Training Log Archive: TomN

Susquehanna Stumble, hosted by QOC at Prince William Forest. I chose the Short Stumble, because I really didn't want the total body wreckage that would come from running a 15k mass start event, and also I figured I could place pretty well in the short.

And that last part was certainly right, I came in second, 10 min behind Chris Gross and 8 min ahead of Rick Oliver. But here's the deal, this wasn't really orienteering. I hardly navigated at all, just an occasional check to see which window control we were going to, and I was invariably surprised to see the control coming up so soon.

I mostly followed Ted and Vido, both running Long. At one point I was following Ted so closely I spiked him on the calf when I stumbled trying to avoid a fat greenbriar strung low between the trees. I stopped to check with him and he emerged apparently unhurt, but it was bad form and I am sorry about it.

When Ted split off to the left going to 14 I went up the trail with Vido, but we managed to make a bad attack and lost the spur with the control on it. Then I did some actual navigation, and we found the right one together, about 4 min lost. Also navigating to 15 and 16, and then solo to the finish.

I ran well, probably nearly 10k total distance with a fair amount of elevation gain. I felt strong the whole way through to the finish. But there's no way I can navigate on my own at that speed. I've occasionally done it in easier terrain, but not in this kind of complexity. This was mostly running, not orienteering.

Short - Splits

In an odd coincidence, both my daughters were playing in the same Ultimate Frisbee tournament in New Jersey this weekend. In fact, their teams played against each other. So we went to the tournament for a day, to watch them play, and to wish Mei-An a happy birthday.

Biking to work. The center was closed but since Florence was coming in and I could get a ride home, I came in too. This was my fastest trip by far. I picked up 10 min by riding on the road instead of the trail on Sligo Creek Parkway (not much traffic), and 10 min by coming in the main gate via Goodluck Road and Cipriano Road (because the back gate was closed). It's 2 miles shorter this way, but not very pleasant on Goodluck Road. It was a really nice day, 50 when I started and almost 60 by the time I got in. Breezy but mostly from behind.

Goddard perimeter road. Sunny and 50s.

Early this morning I figured I'd just sleep for 4 years. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to.

Early run, 34 degrees at 7 a.m. Maybe a little overdressed, but hey, it takes a while to get used to this. By 10 a.m. when I went to vote, it was up to like 60. No armed militias outside the polling place, so I guess they've decided to let the election rigging proceed uncontested, at least in Maryland, which, according to the polls, is the most pro-Clinton state in the country.

Biking to work. It was 40 degrees when I left home. Tech-T, thin long-sleeve, bike jacket, buff, gloves, tights. Pretty well equipped, and comfortable all the way through, although I was not pushing the pace. I thought about taking off a layer, and I would have, if I had wanted to push harder. Still, I saw at least one runner in shorts and T-shirt, and also (in the second hour) a cyclist in shorts and jacket but no gloves. OK, my gear was versatile.