My first one.

The big day was looming and the reality was starting to settle in. I was going to be competing in the European Championships, for the first time. To say I was starting to get nervous would be an understatement. I somehow managed to qualify and I felt like a Sunday runner about to compete in the Olympic Games. 

After commenting on the smooth running traffic in Copenhagen, we ended up getting caught up in a traffic jam, which meant we had very little time to pick up my race number. We got there in the end and after a hectic day of travelling, I was ready to hit the sack!

On Friday the nerves were really kicking in, so I was keen to start the day. We had some breakfast and went for a walk around the arena. I knew it would be hard, but as Lyndsey commented, the obstacles looked like they could have been used in an adult movie or some kind of death chamber!

Have you ever felt like you wanted time to stop and to hurry up at the same time? That's exactly how I felt as my start time crept ever closer. I was keen to get started, but would have also been happy to go home and curl up in bed with a cold pint of beer.

The first wall looked high and quite scary, I was worried I'd fail at the first hurdle...can you imagine? 3..2...1. go...and we were off. I managed to climb the first wall without any hassle, then it was a jump across a beam into water. The XL wall was a bit of a challenge. There were only small grooves to put your feet and I kept slipping. The aim was to get to the top, pull on the rope and over, I got there on my third attempt. 

The floating walls were next, didn't find them too tough, then a dip in the (very cold) water and some running after. The next one was a rope swing, ring to bigger ring, then box bag and beam climb and horizontal jump down. I couldn't do it...tried six times and my arms were close to giving up. I thought this would be the end of my obstacle journey but the next attempt was a successful one.

Onto the next. I had to climb a 45° wall, using only pegs. I didn't think it would be easy, but it wasn't too bad. Then the best part - a slide to cool myself down for a few minutes!

The next was one of the hardest obstacles, low ring to high ring. The obstacle was a big mess, there were loads of runners waiting to get on. I had to wait for 10 minutes, done half of the low rings, but I fell of it. I made my way back to the start, waited another 10 minutes, tried again but the same thing happened. My height didn't help with this one, I had to hang with my arms and catch the next ring with my leg, I kept missing by 5cm but my arms couldn't take it. I decided not to bother attempting it again, as I didn't see how I'd manage and I was mindful that I also had to run tomorrow.

I made the difficult decision to have my band cut and try the other obstacles. The next one was another arm climb. You had to go up on a log, get on rope, cross to the net, then go under the net on the log, and hold with arms on the rope cross last section. I tried twice and fell on the same spot. I crossed most of the obstacles on the remainder of the race, but my arms were gone by this point and I didn't manage to complete them all.

I didn't feel happy at the end of the race. I knew I'd gave it my all by I hadn't trained enough and really wasn't aware of how hard it would be. In the evening, I read about the race on Facebook and top elite athletes were even saying that it wasn't really a balanced obstacle race. It was more like ninja warriors.

The fact that only 6% of athletes managed to complete the course softened the blow a bit for me.

The next day I had the 15km course to contend with. I felt good when I woke up, even with slight pain in my arms. I was ready for battle and more up for it than the previous day. The first 11km were great but we went back to day one rigs again and the dreaded Big Wall! Gripping onto the small holes with my size 13 feet was really hard and I fell down a couple of times. Lyndsey was trying to record me on the obstacles but had to stop a few times, as I was spending more time on the floor than on the obstacle at times! I managed on the 6th attempt, and my arms were completely gone at that point.

After the wall I gave a good attempt to the other obstacles but my arms felt close to falling off and my knee was in pain too. I surprised myself at the number of obstacles I managed to do, even though I didn't feel like doing any. I was happy to finish and proud of myself for competing. Some well deserved food and a cuddle at the end and I was ready for some sleep!

I have loads to take away from my first championship. I know my weak bits and I know what to expect from OCREC. I will be better prepared next time for the ultimate World Championship, and will definitely be saving myself for just one day, not two!

I would never have been able to do this without my supporters and sponsors. 

Biggest thanks go to my orienteering club Stag and Recruit Write. Thanks to Margaret McLaughlin for her donation.

Huge thanks for being there and cheering me on through all course goes to one and only, Lyndsey. Despite the heat and sunburn.

The gathering.

