Szabó András

Team Championship - in Hungary

Friday, 6. November 2009, 20:17:25

I was still owing one post to the blog and it is nothing else than the Hungarian Team Championships, a competition I ran during the few days I spent in my home two weeks ago. This race was the last O-competition I took serious in this year.
I was really fortunate with the weather, as I got home exactly in the few days when it was really warm, walking almost in a T-shirt. (Now it’s close to same cold weather in Hungary as in Göteborg)
The team championship in Hungary consists of four men running individual courses and times are aggregated. Only few teams have four relatively strong runners but among those there is usually a close race.

As I got more and more used to orienteering here in Sweden I almost forgot how to orienteer when there are no steady stops and go-s. And so is it in south-Hungary. Fast, quite homogenous and relatively easy orienteering.
I began my race relaxed and orienteering never felt difficult, in the whole 85 minutes I can’t really count two minutes mistake. But it was rather my tempo which was bad and low. When I began the course I felt that I do not feel what I’m used to feel when doing my fastest. So (as orienteering wasn't too demanding) I steadily concentrated to try to find the way of moving, the way I’m used to run to go faster. At about the 8th- 9th control I felt I’ve found a better rhythm, (something like shorter steps) but still slower than needed. So I just focused not to miss –I hardly did- and knew this situation with the tempo couldn’t be changed; earliest with good winter trainings or whatever but not on the spot.

I ran almost exactly 85 minutes on the 14,7km which was a fairly average time. Nothing special, but for a team race it was a stable add from my side. The best time was taken by M.Krajcík running just under 5:30/km with 79minutes on his 14,6km (all courses were of nearly same length). To see things as a whole our team didn’t have the best day today. Adam missed a ten minutes long one and Csaba – our new surprise player – missed also over 5 min. On the other hand we had a hero, as Krisztián who – not caring about his painful knee and low condition -completed the course just for us, allowing us to be a complete team.
In the championship we finished 3rd, which I believe was the highest we could reach with our actual team. We just secured our place by under two minutes over the 4th team. After the many ‘peloton’ results in the Swedish district and city races it was nice feeling to have a medal on my neck. But I’m sure I do not want any orienteering for a long time now.

Results, F 21

Csapat (tag) neve Pálya Eredmény
-----------------------------------------------------
1. TTE 347.27
Baracsi Gábor F 21-1 93.19
Bogya Tamás F 21-2 86.55
Lenkei Zsolt F 21-3 81.33
Kerényi Máté F 21-4 85.40

2. MEA 355.08
Harkányi Zoltán F 21-1 92.34
Lévai Ferenc F 21-2 89.31
Domonyik Gábor F 21-3 82.12
Novai György F 21-4 90.51

3. ETC 383.58
Ferenczi Krisztián F 21-1 118.50
Szajkó Csaba F 21-2 91.39
Kovács Ádám F 21-3 88.20
Szabó András F 21-4 85.09

4. MOM 385.27
5. KAL 401.55
6. ARA 402.23

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25manna & 25mannakorten

Wednesday, 14. October 2009, 11:22:42

This year I participated in my first 25manna relay. It was really a great competition, just like 10Mila and Jukola - the feeling at these huge nordic relays in uncomparable.
As I was a first leg runner at 10Mila as well, and finished there with the gap of 3:54, my goal was certainly to go below this. Now, after a though race, I had the gap of 3:09, which is lower, although winning time was lower as well. I had a small mistake at ctrl 4. - at about half a minute, otherwise I did close to my possible best. The tempo was really fast, and I could hardly keep it (1st leg winner D. Andersson had 35:46 on the 7,2-7,4km course, and I still had a time of 38:55 - 5:16 min./km).
My team, the second one of Götebrog Majorna OK finished on the 73th spot. Unfortunately both the 1st and the 3rd team of us had a mispunch leading to disqualification. On the other hand it was amazing that we could stand up 3 teams (75 trained runners!) for the competition. It was really nice to run for the team, and it was motivating to hear those good words after the race. Thank you!
The mass start: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=25manna+2009&search_type=&aq=f

On the seond day of the weekend I took part in 25 mannakorten, a middle distance race. To be honest, I had a really long night before as I couldn't help going out to 25mannafesten, which was also really fun!

