Saturday, November 28, 2015

Soggy And Cold....

Yes, it was another soggy day at the orienteering. I was going to run Blorenge but looking out the window this morning, at the unending dark clouds looming, I decided I'd rather get soggy and cold closer to home.

I had quite a good run in the end. Didn't make any really big errors. A few small ones here. A couple of slightly non-optimal route choices there. Before I knew it, it was over. I was damp to the bones by the end and.. cold, so very very cold - okay I wasn't that cold but I was certainly happy to be standing under a piping hot shower forty minutes later.

Thinking of emigrating...

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Been A Bit Quiet....

but I'm not going away. I've a few more days in the wilderness before my next race.. And while I'm talking races. This Saturday 7:05am Channel Four sees the screening of the Garmin Mourne Mountains Skyline race....

Thursday, November 12, 2015

So It's Almost The Weekend...

and a reasonably full weekend. Well, I say full. Really just two short races... Race one, the Bull something near Ross-on-Wye on Saturday and the Gyhirych Grind Sunday - provided I don't end up marshalling again....

The Bull something race sounds interesting. There is a route choice near the end. One route is steep. The other less so. I think we can all guess which route I shall be taking...

Saturday, November 07, 2015

Time To Chill...

Well it's over. Done and dusted. Curtain down on the Trellech Orienteering. It feels nice to have finally got there but I am feeling fatigued both physically and mentally now. Everything went off okay and most people seemed to have enjoyed it - despite it being a bit of a physical course.

The day started pretty much the same way yesterday finished - putting out controls in the pouring ran. Thankfully I got the remaining controls out in just over an hour - still long enough to get soaked to the skin and beyond. Fortunately Vera was along for the ride so I was able to do a full kit change and get myself warm and dry - but not before I taped one section of the course and the route to the start.

After a hour assisting at the start the rain finally stopped and unbelievably the sun came out. After the peak had subsided I headed back to the registration area for a chat and to watch the weary runners returning and before long it was time to head back out to collect the controls. The assistance of Pete W was invaluable and there's no way I'd have completed the process inside half an hour of the courses closing without his help - nor, in fact the whole planning thing. His help was brilliant.

Planning aside, the highlight of the day was informing Andy C that the control he struggled with towards the end was also a control on the yellow course... (that's the least technical course for those not in the know).

Friday, November 06, 2015

Surprisingly Knackered...

.. and not to mention cold and wet. It was not a nice day to be out there but needs must. Those needs which needed musting - oh er, sounds a bit rude - where the controls for tomorrows Trellech orienteering. Well they don't just walk out there by themselves...

Five batches placed, I covered about 10k in the process. Even managed to fit in a few hill reps. Two thirds are now in place and good to go. I should add that today's were the furthest placed controls so tomorrow's one third will be easier - I hope. Can't say I won't be glad once it's all over. It has been quite hard work, not to mention time consuming. But then again, without people stepping up and committing their time to the cause there would be no orienteering for anyone.

Sunday, November 01, 2015

Is It Sunday Already?

Like I care.... cue day off Monday. Not doing anything special just got some days to use. Three day week coming up. Nuff said.