Training Log Archive: ken

Event: QOC Morven Park
 

I had signed up for a neighborhood 5k (actually Alex signed me up) that I was going to do before orienteering, but I decided to skip it based on the fact that this week's foot problems seemed to be induced by speed and/or harder surfaces.

1-cowboy relay at Morven park, a mostly open grassy horse playground. I was nervous about how my heel would feel during this, but it seemed ok while I was warming up. Opted for just one pair of socks, which might have been a blister problem in steeper terrain, but was all good in this flattish grassy stuff. And as it turned out, my foot didn't bother me during or after the orienteering, very happy about that.

Started off (maybe too quickly) with 4 short 3-4 control loops, in mixed up order among the runners. Loops weren't exactly the same length, but I could tell that Modestas (visiting Lithuanian) was a bit ahead. started my last loop with Ryan, who is faster than me, but I got ahead of him when he overran something. I was starting to feel tired from my fast start.

The last map was much longer and unforked, I was probably 30s behind Modestas at the beginning. Chasing him to the first control I ran through some kind of super prickly burr plant thing, and got totally coated with them (ouch! this was after I had removed a bunch of them). The best part was the really long spines that kept poking me for the whole run. I tried pulling some off when running, but it was pretty tough, especially because they were just as prickly on my fingers. I actually have abrasions on various parts of my legs where they were rubbing through or where I had contact with the other leg while running. I lost sight of Modestas on the road up to 5, and didn't see him again (actually thought maybe he was on the short course). Around the same time I could see that JT was a minute or two behind, but probably not within range to catch up if I was clean the rest of the way. The controls weren't super hard, though it was possible to lose a bit of time here and there. I lost a chunk on 11 (I think, the one near the rocks), when I got there but didn't see the control behind some kids who were standing in front of it. In the end I was 2mins behind.

This format was fun. It would be hard to set an interesting daytime advanced course here, but it was actually perfect for this. Racing head-head was great, and even better because you could see people farther ahead/behind than you might in the forest. I think that kept it exciting even when we spread out a bit. I guess it would be tough to get away from somebody except by pure speed.

Brought the headcam along, which I charged during the drive over, but somehow neglected to remember any GPS watches. Awesome Valerie saved the day though, and loaned me one of hers. (thanks!!!) Not quite visible in the video is a dog collision around 1:30. I will try to add the map here, though we had 5, so it might end up being just the last one.

hiding from the wind before the start and here is the mapvideo.

maybe my last chance for a warm daylight commute for a while. faster than usual, I guess I was awake, or haven't been doing enough to get tired. foot feeling a little looser and better after this.

4x 0.75mi + 0.25jog. felt mostly ok, though the last one was starting to get harder. left heel feeling irritated in the evening afterwards, in a way I haven't felt for a few months. hmm, not good.