But to my surprise I felt I'm able to compete in a fair way. So I completed the 5,7km course - with the time of 38:40 minutes I was 7:33 behind Simonas Krepsta, who won the race by one and a half minute. (I believe he could have been close to top in the Elitserien as well.)
I judge the race good - as I had a good self-confidence after all the Göteborg terrains, here it seemed easier -on the other hand I had a bad route to ctr. 3 (costing a minute) and some more 1-2min. smaller mistakes.
Results of the relay: http://www.25manna.nu
And of my leg: http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/sv/default.asp?page=table&databaseId=12934&categoryId=29
Resultlist of 25 mannakorten: http://www.stockholmrogaining.se/25mannahelper/Resultat25mannakorten20091011.pdf

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Septembers Swedish maps uploaded

Sunday, 27. September 2009, 16:49:05

It's exactly one month for I have been here in Sweden now and I took part in many smaller-bigger competitions in the weekends (almost in every weekend but no SM).
I uploaded my maps to the blog and they are to be found under my 'pictures' galleries. I also added a folder with a few 2009 season pictures.

I found orienteering very though here in Göteborg. It really gives me tasks to improve, every course is a real challenge and there are many well-trained orienteers on every races. To be inside 10% to winners time is a though goal for me on every competition, but I felt race by race that I'm getting in better contact with the terrains. Trainings are very nice, motivating, and all the nearby forests are just waiting for me to run them in the afternoons.

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Analysis of the championship

Friday, 4. September 2009, 16:32:07

It is my whole personality that I like to see things from the positive side not from under. And as the championship had a positive part (sprint) and a rather and edifying part (middle) for me I would begin this summary with the sprint.
I must say I prepared very much for this competition, thinking not only on the many trainings in winter and spring but rather the many sprint trainings on the WOC areas. Maybe too much !

But – as the whole WOC and the areas were so close to my home even some everyday trainings were on the training areas.

Physical part. The whole year I felt I’m in a steady quite all right shape, especially for sprints but I never could say I had a so a peak shape, there wasn’t any point where I could have said – now I improved a level! I mean – on what level I ran on the WOC I already had on the sprint race in Eger, the National Sprint Champs or the Qualification race in June. Nothing more and nothing less. I learned much from the summer, the trainings were good but both phisically and mentally I have to do it better. Physically I didn’t have the balance in my trainings – I had several very strong trainings but the problem was that once I had too many of them and I just got tired and once I had too much rest (several days around jogging with rest days). And after those I didn’t feel better just out of shape. So I also decided that from now on I’ll form my training shedule bit more individually because it is me who knows my body best.

Orienteering part – the previous races. The best to say is that I was quite continuos, steadily quite good races but no peak performances. Technically all the same, on all sprint competitions I was quite much stable, on the National Sprint Ch Quali, on the Eger Sprint and the Woc Quali a bit more – And on the Czech Sprint race and the National Sprint Ch Final a bit less concentrated. ( with a note that on the National Sprint champs final a very good physical shape helped me out) An other note is that both on the Czech sprint race and both the national sprint champs final I missed in the beinning. It was later important.

When I moved to the WOC village I felt it’s all the same as on many races before, I wasn’t in a peak shape, but nevertheless I could say I was not feeling bad or like that. The first terrain intro training on Sat. (actually it was for the middle) went also this way. It was a little bit annoying.
Than I ran the middle qualification race about which I’ll write later – but to the physical part it’s important that I didn't feel the best, my legs were bit torpid..
Than I decided that if so – that I feel not good at all and have four days left till the Sprint Wch (which was on Thursday) why resting three more days? It would be all the same or worse. So on Monday and Tuesday I trained quite like a normal training week with two trainings and some quick sessions. Nothing special but I can say I trained quite brave considering the fact that I was at a World Championship. I felt inside I have to do so.
After an easier Wednesday I felt a bit refreshed and quite fit on Thursday. I wasn’t in a sharp shape (like almost never in the year – I have to work on this) but I returned to what I did many times in the season, I felt I can run ’all right’.

As about the orienteering side. And to analyze the race. In the Qualification I focused much on not having mistakes and doing it in a chilled way. Probably I began even too slow in the downhill but I really wanted to avoid a crash to no.1 as it was a ’dangerous’ downhill. But after I got the sight of the first one and after punching it (1:17 +0:16 *- the gaps in legs I calculated to the third best leg time) I began to feel more calm. As I looked ont he map I saw that there will not be any leg which I cannot solve and just began my flow.

The second one was a long one but not too complicated, I just payed attention not to be too low but and as it was a really white forest I could see far and found the good altitude. (2:41 +0:10)

No. 3 (0:38 +0:02) was easier and than came no.4 where I was again more careful with the map reading (0:41 +0:07).
The 5th was a ’C’ leg, just headed up in the small valley (which was actually a dry ditch there). Here a note: I first felt it’s though in running, the terrain was a bit more deep and it was uphill. (0:43 +0:02)
Also continuing to no.6 there was a climb-out from the valley and it was quite though. When punching the 6th (0:22 +0:03) I had to stop for 2-3 sec. to check the code and the next direction – which I hardly do.
The seventh and eight control I can say ’enjoyed’ it was very white, easy to figure out the contours and found the right re-entrant and spur easily. (0:47 +0:06) and (0:22 +0:01).
To 9 (0:33 +0:01) and 10 (1:13 +0:04) it was again not too complicated, I headed back to the valley where no. 2 was (I also saw it) and to the 10th the large green-meadow area helped. To these controls I had very strong splits 5th 7th and 8th best times in a row.

