Training Log Archive: BigWillyStyle

Sage Stomp 3-hour running/navigation thingy. Some discussion occurred as to whether we were doing a Rogaine or a Score-O; no resolution was arrived at. I decided on two things - to visit areas we hadn't seen yesterday, and to go to the places that might offer the best views (unfortunately most of said places were at tops of large hills). I spent most of the planning time BSing/making fun of rogaining with Emily, Kate, and Tori, which was a fantastic use of time and much more fun than actually taking rogaining seriously, but it did get me into trouble later on.

About an hour in I was cruising right along, sort of stringing controls together willy-nilly in a general downhillish way, with only a general suspicion that something bad might happen. Then I realized I'd run myself down into the far NW corner of the map, at just about its lowest point (found my million-dollar lake view). Thusly did my next leg consist of a 35-contour climb, over about 750m horizontal. At one point I looked back and could still see the last control, like 500 feet below, and I'm like "well this was dumb, but also awesome and I kinda don't even regret it." Then a pheasant busted from a bush and scared the living crap out of me.

We might say that was the "high" point of the day, because the climb didn't wreck me as badly as expected, and I was able to continue undaunted. I felt good and strong pretty much through to the end, which was strange considering how woefully unprepared I always am for these baby mutant rogaines. I measured 18.74 km straight-line distance. Don't know actual since my watch died on Saturday; Tori very generously let me borrow her extra so I could at least keep time.

A short but sweet weekend. It's always great to see the Canadians, even if they keep moving away. The O-community will miss Magnus + fam.

C • Sage Stomp 7

Event: Sage Stomp
 

9.7k = 8:01/k

Sage Stomp "long." I didn't feel particularly good for this one; my calves were still fairly sore, and my legs didn't have a lot of going ability. Probably ran a little too hard/far on Thursday to be in top form here. I made some 2:30 of mistakes (8 and 16) and ended up ~50s behind Magnus. I think I've figured out how Black Magic works: it is susceptible to defeat by Europeans, but is impervious to North American competition.

Classically nice Sage Stomp area and lovely day - perhaps even a touch too warm (on course, that is). Afterward, we jumped/gingerly waded into Kamloops Lake. Turns out it is slightly colder in May than in August. "How cold is it?" someone asked. Someone else: "Well, I don't see any floating ice chunks."

Travel day! I like travel days. They make me feel...wait for it...like I'm GOING somewhere.

C • Ha 2

My current athletic goals:*

Make the national team
Make a WOC team
Earn a start at WOC
Win relay champs
Win an individual US championship
Win the Cascade Winter Series**
Run a sub-5:00 mile

*Concept shamelessly stolen from Big W.
**Tie with Jourdan = kissing my sister = does not count.

C • You know, 4

C • Sub-5:00 mile 2

Leisurely ride to the library and back, this on the principle of "Why drive when you can ride?" to which there are only two acceptable rebuttals: "There's a flood advisory" and "Gotta get 40 lbs of cat litter."

Ride to Robinswood Park to do some course scouting. Lots of the traffics.

This is first time I've ridden a bike in a while. I built a lot of my current fitness base (such as it is) on medium-to-high intensity cycling, but for whatever reason I've gotten away from that in recent months. I need to reincorporate it, if only for the sake of my knees.

On the border crossing front, this weekend we will find out what happens when one attempts to gain entry into the United States on the very day that one's passport expires. Should be a fun experiment!

C • Risky! 3

Ride home. Happened to run into Celia, the better half of our resident Kiwi O-couple, on the way.

So paint it black and take it back
Let's shout it loud and clear
Defiant to the end we hear the call
To carry on
We'll carry on