Monday, February 13, 2012 10:43:46 AM
orienteering
I've been coaching various national teams (here in Israel) for almost 20 years. A couple of months ago I was asked to take charge of the senior team again, and despite the fact that I have limited spare time I agreed to take the job, initially until WOC 2013.
Coaching the team here is a part-time job (currently paying about 5% of my main salary), so I have to do my best in training sessions on weekends, and keeping up with the team at national events and through their training reports. I set myself two important goals:
1. Improve. Look at everything I did in the past as a coach, and try to do it better. The emphasis here is on quality, not quantity (for which I don't have the time). For example, I held a training camp this weekend, and tried to make every session as interesting as possible, using new tricks to keep the team alert and make them think fast and concentrate.
2. Create a team culture. As in "Corporate Culture" (תרבות ארגונית). This has been missing in the past, mainly because we never had continuity in the team when progressing from season to season. I think I communicated what I mean by this to the athletes over the weekend, but writing it in a blog is more difficult. The main idea is to set certain standards, for both the individuals and the team, and maintain them over a long period.
We have a generation gap in the national team at the moment - of eight athletes in the weekend's training, there were none between the ages of 20 and 30! Most will never be good enough to represent us in international competitions, but if they conform to a certain standard and behave like elite orienteers, they'll stay on the team. In 2-3 years we'll have an influx of promising young men from the junior team, and I hope that when they arrive we'll have a sound team culture in place for them.
A relocation exercise in pairs: One orienteer leads with the map, the other follows him without a map. The leader stops at any point within the large circle, gives the map to the follower, and he has to find the control.
Sunday, February 5, 2012 11:07:17 AM
orienteering
Yesterday there was a national event at Ilaniya, on a beautiful sunny day (it's been raining all January), so we took little Alon with us and split our starts - I ran early, and Roni started after I returned.
I like running in an (almost) empty forest, but obviously finding controls can be easier when there are more orienteers around. My course is here - I finished 6.8 km in 65:16 (3rd place in H40). I had a few small misses, and one larger one at control 6.
When I reached the area of control 6, and knowing that I was very close, I found a control with a different number. Because I know the rules, and our planners usually abide by them, I started thinking that this was probably my control, and the number was wrong. However, I wasn't sure (some of the surroundings didn't fit), so I tried to attack again, got to the same spot, but went deeper into the forest and then found my control, losing 3 minutes in the process.
1. My control description was "between a cliff and a rock". When I found it I just saw it sitting under a cliff.
2. The other control description was "cliff foot".
3. On the map, there are 35 metres between them.
4. The standard IOF rules say: "Controls on different courses placed too close to one another can mislead runners who have navigated correctly to the control site... controls shall not be sited within 30 metres of each other ... Only when the control features are distinctly different in the terrain as well as on the map, should controls be placed closer than 60 metres..."
These were two similar controls, both on the map and in the terrain. They were definitely too close. I can't say for sure that I would have lost less time if the second control wasn't there, and I'm not complaining about my result, but rules are there for a reason.
As far as I know, there were a number of disqualifications for mispunching in this race, not necessarily at this control. I know where some of the other close control pairs were, and they were perfectly legal. But if someone was DISQ'd at one of these controls, his result should stand.
Sunday, January 15, 2012 10:48:37 AM
orienteering
Yesterday there was supposed to be a national event at Srigim, but it was postponed because of the rain. This hasn't happened here for a while, and the issue raised quite a furore in our discussion forum, but I can understand the two main reasons:
1. The safety of the organisers, especially on Friday, when it was pouring all day.
2. Financial reasons: in this weather there would have been 300-350 participants, on the new date in April there will be 500+ (assuming there is no heatwave/rain!).
Our whole weekend was already planned around the orienteering, and just as I was digging in my archive for good training maps in the area, some nutcases from ASA Tel-Aviv club decided to do the same and set up a training event on a map of a score event from 3 years ago. So we went. I was actually surprised that only about 20 people showed up. The terrain was very wet, but perfectly runnable, and most of our run it didn't rain, but it started pouring just as we finished.