The 11th control was very important and I also realized it, tried to be very careful. Even after being through the second physical though point (upphill from 10 to the road) I made a plan for this control and it was so that
1 I headed up to the ’main’ road fast (I didn't succeed in it)
2 attacking it as using the urban area for distance estimation (how close I have to be to the bulidings) and
3 counting; I have to run till the second main valley and afterwards it will be on the ridge.
It was there (1:14 +0:10).
The 12th control could have been difficult but I simplified it very well, I just headed up the finish area (checking direction steadily) and the plan was that when I got the sight of the meadow (or actually here it is the fence before 13) I just turn left, identify the road and it has to be there. It came exactly so adding that I even had some luck as it was really close, so there was no need for identification. (1:54 +0:13). Note is – that here I had the third difficult feeling in running, it came to turn out bit as a fight.
To 13 it was really hard to make myself reading it out, I had hard breathing and it was important situation. I saw there should be a left and a right option but as the left came first to my mind I just continued, a bit too much towards the fence but than I found the entrance. And so I navigated till 13. (0:52 +0:09) I really felt I was slow here, but knew it was for others the same and knew also that I didn’t have mistakes which should be OK.

To the sectator control I gained new energy I it helped really a lot. I didn’t know if it was for me or not but I heared tremenduos shouting - and for me this situation is not bothering! it is the best. I had some hesitation in me because I didn’t realize first which tree should be mine but I counted them well. (0:35 +0:02).
The last final loop was tricky with hidden controls. But I kept calm. Maybe I was too slow as I just had a blink ont he splits :O To 15th (0:27 +0:06) and 16th (0:12 +0:02) I just read it and did it. To 17 came probably my largest mistake on the course as I was waiting it too much and early. (0:29 +0:09). Even some minutes after the race I was sure that it clearly came because of raising pulse, I was getting to be tired and that was an uphill. To 18 I was very careful, especially as I heared the crowd again. I used the sand ground nortwest from the control – so the same thing I used towards 19. (I don’t know why this, but this was the first thing I could identify) 18th was 0:22 (+0:02) and 19th was 0:09 (+0:01). Towards the last control (0:10 +0:01) and than to the finish (0:24 – best split) I really did my best. I knew even before the race that I do not have anything to spare – it will be though to get in and so here I screw myself as it should be. I finished on the 13th place in my qualification heat, my finish time was 16:05, the winner, M.Mueller did 14:28 (2nd time only 15:08).

I feel it’s worthy that I've spent this our for this long analysis.. The following thoughts came to my mind:
@ As it came out for me after several championships, I didn't have specific technical problems but-
@ I think I’m a bit too much a defensive orienteer, especially when it comes to important cases. Now I think with even just taking it a little bit more easy I could have spared worthy seconds (f.ex control 1)
@ And for a WOC, I need to be much more athletical, it's not yet a Woc level, considering running.

FINAL

In the afternoon thoughts ran in my mind like - I have nothing to loose, and just 'do what I can'. I tried to do it so but in the afternoon I was more pale. I mean I didn't do any huge mistakes, but the pace I could push was a bit lower than in the morning - and after re-writing this sentence (I'm ready with the analyze) - I must say I had quite many small mistakes in addition.

Actually after an again very slow first control (0:35 +0:08) I pushed quite much towards the second but I've chosen the bit longer route. The rate how many went like me (from under) and how many from the main entrance of the zoo is around 20% - 80%. Who went also right I think it was T.Dlabaja, M.Mueller G.Kerschbaumer but some more. And me. So, it was 2:02 with + 0:23. (I again calculate to 3rd best split times)

Towards ctrl 3. it was very though, I tried to do a fast tempo but I felt - They can be Faster. (1:53 +0:17) I was a bit hesitating inside about the 4th but I've chosen the right way (left). To 5 I still did it right, through the horse-equerry. But than I began to be bit behind myself on the map. To 6th I did what many more - I wanted to run between the two fences but at the outcome I had to turn around. It was clearly an extra 7-8 sec. (0:31 +0:09). The situation is no way better that many did the same, but at least funny.. and some nasty words adressed to Száva - the course setter ! =)
To 7 I did it right, but I couldn't force myself to read out the 8th control carefully and I went on the alredy-known route back, which was slower. (0:19 +0:05)
So, from here the worst part of my final race came, I just simply couldn't read it out well. It has something to do with tiredness as well, or maybe others slowed even more down to read out and than began to spurt.. But what is important I could hardly read out the 9-10 but especially the 11th. I had to stop to find it out, I couldn't see the connection line from 10 to 11! (My picture with the route shows only a plus 3sec., but if I'm honest there were some previous 3 sec-s as well) Control 11 was 0:41 +0:17! From here I got my contact again, and had a strong split to 12 (0:31 +0:02) and still 13 was Ok as well, but down to 14th I had too much hesitation. I lost valuable 10-12 sec. minimum (0:57 +0:15). So altogether we are now at a route loss to control 2 (15 sec.) and two more 10 sec. losses to 11 and 14. (Sum. 35 sec one 3 controls).

