Training Log Archive: maprunner

I needed to practice running fast while reading the map. My recent O training has either been slow technical map reading, or fast re-runs of previous courses. So I drew a course through the open areas at SMP, and ran at almost race pace. I was pleased with my navigation and map reading (granted, SMP is not the most technical map) on the run. It was also nice conditions: a cool rain at the beginning, and then a bit of sun.

C • SMP 3

at SMP after work. Felt pretty good, and saw two other trail runners, which is rare. And I was able to do a slow jog and keep my HR under 155, even in the heat and humidity. I couldn't do that a month ago. Improved fitness or form? My guess is improved running efficiency.

Last day of the NYTC, at Rockhouse Mountain. I re-ran a brown course, from the team trial relays a few years ago. In that event, I went out with Gail, and promptly screwed up badly. My goal today was to be slow and clean, especially on #2 and #3, which were my biggest mistakes the first time around. The weather was nice and cool, but the woods were a bit crappy, with lots of blueberry.

But I finally had some confidence in these woods, after three days. I took my time to double check myself at each control (there were no tapes or markers) but I was sure I was in the right spot. On Saturday, I could have easily convinced myself I was right, when I wasn't. I was clean through the whole course, with one notable exception, which was not my fault (Really! Read on!)

I finished with a field "finish chute" sprint: Weeee!!! What a great end to the weekend. This whole trip was a lot of fun.

Now, for my mistake. It was due to my AOWN moment. I was running along a trail from 5 to 6, when I suddenly saw a large black bear, about 50 meters ahead on the trail. My first reaction was "Cool!" And I stood there for a second or two, just watching. I had been running on grass, so the bear hadn't heard me. But then I thought, "Oh, I'm supposed to scare it away". I waved my arms and shouted; it saw me and turned tail into the woods. At that point I changed my plan of attacking #6 from the trail, and I headed right into the woods, away from the bear.

Found #6, and then thought "Oh no,I have to go back to the trail to get to #7". Don't know why I thought that; it wasn't true, but I obviously had bear on my mind. So I headed back to the trail, shouting out and making noises the whole time. I frequently talk to myself in the woods, but this was the first time I was trying to be overheard! I hit the trail, and took off running very fast. After a minute or two, I finally remembered to look at the map, and noticed that I was now taking a very circuitous route to #7. Oh well. It was pretty wild to have seen the bear; now I'm _almost_ as cool as Charlie :)

I did a map hike, as I made my way to the start triangle. Tried to read ahead, and also think what the rock features would look like, before I got there. Good practice.

Control picking course at Hogencamp. Mike and I had planned to train on our own, but we pulled into the Lake Skinati parking lot just behind Greg Balter, et. al. Greg had set a training course, consisting of two maps. Each map had four loops. I did 3 and 1/3 loops of the first map. This was technical orienteering, very tough, so I walked the whole way. I got bettter at reading the map as I moved through the course, which was good. It was a lot of fun to be out in the woods, and to have other orienteers running around at the same time.

Physical conditions were not as nice as yesterday: much hotter, and lots more blueberry. I'm amazed whenever I see other orienteers running through the blueberry. I wonder if I will ever be strong enough to actually run a blueberry-filled course at Harriman ????

Walking back to the car, along the trail and road. Feet were hurting, knee was hurting, and I was hungry and thirsty. My brain was dead, so no more map reading on the return trip.