Training Log Archive: GOUGER

COC sprint. Happy with my race overall. My fitness/strength didn't allow me to get up with the big boys. Small bobbles on a couple controls but nothing big. Maybe 2:00 in errors. Reading the map on the run going fast is tough for me. Did better in the forest controls as opposed to the chalet area. A great course and lots of fun. Good to see 4 Manitobans in the top 10 for Canadians.

Model event at Fundy. Preparing for what tomorrow will be like. Trying to see how the area is mapped, and imagine some possible legs. Went slow and tried to spike each control but didn't. Some placements were suspect. Some areas are quite nice and runnable...some spots are crazy thick and tough to see through and get around.

Sprint Course 5 - Splits

Event: Canadian Orienteering Championships 2008
 

Hopewell rocks sprint. On the tidal floor, in and around the tea-pot formations. Lots of controls close together so I had to make sure I didn't overrun or mispunch. Seemed to get at each control quickly and overran a couple. Footing was tough so it was hard to go real fast. Never O'd in anything close to this before....very cool...very fun. Likely close to 1:00 in errors...maybe slightly more.

Hopewell Rocks Sprint 3 - Splits

3 hour kayak along the beautiful Bay of Fundy shoreline. Total was around 9K. Shoulders were a little tired/sore towards the end. AWESOME views....AWESOME time.

The Fundy Trail starting just east of St.Martin. Total time was 3:00 plus. Awesome trail with great viewpoints. This would be awesome to bike on, and ideal for training.

Another gruelling run @ Rockwood Park. Was prepared to do better than this but too many mistakes today. A 4:00 mistake at 1 wasn't a good start. Sloppy to 2 and 3 as well. Going on the long leg to 5 started to feel weak/tired/thirsty. 5:00 on # 8 due to a silly goof.....attacked from the wrong spot on the trail. Likely 20-25:00 total in mistakes/bad decisions. Water contols on 9 and 12 were very welcomed. Physically tired and lazy on the last half of the race. Need to make sure I am properly hydrated before all races, especially long. Getting better in this terrain but still slow and hesitant. Tough climb/footing in spots. Gorgeous terrain overall and quite the challenge.

Event: Fishbones
 

For both races, before and after.

Fisbones sprint at Rockwood Park in Saint John. Rainy race from start to finish. Good prep before and felt good at the start. Hesitant and slow up to 3. :20 bobble going to 4 second guessing myself. :20 at 7...same thing...slowing down and making sure. :20 at 8, came out at the clearing too far north and made my way back. 1:00-1:30 in errors/bobbles. Spiked most controls and finished well. Need to go faster on the easy legs and run-in....way behind on these.

Happy with my result....6th out of 15.....less than 4:00 behind Patrick and and :34 out of 3rd.

Middle @ Fishbones. Good start to one. Problems started at 2. Wasn't sure where i came off the trail at and couldn't pick out exactly where I was. Bailed to hydroline quickly and came from the north and got it. Slow but OK from to 4 and 5. 6 and 7 were disastorous. Didn't have a real attackpoint which hurt....wasted a lot of time being stubborn and wandering. Distracted by other competitors and controls....need to focus. Thought of bailing but decided to suck it up and get some practice. Likely 20:00 in errors at least. Some good and bad controls coming in. Tough footing and physically demanding all day. Visibility was poor...tough to see in spots. Need to do better at staying in good contact with the map. Totally different then what I am used too.....most of all.....FUN and challenging.

Realized I need to make sure to establish an AP, ignore others, watch compass/map more, and stay confident in what I am doing.