Training Log Archive: Rosstopher

Healing + fun filled weekend = sleepy Ross. I did eventually wake up and start moving about. I finally got out the door and used my commute to work to get a little morning jog in and to practice map and compass skills with the wrong hand. The running felt great, and holding the map of Switzerland was encouraging. There is a knack to folding the map such that there is ample space off to the other side of the line where the compass and thumb sit, leaving the route clean for navigation. It is really ingrained and second nature to fold for the left-hand grip, but once folded, I think that keeping a compass bearing will be possible. I was struggling yesterday in the forest with the cast because folding is easier with two free hands. I also realized that for reading detail I normally use both hands at once to steady the map and bring it close to my face. I am now thinking that I might toy with the idea of using the cast during training and preparations, but during the races themselves run with only medical tape covering the elbow. Will evaluate closer to the competition.

C • base plate compass 3

Training on the track week begins! I suggested 1k repeats and Boris suggested doing them as a ladder, getting a bit faster each time. My initial plan was 5-6 of them, cutting down from 3:45. I jogged down the hill from the lab to the track and immediately got started. I didn't pace very well on the first one, just going at a pace that felt easy and sustainable, but this ended up at 3:26... perhaps too fast. 200 jog, and then into the next one, which I aimed to do 5 seconds faster (and succeeded 3:21). Then 200 jog, but a little slower jog as I was starting to feel a bit more tired, then the 3rd at 3:14, and a very slow 200 as I decided that 4 was going to be enough today. The last one I was hoping for 3:10, but fell apart in the last 400, ending up at 3:15.

So in general, very pleased with where I am right now. Those times felt quite relaxed, almost. I felt a little tired and too intimidated to do more than 4 today, but the recovery from the surgery is going very well indeed.

Then a lively romp back through the forest, feeling very positive and light on my feet in the stadsskogen, as I headed home to make dinner and play Carcassone with the family. It's a pretty good life.