SOG Local Event: Goodwood Country Park
After the week’s hot weather and heavy rain yesterday, it was misty and more like autumn – though still warm, especially when the sun broke through. There was a fine view of the sea beyond Chichester as I approached the event site, next to Goodwood Racecourse.
After my big mistake on the last Park-O, where I missed a control, I was determined to be more careful even if this meant being a little slower. I was hoping that the summer training might still allow me to run well – especially as having been here before I know that the terrain is fast.
I felt very good indeed until about 2/3 of the way round, when I felt myself slowing. I only made one mistake navigationally, when I was not quite sure which side of a path I was on until I found a control I had already visited, but fortunately I had realised this might happen and was straight onto the proper control on the other side of the path quickly.
I was back in 47 minutes – which I was pleased about – but I had felt very unfit over the last part of the race and had to walk most of the way from the last control to the finish and was annoyed with myself for that.
When I sat down to look at the results I was thrilled and the reason for the slowdown at the end became clear. Today was a personal best for a green course, and my first ever top ten placing (ninth) in a non-handicap event (out of more than 40 runners). I slowed down at the end because I had gone so fast (by my standards!) through the race. Also very good was that there was not a twinge of any kind from ankle, foot, heel, hamstring, hip or any of the other things that I injured before the summer.
Last season my target was all events in under an hour, which by the end of season I was meeting on average. This season it looks like 50 minutes will have to be the target! That is still pathetic compared with the speeds of runners on the blue course and especially with the top orienteers, but I think I am entitled to enjoy the improvement in my performance, as well as vowing to keep working on it.