WOC Middle Distance
Thursday, 23. August 2007, 08:22:19
I ended in 6th position, last podium position. For me this was a dream coming true and more than I could have expected. Both my performance and result were personal records. I didn’t miss much and managed to run fast during the whole course despite the hot weather.
Here is a summary of my race:
1-2: I didn’t push too hard in the beginning just to get a good feeling. The small tracks made it difficult to the read the contour lines. Not before I had taken the two first controls I increased my speed - still without loosing contact with the map.
3-6: The next few controls were easier as the forest opened up. I planned every leg in advance and ran with self-confidence. Contour line orienteering is my favorite! I enjoyed this part very much.
7: On the long leg I looked for options to the left and right, but I chose to run straight. My tactic was to pass on top of all the highest hills along the way. During this leg I got stuck in some tick bushes and knew I had lost some time.
8-9: These controls were placed in the bottom of pits. I had forgotten about WOC and ran fast.
10-12: I used paths on all these legs together with accurate compass direction. I had still 100% control of my position at all times.
Passing the arena is critical for the mental balance...: Emil Wingstedt once told me a trick to lower the stress level. He runs more slowly and enjoys the atmosphere when he passes an arena. You seldom get a chance to enjoy spectators like this! I wanted to try his tactic and keep my speed down. Still I ran quite fast - but I had a nice feeling when I entered the forest again.
The speaker announced my position. I tried to shut my ears.
13-14: My physical capacity has definitely improved lately. On these legs I ran faster than ever without loosing my brain.
15: My only direction mistake. I wanted to run straight but ended up on the left side of the little hill in the slope.
16: Compass direction, path and compass again through a flat green area. Still no hesitating.
17: I stopped two times, once on the big path and once in the depression just before the control. It was difficult for me to read the map now. I knew I had done a good race and could already hear Toni screaming. When I found the last control I punched it two times just in case.
Results:
1 Thierry Gueorgiou France 00:32:21
2 Tero Fohr Finland 00:34:22
3 Valentin Novikov Russia 00:34:30
4 Anders Nordberg Norway 00:34:43
5 David Andersson Sweden 00:34:50
6 Jonn Are Myhren Netherlands 00:35:09
Interview at www.worldofo.com:
WOC2007MiddleMenSurpriseby.wmv]
Tracking:
http://2007.woc2006.dk/files/routes/event.html?event=2007-08-22-m
Thank you for helping me towards this year’s biggest goal:
Matthias Gilgien – for teaching me how to improve my orienteering technique
Toni Louhisola and Yura Tomak – coaches during WOC
Annika, my girlfriend - who usually shows me how to do it, her race on the WOC relay was amazing
My family in Norway
SNO, runners, friends and leaders – for all kinds of support
Anders Gärderud – for lessons in running technique
Kari Enckel – for green night courses
Tore Eklund - for solving my asthma problems
Peter Fredriksson – for running shoes
Henrik Skoglund, Asle Kregnes – for coaching in previous races this year
NOLB, Dutch Orienteering Federation and Dutch runners – for all help and support
Trimtex and Qcorner - for new clothes
Maxim, Norröna and Synsam - for equipment
Sponsors, Wettergrens Tak, Peab and FiR fasadrengöring - for economical support
Now I have motivation for more!
Startline
Into the forest
Punching the spectator control
Nice atmosphere!
Finish sprint
On the podium
Together with Thierry, winner of the middle distance
Annika, Emma and Helena with silvermedals from the relay
Yura, my guide in Ukraine, Lieke, the only other Dutch runner at WOC and Toni, probably next coach of the year in Netherlands
Here is a summary of my race:
1-2: I didn’t push too hard in the beginning just to get a good feeling. The small tracks made it difficult to the read the contour lines. Not before I had taken the two first controls I increased my speed - still without loosing contact with the map.
3-6: The next few controls were easier as the forest opened up. I planned every leg in advance and ran with self-confidence. Contour line orienteering is my favorite! I enjoyed this part very much.
7: On the long leg I looked for options to the left and right, but I chose to run straight. My tactic was to pass on top of all the highest hills along the way. During this leg I got stuck in some tick bushes and knew I had lost some time.
8-9: These controls were placed in the bottom of pits. I had forgotten about WOC and ran fast.
10-12: I used paths on all these legs together with accurate compass direction. I had still 100% control of my position at all times.
Passing the arena is critical for the mental balance...: Emil Wingstedt once told me a trick to lower the stress level. He runs more slowly and enjoys the atmosphere when he passes an arena. You seldom get a chance to enjoy spectators like this! I wanted to try his tactic and keep my speed down. Still I ran quite fast - but I had a nice feeling when I entered the forest again.
The speaker announced my position. I tried to shut my ears.
13-14: My physical capacity has definitely improved lately. On these legs I ran faster than ever without loosing my brain.
15: My only direction mistake. I wanted to run straight but ended up on the left side of the little hill in the slope.
16: Compass direction, path and compass again through a flat green area. Still no hesitating.
17: I stopped two times, once on the big path and once in the depression just before the control. It was difficult for me to read the map now. I knew I had done a good race and could already hear Toni screaming. When I found the last control I punched it two times just in case.
Results:
1 Thierry Gueorgiou France 00:32:21
2 Tero Fohr Finland 00:34:22
3 Valentin Novikov Russia 00:34:30
4 Anders Nordberg Norway 00:34:43
5 David Andersson Sweden 00:34:50
6 Jonn Are Myhren Netherlands 00:35:09
Interview at www.worldofo.com:
WOC2007MiddleMenSurpriseby.wmv]
Tracking:
http://2007.woc2006.dk/files/routes/event.html?event=2007-08-22-m
Thank you for helping me towards this year’s biggest goal:
Matthias Gilgien – for teaching me how to improve my orienteering technique
Toni Louhisola and Yura Tomak – coaches during WOC
Annika, my girlfriend - who usually shows me how to do it, her race on the WOC relay was amazing
My family in Norway
SNO, runners, friends and leaders – for all kinds of support
Anders Gärderud – for lessons in running technique
Kari Enckel – for green night courses
Tore Eklund - for solving my asthma problems
Peter Fredriksson – for running shoes
Henrik Skoglund, Asle Kregnes – for coaching in previous races this year
NOLB, Dutch Orienteering Federation and Dutch runners – for all help and support
Trimtex and Qcorner - for new clothes
Maxim, Norröna and Synsam - for equipment
Sponsors, Wettergrens Tak, Peab and FiR fasadrengöring - for economical support
Now I have motivation for more!
Startline
Into the forest
Punching the spectator control
Nice atmosphere!
Finish sprint
On the podium
Together with Thierry, winner of the middle distance
Annika, Emma and Helena with silvermedals from the relay
Yura, my guide in Ukraine, Lieke, the only other Dutch runner at WOC and Toni, probably next coach of the year in Netherlands
WIDGETIZE