Here we go. It's 1st April been suspicious all day on social media and life around myself. I headed to Knockhill race track for the gathering - it's a night obstacle course. This was my first night OCR, which made me feel a bit nervous. I arrived at place and it was still sunny (rare thing in Scotland). I got myself registered and was ready to go.
At the start, it was still quite bright, so I didn't need to use my torch. We had a small warm up and we set off. One guy was sprinting straight away and I was like ‘no I'm going with you, can't be that you will run like that all course.’ We ran on quite good road - no mud yet. We had first obstacle, we crossed it very fast and then we had long mud run through woods - it was fun. Came out of wood first cross another obstacle and we had good run on nice road. We were running together quite fast. Then we jumped up a wall and then stopped there. We didn’t know where we needed to run? Stood there like two sheep looking at arrow and wondering where we needed to go. Then we worked out right direction and headed there. We had a bit more mud and off we go in ditch. It looked like the ditch wasn’t deep but we were very wrong. We made our way down to get ourselves out of ditch and we head for tires, cross them and some bog run then thru the culvert and up the hill jumping over mud pits. Then we crossed tires heap. We ran again, then a rope swing, followed by a bog run up the hill. We get told to head for a bridge we done that and then again turn on sheep mode - do we need to cross it or run past it? We thought OK let's cross it and we were right. Then we had a big run all the way we was thinking are we going right way. Then my running buddy seen some spot lights in distance and was like ‘let's just head for them.’ We were quite happy to find out we are going the right way we cross the road and jump in ditch. Then we had long run in bog. When we got out of the woods, we run in ditch for a bit then up the hill in knee deep pond and up the hill in ditch. That was one muddy ditch and we got out of ditch and ran straight down the hill. Then there was a bit of crawling and muddier running. We crossed net wall and then we hit net. It's seems nothing serious but at this point I understood my torch battery will get caught in the net. And I was so right; I was fighting with the net and I kept getting stuck. My running buddy got through it quite easy. And I knew that the finish is just around corner but I'm still stuck in this net. Finally got out of net and see run is over - I can't catch him anymore. Finished really easy get through tire tunnel over two walls and closed finish line. I would be much happier if I would lose in finish sprint, not in this way. Oh well we sometimes make wrong choices of gear we use what we using. All and all was good fun nice company for all race. Will be cleverer next time, well I hope so

P.S. Big thanks to organisers and all marshals it was cracking night out.

P.S P.S I'm not a rich guy but really enthusiastic runner. I qualified for world champs. And I'm now trying to save up for it. You can help me by donating here Thanks!

The Nuts challenge.

      Two weeks ago, I went down to London for The Nuts Challenge. As this was my First Nuts Challenge, I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was that it would be cold, hard and well….cold! On the morning of the race, when I made my way from London to Gatwick Airport, the weather was really bad; rain was pouring down and it was also quite windy. I didn’t really feel like I wanted to run.

       I arrived at the location and there was a lot of mud to wade through, which made it difficult to get around the area. I registered for the race and went to the changing tent. I found a spot which was a little less muddy. I then went to the briefing, where we were given instructions for the race. I didn’t want to wander around, so went with the first wave.

       The race started with some muddy fields and then some ditch crossing. This was followed by mud pits, which were good fun! I crossed some tires heap and found myself in the lead from my wave. The next part was the OCR gym fun crossed truck trailer, swing tires, container and wall – then container again. After the second container, I messed up a bit – should have turned, but went straight instead. As soon as I realised I was going the wrong way, I turned back. I finished my OCR gym visit with climbing tires and rolling down the net. The next part involved running down the river. It was good, but from time to time, we had to jump out and back again. River bit finished with climbing barrel tunnel. Then was up the net down the pole, rope swing and more mud pits.

       Next up was some more running on muddy tracks. We arrived at the next obstacles, where you had to jump over planks. It sounds like nothing special, but it makes a big difference when planks are 1.5m of the ground! My height came in handy for this and I crossed fairly easily.

        A rope climb and more running, crossing some small obstacles and then a sand bag which we had to carry up a hill. The sand bag was quite light but it was quite steep hill and of course muddy, which made it more challenging. Then more running on muddy tracks. I started thinking this would be fairly easy to finish, but then the race only really began when we got to the first water obstacle! I crossed the first one, but then there was another….and another. It was harder than I thought! The tire carry was easy, but slippy. The water slide was fun, but cold as hell! Then…you guessed it, more water!

