Training Log Archive: maprunner

Day two at the US Champs. I knew today's course would be pure running, so I was worried about my ability to survive. I had also slept badly, so I was nervous that I would screw up the navigation, too. So, all told, I psyched myself out and was a bit tentative at the start. Approached 3 right on, but second guessed myself, looked around, relocated and found the marker right where I was heading. Only lost about 1 minute here.

Still wobbly on the way to 4. Looked up and convinced myself that the hill top NW of my control was the hill I wanted, so I went there first. Quickly figured out my mistake, but lost some time here as well.

After that, I settled down. It helped that the navigation was super easy (often the marker was visible way far ahead, or it was on the side of the feature that we apporached first).

Just like Peter, I suffered through the long leg. No fun to jog ~700 meters, with no navigation challenge. However, I was able to (slowly) jog the whole leg, which is an accomplishment for me. A few years ago, I would have walked 90%.

The spectator-friendly end of the course was fun, and made one really concentrate. I made a small bobble when I was convinced I knew which control was my 13, instead of actually looking at my map. Took a few steps in the wrong direction before I realized my mistake.

Overall, I was pleased with my performance today. I was able to jog all but the uphills, which is real progress. Still slow, so I was 4th in my class. But relatively clean, so I was in the middle of the pack on Green Y, instead of the bottom. Real signs that my training is beginning to pay off.

Quick Route day 2
consistency 16>9 time lost 9.7

Can I make a personal plea, and ask my fellow Green Y runners to enter their splits in AP? I need at least three to analyze my own splits in WinSplits. Thanks so much!

C • Just entered them 5

US Champs: Green Y Day 2 - Splits

Day one at US Champs. I mis-timed my warm up, and had to run to the start. My start time folks were already getting their maps! Not the way I wanted to begin, but at least I knew it was an easy run to the first control.

I was actually moving and concentrating well through the first few controls. I was pleased with my map reading.

I got sloppy, though, on the way to 5, and didn't pay attention to exactly where I crossed the reentrant. Or how high up the hill I wanted to be. Climbed quite a bit (to the upper set of rocks) before I decided to stop and figure things out. I was pleased that I stopped, and didn't wander aimlessly. Probably lost 5 minutes here, still.

After that I was pretty clean, only minor bobbles. I was satisfied with my effort today. 4th in F45, but not too far back.

Beautiful day, fun course. Quick Route day 1
consistency 22.6 time lost 12.8

US Champs: Green Y Day 1 - Splits

Met Cristina at the airport in Denver. Great to have company for the drive. We went to Pelican Bay to get in a little bit of practice. I walked around for 30 minutes, checking features and remembering how to read the rocks up here. Then a nice dinner (vegetarian in Laramie ?!) followed by watching some of the Opening Ceremonies. A nice day.

Off to Laramie tomorrow. Looking forward to fun orienteering, good company and COOL weather! I have absolutely no O expectations. The altitude is one thing; I haven't been on a map in three months is another. (I still dream that the US Champs will be in the spring, once every 10 years or so, for those of us who don't live in the NE).

I'm also just looking forward to the travel. I haven't been on a plane in three months, which is the longest stretch that I can remember in the last few years. But I make up for it: I'll be on a plane again just three days after I return from WY :)

at SMP after work. It's actually been a while since I went to SMP, so it felt different. Nice running weather (it had cooled off to 85 degrees).

A great day. We had a whole garage full of stuff carted away, and we got a huge tax deduction to boot! Woohoo!

C • WooHoo indeed!! 1

Event: 2008 Laramie Daze & US Champs