London City Orienteering Race 2012

What a stunning day to be in the capital for this awesome race, organised by South London Orienteers.  This was my second time and again I really enjoyed the experience.  It was a hot day but as you are mostly running in and out of the shadows, it wasn't over powering. My race started with a under confident stutter to #1, not sure why probably just too many people around.  Managed to get into a good flow until before #6 when a check of the control descriptions would have helped me out as the control was up the top of the stairs and I was ...... !  I was prepared for #7 which was in the barbican centre, a multi layered nightmare, but still messed it up by being up when I should have been down, bumped into Ian Hargreaves who was having issues too.  My head hurt going to #8 and #9, but got in a little pack coming out of #9 and ran fast to keep up with them, but lost map contact then the pack!  Really don't know how I got through the Barbican centre but at last I was free!!  #10 was on the top of the bridge so had to double back on myself, running pretty well so at least that side of things was OK.  Got into a nice flow, and enjoyed my run around the Stock Exchange and St Paul's although quite busy here.  Clean until #24 when I lost map contact but only a slight hesitation, then a poor route choice coming out of #24 to the north instead of south.  Knew the ground to #25 but had to keep concentrating as getting tired now.  Straight forward run to the finish and it was over.  It felt like I had been out an age, and was surprised to see it had only been 75min, even better when I downloaded 73min15sec for 7.9km (straight line) I had actually run 11.5km so I was really happy (64th/128).  What a great race.  My train wasn't until 1700, so after watching the presentations I took a walk along the river in the afternoon sun, very nice. 

Routegadget   

Mens Elite Winner Peter Hodkinson OUOC

Cornwall Orienteering Club Summer Series - Lanhydrock

Yesterday saw the final event in the clubs 2012 Summer Series, and was run alongside a fun day at the National Trusts property at Lanhydrock.  The fun day was in full flow when we arrived with lots a people taking part in the clubs maze.  The format for my course was a first for me.  There were 12 control to visited in order (201 - 212) and you had to visit all other controls marked on the map, making 30 in total.  You could dip in and out of the line course as you wanted.  It made for a really interesting racing and although you kept meeting people on the course they always seemed to have a slightly different take on the route choices.  I was very happy with my choices, and was pleased to finish in just under 52mins covering 6.4km.

  

Dartmoor Runners 90 Minute Score Event

For my last couple of runs I have been running an old Dartmoor Runners 90 minute score event from last December.  Unfortunately I didn't get to the event but I managed to get hold of the map from a friend and it's been sitting waiting for me give it a go ever since.  Last week I managed to give it ago but although I managed to cover 11.85km in 92min I scored, with penalties 35 points.  So I was determined to get back on the horse so to speak and give it another go.  

Today an unexpected opportunity gave me another chance and off I went.  It was an ideal day for running hot but with a cooling breeze.  I managed 12.56km in just under 89mins and scored a more impressive 65 points and more to the point had an excellent run over terrain I wouldn't otherwise run.  My track can be found on my endomondo site.  The actual race was won with 75 points so was happy to get so close, even though it was my second attempt.  Feel free to give it a go Map of the Score Checkpoints can be found via the link on a google map.  If you beat 65 let me know, remember time starts and finishes at the car park, don't be late!!

More info on Dartmoor Runner can be found here.

On to Rio 2016

Firstly I would like to say thank you to my couch for the support over the last few weeks, it's been a tough time. My performance during the Olympic's has been enhanced by the technology I have surrounded myself with, namely my Apple IPad, Sky+, Twitter, and the amazing BBC website, with these I would be nothing.  I also managed to experience the Olympic atmosphere live in Weymouth, and at the North Greenwich Arena, amazing experiences.  I will now be taking some time away from the TV and thinking about the committment I can make to Rio 2016, but I am sure I will be back in some form.  My final thanks go to the organisers, volunteers, athletes, commentators and supporters who have made this an amazing two weeks.  Now has anyone seen my running shoes?

Killerton Estate - 20th May 2012

Inny Foot - 13th May 2012

8.7km 335m - 106.15  Lesson learnt move on!

Wet and Wild Boar!! - BOKTrot 2012

The prospect of running in the wind and the rain didn't help me get out of bed, but with the entry paid for and staying only 30 miles from the event off I went into the wilds!!!  


I had an early start which for once must have been an advantage as the ground was only going to get heavier as the day went on.  I set out to the start with a waterproof over my windproof to try and keep as warm as possible until my start.  Luckily the start area was in the woods so the waiting around for my start time wasn't to cold.  In the start lanes there was the usual signs a warning of wild boar!! 


So off I went trying not push to hard as I knew from experience this was going to be a long hard course.  Always nice to have #1 in the bag safely, some really runnable forest to #2, slight mistake being to low on the river but no major issues.  Started to flow through the course nicely, made a big effort to #5 as I have made mistakes in this area before, kept in contact with the map a hit it straight on.  Cautious to #8 as again this area can be difficult, but I selected a good attack point and into the control safely.  Climbed out #8 and found myself above #9 very loose under foot sliding around everywhere, punched the control and had to fight back up the hill, two steps up then slipped  back down one!!  Out of control #12 decided on the safe route into the technical area, 10 years ago at this event I retired here, no thought of that today.  Safely to the large track and looking for a path off right to the pond.  Ahead I notice a lady with a dog disappearing off, that must be the track.  Running down the path I got to the pond and then I heard an almighty grunt!!  I jumped out my skin, I looked left to see a massive Boar looking at me.  I had a little chat with it and made my way tentatively onwards down the track.  I caught up with the lady who turned out to be an orienteer and she asked if I had seen it.  "Yes" I said "scared the hell out me", "thank goodness my dog didn't see it" she replied.  Now on full Boar alert I managed to keep wits about me and get into #13 cleanly.  #15 was found cleanly, and still running ok even though I had been out for 85 minutes, I was led into #16 by another competitor and was shocked because I had been navigating to #17 so gave myself a mental slap.  Not sure what happen to #18, I was certain that I was on the track which runs to the east of control 1 but saw a track junction ahead confirming I was to the west! Confused!  Finally crossed into the section of forest with #18 in and then started doubting myself as there were a large number of wet ditches which weren't mapped.  Eventually found the hide, punched and made for the last control and finish.  I kept running from the finish not wanting stop and get too cold.  The weather was going full tilt now so I quickly jumped in the car to get changed.  I thought the course was really challenging, and when you add the conditions in it was a tough event and I was happy with the outcome.  Congratulations to all at Bristol Orienteering Klub who made it all happen in difficult circumstances.


Routegadget


Results     



BOKtrot 2012 - New Beechenhurst, Forest of Dean


Brown 10.4km 355


10th/16 Mark Lockett 106.12




Short Brown 8.2km 270m


27th/53 Phil Newall 88:36




Blue 6.6km 245m


28th/93 Graham Pring 72.02


40th/93 Barry Olds 78.03




Short Blue 5.4km 220m


15th/62 Adele Newall 64.56


26th/62 Peter Morton 70.41




Short Green 3.7km 110m


14th/34 Annabel Pring 68.43


27th/34 Pauline Olds 81.51