WOC09: Chapter VII
Saturday, 22. August 2009, 19:38:55
So, WOC 2009 is over - and what a ending! Yesterday was a bit more dramatic than thought to be - filled with smaller and bigger drama's. The big one we all know, Martin Johansson getting injured and the three leading teams stopping to help him. I don't think something like that has ever occurred in a world championship relay before and all honour to the three guys giving up their own races to help! Such great sportmen!! It was also great sportiveness of the Swiss guys, wanting not to achieve the medals. None of it their fault, still so fair! It was sad to see them so solemn instead of cheering a world champ title.
The women's relay wasn't less dramatic, but at least it was caused by mistakes not injuries.
The smaller drama's taking place inside our own team didn't influence any results but it was still bad enough. Leaving the spectators control Markus got caught in the branches and fell badly, injuring his shoulder and forearm. Even if in heavy pain he somehow managed to complete the last loop. Respect!
For my own part, the race was a real up-and-down. It started with a 3 minute mistake at the first control, passing it by 10 meters, not seeing it. Second went well, third control missed by a minute, for the same reason as the first one: I didn't see it, even when passing it with 10 meters. On the way to the 4th control I came way too far to the right and then I finally got really angry, which was good. From then on no mistakes for a while and a real good speed. I pushed what I could, to catch up with the teams passing me at the first control. The last hill a couple of controls before the spectator control almost killed me, trying to run/walk up there as fast as possible I started to feel really dizzy. It was so hot in the forest, even in the shadow, and my body started to slowly break down. From there in to the spectator control it was almost flat so the dizziness didn't get worse but the speed wasn't very high either. At least the teams running past me in the beginning where behind me at that moment! When I came out on the open, sunburned area after the spectator control it was like being slapped in the face. The dizziness was so heavy, I had real problems reading the map. Making a 1 minute mistake at the first control up there was just the beginning of a night-mare. From the spectators control to the finish I lost 3 minutes!!! And it wasn't very far.. To the tv-control I ran on the road, just to be as secure as possible. I know I ran down the hill from that control, but I have no idea how I got to the next control and to the finish. I know I collapsed as soon as I sent Anita out on the third leg, but from there till we got to our team tent I only remember small fractions of what happened. I was never, ever before so way over my physical limit. Probably it was a combination of heat, hypoglycemia and running too fast. It took some long hours to recover but today I am feeling much better. Thanks to everybody taking so good care of me yesterday!
Today is a day without orienteering. I will do a short and easy run, for the rest just read and join the team for a very big ice! The coaches have ordered that I eat an extra scoop, which is the best order I have ever got!
The women's relay wasn't less dramatic, but at least it was caused by mistakes not injuries.
The smaller drama's taking place inside our own team didn't influence any results but it was still bad enough. Leaving the spectators control Markus got caught in the branches and fell badly, injuring his shoulder and forearm. Even if in heavy pain he somehow managed to complete the last loop. Respect!
For my own part, the race was a real up-and-down. It started with a 3 minute mistake at the first control, passing it by 10 meters, not seeing it. Second went well, third control missed by a minute, for the same reason as the first one: I didn't see it, even when passing it with 10 meters. On the way to the 4th control I came way too far to the right and then I finally got really angry, which was good. From then on no mistakes for a while and a real good speed. I pushed what I could, to catch up with the teams passing me at the first control. The last hill a couple of controls before the spectator control almost killed me, trying to run/walk up there as fast as possible I started to feel really dizzy. It was so hot in the forest, even in the shadow, and my body started to slowly break down. From there in to the spectator control it was almost flat so the dizziness didn't get worse but the speed wasn't very high either. At least the teams running past me in the beginning where behind me at that moment! When I came out on the open, sunburned area after the spectator control it was like being slapped in the face. The dizziness was so heavy, I had real problems reading the map. Making a 1 minute mistake at the first control up there was just the beginning of a night-mare. From the spectators control to the finish I lost 3 minutes!!! And it wasn't very far.. To the tv-control I ran on the road, just to be as secure as possible. I know I ran down the hill from that control, but I have no idea how I got to the next control and to the finish. I know I collapsed as soon as I sent Anita out on the third leg, but from there till we got to our team tent I only remember small fractions of what happened. I was never, ever before so way over my physical limit. Probably it was a combination of heat, hypoglycemia and running too fast. It took some long hours to recover but today I am feeling much better. Thanks to everybody taking so good care of me yesterday!
Today is a day without orienteering. I will do a short and easy run, for the rest just read and join the team for a very big ice! The coaches have ordered that I eat an extra scoop, which is the best order I have ever got!
WIDGETIZE