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22.9.2023 Blog #4 Team MuSi aftermath
How was the Team MuSi race compared to plans? I think we managed to follow the plan quite well in the big picture. Here is a short description of the memorable 24 hours in Raasinkorpi.
We knew already in advance that we were not fighting for podium positions, as this was our first 24-hour race and getting back home in one piece was also a priority. We are not also the speediest in the forest so the goal was to finish in respectable fashion. We managed to race quite well especially at the beginning and most things went according to our plans. A positive thing was that our feet were ok after the race even though we had some minor chafing and a few blisters.
We could have been more efficient in planning the routes between control points. Better planning would have saved time and generated more points. But since we visited the camp site (and hash-house) two times during the race we were prioritizing maintenance over more points. We missed an early lunch before the start as “Sotku” had already left. We were a bit hungry even before the start, which was not a good thing. We had nuts and other delicatesse with us during the day which was very important to keep the energy level high enough. We had quite a lot to drink in our back bags, but water stations were still needed so we included them in our route planning. The plan from the beginning was to get back before dark to Hash house anyway, so we had a very late lunch there around 7 pm.
We used an hour or so for eating and doing some maintenance. Then we were off to pick up a few control points in the dark. Unfortunately, we missed one control with quite a lot of effort but still lost those planned points. Why? Darkness had its effect, and we were on the wrong hill and did not believe that we were not far enough. The large scale of the map also had something to do with this as a few millimeters on the map translated into hundreds of meters in the forest and when you were getting tired it was hard to keep up with the distance in your head.
After this episode we came back to Hash house before midnight and had a second late lunch and slept a few hours until it was light again. We had breakfast and continued the race. We lost a little time again on Sunday searching for a control but even without that we were just excited to be able to finish around noon without any major breakdowns or injuries.
All in all, this was a very positive experience and for the next time a bit more training and better route planning with shorter sleep should contribute to better results. We also had a better choice of shoes (cross country shoes) than last time in the 8-hour night rogaining race in 2019. The weather cannot be improved as it was perfect for the race. One can have a different attitude to this type of event, you can take it seriously and compete for the championship, but you can also take it in a bit more relaxed way and have proper exercise. If anyone is doubting to participate in 24-hour rogaining it is worth a try! The orienteering part of the race was challenging at times which was also to our liking as getting points was not always easy, but very rewarding.
Thank you to the organizers for your hard work! Everything was well organized and went well from a racer's point of view.
Team MuSi: J-P & Vesku
25.8.2023 Blog #3 Team Koerad introduction
We are Renno Merenäkk and Otto Pluum from Estonia, participating as Team Koerad. At only 17 years of age we might not be the favourites, but we will not settle for anything less than a medal. The idea of participating in ERC 2023 came to us quite spontaneously, as do all of our ideas. Since then we have been regularly training and preparing together. Our training consists of mostly cycling and discgolfing together, but we also do quite a bit of running on our own. We have high hopes for this years rogaining championships as we think the terrain will suit us quite well - the technicality of Finnish terrain combined with the small amount of elevation gain make Finland our perfect playground. This blog entry is designed to strike fear into our enemies (competitors) hearts ;)
PS! You are welcome to follow our instagram - teamkoerad
Renno Merenäkk: As a 800m-5000m runner / sprint orienteer myself I am a little out of my comfort zone for such a long event. Nonetheless, I have participated in ERC once, in 2021, where unfortunately I had to DNF at around 11 hours. But this only gives me more motivation to prove myself this year.
Most of my training consists of running (with and without a map). I train 6-8x a week and I’m always setting new goals for myself. I have quite a bit of experience in orienteering so I’ll most likely be doing the mapreading during ERC as well. Some of my accomplishments include being 15x Estonian champion and 2x European bronze medalist in both foot-o and MTB-o. Also, ERC 2023 will be my fourth championship this year - after EYOC, JWOC and JWMTBOC.
I think we do have what it takes to do good at ERC this year. We have a strong team as we have known each other for years now. From the organizers I hope to see an accurate mapping of technical terrain and lots of route choices.
As one might think, my experience in rogaining is limited, but I’ve always had fun on these longer events. I think you have more time to take in everything that’s around you. I also love challenging myself and ERC does that perfectly - both mentally and physically. I have been orienteering in southern Finland before, but only a couple of times. For example, I did participate in Jukola last year. I know the terrain will be drastically different to Estonian terrains, but I wouldn’t worry about it as the visibility will be a lot better.
