Training Log Archive: maprunner

Event: Flying Pig XIX - U.S. Individual Champs - Sprint-Middle-Long
 

(edit): Mike and I slept in, then went for a great breakfast at Doodles. Then we walked around the UK Arboretum, in the cold. Not the most interesting area, but we got outside. Quick trip to a grocery store, then back to the Arboretum to meet Sandy. It was such fun to be traveling with her on this trip. We told her some OK stories and legends, and taught her Talk Four. Her name is really Sondra, and her family sometimes called her Sond, so that fit well.

US Champs Sprint, Morehead State University

Yeah for Kentucky, my 39th O state!

I was nervous about this race, since I hadn't done a sprint in a long time. I was a bit excited with lots of adrenaline during the warm up, but I talked my self down a bit just before my start. It helped that the first few controls were pretty easy, so I could get into the game.

But then came the middle of the course, which was much trickier. I was not very smooth making the transition from control to control, and had to stop often to look at the map. AP splits says I lost time at 7, but I don't remember this. Maybe just too slow and hesitant?

Craziness at 8: Saw one woman crossing under the tape over the uncrossable wall and I yelled that what she was doing was not allowed, but she shrugged and continued on. I ran around the building. As I approached the control, a boy was also climbing under the tape, but when I told him he wasn't allowed, he said "I'm not?" and backed down. I was trying not to get caught up in those folks during my race, but it made me very mad. How do you handle d it when you see folks breaking the rules during a sprint?

Was heading past 10 when I saw someone leaving the control. I saw the right way into 12,but not that I should stay down and go around the building to 13. Hesitated and changed my mind on the route to 14, which was a mistake. Very slow to 15, because it was uphill, and I was starting to get tired. Also, I had a hard time reading the map and figuring out where I was supposed to go.

Biggest mistake was not reading the map well as I approached 16. I thought I had to continue NE to 17, rather than back to the NW. Circled around an extra building and had to back track.

Like everyone else, I hesitated as I approached 19, which was the upper walkway around the building. Stopped and double checked the map before I crossed the bridge.

As I approached the last control, Mike was there encouraging me on. He indicated that I had a chance to beat Kissy, and I should sprint. So I paused for a second to catch my breath (and let another runner punch first and get out of the way). I looked down the finish chute to gauge my direction, punched the control, and took off. Wee! I hadn't done a good, fast finish chute run in a while, so this was fun! I was only about 90% because I still haven't gotten all the way back after my hamstring injury, and I didn't want to get hurt again. And I muffed up punching the finish so I lost some time there. 13 seconds, which was fastest on the course, but 2 seconds off the best. Shoot! Someday soon I'll get the fastest finish split....

Overall, I was fairly clean, but I didn't like all the hesitation I felt on the course. Need to practice more sprints. I know I pushed as hard because my quads were surprisingly tired that night. I was't running all out (that would be bad for my nav) but I think it was the longest hard effort I had done in a while.

I appreciated that OCIN had put the control numbers on the side of the stand, so you could see the number as you approached. I also appreciated the ride back to the start from Iamstillhungry. Funny incident when conversation in the car was about people taking your map (when they are distributed after the race) only to find out that Tom H had accidentally taken someone else's map!

Nice dinner at A&W to test out my soon-to-be BIL's new creation. Enjoyed talking with Sandy and Tom H about their first experience at a national event.

route

Sprint - 6 Green F - Splits

Nice day. Started too early, though, with an 8 am flight to Cincinnati. Mike, sandy and I took back roads through KY horse country to reach Sandy's dad in Versailles; very beautiful. Then Mike and I explored the UK campus. Small art museum, massive library. Then we had fun looking at the campus as if we were making a sprint map: would this be gray or tan? Uncross able wall or not? How do you show this ramp? Good practice for tomorrow.
Then to Summer and Silas's house for good conversation and great food (pork roast with cherries, and fennel salad). Love to have Silas and his cooking skills join the family :)

A light easy session with the trainer tonight, in anticipation of the weekend.

I am so excited to see everyone this weekend, especially some folks I haven't seen in literally years, such as Tom and Lisa. Also excited to have two OKers attending their first national meet. Plus we're visiting Mike's sister and her fiance'. It's going to be awesome!

C • Have fun! 4

I went out to Rockcrusher to pick up the markers from the latest practice course that Mike had set. I had trouble getting started: first, I thought I was going to one parking area, instead of the one on the map. Then, I forgot my O shoes (thought they were still in the car) and had to wear gym shoes; and finally my Garmin was dead (despite being plugged in all night long).

But it was a beautiful evening (15C and getting cloudy) with great views of the lake and setting sun. I felt much better than I expected, after yesterday. I took it pretty easy, because, why do something stupid tonight? A nice outing, the best part of my day.

OK event at Woodridge, with courses set by MeanGene. Beautiful sunny skies, temps warming up to 22 C. Perfect to sit in the sun and work registration. Once again, we got several newbies, who are attracted by our "free for first timers" offer.

Mike went out early and when he returned, he cautioned me against doing the long course, because the sun was intense and the course was pretty hilly. So I did the middle course instead. I was really glad I did. I got tired enough as it was, and somewhat dehydrated (even though I carried water). Clean run, which felt satisfying.
my route

Control pick up. Once again, I was really glad Mike had suggested that I do the middle course today. Very tired when I got home. Sad to see KU lose.

Putting out some markers for tomorrow's event. Mike was there, as was Kevin and his 4 year old daughter Steph. Plus Grace, one of the oldest members of OK (in terms of tenure and age). What a cool mix!

Lubed the chain and pumped up the tires; time to get back on the bike! Just a short trip to get my body back into the groove.