I started 4-5 minutes after Roni and caught her at control 20, which is probably why I lost my concentration after that. The course was challenging, and it was fun running in the forest. Thanks to Pavel Levitsky and Alex Lipovich for setting out the controls!
Monday, January 9, 2012 11:15:34 AM
orienteering
On Saturday the whole family went orienteering. It was a local event at Har Shaul, so Roni ran the competitive event (a 2-hour score course), and I used the excuse of not being fully recovered from a knock to my thigh to take the children on the family course.
Ayala (now 8 years old) did most of the orienteering. This is the best way for children to learn, and I think she enjoys both the map-reading, the hiking, and being outside in the woods. However, she's not really an athletic girl, and a bit dreamy, so she probably won't go for competitive orienteering in the future. That's actually not a problem - in 5 years she'll be taking Alon on the family course, so that both Roni and myself can compete (there's some flawed logic here - find it...).
Alon (7.5 months) is a happy, uncomplaining, and alert child, who loves being outside (and pulling hair, as can be seen in the picture). And he has genes from two Israeli champions. He enjoyed the first half of the course (before he fell asleep), leaning out of his carrier, looking around, and banging on my shoulder all the time. Potentially he'll be running H13 by the age of 10, but we'll have to wait and see.
Sunday, December 25, 2011 11:15:12 AM
orienteering
Yesterday we had a national event in Park Hasharon (this map is now called "the marshes of Hadera", but there are no marshes there nowadays, even in this rainy season). I had to rush to a family occasion, so I started early and ran almost alone in the terrain - very runnable sand dunes with lots of bushes, mapped very accurately in 1:7,500. In my opinion the orienteering was easy, due to the high quality of the map, but the challenge was to maintain full concentration and speed throughout the course - every leg except 12-13 required constant map contact, and missing even one large bush could be costly.
I had an almost perfect run (45:05 for 5.9km), with tiny losses of time only at controls 2 and 9, and won H40 by a second. I'm especially satisfied with my running ability - my legs weren't fresh because I ran on both Thursday and Friday, and I'd lost a week of training during the last cycle (of 3 weeks between national events) due to army duty.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:05:38 AM
orienteering
Yesterday we ran a long orienteering event - something quite rare here in Israel. It was held on last year's Rogaine map at 1:25,000, and included three courses: half-marathon (21.1km optimal route), third-marathon (14.1km), and quarter-marathon (10.6km).
Roni and I ran the medium (third) course together for fun. Our route was 15.15km, on a straight line course of 11.7km with 510m climb, and took 2:06:04. The orienteering was mostly quite boring, but running together was fun and the forest is very nice at this time of the year. Our route is here.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 10:50:23 AM
orienteering
I finished 4th in yesterday's national event at Tel Govel, and I'm happy about it. The competition in H40 this year is ferocious - in four national events, we've had nine different people in the top three, with no-one more than twice, and with 7 events out of 11 counting for the final rankings I expect a long and tough season. I'm already at a disadvantage, because I missed the last two races (through organising them), but that's just pushing me to try harder.
Here's a small table with the placings in the first four races, to illustrate the situation:
My route from yesterday is here. The race was too physical for my liking (5% climb), but that's just part of the challenge. I lost time on the long leg (10-11), by not finishing it properly on the single-track leading to the control, and at control 15 by attacking the area instead of the control, and not seeing the small path to the north.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 6:15:12 AM
orienteering
Wednesday
7:30 I meet Ziv at a gas station, and we set off in the ISOA van to Odem forest. Ziv is the secretary-general of our federation, and he planned the first day of the event. We're placing the controls for Friday. The forecast is gloomy - today is rainy, Friday is supposed to be slightly better, and Saturday worse. Cancellation is not an option.