We crossed the pond twice and then headed for finish area. The first lap was done, so I had energy gel and energy drink. I was keen to get started again, so didn't want to stay at pit stop for long. At the start of the second lap, I was already thinking about the water obstacle. All other ones were fine. Second lap went very well apart from the monkey bars where I slipped and fell down. Mistake was to use sand on gloves. Done penalty loop and carried on with race. After second time crossing the water, I realised it was really hard to warm up.

         

At pit stop I had energy gel, packet of crisps and an energy drink. I changed my clothes as well and I felt that it really invigorated me, so I was happy to get going again. The running was easy because I knew I was doing it for the last time. Even the water didn't feel that bad! I finished quite strongly. At end I was checking the time and wanted to finish under 4h but didn't manage it. After I finished, I got a hot drink and just wanted to get out of my wet clothes as quickly as possible.

While I struggled to get of my wet clothes, I heard top 3 of 3 laps and there was a big surprise; I was in first place! I didn't expect that. I made my way back to London and treated myself to a good dinner. I was tired but still wanted to enjoy my wee victory! Overall, I didn’t think the race wasn't hard but water made it really challenging. My best tip would be to change clothes, as that really helped me to keep going. All and all, it was good fun and a really challenging race. Now my aim is to look at bigger and more challenging races.

Palacerigg country park

Score 3

Nice winter day same like back in home. Snow make harder to run. But all enjoyment about snow make perfect day out.

Not make big mistakes only some rout choice should run different.

Cathkin braes

In a very wild day we challenged this distance. It was raining and raining and wind was blowing and again raining and then all together. I can be happy about my control selection order only mistake was 39 should take when run to 49. I have one very big mistake on 49 what cost me 5 minutes. Happy not make other mistakes. Now happy in warm house :)

First orienteering of 2015.

No speed. A bit clumsy orienteering. I'm happy about my route choise only 56-37-47 wasn't so good.

Made mistakes   

• 41 should run straight to bridge. 
• 33 was hard to spot run straight past it.
• 34 run to fast in and end up fighting with bush.
• 44 wasn't on wright bush
• 59 run to far on track 
• 57 to 58 made big mistake when run in garden. spend 1:30 to look for exit some trails was on ice 

GUOC Sprint relay

My day starts with quick wake up get some sandwiches and headed for Victoria park run. I all ready know I will take it easy becose I have one more race in afternoon. In start its work really well I keep my speed low. But when I start run 2end lap I start run faster end keep my speed till the end. Finished in 9position with my new PB on this track 19:15(that was 28 seconds faster than previously). Come back from run drink some recovery drink . Pack my staff for sprint and headed for bus. Whether become very bad. Relay starts with girls in first leg. It was fast and furious. First leg runner task is keep with leading group or very close by. Lindsay done good job. She come out in 2end position. I whent in start was hard to get in map, because of small scale 1:2500 nearly passed first control. All first part of distance was very easy an fast with trickie butterfly loop. I cached up first team from no student and 3th team from student relay. After control 16 was 2 choices left or right I chose right,becose its looks easier and faster. Then I get rest controls and finished. Rest of team Patrick and Mirjam done good job us well we finished 2end but and up in 1st ( because 1st team one runner run 2times) we beat 3th team by 10min.

My first planned race in Scotland

Croy Hill SoSOL - Sunday 9th November 2014 - including Scottish Student Individual Championships

Event type: Race

A South of Scotland league event on a new map of Croy Hill near Cumbernauld takes place on Sunday 9th November.  Parking will be at Croy station, which is also on the main Glasgow/Edinburgh rail line, with registration adjacent.  More details below and final details also now available in pdf or Word format below.

Terrain description

Croy hill has the Antonine wall passing through the centre of the map.

More Information about the area

Directions:
Approach from the M80 - if approaching from the west, take junction 4A exit, follow signs for B802 to Kilsyth/Croy - if approaching from the east, take junction 5 exit, follow B8048 to Kirkintilloch then B802 to Kilsyth/Croy.  Turn left into the first entrance to the Croy station park-and-ride car park.  If arriving by train, registration is across the road from Croy Station (clothing can be left here).

Registration, download and toilets:
Registration, download and toilets will be at the Antonine Sports Hub, opposite Croy station.  Both the start and finish will be approx 20 mins walk from the parking area.