From here things began to turn out better, to 15 I had the advantage to run the way I already know (from left) and I even saw the control towards ctrl. 2. (1:47 +0:12) - which split I consider good. To 16 I was very definite and did it on the right way (1:01 +0:06). From here it was more about running, no special problems to 17, 18 and also the last three controls I took in a solid way as well.

To the last control, up on the hill I screw out myself but this time I had not so much in me like in the quali. What I'm proud of is that I saw Martin Johansson coming behind me already at 20th, but I didn't give up and he didn't overtake me. Atl east 0,3 sec. advantage I could keep till the finish line

Anyway I feel big respect to him, not only for this 5th place (which wasn't his best) but what for he did on the relay as well..
I finished 41st in the final with time of 17:57, Andrey Khramov's winning time was 15:10.

So, to be honest this final was a fantastic experience, and it was amazing to compete for such a biig crowd, but regarding the professional facts, this final was not my race. I didn't write about smaller mistakes and hesitations, because it's in, but without those three mistakes it could have been a 30 - 40 secs. better result not counting the physical part.
On the other hand I'm really satisfied that I could run my first World Championship Final. I believe I did close to my best this day and it was a big step for the future.

MIDDLE Qualification

This was the first race of the championsip, on Sunday, two days after our 'arrival' to the Uni Hotel. I prepared much, maybe some would doubt it but I felt so good on middle distance races in the summer, and on many 1:10000 trainings that I saw even a better chance in the middle distance than in the sprint. I analyzed the map so much that I knew it almost better than my own hands. But it showed me that not this is what matters.
I had good feelings before, did a good wam-up and I was standing so confident in the start. I knew where I was on the map what I can expect, I've taken hundreds of controls what can be seen on that map..

I took my map headed towards the start flag and saw the big downhill towards the first control. I didn't have a detailed plan because I was so sure. I spurted down the hill and found the brown C in the valley. I went on the contour to the side of the ridge.. And
And from here I just deleted 5 rows what I was doing. But I can better summarize it: I turned off! Ok, if you do not find it just when you arrive, after a quick relocation it can me max 1 min. But for me: I didn't do any certain things, and didn't began searching myself on the map (although I was very close !!) just.. some panic. But I don't even remember. The best word is the shut down thing.
After four minutes I found my control with the +4 min. started Chris Forne. My power I had before flew out from me, I began to run towards 2, but after that 4 minutes shut off, and climbing up and down everything went off in me. I felt the New Zealand boy running away, I said myself I cannot lag behind, so that I have +4. But I felt the best would be to leave this whole place but I did it,only from heart. I followed him till no.3, but than I gave up and continued alone, it was a very nice forest, and all the controls I took so easily.. It was really a pity. The 5th was a bit tricky I had a very good direction and was heading to it and than I saw the NZ boy from the left and Emil Wingstedt from the right coming. Both had a mistake here so I catched up with them. From here till 10 we went together, from 7 it was rather following as they seemed to be more and more far. To 11 I already had to do it alone, and from here I made my own race till the finish. No mistakes but I had just what I felt from no.1 - no mental and physical power.. Like if the battery is taken out. Many say that if you had a big mistake you shouldn't give up. I knew it and I also didn't want to give up. Just it was pretty hard to do anything after this first control. On the race you've prepared so much. Especially so as I still do not know what exactly and why I did on that hillside. I finished 23th, my 34:16 on the 5,1km was 8:05 behind the winner and only 3:05 from the qualifying. But it does not have any sense to count the minutes, it was not 100% me today on the course.

As an after-competition analyze many said and I personally think as well that the load on my back could have been the reason. There has been doubts about my place in the middle team as well and wanted to show it really, but probably not this mainly. Mainly it was my first Woc race, a first woc start on home ground and the stress was just a bit more strong than me. I learned what I should from this, but maybe it had to happen so and so that I know this side of me I'll be a better orienteer in the future. The day of the sprint on the 20th August gave back everything this competition took away from me.

