From the diary of a (SAXBO) course maker

February 27, 2021

After the run is before the run! You often hear that. It's true for SAXBO, too, especially this year. Because of the postponement into the autumn last year, there are only six months time. The last time this happened was in 2000, when the German championships Long was "inserted" between the SAXBOs in October.

So get to it, to the course laying. Actually, you can't hear it anymore. Or? Why do "they" come every year again and again? Between Waltersdorf and Lückendorf are only 10 km as the crow flies. In between, it's always back and forth. Now already 29 years. Whether someone was present at all runs? Unfortunately, at the beginning it was not yet so with Internet... um...back to the track laying. Where are we going this year? This map we had actually intended for the BRL to the German championships Sprint 2020!?! Oh well, it spoils. Expiration date and so, so now out with it to the orienteering people. With the map Volker's dream came true, he always wanted that terrain. For this he even persuaded the nature conservation, so that they let us sniff around a bit. Actually one should think that after nearly thirty years on the 10 km everything was already there, but far from it. It is enough to stick together the orienteering maps of the Zittauer Gebirge and already the gap ...um ... back to the track layout shows up.

Who was already times with me at home, which knows, I have even a course laying room. Well, that's just a little booth with a white ceramic in the middle. Opposite the seat, however, the next map is always pasted in enlarged scale. Others take the newspaper with them, I just have the map.

So how do I start? Start must be feasible for the children. With us few people, we can't afford a second launch. In the past, you could take it into the woods, but today? We need space. The hygiene concept will probably be in demand this time as well. You need at least ten meters of width again. Separate men and women. Just like in the old days... in the last century. But where? Rolf had already checked three good-looking places. Unfortunately, all negative, not usable. Thank God I have him for that, because currently I am not allowed to enter Germany as a "neighboring country resident". Mh, ok, so out on the meadow? But there is often drinking water catchment area.

Speaking of drinking, I'm thirsty. First into the cellar. Cheers! ...um...further, back to the track laying. Start... I have to get the kids back to the finish. Good, there it could go. Open area. I know the owner... I must call times, whether we may for three hours there on it. Will be okay, is also a sportsman...ski...knows René Sommerfeldt and Viola Bauer. So off we go. The 12s still together, the 14s rather separate. The boys are already running like bulls, the girls a bit more cautiously.

Actually, I have a great advantage. I can browse through the results lists of the last years and see there what I can simply take over or what I have to do differently. One should think that it works so but then often somehow everything is different. Once in Lückendorf, there the suitable course data of the past years in the same area were taken over. Actually nothing can go wrong. Or nevertheless? Can! Rain, cold snap, snow, slippery. In the slopes and between the stones everyone took of course the speed out, otherwise much too dangerous. Result of it? In many courses the winning times far above. Or once some elite man enters in the H21A Short and wins with 17 minutes ahead. The winning time was totally exaggerated. Was it therefore a bad course? I hope not. Who knows my courses, knows, the eye runs along. Few paths, a bit rough, lots of rocks and hollows and always a view into the distance, if you take the second and can still get your head up. I like the little post locations next to it, railroad crossings if you can, and at least one long blow in between. Anyone coming to SAXBO should know what they are getting into.

...um... so go ahead, be a little creative. It doesn't look so bad after all. You can leave the children's tracks as they are. The 14er girls not too heavy? When I look at the winning times of the last few years, it's okay. Sometimes I overdo it with the more mature girls. I hope they are not too angry with me. So first of all I count the altitude meters at a track. Oops, I think I have to use the slope plane again. At a SWISS O-Week there was once a downhill-OL, that one would have to make times...or night-OL...or only rocks...um...back to track laying, etc. etc.

And in six weeks? Theoretically the competition stands, this time because of Corona only 17 courses, sometimes it is 22. First inspection in the forest was already, markings can begin, some post locations are not feasible or unclear, so away from the location or redraw map. Last year Robert and Rolf did a great job of this and conjured up a revised map in two weeks, a dream.
Then look over it again and again, put course data and post description online, finalize map layout. The deadline is approaching, the printing date is approaching. Print numbers? Does everything fit?

And then there it is, day "X". Set and check the posts, the start can come. The helplessness of no longer being able to influence the lanes is enormous. I like to stand at the finish line and listen to the first conversations about the course. Most of them don't know that I've done anything wrong. But many also seek direct conversation. Praising words are of course balm for the soul, but constructive criticism is important, that helps me for the next time. I already know what saying will come in the evening: After the run is before the run!

What terrain are we planning for next year? The track laying room needs a new poster...

see you soon, your Kuddel