Training Log Archive: iansmith

Legs and feet could use the rest. Slept a bit.

Event: Attackpoint 3k Time Trial
 

Event: Dover Raid Adventure Race
 

Dover Raid with bgallup. Who has more variance now, ndobbs?! Finished third second overall with 61 points, skipping only the one-point control 23. Joe B's Checkpoint Zero got all 62 points in about 5 hours, and Dave Lamb's Untamed New England also skipped 23, but finished about ten minutes before we did. Results edit: we apparently finished before Dave Lamb's team. GPS track and map thanks to Bengineering.

After a surprise morning adventure due to Ben's confusion about the date of the race, we arrived at the race site at 10:40. Ben and I registered to run solo, but combined forces to resurrect Team Sink, Trip, Crash. The forecast was for rain at about 40 F. My race equipment included my running backpack, 2 liters of 1/3 diluted cytomax drink in my new platypus, 4 Gus, 4-5 shotblock sleeves, a $20 bill, a sharpie, a lightweight rain jacket, a headlamp and my compass. I wore tights, SLS top, gloves, and my balaclava. I regret carrying so much equipment, but six hours in the rain is a long time. As during the GMARA race in July, I brought my self-propelled GPS, bgallup. My food and drink just lasted the duration of the race, and the shot blocks were superior to the Gu. The cytomax was at least psychologically and taste-buddy beneficial. I gave some of my munchies to Ben, who had very little prep time.

I felt strong for the race until about 4 hours in, when my energy level started precipitously dropped. Shot blocks helped, but it was a struggle for the last trivial road run. Ben was a trooper for the duration, and we finished strongly enough. The last control would have required 4.6 km of road running - out of reach for 18 minute cushion we had. It looks like 15-23-16 would have been viable for only 3 km of road running, but that would require committing to getting all the controls very early.

The organizers (Untamed) drove us on two buses to a remote start, during which we had time to analyze the course. Having fifteen minutes to look over the map feels strange, but I suppose a 45-control score-O is atypical. We paused for a minute after the mass start to pick up an extra set of maps from the organizers, then misread the trails and navigated to 13 before 12. Oops. Of the remaining controls on the first map, control 17 was confusing in the circle, the trail route to 20 was confusing, and I hesitated on the run to 21. Adventure racing seems to involve some route choice following by futzing around in the circle, and I executed it poorly at times. I botched control 31 by running along a trail approximately magnetic E instead of true E as planned. I dropped the punch card on the way to 44 while getting a Gu, but noticed after about 100m. We had an adventure at 44 finding the correct baseball field, though that wasn't helped by compass work and getting pushed around by vegetation. Ben stopped for a cookie at the coffee shop by 40; I probably should have also acquired some food.

I had a lot of fun competing in the event, though I don't like losing to Joe. Checkpoint Zero is a formidable opponent. The organization was very well done, given the qualification that the maps were (understandably) underwhelming. Thanks to Untamed for a delightful way to spend a Saturday. I enjoyed seeing many of the orienteering usual suspects in attendance, and I met Mark and Carolyn - two Baker GRTs - of team Will Run 4 beer. I still prefer the precision challenge of orienteering, but I suspect Sink, Trip, Crash will ride again.

C • Placing 2

C • 15-23-16 5

C • GPS 18

To REI to purchase a platypus water delivery system, then back to work via the Museum of Science. This wasn't a great week for training, but it was a challenging work week. With ~six hours of running tomorrow, volume should be adequate, though variance of daily volume is unacceptably high.

C • week of training 2

Run to work. Had to stop a few times due to traffic.

RtC Day 6. Another surprise; I basically chose Muller's route and lost a hypothetical 16% to Kyburz. Ouch.

C • RtC day 6 4

RtC Day 2. I was very surprised by the first part of the leg; note the analysis between Omdal and Waaler Kaas. I basically took Omdal's route and never even considered Waaler Kaas's. Someone named "Tove" correctly chose Waaler Kaas's route.

RtC Day 5. See comment for spoilers.

C • Route 2

Run home. Today was a rough day with much to do, so my 'workout' was unfortunately short.

Catch up:
Route to Christmas Day 4

Easy run around the Charles. Plan was for a pace well below lactate threshold. I did decide to run with 3/3 instead of the usual 4/4 breathing, partly because I think 3/3 running is more relevant. I suppose deliberately 4/4 running could have benefits akin to running at altitude - making less oxygen available. I thought a bit about my training plan and finished with a liter quart of chocolate milk.

Surprisingly, El Coyote Picante feels good physically after the ultralong. I imagine it helps that I had an unnecessary 30 minutes of bonus recovery time during the race. I considered running yesterday but decided discretion was the better part of valor. Right foot still hurts a little.

Ghettotrack.

Rest day. Left foot, which was hurt at Harriman, feels fine even after the weekend's shenanigans. The outer edge of my right foot near the pinky hurts a bit, but it feels like a bruise from impact rather than an acute injury. My legs are a little sore, but not incapacitatingly so.

I find myself wondering if regular strength training would help me lose a little weight.

Route to Christmas is back!

C • awesome 6

C • Kind of 1