WOC Relay 1st leg (07/07/2017)

WOC Relay.

Totally disgraced myself and the British team here.

Was very nervous at the start, standing beside Runesson, Hertner, Kinneberg etc.

The start was very fast and aggressive (got pushed over at one stage) and I made a parallel error thinking I was in the centre of the big depression. I tried to run up the spur into the control but was actually a lot further right. Came into another white depression and got the feeling I was too far right.

Then it looks like on the GPS I was at the control? (I had A) But I didn’t see it in this thick forest. Asked Gene which he had then found his gaffle. Was then able to relocate and find my control. +4mins.

Little mistake into 2. Saw Antonio Martinez.

Saw Hertner in the open area at 3 and got a bit of a confidence boost. But was already feeling shit and tired. Think the long race really screwed me over this year.

Legs felt awful reentering the forest and just wasn’t concentrating. Feeble attempt to attack from the spur with 1B gaffle but somehow eyes jumped a set of ridges and made another parallel error. After a few minutes ran back and actually looked properly at the compass.

Knew I had lost maybe 9 mins now and just wanted it to be over.

I am certain that I have improved a lot (physically + technically) this year, but need to think about what went wrong here. Think a combination of knackered from the long, stressed at the end of a long week and a fast start.

Time for an orienteering break. Then start training again towards autumn season and NM.