely understood why lots of people stop orienteering after jwoc. It hurts when you cant race the way you want to. An amazing trip though overall, great jwoc, atmosphere, team and surroundings!
Anyway all of this is just half asleep ramblings and should not be read too much into.