Talent Squad Race Preparation

Photo: Judy Bell

The camp focuses on race preparation with full races rather than training exercises. The races are run like real events with start lists, quarantine (no mobile phones allowed – torture for a teenager!), Si timing and GPS tracking was also employed. For many juniors, the idea of being tracked at a major competition can be daunting, so the idea is to remove the fear. It also allows parents to experience the agony of “dot-watching” their child during a race. Athletes in level 4 who were out training in Portugal even tuned in to watch the live tracking from the long race.

The camp started with a long race at Achnamara, an amazing area, but as commented by Graham Gristwood, who planned an area where lack of concentration or planning can have serious consequences. For many, it was their 1 st experience of running in this type of terrain. On the Friday evening, we were joined remotely by Mark Nixon for a session on race analysis.

Which route would you take?

Throughout the camp, there were further sessions on race analysis, and the juniors provided a race briefing session before each event.

Saturday was a middle race at Coille Nathais, planned by Euan Tryner. The more open terrain allowed faster running – but many got caught in the marshes. The sprint in the afternoon was at the very newly mapped (and newly built housing area) at Dunbeg. This map was produced by local junior Ruari Cottier, especially for the camp, and the course was planned by WOC sprint planner Frank Townley.

Bemused spectators at the Sprint (Photo: Simon Hunter)

Sunday was a chance to practise 3rd-leg relay running at Creag Mhic Challiean. This is the coach's favourite event as they get to practise their acting skills as the incoming runners hand over to the juniors. This makes it as realistic as a real relay event when the exact arrival time of your incoming runner is unknown. To the juniors, it appears very random who goes off and when, but there is a lot of behind-the-scenes planning to make it all happen! The run through and run in was very wet, and unfortunately, no one managed to get a photograph of Toby as he face-planted in the mud during a head-to-head race to the finish. The sun even made a brief appearance before heavy showers returned.

Creag Mhic Challiean (Photos: Andy Preston)

Sunday evening was night-O at Ganavan, and a fun mass start peg relay (but with sweets rather than pegs!). Despite the heavy rain, many of the juniors opted for a quick swim in the sea before running back to the hostel for hot showers and hot soup.

The final event of the camp was a mass start 1 st leg relay practice at the Trossachs. An infamous Scottish area– where every orienteer has a tale to tell! There were up to four short loops, each with a mass start and gaffled courses to keep everyone on their toes. It was very wet underfoot and heavy showers too. It was time for the long journeys home.

Sunshine and showers at the Trossachs (photo Mark Saunders)

The whole aim of the camp is to give the juniors a safe space to practise and try out race preparation and race tactics before the junior selections. It was great to see some of the learning in practise at the British Championships on Saturday.

Thanks to everyone who helped make the camp happen – the planners, control hangers, control collectors, SI gurus, cooks, drivers and to local club ECKO for arranging access to the areas. During the camp, there was also a presentation to Jon Musgrave to mark all his contributions to Talent Scotland. Jon stood down from the role last year – but couldn’t stay away from the camp and came back to help again. He was presented with a GB top signed by all the athletes and staff in the Performance Programme.

Image below: Jon Musgrave