Scottish Student Individual Championships eligibility:
To be competitive you must enter the following courses
Championship Mens - Brown
Championship Womens - Blue
Novice - Light Green

Near: Cumbernauld.    GoogleMap

Courses:

Usual SoSOL courses (Brown, Blue, Green, Short Green, Light Green, Orange, Yellow, White).  SI punching will be used.  Map scale 1:10,000 on A4 paper.  Brown course will be double-sided.  White and Yellow maps should be picked up at Registration at the sports hub, before going to the start.  All other maps and control descriptions available at the start.

Brown 8.6km 300m climb
Blue 5.7km 190m climb
Green 4.0km 120m climb
Short Green 3.1km 110m climb
Light Green 3.4km 110m climb
Orange 2.5km 60m climb
Yellow 2.1km 40m climb
White 2.2km 35m climb

Unfortunately there is currently no suitable area for a string course, although there are short nature trails at Auchinstarry Basin (on the North side of the area, with parking) that may be of interest.

Start times:

Registration from 10.00am.  Starts 10.30am to 1.00pm. No pre-allocated start times, punching starts.  Courses close 3.00pm.

Entry Fees:

Pre-entry on O-entries encouraged, although entry-on-the-day will also be available, subject to map availability.
Seniors £8 (£10 non-BOF)
Juniors and students £4
Seniors running white/yellow/orange £4 (£6 non-BOF)

Contacts:

Planner - Arnis Saltums
Controller - Andy Paterson
Organiser - Alastair Dunlop

Tinto twin- how I forgot to charge my torch.

First was a night event. Went  there full of energy and ready to rock'n'roll . Start my worm up thing and when I get to start my torch start all ready turing off I tern it on and think will be fine . Get my map, punch start run around tree headed in wright direction run up the hill and then it starts my torch whent off. I try to tern it on but nothing. I unplugged and plug it in WORKS YESSSSS. I thermally my torch to 20% of light. Then can start race made small mistake on firtst control and up to low. Headed for 2 was big wind get fast second control and don't have problems with 3, 4 and 5. Cross hill to 6 when I start run down hill my torch vent of completely I try for long time to tern it on but nothing. Good there was other people who was looking for control find control use Patrick till half of whey to my control. When I whent to my control I take of my GPS watch and used his light not a lot but still some light. When I went in forest and try to find control it was harder then I thought it will be. I was 3m from control and can't see it. But eventually I find it . I went throught forest to hit a road the worst part in it was fallen trees. I can see them when I was 1m away from them. Survived forest bit, get on road, but still can't see a thing:( After Race was very mad at myself and give a promise need or don't need charge torch and bring backup with you.

Second day starts with heavy rain and strong wind. Definitely not good time for day in wild. But I like it a lot.  It was like my home forest. Not make big mistakes couple small ones. Made mistake on 4 not understand map.  Finished my distance in second place 7seconds behind 1th. I enjoyed every second of both races speciali my GPS torch :)

Glasgow parka čempionāts.

Šā gada pēdējais lielais mačs tika aizvadīts ar 3 sacensībām vienā dienā. Pirmais bija sprints- 2.8 km garš. Finišā ierindojos 5. vietā ar kļūdu uz 6kp. Runājot distancē zaudēju koncentrēšanos un pieļāvu kļūdu.

Izanalizēju savu skrējienu. Varēju iegūt kādas 30 sekundes, no otrās vietas atpaliku 40 sekundes.

1st	Alasdair McLeod	EUOC	M21	12:24
2nd	Will Hensman	FVO	M21	14:07
3rd	Andrew Lindsay	EUOC	M20	14:29
4th	Ross McLennan	FVO	M35	14:32
5th	Arnis Saltums	CLYDE	M21	14:43
6th	Roger Goddard	FVO	M35	14:46
7th	Robert Kelly	EUOC	M21	14:51

Pēc finiša mums tika iedotas norādes uz nākošo vietu, kas bija netālais Kelvingrova parks. Biju noskaņojies kārtīgi "uzkapāt". Sāku pārliecinoši, bet pieļāvu varianta kļūdas. Bet pateicoties manam ātrajam solim distancē tas lielu iespaidu uz rezultātu neatstāja.

