Archive for the ‘Sport’ Category
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
My steady rise through the results of the RR10s came to a screeching halt at Manor Farm Country Park this evening with a 14th place. By rights it should have been just my sort of race with lots of mud and a couple of good steady inclines. I could put my result down to the fact that the supporters club decided to stay at home this evening however, as I postulated previously that it was actually less training that was leading to my improvement, conversely, going to the gym yesterday morning and then running around before, during and after the orienteering yesterday, probably wasn’t ideal preparation for tonight. Now have to save myself for the rest of the week in preparation for the Dorset Coast Path Relay on Saturday.
Posted in Running | Comments Off on Manor Farm RR10
Wednesday, July 4th, 2007
379Yesterday evening we put on our annual orienteering exercise for West Wellow Scouts. This year they had a one hour score event on Fritham Plain. I got soaked putting controls out and collecting them in again but it actually stopped raining for all of the time they were out. (Not that this stopped them getting wet as the plain is currently waterlogged.) The format seemed to work well with a lot more enthusiasm than I’ve seen in some years. Perhaps it was because the controls were easier to find or maybe it was because the openness of the area meant they could see how the other pairs were getting on. I was particularly impressed with one group who managed to get all fifteen controls with three minutes to spare.
Posted in Orienteering | Comments Off on Scouts Score
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007
Making the most of being off work we went over to the Army Summer Series event at Longmoor Camp this afternoon. There was a great selection of courses on offer: blue and brown only map, corridor exercise, map without paths, compass and pacing exercise and a novice course. Nice to see no “normal” course as many folks wouldn’t look at the other choices if there were. I opted for the corridor exercise to start with thinking I might move on to the blue and brown next.
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Posted in Orienteering | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, June 26th, 2007
Previously I haven’t been particularly impressed with Garmin‘s customer service having never received any reply to questions I have submitted via their website however, on this latest occasion I have cause to be very pleased with them. I leant my Forerunner 305 to my brother in-law for the South Downs Marathon last weekend. Everything was fine for the first 23 miles but then the watch just reverted to the Garmin splash screen. On getting home, I was unable to download the watch and before long it was totally unresponsive unless connected to the power. Even then, it was hit and miss as to whether any of the buttons actually functioned.
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Posted in Running, Technology | 1 Comment »
Thursday, June 21st, 2007
369I was slightly concerned that I might be pushing my luck doing three runs in a week (on successive days) but my luck held out at the Blackfield RR10 last night! I have mixed feelings about the course: it’s got some good undulations and I always fair well when tree roots come in to play but you are enclosed by hedges for much of the route so don’t get much of a feel for the distance, or the relative position of other runners. In an unusual tactic for me, I started off at an easier pace and picked off runners on the way round. I slipped past the Southampton runner pictured here but unfortunately couldn’t hold off the Romsey competitor I’d just overtaken in a sprint for the line. Still, my finishing position continues to improve with an eighth place this week.
Posted in Running | Comments Off on Top 10 at Blackfield
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
366SOC was hosting a schools event at Royal Victoria Country Park yesterday afternoon and the courses were left out for others to use them in the evening. Christine took Emma around the yellow in her pram whilst I did the score event. Punching (and map copying technique) was all important as it took me just 29 minutes to get round the 23 controls. The two loop format worked well as it meant you got a reasonable run without resorting to controls in the far-flung recesses of the area. The country park also has sufficient features to mean you still have to keep your wits about you.
Posted in Orienteering | 4 Comments »
Sunday, June 17th, 2007
363Christine’s mum and brother were competing in the Salomon South Downs Marathon yesterday. The course follows the South Downs Way from near Arundel, west to Queen Elizabeth Country Park. As we drove over to meet them at the finish it was absolutely tipping it down with rain. As the downpour began to ease we ventured out of the car just in time to see Sue come in to the finish field. She seemed completely unaware though that her son, who had last been spotted eight minutes down at the 20 mile stage, was sprinting up the run-in behind her. You can watch the action unfold on Flickr. Both finished in a very creditable time of around 4:25. I’m glad to say I had the sense to turn down the entry I was offered on Friday night. I’m sure I would have made the distance but I’m tired enough at the moment!
Posted in Family, Running | Comments Off on South Downs Marathon
Friday, June 15th, 2007
Emma completed her royal tour of our typical weekly outdoor activities by attending her first orienteering event yesterday – SOC’s evening event at Shawford Down. Spurning the white course, Emma went straight for the yellow although admittedly leg propulsion was provided by her Dad and navigation by her Mum. As with the RR10 and Tuesday night run, Emma obviously considered the occasion so exciting that she slept through it all, only waking to test out her lungs on the way home. Many thanks to Andrew Nash for planning.
Posted in Family, Orienteering | Comments Off on Emma the orienteer
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