In conclusion, I am looking forward to ERC 2023 and we will give it our all.
Otto Pluum: The beginning of the 2023 season started out promising as I won the Estonian Jüriöö relay with Katoliku SK, but only a day after the win I fractured my big toe, wiping me out for the season. Disappointed, I didn't let it deter me from bouncing back. And with the support form Renno and others that's what I have done. I am back stronger than ever. Both mentally and physically prepared for what is probably the biggest challenge in my life so far. It feels surreal as we originally didn't take signing up for ERC too seriously. But as soon as the registration opened we found ourselves on the list. As for previous rogaining experience, I believe I have competed in 2, both were with Renno and 4h ones. The terrain seems to be quite comfortable for us with relatively small elevation gain and good runnability differing from Estonia, where the better part of our forests don’t have such good runnability. I have competed in Finland twice, but the last time was more than two years ago, so the change of scenery will be refreshing. We are up for the challenge and you will see us on the podium at ERC 2023.
Team Koerad
21.8.2023 Blog #2 Team MuSi continues
J-P Vahala: Since February we have kept the promise to exercise several times a week but training together has been scarce due to overwhelming scheduling challenges. In wintertime my main sporting activities were cross country skiing (classic mainly) and orienteering. I skied as much as possible from a timing and weather perspective. After the snow season my main sporting activities have been orienteering, jogging, kayaking and cycling. My exercises have usually been between 1-2 hours and a few longer ones. Orienteering activities also include 2 rogaining events (2 hours a piece) in the Turku region. We have also spent time on testing shoes as this was the weak point in our last long 8-hour rogaining event.
Vesa Loikas: The competition is coming soon! So I took advantage of being almost a local to the competition terrain and spent a couple of hours training last Sunday in the Vajosuo trail circular route in Kurjenrahka. Thankfully the competition rules allow the use of circular routes and roads until September 1st. My main focus in addition to just getting a long exercise was to test new shoes with studs and how they handle the paths, 'pitkospuut' planks and gravel road surfaces. The other test was with the food and drinking supplies. We are trying to figure out how much liquid and food we will carry with us. The weather last Sunday was almost too perfect with the sun shining and warm temperatures so there were no grip issues with shoes, but I know that with rain the surfaces will be much more slippery than yesterday. My main training during the summer months has been orienteering in weekly training competitions. Most notable one was the Jukola relay 1st leg in June in Porvoo. In May I sprained my ankle pretty badly and took three weeks off from training just before Jukola, but now the ankle and our team seems almost ready for the ERC 2023!
Team MuSi: J-P & Vesku
8.2.2023 Blog #1 Team MuSi introduction
We are Team MuSi, Juha-Pekka Vahala & Vesa Loikas, competing in MV-class. Both of us have a scouting background and that is where we met over 40 years ago. Our goal is to have a fantastic start and a strong finish. Which in reality translates into an enjoyable run/walk hike with a few hours of sleeping in a tent and enjoying the hash-house menu in full. In our preparation our main goal is to be fit enough that we will be able to enjoy all aspects of the event without too much complaining. Podium finish is not in the realm of possibility so we are just trying to surprise ourselves and have a strong navigation and route planning so that even if we are slow, we would collect enough points to satisfy our sponsors and our local scouting group members.
Navigation is our strongest aspect as both of us are avid orienteers. Our experience in rogaining is mainly in 2-hour rogaining sprint events. However in 2019 we took part in Finnish Rogaining championships in non-championship 8-hour class finishing 6th out of 12 teams. It was mainly pure night orienteering as the event started at 11 pm and finished at 7 am. We didn’t see much scenery, so this time we will do the opposite and be on the move during the day and sleep during the darkest time of the night.
Our first team training took place in the TalviRastit orienteering event in Turku in January. We are planning to train together at least once a month (and on our own several times a week) until September. One of the most important lessons from our 8-hour rogaining effort is to test and try out which shoes fit the best for 24-hour race. Of course improving our physical condition and endurance is also a goal as it is nice to see that our real time GPS-dot is actually moving albeit slowly. The weather can be unpredictable in September also, that is another reason to prepare for different conditions and find out the proper clothing and gear. Another aspect is the nutrition during the race. The hash-house is great but we are only able to enjoy it while in camp during the night and early morning. Let the training and preparation begin!
Anyway, wish us luck on our road to the European Rogaining Championships 2023 in Pöytyä!
Team MuSi: J-P & Vesku