4th September, Göteborg

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Början av livet i Göteborg

Wednesday, 2. September 2009, 22:30:44

Last week on Thursday I moved to Göteborg - for a half year long study -and orienteering- semester. I'm going to study at Handelshögskolan under the Göteborg University. In orienteering I found very friendly hands at Göteborg Majorna OK, and I've just joined the first trainings and small competitions! So fine is everything here! On the Tuesday training we were at least 40, it was amazing to do a warm up with so many together. The city is beautiful, there are many trees, people are calm and cars stop at the crosswalk..

These next are my first maps - and this is just the first 4 days! It is a paradise !!
As some comments to them - the first map is a club championship just on the day I arrived - so from Thursday. It went quite Ok technically, probably I was enough tired to slow down from the night journey. But - the other two maps - weekends district championships medel and lång - were rather a chaos for me. I missed more than anywhen in the year. But I feel it had to happen so, it was a good adventure and lession for the forthcoming weeks.

Sista veckan på Torsdag flyttade jag till Göteborg. Dessa kartor är mina första tävlingar/ träningar. Alla blev liten chaotisk efter 3 monader träning bara på ungerska terränger, men det ska bli mycket-mycket bättre. Klubben Göteborg Majorna OK är jätte vänlig till mig, allt är jättebra. Träningen vid Skatås är super, varje Tisdag kommer cca. 50 till träningen.
Här är kartor - Varsågod Csaba!

Och för alla som är litet intresserad..

Club championship - medeldistans

District championship - medeldistans

District championship - långdistans

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The world championship

Sunday, 23. August 2009, 17:52:07

After todays long distance final and before the closing banquet I couldn't help writing a bit about the past week. The championsip gave me three opportunities to run, two of them I consider good and one to be rather as good lesson. The especially good run was the sprint qualification, where I kept my mind cool and in the tricky forest sprint I completed the course almost clear - letting me qualify to my first world championship final! Than it was amazing what feelings the final gave to me. The home cheering crowd and all the special circumstances of running a Woc final was for me something as crowning all my 10 years I have done orienteering. As keeping me to the previous thoughts the final was Ok but in the physical part I really felt a bit gap in the sunny afternoon. I didn't fail as I didn't have any major mistakes but in the zoo I couldn't keep on my flow and among the tricky short controls I've lost altogether about half a minute. My final placement is 41, let's keep this lower and lower in the next years! The feeling was amazing. The middle qualification was an other race, I missed a really great to the first control and I didn't have a chance to qualify after that. It's a bit pity because without that I counted as could have been in.
I really prepare to write in the next days a longer analysis about the three races with maps and routes. But now I continue my duty and it is now to have a good time in the evening.. =)

And on Wednesday? Destination Göteborg! - for half a year

23rd August

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Destination: WOC 2009!

Wednesday, 1. July 2009, 22:13:25

After a long spring with many competitions and training camps and after last weeks final selection races it came official that I will participate in the World Championships! I'm proud to be member of this Team and I believe Hungary can gain best ever results in our WOC history. The men’s team consists of Ádám Kovács, Zsolt Lenkei, Csaba Gösswein, István Zsebeházy, Gábor Domonyik, Zoltán Dénes and me. As my strongest distance I will run the sprint together with Zsolt and Isti, and it is a honour for me to be reserve behind names like Adam, Doma and Csabi Gösswein for the middle distance. Girls team consists of Éva Makrai, Ildikó Szerencsi, Detti Kelemen, Ágnes Simon, Eszter Őry and Fanni Gyurkó.

I will prepare as my best, no school disturbing, many good forests in the Bükk and we have a good team atmosphere. From tomorrow on I will participate in yet another training camp in the Bükk (probably my 8th or 10th this year here =) in a smaller but rather professional squad. We will do precise technical elements trainings, aiming for example on running on contour or green controls etc. I will do many fast trainings - mostly in forest and speeding on athletic track. I want to beat my 15:50 from last year on 5k even so that the race will be in forest.

The summer is on, 50 days are left and the cart keeps going...

And for some fun to laugh me out: I've never been a pro in computer matters nor with computer games - but I tried to do a background picture for the top of the blog (even this was hard work for me=). Here is the original one (at least it will stand here) and you can see the sad results on the top... =)

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The cart keeps going

Monday, 15. June 2009, 11:58:21

In the past three weeks much orienteering and much excitement happened to me. Unfortunately I couldn’t participate at the Jukola but rather at many map trainings and smaller competitions here, in Hungary. The first weekend I have to write about is the Borsod Cup & Herman Memorial weekend if I go in order from the Sprint Championship.

