I remember
being at World Champs in Tampere 2001 watching and wondering how it would feel
to run there. Home champs are special, you always have a bit of advantage by
knowing the terrain type and having the crowds at your side cheering and supporting
you. Everyone wants to live it. When Vuokatti got its champs it was obvious
that every top orienteer in Finland wanted to run there and made everything to
fulfil their dreams. Me included. But the places are few and the game is hard.
I focused mainly
on the long distance because I knew it would suit me and I had trained hard for
it. I knew my shape was good and I knew I could orienteer there. I really had
it in my hands but after a good start (2nd, only 5 sec behind Anni-Maija after
14 min of running) I fell asleep for a second and lost myself while heading
towards a road, got confused and lost the grip totally on that leg. One single simplified
leg that destroyed the whole dream. I lost over 4min there but gathered myself and
made a good run after that (at least something to be proud of). Rest of the
course went well but I lost some time when I had to return and re-punch control
5 and also on route choices at the end of the course by running through marshes
on legs 16-17 and 17-18. I was 4th and not selected. Only 3 best get to run.
Last year I was 3rd and also not selected. But this time it hit a lot harder because
I was in much better shape and I really had a chance and capacity.
I feel
empty. This was my biggest dream and it certainly takes a while to get over it...
I also feel
sorry for those who made the results but not into the team. Life isn't always
fair.
