FOR ALL LEVELS OF ABILITY

Review your route and performance afterwards

For all levels of ability it is essential to review your races and identify what went wrong and think about what you can do to improve. We look at some common errors and then there is a sample Race Analysis table to download and try.

Reviewing GPS traces and drawing your route on the map help enormously.  Then try to categorize your errors to see what comes up most often. 

As a minimum, draw your route on the map after running. Identify where you lost time and why it happened. Note how much time was lost and what the key errors were and write it on the map. The keep your maps in date order. You can then look back easily and see how you are improving or simply repeating the same errors over and over again. That will help you see what you need to work on.

A catalogue of errors 

Here are some of the most frequent errors, you need to build your own list and keep updating it so that you can see clearly what your most common problems are and then work on them:

Not in the flow to number one, rushing, missed it

Left the control in the wrong direction

Ran a bit too quick, thinking fogged, made stupid mistake

Rushed from Attack point and circled around control

Responded to another runner’s presence and rushed or went off line

Parallel error on wrong path or other line feature

Misjudged distance and just kept on going hoping it would work out. It didn’t

Didn’t go to a firm Attack point so off line for control

Turned left instead of right because map not lined up with north

Took reverse bearing and didn’t realise I was going 180 degrees wrong

Didn’t see a much better/ easier route until afterwards because not allowing enough time to think

Drifted offline but didn’t know which way due to not aiming-off in the first place

This list could be much longer.  You need to draw up your own list.

Do practice, don’t only race

If you only ever race and never train or reflect you will probably repeat the same mistakes over and over again.   When I was a junior I was really frustrated to have 3 bad runs at the Scottish 6 days, so on the rest day I went around the training area with my Dad trying to work what was going wrong.  In short, I was rushing out of controls not being accurate in my direction, not identifying a firm attack point and not slowing down on the fine navigation into the control.  I put those routines into practice and came second each of the next two days.

So, in addition to reviewing your runs the following can help a lot:

• Shadow a better orienteer.  You can alternate navigating legs.  Discuss afterwards.

• Walk round a course or the first part of a course as fast as possible trying to get all the navigation and control flow working without mistakes.  If you walk the first few legs, only allow yourself to run when they have gone totally error free.

• Analyse your runs to see patterns of repeated errors and potential improvements.  Try using the downloadable Race Analysis Table below, to record your analysis.

• Practice map memory.  Try running some legs without looking at the map.  It can develop your ability to simplify, but don’t get into the habit of not looking at the map, only do it as a specific training exercise, then go back to looking at it, a lot!

• Practice fine navigation following every detail along a wiggly line on the map to totally tune in to the terrain and map.

• Where land permissions allow, go around a course or particular legs again, but knowing where the flags are and note how you could have used the map to get right the first time. Remember – It is very important that you do not jeopardise orienteering access to an area by running there without permission. Orienteering is totally dependent on the good will of landowners.

• Read more on orienteering navigation.

• Review the discussion by top-level orienteers of their runs posted online such as at World of O.

• Routegadget 2 with other competitors GPS traces and Winsplits can help your race analysis. See websites. They are linked in most event results also.

Downloadable table to use in Race Analysis

Race Analysis Table

Routines, concepts, strategies		Event name/date		Event name/date
	Yes/No secs/mins lost	Comments		Comments
BASIC NAVIGATION ROUTINE
Map to north
Exiting right direction
Attack point
Finding accurately
Map read correctly
CONCEPTS USED
Aiming off
Hand rail
Distance estimation accurate
Catching feature
Rough compass bearing
Accurate compass bearing
STRATEGY
Steady to No 1
Route appropriate to skill level
Running within thinking
ERRORS TOTAL	Mins/secs
INTERMEDIATE STRATEGY
No talking
Ignored other runners
Anticipating possible errors, planning for them
Relocating quickly
Treating every leg as a new beginning
Good control flow
Committing to route choice
Varying speed to fit terrain / navigation
Simplifying confidently
ERRORS TOTAL	Mins/secs
ADVANCED CONCEPTS
Simplifying and seeing notable features on map and ground
Identifying corridors
Planning ahead
Overall shape of terrain visualised
Categorising types of leg and responding appropriately
Recognising certainty of features
Using less words
Quick and accurate terrain visualisation – Mental Map
Optimum route choice?
EXTENDED RACE ROUTINE
Researched map and courses
Calm mind set
Good sleep, eating well
Started well
Positive emotional response to challenges
Managed and maintained concentration
STATISTICS
Distance
Time
Mins/ km
Placing
Potential placing minus errors

You can download a copy of this table to use below. Feel free to modify it and if you believe you have made an improved version, do email it to me and we can share it with others.