8:30 Ziv has prepared the controls in small piles, by area. We set out into the forest in a drizzle - there is almost no mud, and the control placing goes quickly. His marking tapes are all on high branches ("to keep the animals from eating them"), so we have extra work moving them lower down so they don't disclose the controls.
9:20 While jogging back from a set of controls, an large gazelle (I think) goes past me at very high speed. Magnificent!
10:15 We finish Friday's controls, and drive to Saturday's assembly area to look around. The track leading there is in good shape despite the rain. The area is a group of empty artillery emplacements (for use only in an emergency), and we decide on the final placing of the tents and the finish line. We also decide to place 9 of Saturday's controls while we are here - the ones furthest away from the assembly. Ziv wants to take pictures of some controls in the forest, but in the end we forget.
13:00 I'm already back at work, and reporting on the situation on the website. Maybe it's called the "Middle East Championships", but the terrain and climate are definitely European.
Friday
7:00 We leave home with an overloaded car: Alon (6 months old), Roni (competing in D21A), and myself (main organiser). We'll be sleeping in a "Zimmer" (B & no B) tonight (it's too far to drive there and back twice), so we have half the house with us.
8:30 Arriving at the assembly area - Ziv and some of our club members have already set everything up, and it looks like we'll be having a relatively dry day. He's not entirely happy with one of the controls from Wednesday, so I set out to check, and have a look at some others as well, to make sure they haven't been stolen (not much chance in this weather). Beautiful forest.
9:30 Roni sets out on her course (the official starts are from 10:00), and I'm in charge of Alon, who is bundled up in 3-4 layers of clothing but looks happy. Orienteers from other clubs are streaming into the assembly field.
10:00 Roni appears at the spectator control - we're both there, urging her on. She's not training regularly (she runs when she feels like it), but her time is fast and she's in a good mood.
10:30 Roni has finished in under 9 mins/km and taken charge of Alon. I strap the headcam onto my head and set out into the forest to see what's happening. There are orienteers streaming in all directions, mostly the right ones, and I pick people at random and run after them with the camera for a short distance. It's good interval training.
12:30 Back at the assembly area, lots of orienteers have finished and enjoyed Ziv's courses and my map. I emphasize that tomorrow is tougher, and organise the master maps and controls for the other two control placers from my club - Eyal and Dan G. Meanwhile, I'll take Roni and Alon to the lodging and return to place the remainder of the controls, and the other club members will take care of wrapping up today's event.
13:45 As I drive back into the forest I see Eyal and Dan's cars in logical places on the main track, so I know they're at work. I also see a small tent in one of the artillery emplacements - I discover that three of our ex-Russian orienteers are saving on the accommodation costs and camping out! Obviously the Golan Heights in winter is nothing compared to the conditions where they grew up.
14:15 Near the top of the hill, a pile of controls in hand, I meet a small pack of wolves. Really. When they see me, they get up and wander away. I'm glad that I have these metal control stands with me - they might be useful as weapons, just in case...
15:15 Dan G. reports a problem with control 32 - he thinks the marking tape is on the wrong tree. I promise to check it in the morning. I'm already back at our lodgings, 15 minutes drive away.
Saturday
8:30 We arrive back at the assembly area, in thick fog and light rain. Alon is sleeping, and I head off with a car down the main track to put out the drinks controls and check on no. 32. I move the control by about 10 meters - I suspect that I changed the planned location slightly when checking the course, but forgot to update it on the computer.
9:20 Roni sets off again, and I'm in charge of Alon. This time I have lots of help from all the lady orienteers around us, and he loves the attention, so I can leave him and wait for Roni at the spectator control in the rain. She passes through (and finishes) on time, with a good result.
11:30 I'm tracking orienteers with the headcam in the forest again, and the weather is getting worse, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. At times, the fog is so thick that you can't see the last control from the finish, 90m away. And the light rain is getting heavier.
12:45 Roni has won D21A, and also beaten all of my category - H40. Orienteers are arriving at the finish, drenched but smiling. European terrain and conditions, as promised.
