Training Log Archive: Bruce

World Master Games - Lithgow
Long Distance Final
9th last starter. The course was quite different from the qualifiers - much more like typical Sydney sandstone, something which has never really been my favourite terrain.

I hit the first 4 controls well, but I never really felt that fast. My strength on any of the hills and rough terrain was only fair, and I was losing time to the best runners (unlike the sprint where I was almost able to match the speed of the best).

I lost 1 minute coming out of 4 looking for a non-existant gap in the cliffs. The purple circle had been drawn over the black line, obscuring it. Why would the course setter do that!?!

From then on, I got around with minimal time loss, and reasonably good route choices, but just not fast enough.

I didn't see anyone until 3 or 4 from the end when Grant and the Portugese guy caught me. I held on until the end. I must have passed a couple of Finns on the course, but I didn't see them.

I finished 7th, but quite a long way from 6th. A reasonable placing given my interrupted long distance preparation. I probably would have been a bit disappointed if this was my main goal, but it wasn't. The sprint medal was my goal and that was satisfying enough for me for the week.


The end of another orienteering season. Again a very interrupted one with pneumonia, osteitis pubis, and major calf, hamstring and groin injuries. Given that I was very pleased with some major achievements in the shorter races. My highlights were:
3rd World Masters Games Sprint
3rd Australian Middle Distance Champs (elite)
2nd Victorian Middle Distance Champs
2nd Victorian Sprint Distance Champs
1st Victorian State Series
9th SILVA National Orienteering League
4th WOC trial sprint
5th NOL #1 sprint Adelaide

My goal over summer is to remain injury free so that I can build up to being competitive in long distance races again in 2010.

C • Why would a course setter do that? 1

World Masters Games - Long Qualifier 2

Qualified easily, in 9th place.
Tough start in very rough terrain. Then some long legs across bland and vague terrain.
No major time losses, but I didn't feel particularly quick. I didn't push too hard, trying to keep something in reserve for Saturday.

World Master Games - Long Qualifier 1
8th fastest.
A very technical start through pagoda rocks. No major time losses, but I felt very weak up the steep hills. They were a real struggle for me, and I never really felt quick in the slippery terrain.

Around Manly

World Masters Games - Sydney 2009
Sprint Distance Final
I started 7th from the end after qualifying 7th yesterday. The warm up felt good, and I was set for a fast race with lots of controls.

I took the opening easy, as I had heard that it was tricky. I got through first 5 or 6 near the hotels quite well, and stretched out as I headed to the swimming pool. I got those 5 controls clean and the next 3 were just fast running. This took us back to the showgrounds where the fun began. Another 12 controls in and around the stands of the showgrounds with many canopies and technical short cuts to be found. I was starting to catch a couple of people in front of me. I was running well and navigating smoothly and going past them.
Grant came unstuck in this section, not seeing the right hand route through the stage and taking a big detour to the left.

After the showground there were 2 or 3 easy ones to go and I used everything I had left.

Julian called me across the line in 1st place, over a minute ahead with just 6 runners to go. I was surprised to keep the lead for 4 of those, but I wasn't surprised that the top 2 qualifiers were too fast. Carsten was 21 seconds ahead, and Nick Barrable a deserving winner, 11 seconds further in front.

I was hoping for a top 6, but I was thrilled to take home a medal.

The presentation ceremony was great, and it was fantastic to share the dias with some of the great orienteering masters.

Melbourne Forest Racers had a brilliant day with 4 medallists, including 2 gold. Well done Tash, Warren and Piotr.

C • congratulations 9

Event: 2009 World Masters Orienteering Championships
 

World Masters - Sprint Distance Qualification
Great area and a great course. 3 small mistakes (about 15-30 sec each).
Not a great run but fast enough to qualify comfortably.