Steve Parker
How and when did you get into orienteering?
I was looking to get back into sport after giving up my Sat/Sun football when the Girls were young and went to an “Outdoor Show” at the NEC and visited the BOF Stand which had some Harlequins members on. Just so happened that they had an event the next day - 16th March 2008 – at Dudmaston which is only a mile or so down the road from home so I went and walked an orange course! Haven’t looked back since – well maybe a few times when I’ve been lost!!
What is it you like about orienteering?
The challenge of the mental map reading combined with the physical effort. I’ve got to a point where I can read the maps and navigate pretty well but I am still lack the fitness and physical effort run fast enough. Or is that the right balance for me? I’m not a natural runner, before orienteering the most running I’d do would be to tackle a fast winger or centre forward, so if I don’t have a map in my hand I don’t tend to run!!
Also - The places where we orienteer – most places have a plus side – great views, AONB, National Trust Properties or great woodlands and forests. And the fact that you are often running off paths through areas where most public don’t get to see!
What is your favourite discipline? (Forest, urban, night, score etc..)
I enjoy all aspects of orienteering; a nice clear forest is great to run through. Night O seems to heighten the senses. I enjoy the challenge Urban O and think this is a good way to raise the awareness of orienteering and bring O to the people rather than people to O.
What is your favourite area you've competed at?
I did enjoy the JK at the Lakes this year, Bigland in particular and also the Darnaway events at the Scottish 6 days/World Champs this year.
Locally - I’m looking forward to British Champs on the Brown Clee next year at the end of April, no such thing as local knowledge though!
Who do you admire in the sport?
Any of the top elite runners, to be able to run at the pace they do while reading the map and navigating through some of the most technical terrain. It must take a lot of physical training and also natural ability.
Also most of the guys who are a lot older than me but are still faster!!
What would you change in orienteering?
We need to raise the profile of orienteering and make the sport more inclusive. Most people who you tell that you orienteer say “Think I did that a school” but don’t realise that there are local clubs or a National Organisation.
But realistically running around a remote forest in funny gear and specialist shoes with a map in your hand is a fringe sport!!
BUT - Running around a Town park, Country Park or NT property looking for brightly coloured flags which go “beep” when you stick your finger in is the family side!!
Emit!! Being cynical it’s a way for a club to gain an advantage and raise extra funds!! - It discourages me from going to events!!
Waiting for results, not so much now, but when I started orienteering it was very frustrating waiting several days for results to be published. Only wanted to see how far off the bottom of the list I was!!
Do you have any orienteering ambitions or Targets?
Just to record some “good runs” where I am happy with navigating and feel I have put maximum effort in!!
Other interests - what do you do when you're not orienteering?
I enjoy being outside so walking and cycling are on the list but I never do enough. A lot of time is spent doing all my own DIY etc.. I also enjoy woodwork and making my own furniture. In a house with three women in it, my workshop is my sanctuary!!
How and when did you get into orienteering?
I was looking to get back into sport after giving up my Sat/Sun football when the Girls were young and went to an “Outdoor Show” at the NEC and visited the BOF Stand which had some Harlequins members on. Just so happened that they had an event the next day - 16th March 2008 – at Dudmaston which is only a mile or so down the road from home so I went and walked an orange course! Haven’t looked back since – well maybe a few times when I’ve been lost!!
What is it you like about orienteering?
The challenge of the mental map reading combined with the physical effort. I’ve got to a point where I can read the maps and navigate pretty well but I am still lack the fitness and physical effort run fast enough. Or is that the right balance for me? I’m not a natural runner, before orienteering the most running I’d do would be to tackle a fast winger or centre forward, so if I don’t have a map in my hand I don’t tend to run!!
Also - The places where we orienteer – most places have a plus side – great views, AONB, National Trust Properties or great woodlands and forests. And the fact that you are often running off paths through areas where most public don’t get to see!
What is your favourite discipline? (Forest, urban, night, score etc..)
I enjoy all aspects of orienteering; a nice clear forest is great to run through. Night O seems to heighten the senses. I enjoy the challenge Urban O and think this is a good way to raise the awareness of orienteering and bring O to the people rather than people to O.
What is your favourite area you've competed at?
I did enjoy the JK at the Lakes this year, Bigland in particular and also the Darnaway events at the Scottish 6 days/World Champs this year.
Locally - I’m looking forward to British Champs on the Brown Clee next year at the end of April, no such thing as local knowledge though!
Who do you admire in the sport?
Any of the top elite runners, to be able to run at the pace they do while reading the map and navigating through some of the most technical terrain. It must take a lot of physical training and also natural ability.
Also most of the guys who are a lot older than me but are still faster!!
What would you change in orienteering?
We need to raise the profile of orienteering and make the sport more inclusive. Most people who you tell that you orienteer say “Think I did that a school” but don’t realise that there are local clubs or a National Organisation.
But realistically running around a remote forest in funny gear and specialist shoes with a map in your hand is a fringe sport!!
BUT - Running around a Town park, Country Park or NT property looking for brightly coloured flags which go “beep” when you stick your finger in is the family side!!
Emit!! Being cynical it’s a way for a club to gain an advantage and raise extra funds!! - It discourages me from going to events!!
Waiting for results, not so much now, but when I started orienteering it was very frustrating waiting several days for results to be published. Only wanted to see how far off the bottom of the list I was!!
Do you have any orienteering ambitions or Targets?
Just to record some “good runs” where I am happy with navigating and feel I have put maximum effort in!!
Other interests - what do you do when you're not orienteering?
I enjoy being outside so walking and cycling are on the list but I never do enough. A lot of time is spent doing all my own DIY etc.. I also enjoy woodwork and making my own furniture. In a house with three women in it, my workshop is my sanctuary!!
