Dunmere Woods 26th July 2009

Excellent event today and the planner made the best use of area which has become a little over grown over time. Really nice blast at the end of the course just as the concentration was starting to slip. Looking forward to seeing Route Gadget and comparing splits, as everyone retreated to their cars to get warm and dry straight after their run.

Devon Orienteering Club Harris Relay
19th July 2009

Nice to be back Orienteering after a bit of a break and back on the Moors as well. We entered a two man team into this three person relay, and as my team mate hadn't really orienteered before it was left to me to get the bulk of the controls. 1-6 were manadatory and one member of the team had to visit the other controls. I was happy with my nav apart from getting mixed up at 12 thinking I was at 13 (not sure why) then spending time looking for 10 above small tor. When I realised I shot off to 13 and everything went OK from there. Had a change of plan at 9 and decided on 16, 3, 2 then 8 but met team mate at 2 and he had managed to take in 8 already so we could run for home.

Great event on a nice area. Need to get a extra team member next year!

Quantock Orienteering Event - Staple Hill

Although I have been orienteering in the South West Region for 10 years now I have to confess this was my first Quantock event. Now I had heard stories about how their areas where tough and Staple Hill didn't disappoint. It was difficult to get into any rhythm at all, light green and white often seemed to blend into each other and all terrains proved tough going, so I guess that I wasn’t too disappointed with 1:29:16 for 5.5km 255m, but as so often it could have been so much better. Quantock’s also use the Joe Lee punching system as seen on the KIMM for a number of years and this does seem rather fiddly compared with SI or Emit. Having said all that I did enjoy trip and would go back.

My Marathon Days are over........

So the Marathon has been and gone, and the medal is gathering dust. The training didn't go to plan and a head cold and hot conditions made for a trying day and a slow time 5.26.33. But the cold has gone and the benefits of the training seems to be shining through. I have been out with a running club this week and wished I had joined before the marathon, I got a friendly welcome and think that this maybe the key to improved running speed and training motivation. I have been itching to get back out orienteering and so today after running a coaching session at a local primary school I went to the permanent Orienteering course in Central Park, Plymouth. What a great way go for a run. The map is available at http://www.devonorienteering.co.uk/

Time : 34:01

Route: 10,26,1,22,27,2,23,3,28,5,4,6,7,8,29,11,24,12,30,17,18,31,32,19,25,20,33,13,34,35,21,14,15,36,16

so there's the challenge

Enjoy

March Update

 

March update - Well managed the Half Marathon and for good measure they added a bit extra on by sending us the wrong way so 1st March - 13.4miles.  Then 2nd March a painful 3 miles. 4th March 2.5miles.  5th March - 8 miles which went really well.  6th March - 4 miles not very pleasant.  9th March 4 miles.  Then a break to go to Disney, I took my stuff but after a day in the park I was so knackered......  Anyway 15th March back into it 13 miles felt good apart from the heat......... hope its not going to be too hot!!!!!! 

Friday 20th February 09

Now that I am a professional athlete…………. Well out of work youth worker, I can spend my days training hard for the marathon!  SO today I went out and ran 6.4 km in 36min which is fast for me. Yesterday I got myself lost in the local woods and ended up doing around 8km but took over 70min.  I have also set myself the challenge of running the Bideford Half Marathon, partly to get used running an event, but mainly to take the boredom out of training which is proving to be the hardest part of it all.   Give me a map any day.  I am also looking forward to the Dartmoor Mountain Marathon in June.

 

Anyway if there is anyone out there who wants to come for a run let me know.

Catch up

12th February 2009

Run around the hoe with Martyn probably our last as Martyn goes away soon and I have left work to (to concentrate on my training - I wish!!!). Anyway we extended the run a little and went out around Coxside as well. Still not getting enough runs during the week, but I guess with time on my hands I will have no excuses.

6.3km 4 miles

15th February 2009

Went out to run 13 miles, but only got 10 done as I had decided to wear my old shoes and they after many miles decided to give me hassle from 6 miles so decided to cut short. I am looking forward to getting back to orienteering soon as road running is so boring...... However may have found a group to run with on a Sunday to relieve the bordom.....

10miles 16km