Training Log Archive: Anvil

Dropped in on the local gym for a tough class
20 back squat @ 225
2 mile row
20 back squat @ 225 in 15 mins

then

5 rounds of 50 DUs and 15 hang snatches @ 75 in ~11 mins

then

50 burpee box jump overs in ~7:00

COC Middle Champs - M35
What a roller coaster. Up until #12 I was having the best middle race I can remember. Was a little confused and slow going to #1, but stayed on the right line and the flag eventually appeared, then everything else in the detail just kept showing up exactly where I wanted.
Nick appeared #5, having made a mistake early and looked like he was going to pull away until I thought to myself, no - you can keep up. So I did.
I snuck into #12 ahead of him and then promptly turned my brain off. Did the classic, 'the hard stuff is done now, the rest of the course is moderate at best' and promptly lost 4 minutes on a basic rough bearing to an obvious catching feature leg.
Then did the even more classic, try to run faster to 'get the time I lost back' and skipped a control in the last loop. 2 rookie errors back to back.
If I'd just sat with Nick in the final loop, I would have finished in a very respectable 32 mins, 2 or 3rd overall and the top podium position.

But strangely, I'm not upset at all. I came into the week with very low expectations, I hadn't raced since Spring 2016 or done a multi day carnival since Summer 2015. I expected my navigation to be garbage and no idea how my running would fare - I was definitely not expecting to write 'running the best race I can remember' at any point.

What I'm taking from this is that my current training (ie barbells, pull ups, EMOMS and shit) is enough to keep me competitive at M35 in NA - and that's totally fine with me. I know I could never go back to 5-6 days a week of purely running (mainly alone due to my 'non-traditional' work hours).
It isn't enough to be competitive in Long races (or anything over say 1:15-ish), but I can only count 3 Long races I've ever enjoyed, so - that's fine too. Next time, I'll make the point to get into the woods once or twice beforehand to dust off the cobwebs, so I skip the learning curve on the first couple of races.

COC Middle - C-10 - Splits

COC Long Champs M35
Orienteering is hard.

My body just wasn't into it today. I tried to keep positive in the early section and that was hard enough, the light green/deadfall/moss/crap in there was too tough for me and I was walking 85% of it.
After CP8 it got a lot more 'Long' like, with longer route choice legs, trails and opener woods... and my Achilles decided enough was enough. The pain slowly crept up my calf until I decided at CP9 to call it a day.

COC Long - C-10 - Splits

Since it was a rest day, dropped into the local gym for a class
Built up to a moderate deadlift @ 335lb, then a workout of wall balls, deadlifts and toes 2 bar
May regret this tomorrow

C • Meme 3

NAOC/COC Sprint Champs - M35
Orienteering is easy. 3rd overall, 16 secs down on 1st, top 'Canadian' (just don't look at the M45 results). Need to get me an SI Air.
So, I guess that is just one of those days where it works. Not much to say, got through the scary early section unscathed and just tried to push as hard as possible on the big running leg.
Thought a 10 sec mistake on one of the final dune controls was my only time loss, but it seems like I bled about 30 secs out there. Maybe still just not aggressive in the woods? If so, I'm OK with that - I don't have a hole in my leg and still got the best medal I could possibly get

C • Congrats! 3

NAOC Sprint - C-6b - Splits

NAOC Middle M35
Expected this to be a shit show, knowing how hard this area is and how long it's been since I've raced on a technical area.
Started off likely a little too fast in the easier, physical first section (though crushed AG! in most splits here), but pretty clean.
Had two 2-3 min mistakes on 9 and 12 which I'm annoyed a out, but I recovered OK and didn't let them effect the rest of the race.
Probably could have pushed a little harder in the last couple, but didn't recognise that there wasn't anything to be worried about!
The best takeaway from today was that it was the first time since my accident in 2014 that I felt comfortable/didn't feel nervous running at a higher speed in the woods. There weren't many chances today to do that, but it felt so good when I did.
I don't think I'll ever not be cautious around a fallen pine tree again, but that was a pretty good birthday present!.

C • Nice! 1

NAOC Middle & WRE - C-10 - Splits

NAOC Long M35
Went about as expected. Actually felt good running on firm ground, but the super soft stuff destroyed me. Cramp started to kick in around 1:20.
Reminded me how long it's been since doing a Long race, started making sloppy errors, fighting the compass and getting pushed around by the forest the longer the race went on.
Went full boy Scout at one point using the sun for the rough compass legs instead of compass. Embarassing.
Had to relocate and run part way down the finish chute for the CP before the spectator one. More embarrassing.

NAOC Long & WRE - C-10 - Splits

Event: NAOC 2018
 

Play on the model map.
Things I struggled with:

Reading contours
Distance estimation
Seeing the flag
Running
Walking

If I beat you, you're bad.

C • If I beat you, you are bad. 5

C • Happy B'Day!!!!! 6