Training Log Archive: Kseniya

After a night of partying it was time to head back home but not without a last stop to see castles and mountains. Alex took us on an adventure near Glen Affric, and we attempted to climb some peaks through heather, deer and sheep poop, and mud. Alex ran away though to another peak with Ed, and so Tori, Carlos, and I climbed a rocky ridge with what seemed like a never-ending top. Took much effort to put on step ahead of another but that is how you get to the top.. The views all the way were fantastic and I felt refreshed and revived. Descent was also treacherous due to such uneven and slippery ground. But it is the challenges that elevate the experience to something greater, make it memorable, make it a worthwhile attempt. It is the same in orienteering, it is the same in life.

C • beautiful! 3

After racing hard for past three days my body was ready for an easy day out in the woods. These woods, however, where not the ones that would offer such luxury. Glen Affric is a masterpiece, a brutal ancient forest with a seeming aim to provide an orienteer with every imaginable obstacle. I must say, it was great and humbling, it required skills I did not possess, it required fearlessness I did not yet learn. By basically jogging the course I opened myself up to the forest and the map, noticed much more, soaked it in and got seriously beaten up. I realized how much more effort I need to put in to be able to orienteer well in such forest. I lacked grace and aggressiveness, stumbling across rough terrain, picking blueberries and raspberries, distracting myself from my inabilities. At one point I came across a very green patch of woods, fallen trees completely blocking my way. I stood there shocked with indecision of which way to go around or possibly climb into the dark branches of the trees. Then a woman came by, much older than I am, and without any hesitation dived into the darkness. Impressed, I followed tentatively, and to my surprise came out unscathed. "This is how I should be Oing!" I screamed at myself, feeling like a such a weakling. Yet, I knew that it meant I wasn't nearly as ready as I thought I was, that a lot more effort needed to be put in. It did not scare me but offered me an opportunity to learn. Some day, I'd like to return here to tackle this terrain again.

RG Map and Course

C • And eat more berries? 3

S6D - Day 5 Glen Affric - C29 - Splits

This is what the Middle WOC course should have been like, adding another 5 minutes for the rough open controls. I had pressure today to perform, there was no way I was losing to Ethan and Greg, becoming a slave for the day according to our bet. Clicked into the map well, did make a mistake on #2 but it didn't bother me. Had confidence and pushed myself well. The good parts of Darnaway are truly just a blast to orienteer in, so much fun.


RG Map and Course

C • :) 3

S6D - Day 4 Darnaway - C29 - Splits

RG Map and Course

S6D - Day 3 Darnaway - C29 - Splits

Middle distance race did not go as well as I expected. Disappointed in myself. Will write up the analysis at a later time.

C • Potential! 6

Map and GPS

WOC - Middle - Women - Splits

Middle Model

Forest training on somewhat pertinent terrain. There was too much heather, which reinforced my thankfulness for not running the long; I would surely collapse somewhere. The contours were great though, very detailed. It was also great to observe different forest types here as well. Some green areas were actually more runnable. Getting nervous for the middle, hope I don't blow it like I did in past two World Cups.

Exciting to see Ali do so well at the Sprint. Great arenas so far.

Messing around the Middle model. Darnaway terrain is known for its diversity of forest types, adapting quickly to each different one will be tough to do during the race. Some areas are not particularly pleasant to run through, previously logged semi-open parts with very rough footing, and pine forest sections with branches piled on top of logging tracks. The white parts should be interesting though.

Event: WOC 2015 & Scottish 6 days
 

Easy shake-out jog around Inverness Sprint area. Legs sort of in good standing. Ready for the quali.

C • nice clean run 3

Warming up for the sprint, feeling all nervous but excited.

WOC Sprint Qualification! 3.6 km, 10 m climb, 15 controls.

This went great. The trainings we have been doing in residential areas were spot on and there were no surprises. The nerves got to me on the way to the first control but I got it together after that and had no mistakes really, just some hesitations towards the end when having spectators watching became too distracting.

I was reflecting on the sprint training experience on the drive to/from the race. Many thoughts running through my head. Having a meaningless result should be liberating, yet I found myself searching for meaning. Two months ago I was not a sprinter, was not comfortable in this discipline. Today I can say that I truly enjoyed this race, and that my attitude towards this discipline has changed from something I'm not good at so I should try, to a fun fast pace that requires constant focus and quick decision-making. Training over the past few months has been highly beneficial. Sure, I'm still not terribly fast, but I navigated and pushed myself well today, and for me this was a great accomplishment. I'm proud of myself, which is a new feeling. This challenge of sprinting at WOC was a great thing that happened to me. No regrets, and I'm looking forward to more sprinting in the future.

Also, spectating at WOC is awesome.

C • Great attitude, totally. Ni... 5

WOC - Sprint Qualification - Women-2 - Splits

Sprint Model at Nairn.