That weekend wasn’t going as I planned. Sunday’s Borsod Cup was the only qualification race for the World Championship middle distance and frankly to say – I didn’t succeed. I could take it more easy if I would have run my best and even so I wouldn’t have been enough. But I did rather my year’s worst. On the wee bit too long course and in the heavy rainfall I just couldn’t cope with the circumstances, was deconcentrated and missed where it’s possible to miss. I would say 6, if I’m strict 7 minutes mistake. The funny or rather annoying is that my 51 minutes ont he 6,6km course was even close to ’qualify’ time. But compared to other nations – the Chechs it is very far, M.Smola won the race by 41 minutes time. Results can be found here: http://diosgyoritc.hu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=85
The relay went better – but it was really not my weekend – as a 2nd leg runner after closing up to the leaders on 85% of the course – in the last small loop I missed 2’30” to short leg (3rd last control) and came only with an average time. (time 46:56, other 2nd runners ~ 45:00) – but among the first runners Gernot Kersch. had an impressive 39 minutes.

On the next weekend (6th – 7th June) – in the middle of two planned demanding weeks I participated at Nógrád Grand Prix with the goal of having map trainings. It is much higher level to do it with SI and new maps so I didn’t want to run my own alone training this weekend. On Saturday it was long distance where I gained positive feelings. The course was only 11,5km (with 500 climb) but it lead through demanding steep/ rocky or greener areas. In my childhood I was never a good runner on such courses, I was simply not enogh strong. But this year I improved a level I believe and had a strong speed in the demanding parts. Unfortunately the bad luck (to be more serious: bad concentration) continued from the last weekend and I missed to only one control a big one - 3’30”.
So my result was 83 minutes - on the third place behind Zsebe (79’) and Józsa G (81’).
After this race I really had the thoughts that I must to take this mistake thing out from my orienteering – these were really annoying races (the past three) – I was feeling physically strong and weak in mind – and previously it was always more the opposite.

Sunday’s race was the most ideal race to train for concentration. I would rather say the best concentration training in my life (even so that I had the opportunity to run some good idea trainings to improve concentration in the past two years). It was the first Orientathlon competition in Hungary! (or in the world?!) A splendid idea from Dani Pelyhe and a superb organisation work by club SDS. So I took part in the race and took it very serious to concentrate. And it proved right what I felt in the previous day – if I do not miss I can run at a very good level. I won the race ahead of Józsa G and Zsebe. I felt confident in technique and kept on going phisically in all the uphills. (It was a very hilly course, 4,6km/ 320 climb!).
(To understand the Orientathlon idea: It’s a bit like biathlon + orienteering – a mass start race where everybody runs his own forked course but the forked controls are placed very close to each other and without codes - you have to decide which is yours – being allowed to puch only one control in a branch. After one course (loop) you have to run as many penalty laps in the finish area (150 m) as many controls you punched wrong. The race consisted of three such loops (altogether 16 such micro – forked controls)
I ran only 1 penalty loop, to write it like biathletes do my result was 0-1-0.
Map:

(more: http://nogradnagydij.hu/eredmenyek.html )
And here is a small video how I ran into the finish =) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD1Wr8-sh1I

On the past weekend – after finishing all my exams at the university I ran our own club trainings in the Bükk together with a county race on Sunday morning. The three days looked like so:

Friday afternoon: ETC control loop - 5x the 3km loop – it was 15km/750 m climb 100% on terrain. It was very demanding, steep uphills and in the deepest hillside where the loop runs on contour a newly made fallen tree area made it extrem difficult. My time was 89:45 (with two minutes sitting after hitting my head into a tree and couldn’t stand up :O)
Saturday morning we ran a sprint on one of the WOC training areas – Berekalja. The course set by my coach proved to be a bit extrem again, 1400m with 110m climb running fully on the hillside on the 1:4000 map. I managed to come out from the forest with 12:03. I believe a word class time could be at around 10 minutes. I had a mistake to control 6, ( 45”?) but it was really difficult, we were searching small ribbons and the control was a small pit.

In the afternoon we ran on the map Tekenős – the area of Borsod Cup two weeks before. The landscape was simply beautiful. We ran a ’star’ training, from one finish/start: 10 courses were set each 600- 1100m. I ran 7 courses.
Sunday morning we ran the Borsod county middle distance championship – the course quality was unfortunately lower, on the 5,3km/270m climb course there were only 11 controls. Some intresting route choices to controls 1,5 and 9 made it intresting and I consider it was a good map training and at least good terrain running again. I did 34:14 on the course, it was quite hilly, second time was Balabás P. 38 minutes.
In the afteroon we ran a very good quality sprint training at Miskolc-Tapolca, running mainly in the hillside and a bit down in the park. The course was 1860/90m - I did 12:30. These numbers I cannot judge but what I can is that now I didn’t have mistakes and found a good rythym for the forest controls. With this taining I completed two physically demanding weeks.