13:15 Nearly everyone is back after a tough race, and we decide to cancel the prize-giving ceremony and hold it on some other occasion. I parcel out blocks of controls to be collected by club members, and then I'm left with 4 controls at the top of the hill. I set out at a sprint in a downpour, and as I reach the top it turns into hail (note for the future - oak trees are useless as protection against hail). I run back with the controls down a dirt track, which has turned into a river.
14:15 With an extremely well-behaved Alon as our excuse, we head home before all the controls and equipment are collected. On the way we are informed that all is finished, and another event is safely over.
I've worked over two years on the map of Odem forest, and this was a fitting climax. We were unlucky with the weather, but still over 300 orienteers participated in two days of unforgettable orienteering, and everyone finished safely.
Undoubtedly, the best part of organising an event is when the orienteers are finishing, confirming that no controls were misplaced or stolen, and saying a good word or two about the map and/or courses. To all of them I can say: It's my pleasure!Maps and comments from various orienteers:
Zeff SegalItay Manor (in Hebrew)Ronen Shurer (in Hebrew)Guy Sabo (in Hebrew)Gilad Ayali's movie (Roni and Alon are at 1:15)
Monday, November 7, 2011 11:16:27 AM
orienteering, mapping
I've finished mapping the second part of Odem forest, and all is ready for a two-day event in two weeks time. Here is a map sample:
The timing of the event has caused me to do some thinking. The terrain is unique, probably the best in Israel, and definitely attractive for foreign orienteers. My original plan was to use it for the Israeli Championship, which is traditionally held in the second half of February and attracts 50-100 visitors from abroad, but the weather in that period is too risky (at 1000m above sea level...) so it would have had to be moved to March, but then the foreigners might not have come because their season has started, so the ISOA (our federation) decided to have the championship somewhere else. At least now I can participate!
Our second two-day event is the Winter Cup, usually held in late December - again, not an option because of the weather. So this year there is no Winter Cup, and the Odem event in mid-November is called the "Middle-East Championships". However, Odem is far away from most parts of Israel, so nearly everyone needs lodgings between Friday and Saturday, all the camping sites close at the end of October because it's too cold, and there are very few other cheap options.
Problem - we have this fantastic terrain, and we want to use it. Solution - next time, hold a two-day event (or three?) in the summer. Our season usually runs from October to May because of the heat, but Odem is much cooler, so we can hold an event in September or June and still enjoy it. There are various camping grounds in the area, and you can also just pitch a tent in the forest (I always find someone doing it when I arrive in the morning for mapping). And between the races there's sightseeing in the Golan Heights. But the foreigners, I fear, will come only for training during their off-season. Or maybe not...
Sunday, October 30, 2011 8:25:23 PM
orienteering
Yesterday's national event was the first time I had raced (as opposed to running for fun) since February, and it was an opportunity to see how competitive I can be this season. I did quite well, finishing third in H40, 3 minutes behind the winner, but I don't have the split times yet in order to analyse the performance of my competitors, so I'll try to give an honest analysis of my own situation:
1. I'm back at competitive fitness and running uphill very well, but I'm still too slow in general and in order to overcome that I have to work hard on my anaerobic capacity.
2. I need to practice my rough compass work.
3. My orienteering is good, when I make a technically sound plan and execute it, which is most of the time. Once in a while I just throw myself in the direction of the control (lack of concentration?) and waste time unnecessarily. Controls 12 and 19 are good examples of this.
4. I may not win the rankings this year, but whoever does will have to work very hard in order to do so. In my opinion there are 6-7 of us who can win H40 on a given day, and that makes for a tough category.
My route, on a very well planned course, is here. I lost some time due to my own mistakes, but more because control 7 was hidden in a pit (the map shows a rather large cliff) and control 13 was both in the wrong place and in a badly mapped area (3 minutes at least). I don't know how my competitors did at these controls, but Roni was running the same course in D21A and lost time at 7 for exactly the same reason.
My Opera
