Training Log Archive: Jay-T

Decent weekend of sprint / urban – I have no problem with these formats, indeed I enjoy the different challenges that they pose; it is just a shame that in this instance they were delivered at the expense of what used to be a great traditional orienteering weekend...

Anyway for another ‘Sprint Double’ (with both fast running and technical interest) make sure that you enter the Nottingham Uni Sprints next Saturday – entries close midnight tonight... EOD also available...

C • Shameless Plug. 2

Hot hot hot!
Beat (yep, that's right) Luke at the end, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

From car park to assembly.

Manchester Urban.
Easy #1 but that was just to set you up for a tricky route choice to #2. After missing the initial small bridge whilst trying to work out all the route options I just made a quick decision to go for the simplest route - albeit one which incorporated a 'walking only' bridge. It can't have been too bad a route as in spite of the above (and my very honest walking) I was only 27s down on the fastest split. A little lost nonetheless - although of the routes posted to RG thus far only one person took the best (to me) route [20]
Spotted the best routes to #3 and #4 but confused to #5 as I assumed that you couldn't cross the tram tracks for some reason [15]
It was ridiculously slippery around #6 and I slowed to a walk here to avoid injury - these shoes have no grip whatsoever in such conditions. This was the worse bit, but I was generally very cautious throughout [15]
Straightforward through to #14, where there was a timed out crossing (and an opportunity to plan the next few legs...)
Few seconds lost on #19 by going the wrong side of the construction works [10]
Wrong route choice to #21; my route was quite a bit further in hindsight [15]
Similarly got the choice to #25 wrong [20]
Seem to have lost a little to #28 too, although I am not entirely sure why [10]

Overall a well planned race which I enjoyed. Not a bad result either for an urban.
5th of 36 +3.41

C • 2 2

Back to car.

Event: NW Sprint Championships , Twin Peak Day 1 / City of Manchester Race, Twin P
 

Sprint Qualifier - Platt Fields
The planner had done the best he could but this was still a burn up - unavoidable given the area. Tried to run hard in order to have a chance to make the top 10 for the A final - with the campus terrain that would hopefully be more 'technical.'

Had fun spotting the correct tree by looking for the gripple wires!
Read my description for #3 in the start lane but still somehow managed to be the wrong side (not a disaster but every second counts!)
Had 1min man Stuart Fraser to chase down from #6-#8. Surprisingly northern route to #8 appears to be marginally shorter.
Lost a little to #13 by going the wrong side of another hedge.

6th of 32 +1.28

Between two races.

Sprint Final - Fallowfield Campus
As expected, a relatively better result, although not particularly happy with my run.

#4 Couldn't locate mapped 'way through' green and ended up having to bash my way through near the wall. Lost around 20s and any momentum.
Few seconds leaked away on #11 (insufficiently direct route) and #13 (unmapped fences near building corner).
In 2nd position (albeit ~30s down) at #14, but at this point the course became more straightforward and I fell away. This was visually highlighted to me as Glen Richardson (1min man) pulled away after I had got him in sight on the way to #15.
#17 Another competitor ran into me and I missed the open passage adjacent to the building costing ~10s.

4th of 32 +1.23

Showery evening.

Tuesday in lieu - practise.

Lost 7-5, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6 to Luke.

A sedate jaunt at Carse of Ardersier in the evening.
Contrary to what was believed, my GPS is, in fact, dead. Hence time, distance and climb all very approximate.