Over the past few months my training has gradually been increasing and the long runs getting longer. To add a bit of variety I have been taking myself off for some magical mystery runs along the various footpaths near where I live – I’m staggered at how many there are and where you can get to without going on the main roads – fantastic fun, a wonderful and different way of seeing Kent!
When Samantha and I run the Freedom Trail we are going to have to know how to navigate. Although we will have a GPS with the route downloaded, I have learned that you can’t totally rely on them, so, map and compass skills need to be honed to prevent our 2,350km run turning into a 3,000km run!
Basic lessons – How to use a compass (essential don’t you think!)
http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Compass
Several years ago I went on a navigation course in snowdonia, great fun and I learned a lot, but unless you keep the skills up, like anything they become extremely rusty.
Over the past few weeks I have been going out on my long runs armed with my map and compass to get a bit of practice in.
First I plot the route I’m going to take, make sure I have my compass attached to my running vest, enough water and food and off I go.
The first run all was going well until I took the wrong folk on a foot path which brought me out on the road I was supposed to be on but further down. Instead of looking at the map properly I made the MAP FIT MY LOCATION! – FIRST MISTAKE so headed off in completely the wrong direction. Thankfully however I realised my mistake – 5 miles or so later – when I recognised one of the lanes off to the left of me – oops!
Next step, find out where I am on the map. Out came the reading glasses and after much searching eventually found my location (there were no churches, schools to work out where I was on the map and anyway I was feeling very annoyed with myself). Thankfully I managed to find my location and get myself back on track. While inspecting the map at an intersection a lady stopped to see if I was OK – rather embarrassingly she knew who I was so you can imagine how silly I felt being lost not that far from home. My only saving grace (as far as I was concerned) was that I knew where I was on the map!
The remainder of the 6 hr run went without a glitch as my map reading skills improved arriving home feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Map reading lesson No. 2 – have a compass that works!
Yesterday was another 6 hour run, this time I decided to run from Tenterden, wiggling my way down the Landscape trail to the Rother River (try saying that after a few glasses of wine!) then continue on a large loop home.
I managed to find the landscape trail easily (and knew where I was on the map) crossed the field and the sign said go left but the trail on the map indicated that I should be going diagonally across the field. Instead of being sensible and taking a bearing with my (didn’t know it at the time, not working properly compass) I followed my nose and tried to make the map fit the surroundings and ended up back where I started an hour later. What an idiot I felt, but I had to laugh because it really was quite funny!
Thankfully, Alan and his dog came to my rescue. I explained my situation and once again he said “you’re Mimi” “yes” I said feeling hugely embarrassed that I was lost yet again and had been found out! Alan was marvellous and he took me to the place where the path continued. I would like to add at this point that it was hidden by trees!
Back on track my journey continued until that is I had to use my compass to take a bearing, it was then that I discovered that the dial would only move using force – not good, so it took rather a long time. However, once done off I set confident and happy that I was going in the right direction.
Reaching the River Rother was great although running along it was difficult as the grass was up to above my waist – obviously they don’t get a lot of walkers down there. Then it was off on another footpath to wind my way home.
Getting anywhere when map reading takes much longer, so the more confident you are with a map and compass the quicker it will all be. Also not good to micro-navigate, you can spend hours looking at the map which will make you even slower. Check out your map, take a bearing, find a point in the distance to aim for and off you go, then take another bearing and so on. SIMPLES!
Someone suggested on the Spine navigation training session that it was a good idea to put a black line down the centre of your thumb nail, that way when your thumb was on the map marking where you its easy to find again.
I feel that each time I go out I’m getting better, but I would like and need to be even better at map reading and compass work by the time I get to South Africa otherwise goodness only knows where we will end up!
Happy Training.