1st	Alasdair McLeod	EUOC	M21	9:44
2nd	Will Hensman	FVO	M21	10:48
3rd	Ross McLennan	FVO	M35	10:58
4th	Roger Goddard	FVO	M35	11:22
5th	Arnis Saltums	CLYDE	M21	11:28
6th	Mark Purkis	EUOC	M18	11:29
7th	Robert Kelly	EUOC	M21	11:30

Saņemot trešās norādes, devāmies uz tālo Drumpellier parku. Bija ļoti jānoskaņojās pēc pirmajām divām distancēm, kas bija rezultātu ziņā ļoti blīvas. Sekoja trešā iedzīšanas distance. Pirmās divas vietas bija gana tālu, lai varētu viņas noķert. Par trešo vietu teorētiski vēl varēja pacīnīties. Startēju 5. vieta ar 3 sekunžu deficītu no 4. vietas, ar 1 minūtes deficītu no 3. , 3 sekundes priekšā 6- jai un 7sek. priekšā 7 vietai. Cīņa solijās būt ļoti interesanta. 4 .vieta tika jau noķerta uz pirmo punktu un arī mūs saķēra 6-tā vieta uz otro punktu. Testējām viens otru un skrējam kopa ar 6. vietu. Skrējām pa priekšu, bet 4. vieta arī centās neatpalikt. 6-tā izvēlējaās nogriezt ceļa līkumu pa mežu, mēs ar 4-to turpinājām skriet pa ceļu. 6. vietas variants bija par mata tiesu labāks. Pirms 2. punkta bija grāvis, kuru gan 4., gan 6. šķērsoja grāvi, es apmetu līkumu, apskrienot grāvja galu un 2. punktā izdevās atzīmēties kā pirmajam. Tad uzņēmos vadību gan uz 3-šo, gan uz 4-to kontrolpunktu, tad sadalījāmies- mēs ar 4. apskrējām krūmus pa spraugu, 6. un 7. pa citu izdevīgaku ceļu. Tā viņi nonāca 2m vadībā, bet līdz 5 kp viņi bija zaudējuši savu vadību un 6kp atradu kā pirmais. Kopā ar 4., nemanot sev, palielinājām ātrumu. 7kp un 8 kp paņēmām kopā. Nedaudz pirms 9kp sastiepu potīti, bet turpināju skriet caur sapēm. Uz 10kp 4. atrāvās no manis. Pametot skatu atpakaļ, prāts bija nedaudz mierīgāks, jo bijām labi atrāvušies. Uz 11kp un 12kp vienkārši sekoju 4. mugurai, jo citu variantu tur nebija. Uz 13kp 4. skrēja apkārt pa ceļu, es- pa taisno caur purvu. Iekāpjot slapjumā un atveldzējot potīti, varēju sākt skriet pilnā ātrumā, jutu, ka nedaudz novirzos uz kreiso pusi,bet turpināju skriet ar novirzi. Tad attapos un izskrēju pareizajā klajumā. Tuvojoties punktam, kas bija klajuma mala krūmos, ieraudzīju, ka tepat ir gan 3. gan 4. Sapratu, ka vēl ir izredzes! Uz 14kp abi, 3. un 4., novirzijās pa labi, es gāju tieši punktā un punktu atzīmējam kopā. Izskrienot no meža, pēdējā distances daļa bija tīri skrienama un tad es sapratu, ka cīņa ir galā, jo spēki bija beigušies, nevarēju vairs uzspiest. Tā arī finišēju gabaliņu aiz 4. un nekas vietu sadalījumā nemainijās.

Pēdējās distances rezultāts.

1st	Will Hensman	FVO	M21	28:26
2nd	Roger Goddard	FVO	M35	28:31
3rd	Arnis Saltums	CLYDE	M21	29:03
4th	Ross McLennan	FVO	M35	29:10
5th	Andrew Lindsay	EUOC	M20	29:45
6th	Mark Purkis	EUOC	M18	29:54
7th	Alasdair McLeod	EUOC	M21	31:02
8th	Robert Kelly	EUOC	M21	31:40

