Back in the groove. Eastern groove, lower part.

[edc]

Imagine you've not orienteered for 3 years, not trained, and have done little more than the odd stroll around some woods or a 2km cycle (downhill) to work. You certainly haven't been looking at maps in all that time, because you live in an area of a country that effectively doesn't have any orienteering opportunities to speak of. You're probably 10kg heavier than last time you raced in a proper event.

Then one day you wake up and realise its all gone wrong, you've missed some awesome events, missed the people and the atmosphere, missed coaching, and your next shift up a major age category is now looming on the horizon (14 years of M21 have disappeared).

The horror of realising you probably couldn't run a green course without stopping is quite alarming. If you previously ran 10-15km in terrain without thinking about it, a green ought not to be a walk in the park

This was me, this morning. So much so, that I think I will have to quit my job and move back to an orienteering-friendly country next year.

What do you do about it? You enter the next JK and Spring Cup, and refuse to come last. Even, perhaps finish in the top 50%.

If anybody wants to mock this whole plan as foolish, bring it on. Otherwise, I'd be quite happy to receive any pointers or training tips. Bear in mind I won't be going to any events before the Spring Cup, except possibly the NN boxing day score event in Chopwell Woods. I will however get out some old maps and visualise like mad.

See you in Denmark,

edc
(who'd also be happy to hear from anyone he knows)

[Ed]

about Germany having effectively no orienteering opportunities... rubbish. okay, maybe not as many as in Britain or many other countries but there's plenty of decent areas and competitions if you're prepared to look for them and get to them.

I think there's the German relay champs and a national ranking event somewhere down near Darmstadt in September... see you there?

seems there's a career path from Newcastle to Germany, nu?

[edc]

well well well. hallo
yeah, there is a competition in Hessen later in the year, but no events leading up to it, or maps of local areas. There is certainly O in several areas, but its very regional. Seems like Bayern is the place to be.

Whereat are you?

[FatBoy]

you've not orienteered for 3 years ... You're probably 10kg heavier

You'll do it if you stick with it. Me it was more like 6 years and more like 25kg. I'm not all the way back yet but I can train most days and I've lost 10kg (and I don't come last!).

[stodge]

SNAP !!!
though caused through injury.
Except I live on the edge of the Sherbrooke map, and have stayed in touch with Oing.

Im about to try a tentative start at running again with my eyes on a green at november classic and then whatever.

From experience in the past though I think getting back to 21L racing fitness takes about a year.

Germany is surounded by great Oing countrys and you can drive at 120mph to get there....

Get out there