Penhale Sands, South West Orienteering League - 10th November 2013

It's unusual to get a second run on Penhale in the same year, that doesn't however make it any easier!  I love Penhale the orienteering is incredibly absorbing and at the same time very physical.  I had in the back of my mind the 2hrs 5mins it took for my 11.8km course at the Southern Champs.  It was important get the pace right early on and as I was feeling pretty average to get the navigation right.  I started off well and was clean through to #3.  Got dragged south by better terrain and lack of concentration to #4.  Long leg to #5 Ok but got confused by lack of veg changes near to control which are usually so obvious on this map.  Slight miss at #7 but nothing major.  At #10 had it spot on but failed to spot the last climb to the control, lost confidence and went west down the valley until I realised.  Major mistake of the day to #15 ran confidently into fast run section but entered to far west and tried to make it fit, stood by large knoll scratching head until I worked it out.  Decided to loop north to #16 and run down veg boundary but probably good running took me too far north.  Really tried now and struggling, lined up #17 after cresting the hill after #16, and concentrated on keeping moving.  Got to the control to find it was wrong code!  Luckily it was my #18 only 200m away so over to #17 before doubling back to #18.  Last long leg to #19 decided to run on rough bearing and relocate off fence.  Ben Chesters charged past, thought about asking for a lift, but he was gone before I got chance.  Managed to keep it going through #20 and was happy to get onto the path for the run to #21 and the finish.  I was happy to finish the 8.9km course in 87:48 and lay on the soft grass the planner provided at the finish to celebrate.  


and finally........