Awareness and Routine

As most of you will have realised, in 6 weeks now Riverhead will play host to the Official North Island Orienteering Championships. The competitions will incorporate trials for the JWOC team to compete in Bulgaria later this year, but will also offer a demanding sprint, chasing start middle and long distance for the public. More details and entry can be found on the TONIC website. This will be an event not to be missed, and will be great preparation before Nationals.

Don't miss out!

In preparation for these championships I offer some words about orienteering technique, and what I have learnt thus far in my short orienteering career.  

On a recent training camp in Tasmania, Tom Quayle (Australian National Coach) emphasised the importance of having an 'awareness' of ones own technique. This is something that I think identifies your orienteering style and is characteristic of your training and thought processes. The one thing that is very important in orienteering is that everyone has a different 'style', due to different strengths and abilities. This is a consequence of variable running speeds, technical backgrounds and how one perceives or interprets the map. It is therefore imperative to identify how you orienteer and have this awareness, so that when you are confronted with a leg, you understand the best way for you to approach it. 

How would you run (1-2)? Identify your technique.

Routine is then used to optimise your orienteering technique. Routine is merely a structured way of applying your technique, so that you can perform it under stressful situations. Routine makes orienteering almost secondary, however can only be realised through hours of technical training. 

How would you run? Apply your technique, different legs and terrain.

Orienteering is a tremendously complex sport, but those that can simplify the problem, are able to thrive!

Awareness + Routine -> Successful Performance Under Stress

How would you run? Apply your technique to the most complex legs.