I've been thinking a bit over the past couple of months now I'm getting back in some relative shape whether I should aim at running elite again. OK it's early days as I'm still 20 mins+ down on Winskill on Long but a target's good isn't it?
The problem is this. I'd rather run classic races any day than a middle distance. It's a much bigger challenge with "proper" start gaps and a real test of all aspects of orienteering - separates the men from the boys. So at JK if I ran elite I'd get short changed on the first day. Then there's the 0007. I only did the Sunday cos would rather go for a bike/walk/climb/canoe than do a sprint-o I mean middle distance, so how would I get a start time for the Sunday?
I'd like to hear anyone's opinions, from both sides of the Elite divide.
To run Elite or not?
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I ran elite over the weekend - it ain't hard to complete, but running competitively, that is another question.
I have just woken up after the weekend and feel very,very bad
I have just woken up after the weekend and feel very,very bad
Now, I know you're a feminist, and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man.
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Braddie - light green
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I ran elite on Sunday as well, when usually I do long. Getting a start time wasn't a problem, I just filled in an entry form. Findng out what it was was a bit harder, but a simple email did the trick. Run what you feel like. I know I'm not going to compete but it's nice to measure up against the best. You never know, you might suprise yourself. I did, when I didn't come last! Hurrah!
You don't have to run elite all the time after all. If there's a middle/classic combination then enter the long, if there's not enter the elite. You might miss some ranking points but it sounds like it bothers you as much as it does me....
You don't have to run elite all the time after all. If there's a middle/classic combination then enter the long, if there's not enter the elite. You might miss some ranking points but it sounds like it bothers you as much as it does me....
- LukeM
- off string
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The reason I run long is that I don't really consider myself an Orienteer first and foremost. My main sport is Running, road/fell, I'm happy with either. Over the past year my results on long have improved, although I suspect this is because field is usually so small, with most of the top 21's running elite.
I can't be bothered to check out any of my results overs the past JK's/British, but if anybody can it will become apparent that I am crap at map reading! The only reason I have done well over the past year, in my opinion, is that I can run my mistakes off. At present I intend to carry on running long.
21S is for people who can navigate, but don't train or maybe coming back from injury.
21L is for people who train, but can't navigate so well (and for those who follow there partner to big events around the country...).
Elite is for the people who train hard and navigate well.
Phil Winskill
PS Who are you Fatboy?
I can't be bothered to check out any of my results overs the past JK's/British, but if anybody can it will become apparent that I am crap at map reading! The only reason I have done well over the past year, in my opinion, is that I can run my mistakes off. At present I intend to carry on running long.
21S is for people who can navigate, but don't train or maybe coming back from injury.
21L is for people who train, but can't navigate so well (and for those who follow there partner to big events around the country...).
Elite is for the people who train hard and navigate well.
Phil Winskill
PS Who are you Fatboy?
- Guest
Hi Phil.
Alan Hartley is who I am - ask Helen she'll tell you I used to be OK till I got fat. I was in SW squad with her many moons ago.
According to your scale I fit into the 21S until I get fit enough to run E? Unfortunately I told many of my friends at High Dam last year that I'd move back to L when I did well on S then I went and won it so shot myself in the foot.
I suppose my "main" sport is Orienteering but I do plenty of MTB and climbing and canoe slalom too. I've been doing a lot more since following my Helen round the country to big events
PS I should've said I've got no problem with you running long just in case you did think that...
Alan Hartley is who I am - ask Helen she'll tell you I used to be OK till I got fat. I was in SW squad with her many moons ago.
According to your scale I fit into the 21S until I get fit enough to run E? Unfortunately I told many of my friends at High Dam last year that I'd move back to L when I did well on S then I went and won it so shot myself in the foot.
I suppose my "main" sport is Orienteering but I do plenty of MTB and climbing and canoe slalom too. I've been doing a lot more since following my Helen round the country to big events
PS I should've said I've got no problem with you running long just in case you did think that...
Last edited by FatBoy on Wed May 05, 2004 5:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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FatBoy - addict
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I think, the main thing is what do you want to do?
I think a more realisitic thing first, and foremost, is set yourself some targets. Decide if running elite is one of those, or not.
I ran elite by mistake this weekend, although I died in the end, it was a pretty enjoyable experience. I reckon either you run the elite because you enjoy it ( like me) or you have to (like the british squad)
I think a more realisitic thing first, and foremost, is set yourself some targets. Decide if running elite is one of those, or not.
I ran elite by mistake this weekend, although I died in the end, it was a pretty enjoyable experience. I reckon either you run the elite because you enjoy it ( like me) or you have to (like the british squad)
Now, I know you're a feminist, and I think that's adorable, but this is grown-up time and I'm the man.
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Braddie - light green
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I was just thinking out loud about the way Elite's changed since I last ran it (1995 and never at JK or British) and seeing if other people were seeing the changes as good or not.
Realistically for me M35 is only 5 years away and there's not a lot of point in aiming at it, but maybe I'll do a few nationals again if and when I become ex-FatBoy (do I have to get a new username?).
