Interview #3: Training in Lockdown Interview with Fiona Bunn (TVOC / CUOC)

As GB Orienteering Athletes are getting more and more used to the ‘new normal’, British Orienteering asks how lockdown restrictions have impacted on their daily and weekly training routines and drills.

British Orienteering is publishing a series of interviews this week with GB athletes. 

Here is the next interview with GB elite athlete Fiona Bunn member of  Thames Valley Orienteering Club and Cambridge University Orienteering Club.

Fiona Bunn

Club (National): Thames Valley Orienteering Club / Cambridge University Orienteering Club

Club (International): Sodertalje Nykvarn Orientering (SNO)

Athlete Profile

How have the current restrictions impacted on your training?

Fiona: “It’s impacted on racing plans of course, and as a result I’ve also not been able to do any technical training from where I live, although I think this is not a problem as we are so far out from any races right now. Physical training hasn’t changed too much. It’s sad not to be able to train with a group, but as I am currently rehabbing from an injury I’m in a good position now as I’m able to really take my time on the come back and focus on building slowly and doing all the right exercises. The overall strategy has shifted more into winter training and building a base in the absence of the summer race calendar.

I also can’t do my usual gym sessions but I’ve been adapting at home, and was luckily given a friend’s old barbell at the start of lockdown which gives lots of opportunities!”

What advice have you got for other athletes or members in a similar position?

Fiona: “Use this time to work on your weaknesses, or make your strengths into super strengths! Whilst it’s important to form a good routine, it’s also good to experiment with a few new exercises/session styles to try to mix things up and keep a new stimulus! There’s loads of resources on the internet being released. I know some people who are using lockdown as a long experiment to try out a different type of training and see how their body responds, without the pressure of having upcoming races.

Also try to keep in touch with training partners and motivate each other. We’ve been doing Virtual circuits with the Cambridge running club, and a Fantasy league style series with different challenges every few weeks such as different distance races and a 100m elevation challenge for example.”

What is your number one Lockdown training session?

Fiona: “I’m not currently doing any speedwork due to my injury rehab, but I’ve been enjoying running around a marshy field to keep the terrain work going and hopefully come back a more robust athlete with stronger ankles! I’ve also enjoyed the Lockdown orienteering competitions online.”

Have you still been able to access support from your coach or orienteering athlete friends, and if so how?

Fiona: “I keep in email contact with my coach usually anyway so not too much has changed there. I’m also hoping to join in with an SNO training camp from afar, along with some of their other international runners in lockdown. I think Skype yoga is on the list which could be interesting.”

What box sets have you been able to catch up on during Lockdown?

Fiona: “Boringly not much, I’m still nice and busy with revision for Finals at Uni! I’m enjoying the repeats of Outnumbered on TV though.”

Have you been doing any DIY tasks – anything you want to tell us about

Fiona: “Again not much! We’re starting a veg patch with the prospect of actually being at home for long enough over summer to look after it, but that’s it.”

Anything else you wish to share on any other aspects of Lockdown training?

Fiona: “Now is a good time to use some creativity and plan for the future! Whether it is making a bank of future training/armchair planned courses, creating new maps for example see the UK Elite Orienteering league competition, new online resources such as all the fantastic new websites being developed by the Lockdown Orienteering challenge or just reflecting on previous performances and writing down some aims for the future or coming up with new exercises to train different skills. I’m excited to see what new ideas we emerge from lockdown with, and also excited to enjoy coming back to races with a new founded appreciation!”

Thank you Fiona. We wish you all the best with your studying and on-going training.

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As a sport, we must work together to resume orienteering responsibly as and when the relevant government determines it is safe to do so.

The Board of Directors at British Orienteering have committed to following the respective advice of each government, and therefore there are likely to be periods when types of orienteering activities permitted, vary between different parts of the UK, depending on the government guidelines and regulations.

The latest statement from British Orienteering can be found here.
Resumption of Orienteering