Now the Orienteering season has been long wrapped up it is time to start thinking about last year and planning ahead for next year. The 2010-2011 "year" turned out to be a good one. After a few years of standing still after progressing to the senior ranks in 2008 I felt I made some positive steps forward. I made a concerted effort this year to perform at sprint races and will continue next year down the same path.
The best result of the year came at the JK sprint distance. Training had been going excellently in the run up but I was hampered by being on placement in Accident and Emergency at the Northern General where I had to do 5 night shifts 12 days before the competition. Despite this I managed to steer clear of illness and tiredness and felt great warming up. The race was in general smooth. I made an early mistake but had a great middle section. I felt tiredness creeping in through the final three controls but hung on to claim third place not far behind Murray Strain and with Dave Schorah just one second behind. It was great to take an individual medal home especially as it was from Belfast which has strong ties with my family history.
http://www.jk.routegadget.co.uk/cgi-bin/reitti.cgi?act=map&id=29&kieli=en
Murray went on to take a great result at the World Championships sprint later in the year. Sprint orienteering is by far the Brits strongest discipline and I can see increasing competition for those three places at WOC with some quick guys progressing well.
Unfortunately I was unavailable for the Nordic Orienteering Tour due to my elective in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana which would have given me a bit more experience at running against the world's best. Saying that though Africa was unbelievable and I would recommend taking a trip down there to anyone.
Another reason for my progression is as always the support in Sheffield. Mainly from the other members of the University Orienteering Club in terms of pushing me in training and being such a good laugh. Thanks also goes out to Elle Baker who lead my physical training this year helping me to reach my goals in running and orienteering.
The best result of the year came at the JK sprint distance. Training had been going excellently in the run up but I was hampered by being on placement in Accident and Emergency at the Northern General where I had to do 5 night shifts 12 days before the competition. Despite this I managed to steer clear of illness and tiredness and felt great warming up. The race was in general smooth. I made an early mistake but had a great middle section. I felt tiredness creeping in through the final three controls but hung on to claim third place not far behind Murray Strain and with Dave Schorah just one second behind. It was great to take an individual medal home especially as it was from Belfast which has strong ties with my family history.
http://www.jk.routegadget.co.uk/cgi-bin/reitti.cgi?act=map&id=29&kieli=en
Murray went on to take a great result at the World Championships sprint later in the year. Sprint orienteering is by far the Brits strongest discipline and I can see increasing competition for those three places at WOC with some quick guys progressing well.
Unfortunately I was unavailable for the Nordic Orienteering Tour due to my elective in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana which would have given me a bit more experience at running against the world's best. Saying that though Africa was unbelievable and I would recommend taking a trip down there to anyone.
Another reason for my progression is as always the support in Sheffield. Mainly from the other members of the University Orienteering Club in terms of pushing me in training and being such a good laugh. Thanks also goes out to Elle Baker who lead my physical training this year helping me to reach my goals in running and orienteering.
Finishing the JK sprint.
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