Training Log Archive: Sandy

Leisurely hike up the hill and back down while Dennis ran up and joined me midway for the hike down. Nice park a mile or so from where we're staying.

TNT - nice tour of Tyler Arboretum with Dasha and Ann while Clem ran.

And then a nice dinner with great friends; a perfect ending to a good day.

Checking out a few more control locations as I change my mind about how I want the courses to flow.

Gnats were horrid again today. And some horseflies found me, too.

Didn't take the pack as my neck has really been bothering me and it seems to be triggered by wearing the pack. A little thirsty by the end but okay.

Used the foam roller on my back when I got home and I could actually feel things in my shoulders and neck release. Wish I had realized that it was my back that was the problem and thought to use it sooner!

RTP - slowly increasing reps, but able to go faster. Also did some of the arm stuff while doing the one leg balances, so doing two exercises at once.

Found some Icebug boots and bought them and tested them out at FC today. They fit great and they are waterproof. They have removable metal studs so can wear them comfortably on roads and stuff. They are winter boots with lots of insulation, but my feet were comfortable today even though it was 80+. Will definitely wear them for winter stuff around here - will think about whether they would work on Kilimanjaro. I think so, but will get some input from folks that have done hiking like that before deciding.

TNT - Indian loop with Sandy, just hiking but at a decent pace. Saw Karl running up the monster hill we were walking down as he did his workout.

A long day. Drove up to PEEC, put out the controls from the NAOC sprint white and one of the brown courses and then taught a group of bright high school science geeks who are attending a week long sceince camp at PEEC about orienteering. We walked a bit of the brown course as a group and after a few controls it was clear they knew what they were doing so I sent them out in twos on the white course. They all did well and no one had problems. I walked a bit of the course backwards after they all started to make sure they were okay and to give them encouragement, but they all had their noses in the map and were saying things like "we should see a trail on our left and then a building on the right and then the control will be around the back by the powerline pole" and needed no help from me. They were totally into it. Very cool. I think the pitch I gave them about it being the thinking sport was just right for this group. They liked the fact that I was a math professor and thought it was cool that I had competed in Europe. I told them about DVOA and they took home maps with the website and a few told me they thought their parents might like to try it. Would be cool. The kids were from all over the Delaware Valley - a few from Philly, a few from Jersey, several from the Allentown/Bethlehem area. And then I had to go pick up all the controls. And drive home. Like I said - a long day.

First time I've been back since NAOC and had some mixed emotions as I drove up the road to PEEC, not all of them positive. But I got out in the woods which didn't happen much during the event and it was a gorgeous day so that helped. Ran into the ranger that oversaw things the weekend of NAOC and had a nice chat with her. The budget crunch has hit them hard - they were not allowed to hire any seasonal help this summer and so are severely understaffed compared to previous years.

Seems like PEEC would be a perfect place for a training camp. Wonder what it would take to make that happen.

C • Cool!! 3