After Wednesday’s physical control I will compete at the National Middle & Relay Championship on the weekend and after that on the Sprint & Long Qualification races for the WCh.

15. June 2009.

2 comments

National Sprint Championship - The first...

Sunday, 17. May 2009, 19:43:44

This weekend I competed at the National Sprint + Team Championship at Komló ~ Pécs. I was suffering from a virus disease at my stomach the whole week so even participation was a question until Thursday - Friday. Than I first felt better and could run something.
But what a good decision! I had a great day on Saturday.

There was a qualification in the morning and than the final at 2 o'clock(p.m.) - separate from other classes (they started from 3 p.m.) The qualification was just a gearing up for the final - there was no question to get through - only if some huge mistake (few fast runners). I used it also for some practice, after I didn't push the first part so hard I tried to speed up a bit closer to the end. It was anyway a very good course (maybe it was even of better class than the final because it lead through forest in the first part and only the 2nd part was in urban area). For Woc it's of high importance to do forested sprints good!
So I didn't feel tired at all after the quali, although my result was strong. I knew so I'm in good shape. It is clearly because of the much rest due to my sickness during the week. My result was 14:34 (1.) Zsolt 14:38 (2.) Szundi A. 16:08 (3.) Course: 2,7k/50m/20C.

"Life is like a box of chocolates..." as it comes from Forest Gump - and so was the final for me. I didn't do my best race at all but I could reach my life's best result on a senior national championship - now at this time. I came home with a bronze medal!

Analysis

Details of my race: I had a bad beginning. At the first three 'forest' controls I lost 31 sec to the current leader, Zsolt /some 25 sec to an optimal time. In the first route choice I went to the left which was I think close to equal but I was quite slow in the uphill. (time-2:29, Kovács-2:08 Józsa-2:15 Lenkei-2:21) Controls 5 and 6 were average. At 6th I had 5:38. (Józsa-4:52, Lenkei-4:59 Kerényi-5:05)
Here I realized I need much more if I want something!

And so I began to what is really my best. I won a long leg (control 8 - 1:47) and than had close strongest times in all longer legs. (control 12: 1:39, winner: Józsa-1:35) (control 14: 1:04, winner Józsa-1:01).

Small statistic -a part which is important in my race-
From control 6 till control 15 (spectator) /1620m/:
My time was 7:55 (2.) (Winner, Gábor Józsa 7:39)
But, 3. Kovács-8:22, Zsebe-8:24, Lenkei-8:27 and Kerényi with 9:03.

So I think this part helped to come back to the race. The last tricky 3 minutes were on a hilly park with bushes, quite technical. Especially at a last part of a race! I began to feel very tired but I concentrated not to miss. I didn't have special good times but I did it in a solid way.
From control 15 till finish: I had 2:38 (=2.)
Winner Kerényi! 2:36, Józsa 2:38 (=2.), Lenkei 2:39 Kovács 2:39. (=3.)

So when I finished and heared that I'm third I felt very glad. I was not thinking about that bad beginning but now it was good to think it a bit through. I try to change what should be changed before the Czech sprint race next weekend and the forthcoming Woc qualifiers.

Result:

F21A (24) 3.0 km 110 m 19 ep

1 158 Józsa Gábor 83 TSE Törekvés SE 15:09
2 168 Lenkei Zsolt 88 TTE Tipo Tájfutó és Környezet 16:05
3 113 Kovács Ádám 86 ETC Egri Testedzõ Club 16:11
3 183 Szabó András 88 ETC Egri Testedzõ Club 16:11
5 133 Zsebeházy István 85 MOM Hegyvidék SE-MOM Tájfutó 16:18
6 156 Kerényi Máté 88 TTE Tipo Tájfutó és Környezet 16:44
7 120 Lévai Ferenc 74 MEA Miskolci Egyetemi Atlétik 17:26
8 164 Szundi Attila 80 DTC Diósgyõri Tájfutó Club 17:58

Here a picture with Adam from the winter work. He didn't have his best race now, but I'm proud to stand on his side.

Yet I do not have the technique, so I cannot put up the map. But I put up here he one of Isti:

17. May

5 comments

10Mila 2009 – Första sträcka

Tuesday, 21. April 2009, 17:25:39

I had the opportunity to compete at the legendary 10Mila for the second time in my life – after last years anchor leg now as a first leg runner. I had the experience from Jukola 2008 how to handle such a huge mass start so I felt quite relaxed compared to that – only annoying things were the two narrow stone wall crossings after about 50 and 70 meters of the mass start place. Thanks God I could pass them – I thought I’m quite in the middle but I almost crashed to the left side even so.

