After all six runners recorded their best ever World Orienteering Championships Long results on Tuesday, read how athletes, Charlotte Watson and Jonathan Crickmore thought of the experience.
Charlotte Watson walks us through her Long Distance race:
"The terrain, as expected, was very tough. I felt I was focusing well at the start but then I made a mistake coming into the 5th control. I tried to put it behind me but never really managed to regain focus fully which I am annoyed with myself for."
"I am encouraged by how I was running compared to others at the start of my race and my result but felt I could have done better. For me, the race was about setting a benchmark to work from for the next few years and there is certainly lots to improve so I'm excited and motivated for training in the future." - Charlotte Watson
Photo: Charlotte Watson competing in the Long at the World Championships in Estonia
Credit: James Errington
Jonathan Crickmore explains his experience:
"WOC long has always been an iconic race for me. Even though the last few years I have concentrated more on sprint I was incredibly excited when I got the call that I was going to be racing the Long."
"The day came and I felt ready for it and had a plan which was quite simply to avoid green and marshes if possible and have safe routes to minimise mistakes. I guessed this would be playing to my strengths."
"The descriptions were amusing as I saw we had drinks controls at 2,5, and 8. We were told they were 25min apart so I knew we had some early long legs. On these, I took the paths running well and sometimes my routes were quick and others I should have gone straighter."
"After about 90 minutes though my body started giving up and after jumping over the 50th fallen tree the hamstring cramps set in and from then on it was shuffling in as best I could. The run through was quite an experience with the crowds even if the orienteering was a bit boring on the last loop. Looking forward to next year already." - Jonathan Crickmore
Photo: Jonathan Crickmore competing in the Long at the World Championships in Estonia
Credit: James Errington
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