South of Scotland League 2 & ESOAC - Duns Wood

Beidzot atkal tiku distancē. Devos uz diezgan patālo pilsētu Duns. Rīts jau sākās agri ar musli putru un tasi tējas. Braukšanas daļa nebija tā interesantākā, 2h aizvadot ceļā nonacam gala mērķī. Ātra piereģistrēšanās un varēju doties uz startu. Skrienot uz startu, bija jāskrien garām Duns pilij- ļoti patīkama vieta. Startu sāku mierīgi, jo vajadzēja ielasīties kartē. Pamazām sāku saķert priekšā startējošos un, nemanot sev, biju sācis skriet labā tempā. Noķēru vienu par 6 minūtēm. Tad arī sākās interesantākā distances daļa- ne no orientēšanās viedokļa, bet gan no cīņas- abi gribējām aizmukt viens no otra. Viņam tas gandrīz arī izdevās, jo lielākajā kāpumā nedaudz padevos, palaidu viņu gabaliņu pa priekšu. Skrienot uz nākamo punktu, domaju, ka viņam jau ir izdevies no manis atrauties un ka noķert vairs nesanāks, bet nekā, viņa varianta kļūda ļāva viņu noķert un reizē atzīmējāmies 17kp. Uz 18kp viņš atkal pieļava varianta kļūdu, es izvēlējos vienkāršāko, bet garāko etapu. Viņš skreja pa īsāko. Gala rezūltātā biju ieguvis 100 m handikapu. Un tad ļoti sagribējās finišēt priekša viņam un mazliet sevi piespiedu. Izdevās finišēt viņam priekšā, jo viņš uz pēdējo punktu pieļāva mazu kļūdiņu. Secinājums ir viens- esmu uz pareizā ceļa ar treniņiem. Ceļa karte. brown distance.

Klubu stafetes Skotu gaumē un Skotijas līgas 5 posms.

Atgriežoties no Latvijas man bija ātri japārpakojās, jo devos uz divu dienu sacensībām Oban apkaimē. Pirmā diena bija klubu stafetes mūsu klubam bija 2-vas komandas 8 cilveku stafetēs. Formats bija pirmais etaps 1 cilvēks 2. un 3. etapa skreja trīs(katram savadāks etapu garums) un tad atkal viens. Mūsu komanda sāka ļoti labi otraja etapa devos es skrienot garāko etapu 5,5km veicu ļoti ātri ar dāžām mazām kļūdam. Mūsu komanda finišēja 4. vieta līdz pjedestālam pietrūka ļoti daudz. Man sanāca izcīnit savu mazo uzvaru Green distancē vineju ar 2vu minūšu atrāvienu. Ceļi un rezultāti:skatīt green distanci.


Otrā diena bija Skotijas līgas 5 posms. Laika apstākļi neko labu nesolija. No rīta pamostoties paveroties pa logu sapratu šodien būs smaga diena kalnos. Dodoties uz startu es paspēju izmirkt. ļoti precīzi ierados starta varēju uzreiz doties distancē. Mūs pirms starta jau brīdināja ka jabūt ļoti uzmanīgiem škērsojot upes, jo viņas ir kļuvusas 10x lielakas. Ar upju sķērsošanu nebija problēmas (kāju garums atļauj ne tadam vien pārlēkt) , bet tas ka uz kalna ir parādījušās jaunas upītes bišku sarežģīja orientēšanos. Distance bija ļoti smaga 9,7 km ar 465m kapumu lielu vēju un slapjām kājam. Izdevas finišēt 3.vieta, bet pirmas divas vietas bija 20 minūtes man priekšā. Ceļi un karte: Black distance.

2-vas nedēļas Latvijā.

Biju devies nelielā atpūta uz mājām. Zinot Latvijas orientēšanās tradīcijas gribējās atkal pa ilgiem laikiem izbaudīt kaut biškucīt no tā visa. Pirmā mačosanās sanāca Kusas mežos. Tākā sen nebiju orientējies šādos apstakļos meža un zaļajā pieļāvu diezgan daudz rupjas kļūdas kopumā ap 10 minūtem.

Otra mačošanās bija Pļaviņu pusē. Izbaudīju ātro mežu no visas sirds. Jau daudz labāk jutos ar karti galva sāka jau panākt kājas. Bija nelielas kļūdas kopuma ap 3 minūtēm.

Trešais skrejiens bija Garkalnē. Varēja izbaudīt vēl ātrāku mežu. Ditanci veicu praktiski bez kļūdām. Ļoti labi varēja pieslīpēt kompasa izmantošanu.

