Training Log Archive: FernWerm

Event: Sprint the South West
 

Fun run around Bunbury ECU and TAFE campuses. I didn't do very well as my brain just couldn't get into the sprint format (e.g. planning ahead, reading the detail, or really just orienteering at all) and I lost my earring at number 8 (I thought that being a sprint race in a campus there wouldn't be any plunging through bush - wrong!) - but I had fun all the same. :)

Bunbary Cathedral Grammar School.
Same as the morning as far as orienteering ability goes (or lack of), but I had fun racing an older orienteer around the course, especially through the bush at the end. Being one of the first starters there were no elephant tracks to follow!

Bunbury 3 Campus Long - Splits

Bunbury Cathedral GS Long - Splits

Aus champs relay. Got talked into making up a SA women's team with Zoe and Jenny, knowing I was by no means fit enough. The long leg from the start to 1 in the physical terrain broke me, and when it had taken me 50 minutes to get 5 controls and I had 10 more to go, I decided to get one more and call it quits. It was pelting with rain, the bare rock was super slippery and my heart wasn't in it. Basically, I wasn't having fun. Felt pretty bad for Zoe and Jenny, but they knew I was never going to be competitive anyway, and it wasn't worth breaking myself for!

I was a bit tired after travelling to WA, and had a late start in the warm sun, but I still really enjoyed myself. This was just the right length for me, and the bush and landscape was just so pretty at this time of year. I took a bit too long getting to 3, going off my bearing and ending up on the creek south of the control, but I quickly realised what I'd done once I oriented my map properly and discovered the creek going at a 90 degree angle to the one I thought I was on. I also took a long time on the long leg, just purely from being unfit, really, and staying a bit too high when contouring around the hill. I ended up too far down the hill at 8, but managed the rest of the controls quite well. I was happy with my time and it gave me false hope for the relay the next day... :)

Walk up Rankeys, down Upper Sturt, along the creek and back via Blackthorn and the streets behind the primary school. Saw the amazing tree house that Ryan has built for his kids with a piece of pine tree trunk chiselled out to make steps up to the platform. Nice.

Only got half of this done before I heard crying.

Walked to the folks place, then slow walk with Mum and her injured knee to Joans Pantry for afternoon tea (not included in time). We got Paddy up on the table outside and he just loved getting attention from Mum and Granny while we ate cake. Then slow walk back to M&D's and a 45 minute walk home up and down various local hills to make sure Paddy got a good sleep in the pram.