Training Log Archive: FernWerm

Australian Long Distance Champs - Slap Up Creek - W21A

So, the W21A course wasn't actually very 'long', but it was long enough for me as it turned out! :) This was quite a fun race, but I never really got into the map fully and I struggled running in the bush with lots of logs, branches and debris on the ground. I had trouble finding 4 on a shallow gully after my plan of attack didn't work and the control wasn't where I expected it to be. I found myself just standing there with no plan of what to do, which was a bit silly and I haven't done this much lately. Andrew K came to the rescue, making much the same mistake as me but recovering quickly and he led me into the control. We kept seeing eachother for the rest of the race (M21AS had the same course). Leaving 10 I made a 90degree error, crossed a fence ("yes, I'm meant to be crossing a fence, I'll just orientate my map, hang on - the fence is going in the wrong direction!") and ended up in the wrong paddock. Probably lost a few minutes there. 12 to 13 I had to take my shoe off to remove a thistle thorn that was killing me. The rest was fine, if a little slow.

I've noticed this carnival and recently that my navigation seems to have improved a lot. I notice things in the terrain quickly and match them to my map easily. Things just make sense more and I plan routes more automatically. If only I could put some more effort into getting fit without getting injured and learn how to run in the bush I might make a decent W35 and masters candidate yet! :)

C • Sounds satisfying 5

LONG Course 7 - Splits

Event: Australian Sprint/Long Distance Championships
 

Sprint! I was one of the first starters, so there weren't many people out when I started running around. But this didn't stop me from having a collision about halfway around with a Vic girl head-on (we were both just heads-down running reading our maps and then 'smack'!). I have a decent bruise and sore shoulder - I hope she pulled up ok! I had a lot of fun. I didn't run very fast (I have done zero speed training), but I just felt relaxed and had fun. I often took a wide route around the buildings rather than go through, which possibly lost me a little time - but may have saved me from making mistakes. The main mistake I remember was from 5 to 6 I ran down the little alley next to a building not seeing that you couldn't get through, hesitated and went back (I could have continued around the corner and probably would have lost slightly less time - although the exit was covered by the control number on the map). Other than that, my main failing was not planning ahead. I could have been at least 1min more efficient if I'd actually thought about where I was going next, instead of just vaguely thinking that I needed to leave the control in a certain direction. Overall I was 7min behind the winner, Lizzie, and just over 4min behind Biddy and Bun. Pretty happy with that. :)

Warm up and cool down.

W21E - Splits

Course 2 - Splits

Feeling lazy. Thought about riding to work today, after picking up my bike last night, but thought that 'bike quads' might not be the best way to go into a sprint in Canberra tomorrow. Instead, the last few days can be called 'tapering'... :)

Feeling hungry and tired - so a rest day is in order! :)

Took my bike to the bike shop with the hope of riding it home tonight, but they're busy so it might not be ready before the weekend.

C • Belair tomorrow? 6

Putting out a few controls, warm up lap, then short sprint in the relay Biddy set, then cool down.

Run around the dene with Bridgemon and Troy. Nice.