Ceturtais skrejiens bija Ģikšos Latvijas čempionats videja distancē. Nejūtos tik stiprs, lai skrietu elite tapēc skreju A grupu. Sacensību sāku ātri bez kļūdām līdz 5kp kur pielavu 1minūti lielu kļūdu. Turpinajumā sekoja salīdzinoši viegla distances daļa. Dodoties uz 9kp nedaudz pazaudeju koncentrešanos pieļāvu vēl vienu kļūdu uz 1minūti. Kopumā sacensība sanāca pat ļoti laba finišēju pirmais grupā un 4 distancē. 

Karte ar ceļu šeit: http://izskreju.mezu.lv/

Pēc tam sekoja Silakrogs. Kas bija ar salīdzinoši vienkāršu orientešanos un viegli skrienamu mežu.

Pēdējas divas bija Ok Aronas un Sēlijas meža sacīkstēs. Abas ļoti labu skrienamību. Pirmo reizi sanāca skriet praktiski līdzena apvidū augstumlīkne 1,5 m. 

Caerketton Hill skrējiens.

Pēdējās "Bug and Burn" līgas sacensības. Skrējiens bija ļoti īss, vien 3,5km, kapums bija 300m. Trase bija ļoti stāva, bet pati augša- lēzena. Sacensības sāku normālā ātrumā, bet, tiklīdz kalns sāka palikt stāvāks, mani spēki ātri vien beidzās. Iepriekšējā nedēļa tomēr bija pārāk smaga, lai gan izdevās finišēt 40. vietā ar laiku 23:47 no 100 skrejējiem,  no līdera atpaliku 4:30. Cerēsim uz nākošo gadu. Tagad vismaz zinu, kurā virzienā man jāstrādā.

Puss kilometru no starta.

 Trase.

Tour of Clydeside 4of 4.

Pēdējais sērijas skrējiens bija ārkārtīgi smags. Trase bija ļoti līdzena un ātra. Startējot, nebija doma par to, kādā vietā es būšu, bet gan par to, kāda man būs attiecība starp mani un numuru 12. Sākām labi. Turējos viņam līdzi visu pirmo apli. Otrajā aplī viņš sāka attālināties, centos cik varēju, bet visas nedēļas skrējieni kopā bija darījuši savu un nācas piekāpties šajā cīņā. Pirmā pieredze ir gūta un tagad ir motivācija trenēties patstavīgak. Pēdejais skrējiens bija 10 km garš un pieveicu to 40 minūtēs. Finišēju 25.vieta. Kopvērtējumā strap visiem skrējējiem ieņēmu 8.vietu. Sava grupā sanāca finišēt 3.vietā, jo otrās vietas ieguvējs bija startējis tikai divos no trim skrējieniem.

Vēl turos līdzi.

Mani kluba biedri šinī mačā.

Tour of Clydeside 3 of 4.

Šīs dienas skrējiens bija īsākais sērijā, vien 5km. Trase bija ļoti ātra. Sākums veda pa līdzenu taku, tālāk pa lēzenu kalnu uz leju, tad atkal līdzenums, tad pa stavu nogāzi lejā un atkal līdzenums ar maziem noskrējieniem. Tad trase pagriezās pret kalnu un bija neliels augšup skrējiens, kur galā bija starts un visi devāmies otrajā aplī. Startējot, visu laiku paturēju acīs skrējēju numurs 12. Vinš pēc pirmās dienas mūsu grupā ieņēma trešo vietu un es viņam zaudēju 25 sekundes. Mērķis šajos divos skrējienos ir nodzēst šo pārsvaru. Startējot, vinš man skrēja pa priekšu kādus 200 m, tad vinš samazināja ātrumu un es viņam paskrēju garām. Visu atlikušo daļu no pirmā apļa veicu viņam nedaudz priekšā līdz kāpumam, tad vinš centās mani apiet, bet izdevās tikai saķert, jo pa daudzajām nogazēm pirms kāpuma, izmantojot sava soļa priekšrocību, biju atravies. Otrajā aplī ātrumu nepalielināju, turpināju tādā pašā ātrumā, ar domu pēdejo kāpumu uzspiest. Ātrumu izdevās noturēt un arī kalnu sanāca labi uzskriet, pateicoties jauniešu pūlim, kas bija kāpuma lejas daļā. Paldies viņiem par uzmundrinājumiem, jo it īpaši tam acīgajam, kurš ieraudzīja, ka mans pieres apsējs ir rotāts ar supermena emblēmām. Tā nu katru reizi, skrienot garām, mani sauca par supermenu. Pēc kalna labas noskriešanas biju pat saķēris vienu priekšā skrienošo, bet, lai apdzītu, pietrūka viena kāpumiņa. Tā nu 5km garo distanci veicu 18:34 un finišēju 11 vietā. Mans galvenais konkurents numurs 12 finišēja 9 sekundes aiz manis 13 vietā. Tā nu vēl palieka nodzēst 16 sekundes desmit kilometros.
Pēc 5km.

