Training - Isle of Lismore

With a good weather forecast and no orienteering events today, Hazel and I drove to Port Appin on the east side of Loch Linnhe (- between Oban and Ballachulish), and got the 5 minute ferry over to the north end of the Isle of Lismore.

We did a 2 hour run around the north of the island. Soon after starting, we had a close-up view of a white tailed sea eagle being mobbed by gulls and also saw common seals hauled out on skerries. The views to Ardnamurchan and to the Isle of Mull were fantastic, and were responsible for a number of stops during the run!

White tailed sea eagle.



Me with Loch Linnhe and the Glen Coe hills behind.



Looking south down Loch Linnhe.

TAY 5K Trail Race - Hermitage

This was the first running race I've done in many years. Unfortunately, torrential rain meant a small entry; but the bad weather was more than compensated for by a great course which followed a variety of paths (- some rooty and muddy - suiting orienteers!) and with a few small climbs and descents. I completed the course in 18:46.

Results.

Map with course.

Scottish 6 Days Orienteering - Spey 2007

This years Scottish 6 Days Orienteering event Spey 2007 was based on Grantown on Spey in the Highlands and attracted nearly 4000 runners. The weather was mixed, but the areas were good and varied; and the maps, planning and organisation top class. Am already looking forward to the next 6 Days Tay 2009 at Perth!



SUNDAY, AUGUST 05, 2007 - Day 1 - Alvie



Alvie was used for the first Scottish 6 Days in 1977. It is pine forest of varying ages with some areas of moraine. M50L was 6.2k with 265m of climb and 16 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.






MONDAY, AUGUST 06, 2007 - Day 2 - Balavil

Balavil is a varied area comprising some detailed pine forest, birch woodland with juniper bushes and some open areas. M50L was 6.2k with 300m of climb and 17 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.





TUESDAY, AUGUST O7, 2007 - Day 3 - Inshriach West



Inshriach is pine forest - young, with low visiblilty near the start; but more open nearer the finish. M50L was 6.6k with 145m of climb and 19 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.





THURSDAY, AUGUST 08, 2007 - Day 4 - Culbin

Culbin is forested sand dunes and was used for the World Relay Championships in 1976. M50L 6.5k with 60m of climb and 19 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.





FRIDAY, AUGUST 09, 2007 - Day 5 - Camerory

Camerory is a new orienteering area and is a mix of pine forest and open hill. M50L was 6.3k with 140m of climb and 11 controls. A misplaced first control resulted in times being taken from control 2 onwards. Fell over in a marsh between 5 and 6 resulting in a muddy (and difficult to read!) map.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.






SATURDAY, AUGUST 10,2007 - Day 6 - Anagach West and Heathfield



Anagach is forested moraines, with a reasonable path network, on the outskirts of Grantown on Spey. M50L was 6.9k with 225m of climb and 22 controls.

Results.
WinSplits.
RouteGadget.
Overall scores.

TAY Local Event - Tentsmuir

Tentsmuir is forested sand dunes on the Fife coast just north of St Andrews. I ran the long course which was 5.2k with 13 controls. I took 37 minutes and lost significant time at number 12 which I mismarked, drawing my circle some 150m too far east.

Results.

Map with my course.



Map with my route.

5 Days of the Fortresses 2007, Italy

The 5 Days of the Fortresses 2007 were based on Folgaria in Trentino, northern Italy. The events took place between 1000m and 1500m above sea level - high enough for many to feel the effects of altitude, but also high enough to be not too hot! At 1000m the forests were a mixture of coniferous and deciduous (mostly beech) trees, whilst at 1300m the forests were entirely coniferous and at 1500m the forests gave way to alpine meadows. Days 1 and 5 were medium length courses whilst days 2, 3 and 4 were normal distances. Day 5 was also a chasing start. As always, the Italian maps, courses and event organisation were excellent; with wonderful assembly/finish areas and a terrific atmosphere generated by the race commentator.

Folgaria - with the event welcome!





SUNDAY, JULY 01, 2007 - Training - Passo Coe Malga Zonta

Passo Coe is at 1600m and is a fantastic area. It was used for the Italian Championships in 2003 - the map shows the M50 course, with my training course in black.





MONDAY, JULY 02, 2007 - Day 1 - Forte Cherle

M50 was 4.9k with 210m of climb and 13 controls, and took me 33 minutes.

Results.
Splits.

Davis Rosen, SROC, the only other British runner on M50; sprinting for the finish.







TUESDAY, JULY 03, 2007 - Day 2 - Forte Cherle

M50 was 5.1k with 230m of climb and 12 controls, and took me 43 minutes.

Results.
Splits.


Toby Imhof, SUI, on the run in.







THURSDAY, JULY 05, 2007 - Day 3 - Lago di Lavarone

M50 was 5.8k with 215m of climb and 15 controls, and took me 51 minutes.

Results.
Splits.

Hazel Dean, FVO, sprinting towards the finish.







FRIDAY, JULY 06, 2007 - Day 4 - Lago di Lavarone

M50 was 5.7k with 245m of climb and 18 controls, and took me 52 minutes.

Results.
Splits.





SATURDAY, JULY 07,2007, - Day 5 - Costa di Folgaria

M50 was 4.9k with 210m of climb and 14 controls, and took me 37 minutes.

Results.
Splits.

Prize giving - alongside Lars Lonnkvist SWE 1st, Francesco Guglielmetti SUI 2nd, Soren Jonsson NOR 3rd and Willi Muller SUI 4th.