Well the weather wasn't going to last was it ??  It started off ok yestarday morning though at the Hawth, it was dry at least although a bit humid and overcast. We were there early to set up the computing side of things and were glad we had the new tent to keep everything dry. It was exactly five years ago, at the Hawth that I entered (and won ) my first ever orienteering event.

James, a friend from work arrived too, with more friends and I explained to them what it was all about, how to get going etc and guided them through registration, explained the map etc and saw them start. Then I thought I really should have a run, so Mike would also be able to before courses closed.

I went off the the start without my dibber first time, which wasn't helpful. I got there and picked up my map and started off towards the first control. I wasn't paying enough attention to the path in front of me though, either that or it did actually disappear as I ended up on a more main path to the east. Ho hum, figured out where I was quite quickly and found an alternate route to number 1 ! The problem with the Hawth is in the wooded area, it is very tricky and the many paths aren't always that obvious.

Onto control 2 was fine, then onto three, where I did lose some time wandering in the undergrowth. Then onto four, I got confused by the amount of and indistinct nature of the paths and ended up north of the control, on the edge of the open area. We then crossed this in a little loop, before heading back into the woods again.

The next few controls were ok, up to 11. A lot of people made mistakes here though. I was almost on top of it, but for whatever reason decided I was in the wrong place so headed back out, only to realise I was right and headed back in again. Control 12 was on the edge of the open area again and we had another loop around the playing fields before heading back into the woods for the last few controls.

Navigationally, these were straightforward, as long as you paid attention to the paths. The planner set a course that was constantly changing and making us think, with changes in direction, the switch from wood to open and back to wood again. There was lots of discussion in the car park afterwards, particularly about control 11.

I did better than last week anyway, in terms of position and running so the training must be paying off! Just awaiting the points table update now.

Update: the points are in and I'm now 2nd on the league table for Senior Women on the Sprint course, behind Anna  and my position overall was better than last week too !!