Tour of Clydeside 2. of 4. Fail!

Šīs sacensības pierādija cik nozīmīgi ir visi sacensību tiesneši. Skrējiens bija līdzīgs vakardienai. Skrien pa līdzenu celiņu otra galā būs cilvēks kurš pagriezīs mūs atpakaļ. Šoreiz tas cilvēks nebij savā vieta. tad nu visi priekšgala skrējēji paskrēja garām noteiktajam punktam. Tiesnesis ieradas savā vietā un pagrieza parējos atpakaļ. Tā nu daži no mums noskreja 12km es noskreju turpat vai 10km, bet vajadzeja tikai 7,6km. Rezūltātā sacensības neskaita. Tā nu es kopvertejuma esmu 11 vietā un sava grupa 4. ar 25 sekunžu deficītu. Vēl palikuši divi skrējieni rītdienas 5km kāpumiem bagātais un piektdienas 10km.

Starts!

Finišs pēc 20m un es viņam biju soli priekšā.

Tour of Clydeside series 1 of 4.

Pirmo reizi mēģinu "road race" sacensības. Pirmais posms bija līdzens un 8,8 km garš. Sacensības ļoti vienkāršas - startē, aizskrien līdz otram galam, griezies riņķī un skrien atpakaļ. Sāku mierīgi savā tempiņā, doma bija tik līdz otram galam, kad grieztos atpakaļ pakāpeniski celt ātrumu. Tas arī izdevās, pateicoties kādam skrējēxjam gados, kurš distances beigu daļā vilka man klāt. Vietu noturēju līdz galam. Distanci veicu 34:59 un finišēju 11. vietā.

Latviešu trio es, Kristaps(3.vieta) un Roberts(13.vieta).

 Pēc asfalta skrējiena kājas ir ļoti piedzītas.

Gatavojamies rītdienas 7,6km.

Cairn table kalna skrējiens.

Trešdienas "Bug and Burn" līgas sacensības 11. no 12. Trases sākums bij pa līdzenu kāpam līdzigu reljefu pēc tam sāka strauji iet augšup, pati kalna virsotne bij akmeņaina, kas nedaudz apgrūtināja skriešanu. Sasniedzot kalna augstāko punktu griezies riņķī un vico lejā. Distanci sāku mierīgi, pat pārāk mierīgi. bariņā skrejam līdz sākās kāpums, kur visi dalībnieki sāka pamazām izretināties. Vēl neesmu nonacis līdz tādam lvl, lai spētu tādus kāpumus skriet. Tā nu pus skriešus pus ātri iešus pieveicu kalnu. Sākas lejupceļš kurš nebij viegls (esmu sasitis kājas īkšķi, kas ir zils un uz katra soļa sāpēja), pieveicis stāvo kalna daļu varēju kārtīgi uzspiest līdzeno.

7.5 km garo un 330m lielo kāpumu pieveicu 38:09 un finišu sasniedzu 22. no 74 dalIbniekiem.

Finišā.

Apkārt Arran salai, klubu stafete.

Mans ceļojums sākas agri no rīta. Devāmies ar vilcienu pēc tam ar prāmi. Tad mūs sadalīja pa autobusiem, lai nogādātu starta vietās. Vilciena uzzināju, ka man ir  grūtakais un garākais etaps. Diena bij "nežēlīgi" karsta un man starts bij 13:15.  Sāku skriet salīdzinoši ātri, bet pēc 10km sapratu ka kļūda bija neņemt ūdeni distancē. Tā nu kādus 3km skreju pa "pirti", laimīgs sasniedzu dzirdīšanas punktu. Palika daudz labāk, bet sākas kapums nav liels 210m kāpums, bet saule un jau noskrietie 14km bij darījuši savu. Tā nu nocīnijos līdz galam. 17 km veicu 1:24,50 komanda finišēja 10. vieta no 23 komandām.

Komanda:

Finišā noguris un pārsauļojies.