Training Log Archive: iansmith

I don't Night-O often - almost exclusively Pawtuckaway and the occasional CSU training, but I may compete more often. My headlamp is a cheap Energizer headlamp that I bought at Sears for about $15 five years ago. It's convenient - takes 3 AAA batteries, has long runtime, is small, and I don't especially care if it gets destroyed or damaged. However, it's a bit weak for Night-O. Energizer advertises it as 56 lumens; amazon lists it as 36 lumens.

I feel a bit ridiculous paying $400 when I only Night-O competitive two or three times per year (e.g. for a Petzl Ultra), but I am interested in an upgrade - preferably something that would be capable for a night leg at a major European relay.

I followed the discussion on Sam's thread, but her needs are somewhat more demanding than mine. At present, I'm considering two headlamps by a company that makes some hand flashlights that looked attractive:
Fenix HP11 - ostensibly 277 lumen, 4xAA
Fenix HP20 - ostensibly 230 lumen, battery pack; $100 on amazon

The Fenix HP10 225 lumen (claimed) 3xAA received high reviews on amazon. I will probably buy the Fenix PD31 and TK35 handlamps because I really like flashlights, and these seem to be brighter than comparably priced Surefires.

The Childs Bros (Mario and Luigi?) and feet all seemed to have good lights, so I will probably investigate those, too.

C • You can also 7

Cycling to Hammond Pond. I forgot to start my GPS until a few minutes after my departure from work, but I was only interested in obtaining the track to sate my curiosity, rather than accurate logging. I stopped a few times to check my phone, as I don't know the route that well. Cycling up Comm Ave is very difficult. I arrived about five minutes early.

This session is a lesson in how not to Night-O at Hammond Pond, and is brought to you by the letter e and the color 'fail.'

A set of challenges:
Challenge 1: It was cold enough for breath to condense, obscuring lights.
Challenge 2: My headlamp isn't that bright.
Challenge 3: It was drizzling.
Challenge 4: The vegetation is thick in places in Hammond Pond.

These were compounded by two errors:
Error 1: I ran in running shorts, exposing my legs to abuse as I pounded through vegetation (especially the prickly kind).
Error 2: I ran in glasses instead of contacts. This was the root of my problems, because my headlamp's flood illuminated my glasses, bouncing light into my eyes. My breath condensed and fogged my glasses, and the rain further complicated visibility. The net result was that I could barely see what I was doing.

I had so much trouble even seeing trails that I started to take longer, really safe routes - e.g. to 7 and 12. I persevered and struggled through the course, but entirely due to my own lack of preparation, I was barely orienteering. The course was interesting and a good opportunity to get out; I just botched it horribly. Thanks to Alex for taking the time to set a legitimate course (with controls)! Keith, Brendan, and I went out to Texas Roadhouse afterward and talked about stuff.

Control count: 64