But – not wanted to get lost in the small details: how the race actually was: Although I had still some knee injury after last weekends Postás Cup in my home, Hungary – I felt I can run the course – after resting from Monday till Wednesday - on Thursday I could already jog, Friday slower-faster run and Saturday’s morning jogging was already quite Ok. So after taking some painkiller to be sure (Burana) and some 20 minutes warm-up I was standing confident on the 68th position of the start line at 21h 30.

Sander – who is newly my clubmate in Rajamäen Rykmentti said that the first row was quite polite but to be honest the two athletes standing on the start line neighboring me (bib 67 and 69) weren’t that at all. Rather the other side. But I didn’t care, somehow I tried to stand close to my map – and listened – 30 sec, 15 sec.. and right after it: Boom. So it was a quite surprising false start but I began to spurt – just as everybody did. I didn’t try to overtake just tried not to fall, I saw some guys on the ground. We headed into the forest.

Till control 1:
Big mass heading into the forest somewhat to north-west but I couldn’t yet check my map normally, I saw ctrl 1 is quite far, I only tried to improve my position I could have been at about place 100. When we reached a road 80% continued left, only some right, I had to slow down a bit checked my first ctrl again and headed forward to the left. Here a big tempo loss by many of them, I could overtake much, and after heading into the green to the west I also cut some places. But still not much map work… I wasn’t sure what I’m doing but my senses said it has to be much forward and the direction was Ok. Quite much before my control (111) I saw the others taking a big boulder and also a bit too to the right. I don’t know why I checked it (113) and continued my way. Only good in it was that from here I began my map work and was sure of my pos. (although at least 20-25 sec. loss). Going from here straight to my first I punched it at 7:41, just almost 1 min behind the top, times were from 6:42 6:43 6:47 and so..

Till spectator 1:
Actually I wasn’t really in a big bunch, I could safely move and was heading towards ctrl 2, and thanks God now with map work. I saw a biig mass coming from the right on the meadow, it was the group coming from 113 towards 112. Hm. Again I’m too much in details.
So from here I was doing quite good work, I couldn’t improve physically up in the guys around me, but didn’t miss to to 2,3,4,5 and so on I think all the way from here till spectator. To 154, so my 8th control I found myself quite lonely we were just few guys but I was sure of position, was sure of tempo so I knew it cannot be a problem, just many around me had different forking. And it was so as written, on the way to 106, so my ninth ctrl a biig group hit me from the left, so lead their forking to my way. From here again big snake, just checking if I’m right way and not. I reached fast my 12th, the spectator control. Didn’t drink, punched 13th.

Till second spectator:
Out from here I was pretty careful, I knew it will be forking and took 115 (my 14th) in a safe but fast way. I saw here many having mistakes. From here to 59 I did the way as all other, so from the left – avoiding the large green area. From here until second spectator control (97) tempo raised, and easier area came of fast runnability. Here I felt I can just hardly keep the pace, but I tried to spurt. Especially to 124 we were really fast. On the way here I met Gábor, my Hungarian friend whom with we changed our next two codes. Same, no surprise. Now at the table I see until 97 there was no forking.

Last part:
In the last part I was careful, to 159 I needed quite much self orienteering, because many in front of me going rather to 117 and others doing a mistake. Than from here to 163 and 50 (20th and 21st ctrls) I used quite much the others and they lead me pretty well. To my 22nd, so to 147 I began to feel I can just hardly keep the pace but continued to read the map, I took it confident. Here I saw Kody again. But as heading to the last real task, the 23rd I found some guys are a bit too far and I am quite alone, I also didn’t see Kody, just two Swiss guys in the middle of the leg having some mistake – disturbing a bit my flow. But I continued and the large open area helped. I took the last two controls quite alone, I just saw that group some 20 sec. in front of me but I got stucked in the green area to 24 – loosing some valuable seconds. To 25 and finish I tried to spurt, and I changed my teammate Pyry at +3:57 and exactly 50th. The course was 13k, 'best Zeit' was 71 minutes, my finish punch 75:17.

I was very happy to have almost a clear race in my back. I can say I did my best this evening, that was it. I’m not yet a usual Scandinavian night-relay orienteer, but I used all my skills. After cheering for the others some 1,5 h more I went back to have some sleep. At 5h in the morning I woke up with a good and a bad news. I was sad that unfortunately our 1st team seemed to be not able to repeat last years brilliant performance. But was glad that my friend Mate sent me and Sms that he ran the Longa Natten very well.
Finally we came 62th, thank you all the teammates! The first team came 13th. Although they didn’t repeat the last year’s one but several performances equaled word class level and this placement is also great. I’m glad that I could be again part of the Team. Looking forward to many though races in Scandinavia soon (especially in the autumn) and also fighting at the Hungarian selection races early June.

21.Apr.