Just had a great l-o-n-g weekend teaching Off-Road Running skills to a great bunch of people. First off, we were based at Plas-y-Brenin with the Dragon's Back Race team and Trail Running Magazine relay team. Excellent sunny weather was nice, but er .... not so good for teaching 'poor viz' navigation. Hey-ho, too bad, but well done to everyone who got well stuck into some mighty difficult night navigation courses, showing true determination with some nearly missing last orders! A tough and demanding weekend with much energy being drained by the heat, and the loss of an hour's sleep as the clocks Sprang forward.
Seriously great to meet and talk with some fellow Dragon's Back racers, and to reminisce a bit about the original 1992 Dragon's Back Race, but also to be able to offer some advice and guidance to DBR 2012 racers. I'm really looking forward this year's epic event now.
On Monday I was in Shropshire and the coaching on the beautiful Longmynd with just one student, Jen, who will become a natural fell runner now that we have cleared away some compass phobias and got to grips distance, scale and speeds. Shame about the sun tan weather ... good that she likes tea, (and beer apparently.)
On Tuesday I worked with a AR team of four and the agenda was a mixture of running and biking, with 'nav strategy' and 'route choice' being key issues. Team dynamics was also explored, with a skills audit and action plans being made towards some BIG races this year. I'm sure they'll all do well and look forward to our follow-up session, 'AR Rope Skills' and review.
This weekend I'm on a train/bike trip down to the Open5 in The Peak District. I'm looking forward to exploring Dovedale, some more coaching and racing on Sunday, followed by a UK Adventure Racing Club Committee meeting. Then a quick bike back north; should be fun!
Looking forward to meeting up there.
Joe
UKARClub Chair
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