Training Log Archive: furlong47

Event: DVOA Fair Hill, Mid-atlantic champs
 

DVOA Fair Hill Big Elk Chapel - Midatlantic Championships - Green

Nice, if cold and windy, day. I always enjoy Fair Hill, the openness and lack of technicality make it one of my faster parks.

Along the big trail to the next field, then I took the squiggly trail to just North of the control and from there it could be seen. Back to squiggly trail and across the field, entering the maze. I got into number 2 fine, but somehow got messed up on the way out even though I was being extremely slow and careful. But, I could see the big field to the North through the trees, so I just started heading that way, and picked up the trail that I wanted running parallel to the creek. There were several new trails in here, as I meant to attack from the junction, but attacked too early and quickly realized my mistake as the stream was too close and there were big rocks there. Continued along to the proper place and successfully attacked 3.

To 4, simple, follow the dry ditch. Then I went North to the field and over toward the tunnel. It seemed like a lot of people were confused about how to cross (you couldn't see the tunnel unless you were on top of it) but I knew where to go because I rode a paperchase through here in March and went through this very tunnel. Stopped to drink, water went down the wrong pipe, and I ended up coughing my way through and up the other side. Across the jump field, most jumps put away from the winter, it was very cold and windy here. The logs that I jumped several times in the Spring were still there. Entered the woods via a coop which I then had to leap down from the top of. Again, the trail went to right South of the control and I could see the top of the bank and went in to punch it. Tweaked my ankle on the way down, thankfully the braces kept it from turning over, but both ankles have been very weak lately and all it takes is the tiniest bit of a wrong step to really lame me for awhile.

I continued on the trail, then cut South to the big trail, across the bridge at the stream ford (also rode through here in March) and then followed the stream along to control 6. I cut straight over to the field, though finding a place to get out into the open wasn't easy, then stayed down instead of going over the hill with the water complex at the top. I went in directly West of 7 and could see it as soon as I entered the woods. Pretty much beelined it to 8, and then it was simply down along Superfence to 9 (though there was another wire fence there and luckily a gap to squeeze through and get down to the control.) Through the tunnel and in to the finish! Yeah! A fun, fast course!

DVOA Fair Hill - Midatlantic Championships - Sprint/Relay Course 3

I cannot believe my per/k times are that fast! I was tired and my muscles felt like they were dying, I felt like I was walking way too much. Anyway, a technically very easy course. I was the first person out of the gate, and Sandy had pointed out where each course's first control was. Right up the hill and the control was on the corner of the dressage arena. Down to 2, I went left of the green blob, walking with really stiff, sore legs, Dayne passed me and I started to move faster again.

Across the top trail and cut in when I could see 3, which I believe I had as a control on the sprint at the first A meet here. South on the trail and right down to 4, then through the next gap up to the other corner of the dressage arena to 5. 6 was on a jump right across the way and visible from 5. Basically straight to 7 on another jump. Then South along the edge of the other ring, I picked up the trail that went right above the control at the top of a series of down banks. It took me a moment to sort out which direction 9 was in, but then I got it with no problem. The slightly uphill slog to the finish was the worst part of the course. I was running but soooo slowly and it felt like in a dream where you are running but can't get anywhere. Finally made it to the punch and was done.

I've noticed, and I guess this is because I don't do much or anything in the way of warming up, that often when I start out fast I then all of a sudden get overcome by basically a whole body ache. Like all my muscles are flooded with lactic acid or something. Then I work out of it and can move fine again, but for 30 seconds or so I feel so exhausted.

SVO Scout Event at Lanc. Central Park

Control hanging/pickup at Lanc. Central Park for Scout event

Lesson on William. W/T/C, he didn't want to canter on his left lead, then we jumped some gymnastics MUCH better than last week, and he did land on the correct lead, so that was cool.

Will be working at the barn on Saturdays for the next couple months, since there's not much orienteering going on, bartering for my lessons which means more money in my pocket for Christmas shopping and the new tires I need to get before snow flies.

I swear the distance measurements on these things can't be right, because there's no way I am that fast on a bike.

Shins are hurting so things may be kind of low impact this week... I hope they feel better for MidAtlantics on Sun.