Training Log Archive: slow-twitch

Warm-up jog to the start. No way there was going to be a warm-down after, though I tried to do a decent stretching session (not really though)

WOA Long distance. Very tough physically, but was pretty good into the controls, including spiking where #3 should have been. Looks like I went wide to control 1 and that was my feeling but the split compares favourably to what should have been better routes. Navigation fell apart in the last 3rd, with time dropped at 10 (after taking what I think was a really good routechoice, significantly different from everyone else I've talked to or seen, but losing time in the final execution makes it hard to compare), 12 (drifting to the side again) and I think 14, though once again despite taking an odd route I don't seem to have lost time. Map

C • Control 10 2

Seems about right for 2 times warm-ups (jog to the starts both races) and 2 times warm-downs, but I wasn't timing them at all

WOA middle distance (yes, middle). Only 4 significant mistakes, but all turned into VERY significant ones. (on the other hand, a handful of red splits, not always on the legs I'd expect). Can easily find the 5 minutes difference to William Power in the lead, but I think just about everyone else in theM40s can say that too - one of those rare days when slow and accurate DOES win the race. Think key lesson is with the new (mos)compass I need to be more diligent about checking directions which is a lesson I've always needed to relearn on a regular basis. Map

WOA sprint, Arataki. I had a good race and came 3rd but still have some grumbling to do (running speed means I had no chance of being up with Sean and HFF today though) There were at least 2 controls (6 and 10) where I lost time due to the reference dot obscuring/confounding the small piece of wall that the dot was supposed to be indicating the side of. I haven't counted these as mistakes. I'd rather have a clear view of the map and take the consequences if I don't make effective use of control descriptions. Otherwise only one really silly mistake, and a bit more hesitation than I'd like, although routegadget suggests there were others who's high speed geometry was a bit more on to it than mine. My other grumble - RG clearly shows there's a couple of local M40s who need a bit of coaching on sprint rules, so I'd be even grumblier had they been faster overall

First urban rogaine for this years' series. I think I can blame rustiness for two of the three things that I will remember most about tonight. (Who can pick the odd one out?)

1. Neglected to start my stopwatch. Got a time update from another competitor when we crossed paths and got my watch going then, but it did not make things easier having to add 13 minutes whenever I checked my watch and basic maths ability does not improve towards the end of a run!

2. Not that I'd put a lot of thought into the plan, but ignored what little thoughts I had and picked up controls at the beginning and end of the first loop that would have been more efficiently incorporated into the 2nd loop.

3. Discovered that it is actually possible to lock my keys in my car despite being usually dependent on the alarm remote to lock or unlock (still not entirely sure how!)

Despite this night of misadventures, my 24 points compares well to the top score (29), up until about the halfway mark I was pleasantly surprised how well I was covering ground, and I managed to make a 'perfectly timed' finish!

The warm-up might have been useful though it just felt like hard work, the warm down probably wasn't

Return to the Eastside. Running on half a lung and pre-sluggished legs I thought I might be targeting a PW, but well under. Not even my slowest 'first attempt' - but not the fastest either. Though early on it was looking good for that - on target for about 25 after 2km (haven't gone sub 25 in the first try of the season yet), but must have fallen apart somewhere, probably in the 4th km but as almost always I missed seeing the 3km mark so can't be sure. At least I managed to run the whole way, was touch-and-go for a bit towards the end. Dammit, was feeling in really good shape 3-4 weeks ago!

Not the best day to restart, but any earlier in the month would have been more likely to kill me even though the targets would have been easier.