The UKs national Inter Clubs Orienteering competition is the Compass Sport Cup / Trophy. The Trophy is for small clubs and this year Walton Chasers has shrunk into the category.
I was meant to be at a Dark and White Mountain Bike Orienteering event but a 3 line whip from the club captain (my wife!) found me in Stoke on Trent at the deceptively tricky Park hall Country Park. The weather was amazing, so much so I probably should have put some sun tan lotion on my head! With my new #pearlizumi #endureandenjoy laces in m y shoes, I went out fairly hard at the start and ran well, sticking mainly to the path routes as the undergrowth would have needed a suit of armour to get through. I had a slow leg where I did try and go straight, but everyone else seemed slow too and I only lost 35 seconds or so thrashing around in the brambles and one mistake out the far end. The map wasnt great and I spent a couple of minutes trying to workout what was up and what was down until I relocated on the carpark! My legs struggled to keep the pace towards the end and I did start to slow over the last few controls.
I ended up 8th which I was happy with given the straightforward navigation and best of all Walton Chasers pipped the Potteries and we go through the the final in Devon in October
