Training Log Archive: ernst

Warm-up jog with od-J.

Jogging around Spruce Hole. Not much energy. Hungry. Low bloodsugar level.

O in the Pines. Long Distance, Green Course, 6.7 k straight line.
Another good day. I ran straight across from 2 -3, checked off features and aimed off to the right to catch the big trail S of 3. No problems with 4-6: fun area to hop around in. I lost 1 min + on the big traverse to 7, drifted too far north, but immediately knew what happened. Lost another 1 minute to 8 simply because I ran out of 7 without a plan for the 750 m leg. (Trail through the middle, then trail S around). A bit of time lost 11-12, climbing up but then detouring the fence on the field S of 11, which I deemed uncrossable. Little bobbles on the short legs 12 - 14 that should have been trivial. That was for sprinters (not my forte). Rest of the course was fine, I tried to attack as best as possible. Then to the last control, I crashed downhill to the number instead of the circle. Came to the field 100 m W and nobody/no streamers in sight. But realized my silly mistake and spiked with all my remaining strength to finish the course.

A fine weekend. Nice venue, everything close together (camping, finish etc all at the parking lot of the X country Ski area). I liked the map, I was getting in tune with it; liked the courses. Thanks, EMPO crew! This being my first A meet this year, I was very happy with my performance. Also after an injury last December (herniated lumbar disk) which put me out of commission for several months, I seemed to have regained my strength; so this weekend was a confidence booster both for navigation and running.

Sunday - Long Green - Splits

Event: "O" in the Pines A meet
 

O in the Pines, Middle Distance Event. Green Course. 3.4 km str. line distance. Very rocky terrain. Had to get a feel for the map from 1 - 5. Quickly got annoyed jumping over rocks, so opted for trails and deviated from the straight line quite a bit. This may have cost me some time relative to the winning time of the particular legs, but the fact that many rivals on the course made serious mistakes, it was more prudent to play it safe at the beginning.
Lost 1 min on 5, simply was confused. Expected a bunch of rockpiles and could not see any - I had drifted too far South. Eventually saw control while looking back. Slow going to 6 and came in to 50 m N to marsh. Serious mistake to 7 (2.5 minutes): while contouring around the hill, saw a control 70m down the hill on boulder and sprinted to it - wrong code. Then realized what I did, and had to climb back up 3 contours over rocks - running impossible. Since Tim P started 2 minutes behind me I anxiously looked up the hill expecting him dashing down to the control in front of me. But no Tim in site which must have given be some positive energy. Pretty much spiked the rest of the controls and had plenty energy hopping over the rocks.

Saturday - Middle Green - Splits

Bike to work and back with loop by CSF fish pickup

Decided on a long run since the previous day's run had stopped. Too my surprise the woods were completely dry - the 3 inches that came down violently (had puddles in the basement) had already soaked in. Fall colors all of a sudden - nice surprise.
First mile warm up over to Foggs - monthly mortgage ceremonial. Then 2nd mile easy with o.d. Jena around Spruce Hole, then back out for the real thing.
Alternated my pace in intervals of roughly 1 mile: near race then relaxed, etc.
Stopped to briefly chat with 2 workers who erected in the middle of the woods a low wood frame for a plastic green-house like roof of about 60m by 50m. My initial sighting prompted shock: What the hell? Turns out the construction was a research project to simulate a drought. Ha, we just had a 3 month drought.

Monthly Dover Contra Dance. Dancing time around 1 hour. Fun meeting several of the "old timers" whom we have not seen in a long while.

To and from work

Around Spruce Hole. Did various hill workouts as well as intervals of high leg-lifts.