Training Log Archive: ColmM

IOC Middle - 6th
Camaderry, new map.
Was looking forward to this, I've always lacked middle distance technique, but I was feeling up for a controlled race going into this.

Started quite well, and picked off the features to number 1, not legging it, but controlled. Hit it, and down to 2, it was obvious. Again, not running too fast, and trying to keep good control. A little worried I wasn't running quick enough, but I figured it should be fine (in retrospect I was in 2nd here).
Easy up to 3, definitely lacked some of the hill strength, but also didn't want to burn myself early on. Planned 4, 5 and 6. Planned to contour along for 5 and go above the rocks and then come down into the control, as I went I found the running alright, and stayed slightly lower, going under the first set of rocks and then going up and dropping slightly. I was a little unsure of the control, and came down a bit off, and then searched all the rocks when I got there, so definitely an unnecessary 20-30s lost there.
Again, chilled down to 5 to make sure I picked the control well, took a bit of a fall between two rocks which slowed me, and then circled the actual boulders a bit, but got it anyway. Straight contour to 6, no worries, stopped a bit early but realised, maybe a little lazy on this leg. Good start so far and in 2nd place now.

So, here the mistakes began. Up to 7, was struggling up the hill too much and lost focus on my bearing. Was maybe a bit left, saw a boulder and tried to use it, no luck. Tried to relocate amongst the marshes, but they didn't work out too well either, I think I was in some marshes too far left which weren't on the map. Got it eventually (3mins).
Continued on, but after that mistake my heart wasn't in it as much and my technique wavered. Sloppy to 8, bit low had to come back up, and generally slow to it.
To 9, hell broke loose. Didn't concentrate enough and knew I was out of control. Stopped too early, without really climbing at all. Was way too low. Wandered trying to relocate, and after 17mins of unsuccessful relocation I headed up to the very top, not seeing how it would help much, but I stumbled across the control, with Darren now in tow.
Ran through the rest of the course without too much effort, but better technique again, two 30s misses, but my control was better and a bit chilled.

I never like blaming maps, I would definitely question todays. I felt 9 was too high, but I also forgot to climb, so I definitely can't criticise the map there with any certainty.
What I can say is that the area around 9 was definitely under-mapped, with some gullies and other features not included on the map, which can (and did) cause a lot of confusion. Contrastingly, the detail atop the hill was around 11 and 12, was quite over-mapped. A lot of detail included, and not drawn to fit, so it was very hard to read.

Still, with a better technique and plan, getting these controls without mistakes would have been possible, as I don't actually know if any were in the wrong place. A lot of work on my Middle distances to be done. I'd rather not leaving winning IOC to chance in future, which is what I did in the 2nd half today.

Middle 1 - Splits

Event: Irish Orienteering Championships (4 days)
 

IOC Sprint - 1st place
NUI Maynooth mapped by Jonny, and planned by Jonny and Laurence.
Very nice map, easy to read, and pretty. Not the most technical area, but the course did a very good job of the area, lots of short fast controls, and tricky routes as well made the short winning times into an intense sprint.
I really enjoyed the course, particularly as I wasn't expecting much.
I lost very little time, as did most of the others, so maybe it was a bit easy.

I tried to push hard from pretty early on, as I knew the short course would mean everyone would be fast. Some brief indecision on the earlier routechoices, but generally in control. 2-3s lost on 19 when I had to stop and check the description of the hedge when leaving 18, but got it alright then. Also a bad routechoice on 20 probably cost another 3-4s I reckon, but otherwise clean. I came out of 19 to the North-west, then went south of the first building, and north of the last one, you can see in my routechoice. I think this route could work if you went North of the first building, but I was too busy trying to run hard.
Obviously a good race, but didn't feel the best physically out there, and clearly still speed work needed as Darren was quicker, but I knew that.

Felt like I could be close to some others. at the finish, so really pushed on the run-in and it paid dividends, as I overtook Darren on the run-in to take the win. Really happy with the result, but work to be done.

Sprint 1 - Splits

C • IOC Friday 6

Easy jog + a few 200s.
Got home and Mum and Clo were heading for a run so I followed them down to Bushy.
Ankle has been improving the last couple of days, and I guess a run is the ultimate test. Felt fine the whole way through, but I was still concious of it, and I know it wouldn't be fine in terrain just yet.
But more single leg squats and some tape and hopefully it won't be noticed.
Post-IOC and exams I would like to get back on training which has been pretty lacking for the last 2 months.

Family Relay - Malahide Castle
Went out on last leg, Mum had done well and came back with a brief lead over Ruth, but there was no way we were going to beat the Shorts. The matter wasn't helped however by Clodagh having a shocker. Mentions of a 25min mistake. Map wasn't exactly great around there, but she clearly hit self-destruct.
So I got going with no worries anyway, still started quick enough, but as it went on it really began to drag on and I was less and less up for it. Pretty boring, just routechoices around the forest, particularly as I was lacking long socks. Was grand, but in the latter stages I stopped paying a bit of attention, and couldn't find a few controls hidden away, and slowed the running down a bit.
Unfortunately also twisted my ankle between 19 and 20. Walked for a short bit, hobbled a little, but was still able to run the finish then.
It's sore now, but I've iced it a lot and been wearing compression socks almost all day, so with a good few exercises hopefully it won't be an issue for IOC.
Not the best of timing though.