Training Log Archive: Timato

Day 3, M21L

So today we got to run with the elites, well they ran in the same direction as us, only with more controls. Was really interesting to be at the start with them. Listening to their strategies (they even strategize about when to eat their gel) and banter.

Today started out pretty rough. Control #1 was maybe a hundred meters away and I couldn't find it. Then on my way to 3 I was off my bearing to the left a bit and came out to what I thought was a road, which wasn't on my map, only after relocating did I realize it was a long paved driveway (hard to distinguish since most roads in the area are only one lane). After this I did pretty well, but I'd spent nearly 30 minutes on only 3 controls. After this race went as expected. I was a bit disappointed on a few that I didn't focus enough (#12 and #17). I will have to show people this map as some of the areas are really interesting to orienteer in. This map consisted of a serious of long runs followed by really tight tough sections with lots of controls. Most of the climbing was in the first half, but felt pretty good overall. Was really disappointed however because my goal was to run clean. My mood definitely improved when I found out that I'd moved up 4 spots on yesterday.

Day2, M21L

So for course 5 we actually had to use 2 different maps and half way through we had to drop our map and pick up another one. I decided to today to not carry water and see how it went (ok, but I wished I had water out there). I would say overall this went pretty smoothly, but I had trouble with a few controls. From the start I decided to take a very conservative aproach until I felt comfortable with the terrain. Good idea since they have all this ditches all over and they generally only map the big ones. As well they map a lot of rivers that we would probably just map as a long ditch. So I was looking for a fork in a river for my first control and say at least 2 until I came to mine. However, this didn't cost me that much delay. Had a bit of trouble with 5 (didn't run far enough). Started to get tired in the later third as we had two rather large hills to climb.

By far the most interesting part was when I crossed over into the second map. This was when I started using the map that everyone else was using. All of a sudden there was hundreds of people just running in every direction in the woods, crazy. Didn't have too many problems in this half as I was pretty focused with all the different controls and people. I was a bit disappointed with my time, until I saw that I was placed how I would be at home and this was a much tougher meet.

Event: JK 2007
 

JK sprint. This was going to be interesting. A sprint race around the campus of UWE. Overall went pretty well, although speed is not my thing. The map was pretty cool and with 6 courses you just had people and controls all over the place. Probably could have taken a more direct route to #13, but it was hard to tell if it was one large building or a serious of smaller one with bridges/tunnels connecting it, so went around just in case.

Stayed to watch some of the elite men run. I was actually sitting at roughly half way in the standings until they started, then it all ended.

First day in London, Kristen had to go meet a prof, so I had the whole day to myself. What to do... Well started with a morning jog around Buckingham Palace and some of the parks nearby. Then after breakfast it was off to do the tourist thing for the day. This consisted of a ride on the London Eye, a boat ride along the Thames and a trip to the London Tower.

C • Photo Contest 1