Training Log Archive: Jay-T

Event: Midland Orienteering Championships 2013
 

M21E at Sherwood Forest. Clocked 20.37km, 196m
This was going quite well for a while. Other than a small miss of around 20s on #1, where I was looking a bit early (scale / non dead distinctive tree), up to #13 it couldn't have gone much better.
In the middling pack at this stage, 9th place, 5m 30s down on Shminty who was leading, under a minute behind Nixon / Squire and 2m clear of Barber.
First big error here on the way to #14, where I ran straight over the path I was meant to take, possibly due to being distracted as Schorah (started 4m behind) flew past. I subsequently didn't see the left hand option to #15, which was a similar length to the route I took but with more path running, possibly losing a further 45s or so.
It was at the map turnover (#17, after 12.14km run) that I started tiring. Still running (albeit more and more slowly) until #23, 14.6km in, where I had no energy left whatsoever and started walking. 1m down on Barber at this point.
From there onwards it was a simply a case of making it to the finish. I felt really weak and dizzy and was a little concerned to be honest.
I had a nice sit down on a log near #26 for a couple of minutes before Barber came past (started 8min behind me).
Actually did some jogging to #30 (possibly shamed by some dog walkers who might have overtaken my otherwise). Made a mistake here though, undershooting due to my distance judgement along the path being affected by slower speed and an unmarked distinctive tree. Had a nice lie down after finding the flag for 3 or 4 minutes.
Ran a bit again to #31, spurred on this time by another competitor (I think the only one still going other than myself!)
Managed a jog for the last control and run in before collapsing in a heap.
I am unsure whether my total collapse was due to a late start (12.37pm), only having eaten a bowl of cereal and banana beforehand and thus running out of energy. Did other people take gels or similar? It could also have been due to starting too fast. My GPS was showing 5.15mpk at #13 which is pretty quick for me. Finally it might have simply been too far. On top of my 20.4km course run, I ran 2.8km to and from the east start looking for a toilet before the 2.6km to the start. Thus total distance was 26km, a distance I’m not sure that I have ever run before.
In any case I thought it was a good course (winning time showed that it was not overlong for the true elites) and a nice area with an excellent map.
One positive was that my legs didn’t cramp up during the course, although they certainly did after I had got back to the car and stuffed my face with all the food that I had (and had been fantasising about for the last 6km).

C • food 1

AIRE Night The Chevin
Nice wood, very slippery.
Miss on #3 as I thought our control was the one on the path initially. 30s
Miss on #9 where I was looking too high and ended up on the path above. The wall continued much further up the hill than mapped and there were several unmarked rock features too. 1m 30s
Very difficult trying to progress out of #12 due to steep and slippy ground. However, ended up climbing too far and very hesitant dropping down into #13.1m 30s
#19 hadn't read descriptions and looking too far north. 45s.
Over 4m binned easily. 5th place, 3m down on Ian Nixon.

Match vs BHS A playing with Andy (feathers)
Started off badly, got better. Lost first two, won third.
Overall 5-4 loss, Mick and Brent picking up all 3 and Scott / Tom narrowly losing out.

SYO Informal Night Training Hugset
Only found out about this on the day - consequently a bit of a rush to go home and get my kit, get to the event, get back and eat, then get to badminton. Always hurrying and not concentrating sufficiently for this area. Had problems with all the difficult controls and missed #9 entirely (I found a tape but I'd actually gone in a big curve back to #7!!!)
First out (I think) so didn't see many people; only those on earlier parts of the course at crossovers.
Did 1.1km further than the quoted distance which is ludicrous.
Lesson: concentrate!

Overun again.

Bit busy ce soir. Back etc. very painful.

...

Physio again. Not impressed with my investment thus far as no real improvement but I'll give it a bit longer...
Had good intentions afterwards but it was a bit late post session.