Senior Home Internationals 2023Lucy Walker representing England
Credit: Peter Ribbon
The Senior Home Internationals took place on the 9th and 10th September, in Wales at Merthyr Common, for the Individual race, and Clydach Terrace - many of you will recognise from the JK Middle distance last year – for the Relay. I was lucky enough to get selected and, having hung up my England top many years ago, realised I was going to dig around in the cupboards to try and find it!
I travelled up Friday evening, managing to avoid the M5 traffic, and as it got dark, I found myself winding up on to the Brecon Beacons - not really trusting my sat-nav as it took me down tiny little lanes that I was sure only tractors would use. But I persevered and soon turned into Penstar Bunkhouse – a converted barn with dormitories - which unfortunately was incredibly warm.
After a hot and muggy sleep, we travelled across to Merthyr Common, catching up with Alison O-Neill – an orienteer I’d not met before! We left Charlie’s nice, air-conditioned car and were hit by a wall of heat. You know the kind when you get off a plane in a hot country? Yup. That. And it was only 9am!
We managed to find a little portion of shade behind the download tent to hide in before it was time to go to the start. I’d already drunk 1.5Litres of water but was jealous of the athletes that had camelbacks for during the race.
Credit: Peter Ribbon
Credit: Peter Ribbon
At the drinks point, I stopped to glugg some cups of water down and exclaim how hot I was with the woman looking after the station. Luckily the second half of the course was mostly downhill and into the breeze. I finished in just under 2 hours – which I am incredibly impressed with – having not done much training over 75 minutes (and definitely not in the heat!).
Credit: Peter Ribbon
The rest of the team came in, with pretty mixed results – blisters and dehydration being the worst ailments from the day. After an ice cream and dip in a river, we went back to the accommodation and calculated the results. It looked like a tie between England and Scotland. And then using the next criteria…also a tie. And then using the next criteria again…also a tie. We ended up going through all four ways of calculating a winning team to conclude that Scotland had pipped us for the first spot after day 1.
We had an early start for day 2 – the boys relay started at 9.30, and the girls started shortly afterwards. I was in second leg, running with Maya and Laura. Maya came back in 10th place and, with the other two England teams already out on second leg, the pressure was off so I could focus on my nav instead of getting distracted in a race. I had a wonderful time, enjoying what was basically a technical control pick around Clydach Terrace. I handed over to Laura who had a stormer of a run, coming back in 4th! The rest of the results were mixed - there was even a dispute after a few teams mis-punched (apparently two controls were too close together). And so, with two Scottish teams re-instated, England unfortunately ended up coming second overall.
Nevertheless, a great weekend - good to catch up with old teammates, meet some new faces and get on some technical areas. Thanks to Charlie for his support as the Team’s Coach and also to Devon Orienteering Club for your support.