Realistically for me M35 is only 5 years away and there's not a lot of point in aiming at it, but maybe I'll do a few nationals again if and when I become ex-FatBoy (do I have to get a new username?).
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FatBoy - addict
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You just become fat boy slim!
Better move a couple more streets away from McDonners though to stand much chance.......
Known you far too long
Saturday lunchtime will you have two bacon sausage egg double decker sandwiches like last time ? or only one if you are on a diet
See you Friday
ps
Cath says she will run elite when you do!!!!
Better move a couple more streets away from McDonners though to stand much chance.......
Known you far too long
Saturday lunchtime will you have two bacon sausage egg double decker sandwiches like last time ? or only one if you are on a diet
See you Friday
ps
Cath says she will run elite when you do!!!!
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stodge - blue
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I ran the elite on Sunday and came last as I knew I would but I enjoyed every minute and will carry on choosing difficult courses as they are the most interesting
I chose to run W20S at the JK as I would be running more than one race in a short time and I'd never been to the lakes again - but now I've entered W20L at Holme Fell coz it was so much fun!
I chose to run W20S at the JK as I would be running more than one race in a short time and I'd never been to the lakes again - but now I've entered W20L at Holme Fell coz it was so much fun!
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SJ - blue
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Hey it was Sinbad's tonight for burger not McDoners. Back to do payslips now no hope of a run tonight.
Tell Cath she needs to start doing longs again so she's ready for elite next year
Tell Cath she needs to start doing longs again so she's ready for elite next year
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FatBoy - addict
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No problem FB. Didn't at all take offence at my name being mentioned in the discussion. I will ask Hel when she is back from racing in foreign climes. She goes away that often that I don't know even where she is this week.
Perhaps my view of the classes is a little simplistic. I personally will go up to Elite when I think I can be semi-competitive, although Hel has entered me on Elite at Holme Fell - I could be out for sometime....
Phil Winskill
S'pose I better become a registered user. I have already registered , but can't remember my details - D'oh. I need a good name.....
Perhaps my view of the classes is a little simplistic. I personally will go up to Elite when I think I can be semi-competitive, although Hel has entered me on Elite at Holme Fell - I could be out for sometime....
Phil Winskill
S'pose I better become a registered user. I have already registered , but can't remember my details - D'oh. I need a good name.....
- Guest
FatBoy wrote:Realistically for me M35 is only 5 years away and there's not a lot of point in aiming at it,
Eh? What's that got to do with it? There's a few in the results who are the other side of M35 from us (spoken as one closer to M35 than 5 years). I guess it depends what you're aiming at. Competitive, then yes, you're probably right, but like Braddie and SJ, you could do it because you want to and like it.
Come on, bulk out the results with the rest of us!
- LukeM
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I wasn't saying I couldn't do it, or that being 30+ in any way procludes being good at orienteering - after all Jamie's only a year young than me - used to beat him regularly in our teens...
What I was saying is that my poll is not so much about me as I'd pretty well decided that getting to the pointy end of long and maybe running the odd single day national on elite is my target. At 30 I'm not suddenly going to be invited to join the squad or anything no matter how much fitter (thinner) I get so why do middle distance races I don't enjoy just cos it's on elite?
I think most of the comments on this topic say it all - just enjoy it whatever you do - long for me.
What I was saying is that my poll is not so much about me as I'd pretty well decided that getting to the pointy end of long and maybe running the odd single day national on elite is my target. At 30 I'm not suddenly going to be invited to join the squad or anything no matter how much fitter (thinner) I get so why do middle distance races I don't enjoy just cos it's on elite?
I think most of the comments on this topic say it all - just enjoy it whatever you do - long for me.
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FatBoy - addict
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Its good that shorts have become much more competitive.
Ive currently not run for 18 months due to a foot injury (sessamoiditis).
Sitting here bored after yet another stabbing with a cortozone injection by some nasty bloke in a lead pinny today, if I ever do get back running again it is unlikly my feet will take much in the way of training to be able to get back to doing Longs.
FatBoy will know I have a little bit of a reputation for injuries, and I can remember many a time mid 90s of coming back from injury, running 21 Shorts and winning by 10 mins and getting ribbed by my peers yet would come last on 21L mainly due to beer intake and the injury recovery.
If I do get back running again a very competitive 21S is just the ticket.
Value for money is not great though - maybey Orienteering should be priced on a Pound per KM or Pence per Min
Ive currently not run for 18 months due to a foot injury (sessamoiditis).
Sitting here bored after yet another stabbing with a cortozone injection by some nasty bloke in a lead pinny today, if I ever do get back running again it is unlikly my feet will take much in the way of training to be able to get back to doing Longs.
FatBoy will know I have a little bit of a reputation for injuries, and I can remember many a time mid 90s of coming back from injury, running 21 Shorts and winning by 10 mins and getting ribbed by my peers yet would come last on 21L mainly due to beer intake and the injury recovery.
If I do get back running again a very competitive 21S is just the ticket.
Value for money is not great though - maybey Orienteering should be priced on a Pound per KM or Pence per Min
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stodge - blue
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- Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 12:02 pm
- Location: Milford
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