Happy Days came around on sunday with the WIM Galoppen on Godshill. There was some anticipation the night before while we waited to hear if the event could go on given the weather conditions, then at around 9PM the word went around that the event was to go ahead. Pure sunshine, snowy slopes and this was a New Forest treat to be remembered. We had 18 runners take part and commiserations to Roger C and Tim H for feeling rough and not making it you missed a rare one. Courses covered the immediate forest and some of the slopes where tobogganers were playing in the snow, an area that has been used for British Champs in years gone by. Total joy maprunning around in the forest, I went off like a terrier off the lead first and up the wrong track but quickly got on direction for the fastest split to 2. Blue course was 6.1 KM direct line, and I felt like it hadnt been a great run, went wrong on the long leg 7-8 so ended up 52/73 on that leg….then wierdly enough picked up the pace again to land another fastest split to control 12. So, inconsistant but a happy 14th/ 73 for me, I just love running on bearing and when theres no chance of seeing any tracks its contour interpretation all the way- toughest aspect of Orienteering explained here. This clip is half way through a series of coaching videos so do watch them all- very good online resourse.

Some photos of the day for you to enjoy, also a flikr set from Jon Steed if anyone took any more do let us know – there might not be anymore days like this in 2019.

Onto our 18 Runners with all of Black, Brown, Blue, Green, Short Green, Orange, Yellow course all taking WSX competitors. Lyra again kept her focus right on point and just trailed an M55 man (shes 11) by seconds all the way round to come 2nd of 66!!! On green course, really stunning running there very well done. Great to also see my colleague Di Tilsley back in the forest and taking a 2nd place on short green.

Then a day goes by before the Christchurch Night League Event 14. Well what a night! Great pub and food and the running wasnt bad either. Well done to all 53 runners who came along, we were only 6 short of topping SOCS record 58 from Lyndhurst in this season. Ians brand new map took everyone around the Priory and Castle and made a great use of the area- planning an odds and evens score that kept the best concentrating all the way around. Youll see from the results the best sequence was Odds first then Evens, all but 7 people choosing this way around. 6 of the fast lads made every control, with Nick being out sprinted by Rob Finch for once- Nice! We look forward to Wimbornes event 15 at Stonedown a week on saturday.   Picture heavy post today – as pictures tell a thousand words hope you enjoy them, do share too. Because sharings caring.

Its not easy being cheesy.