A long time out

10/2/2012

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I have always tried to be careful with my training to make sure there was no (or little) chance of getting a long term injury. However, it appears that it is still possible for this too happen. 6 months off and a season missed. Still, if I take the positives out of this then:
1 - I probably would not have got a 2.1 in my final university degree if I had not been injured (a 2.1 and a 1st are the 2 grades that employeers look for from university graduates)
2 - If everybody has to lose a season to injury at some point it is good to get it out of the way early

I hope that I am completely fixed now, I expect there will be some imbalance issues as I continue to increase by training but I will be careful and keep an eye on them.

What is new?

I have moved out to Sweden to "chase the dream" so to speak. I am living in my first orienteers only house which I think will be a good thing for me, I have always preferred to train with other people where possible. I have mixed feelings about the Swedish winter (not being a fan of either the cold or the dark and mixed being a polite way of saying that it is going to be brutal). Still it is exciting. I have some decisions to make on my training plans and the goals for next season. I see night orienteering as a great way to improve my skills and also as the easiest way of breaking into the SNO first team at TioMila, so I think there will be plenty of that this winter.

This weekend coming is 25manna. I expect to be running in the 2nd team but am really looking forward to getting some more big relay experience. After that there is Smålandskavlen which will also be good experience.

Plenty of things going on to keep me occupied for the moment.
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The Season so Far

4/4/2012

2 Comments

 
Well, as was pointed out by a certain Swiss orienteer lots of people have been getting new PB's and Sheffield is no exception: Kanye, Danger, Komodo, Cuddles - all running sub 16.15 in the 5km Parkrun (it's a British thing). I would love to think that I could have joined them. Unfortunately I broke my foot on March 9th - which is one reason why you haven't see a write up of either the British Sprints and Middles or the University Championships.
Picture
Fractured 3rd Metatarsal Left Side
So, I am injured. This has of course allowed me to focus on the spectating element of the orienteering season; I got on the commentary team for the British Sprints and Middles. This was a lot of fun, even though my prediction skills are not really perfected. The Sheffield boys were largely disappointed by their sprint performances but Kris pulled out a great run for 2nd place in the middles.

In the University Championships I was their in an organisational capacity, a very rare role indeed. Sheffield placed 2nd in the overall competition with some great runs by Anwen and Laura in the individual race. In the relay we ended up in 3rd in the Men's (upgraded to 2nd in some controversy (nopesport it)) and the Women's 4th. Both teams were disappointed, especially the girls.

This lack of running has allowed me to get on with my Independent Specialised Study (Dissertation) of 7500 words on Health Inequality in Britain. I am actually getting interested in some parts of it which is very nice. Hopefully though it will all go away soon and I get back on with the running.
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