Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Event: QOC Mason Neck
 

Yellow - Splits

Pool with Lailah after strawberry picking.

The flowers on the deck, a bit battered after getting a much needed soaking last night.

Work to Memorial Bridge and back. Hot and sticky. Another day with some sort of exercise in the bank.

Now, if the only piggies in the house were Otis and Nixon...

Treadmill again...walked 5 min @ 4mph, ran 13:20 mile, walked 5 min @ 4 mph, ran 12:00 mile, walked 5 min @ 4 mph.

Sideswiped a car today. Would have normally let this eat at me and would have passed on the planned workout. But, I took out the irritation of the whole thing on the treadmill. O'Mobile is fine, and the young man in the other can is likely thrilled that his drivers door and rear panel will get a new paint job on me. Paint on his car was already in crappy shape. Ah, well, should have looked twice.

On a brighter note...

C • sideswiping 5

Did the first 40 without a rest, then 44 seconds rest, then 20 r17 seconds, then the last 20.Not blazing fast but consistent, and it is done.

Now I have clocked more hours in a month since May 2011. WooHoo! And, I think i have managed to increase hours without breaking myself, but also not doing just piddling stuff. The only thing which still hurts to do is orienteering because my foot doesn't like being in the ankle brace, any ankle brace. But, that has seemed to be less painful the last two times out, though not pain free. So, progress for sure.

Pool - Splits

Tuesday swimming didn't work out today, maybe because it felt like Monday. I did manage to get to work earlyish and home with time to do something on the treadmill before dinner. With the temps in the mid 80s, this was the better option.

Ran 6 minutes at 4, 4.5, 5, and 5.5 mph with 4 minutes of walking at 4 mph in between. Little extra at the end to make 3 miles. Lungs felt so much better than they did when I tried to run on Sunday.

Another slow start to the day, but with Roger's encouragement I got out the door. Beautiful morning for a ride. Down to Memorial Bridge and back. Lots of cyclists. Had to walk the last bit up Geirge Mason St hill. Next time.

Baby chipmunk in the street near the house. Alive. So cute. Large deer near the street at Walter Reed. Also alive.

C • I recognize that view! 2

Cleaned gutters and spread milorganite (sp?) on the front lawn.

From the seeds which Roger planted in the woods behind the house.

Slept until 8:45, then errands, lunch and nap with Roger. Pulled some weeds and then out on the Neighborhood loop - through park and then back up the Dinwiddie St hill. Ran the first 7:11 (mostly flat and downhill) and then walked the rest. Lots of people picnicking in the park. What a beautiful day out.

Off to the pool after the outside activities. New PB. :) Middle 40 really strong. Last 20 tough, especially mentally to keep pushing, but I did. Kept rest time pretty low as well at 2:25 seconds total. Obviously, I can't be anything but very happy with this effort.

549 r9 549 r12 531 r31 533 r39 532 r17 534 r18 540 r17 543

No hands.

Pool - Splits

A bust day for training, waking up late, and then leaving for a visit to Baltimore for lunch with my mother. Nap when we got home, and then no desire to do anything but watch silly hallmark movies. Oh, well, that's OK, because it was a plus day for family time.

Haircut...left some on top this time around. I like it. Just in time to submit a selfie for WOC credentials...

C • I like it! 6

Mowed lawn after dinner. Bonus points for getting it done.

Rain, rain, go away, come back another day.

I lied...I went home at lunch time and ate the rest of the Macaroni bake - I am SO weak. Compounded the downward spiral with a trip to REI - new topeak, two tank tops, forerunner, though my other one is working just fine. I am so weak. BUT, thank goodness, the macaroni bake leftovers are finally gone!

Won't beat myself up (too) much since I have done so well the last couple of weeks.

C • Break 2

No desire to do anything today but eat the Macaroni bake. Pay the price - repeating big time. Miserable. No more macaroni bake!

Macaroni bake for lunch beforehand. Stomach was too heavy for 80 laps. Glad to get 50 done...

Event: QOC Balls Bluff
 

Course distance listed as 3.1 km with 135 meters of climb.
Garmin reports 2.661 miles w/ 327 meters of climb.

Orange - Splits

Went to the ex 2 race to learn about the chip timing. Computer crashed partway through, so what I learned was that the manual backup sucked. Mostly recovered for the awards ceremony, but I think both Tyler (chip timing chief) and I were shaken. Not sure if one more session will get me confidence to solo on June 6.

Walked from the Finish to the Start on the WPFG orienteering course checking out coverage for radio controls to the Start. Should work fine with just two repeaters over 1.5 km. Hilly and ticky (pulled one off of the nape of my neck after dinner), but the woods are lovely.

Went without ankle braces, which made me feel really vulnerable, especially on the leaf covered downhills. Bad Valerie! Do not take stupid chances like that.

At the pool with Lailah who is now going under water and swimming around, on purpose. She may never swim a lap, except the one which allows her to go off the diving board, but I am thrilled that she is enjoying the water and learning to swim. Even did a couple of relaxed back floats. Very cool.

Wonderful dinner with Sarah, Matt, and Lailah, at our second choice after being closed out of our first choice - no reservation and arriving at 6 PM instead of the usual 5 PM. We were on a wait list for a table at this place too when a waiter came over and snagged us for one of his empty tables. Wonderful service. Thank you, Steve!

Ride to Work Day - first real ride to work in forever, i.e., around the time that I am due at work. Stopped in Shirlington for a RTW T-shirt and a random prize - water bottom, sunscreen, and two cute little lights (one red and one white). Turns out that I had forgotten to put a bottle on the bike today, so it came in handy for the ride home (not that I really needed it for 35 minutes).

Beautiful afternoon with just a bit of wind. Almost bit it on the first part of the hill when I couldn't get into the SCR. So tired that I was actually stopped. Was able to not panic and unclip and walk the rest of the way up. Need to lube before my next ride.

Have these two giant mulch piles. Never been turned over. I hope that when I get to the bottom of the constrained one that there will be some good stuff to be had. If not, then I am turning them over at least.

601 r13 545 r16 541 r18 546 r17 540 r21 544 r28 546 r15 547

Had an errand to run at lunchtime, so just the swim today. Breaststroke guy was in the lane next to me, and that kept me motivated.

Pool - Splits

Plan was to ride to work...



But, you know how I feel about windy.

So, I walked instead, in to the wind outbound, and at my back on the return trip. If I had been riding home, it would have been a headwind all of the way home.

Hope to ride to work tomorrow and Friday.

Seemed like I should have been able to go faster since I was rested, but it was not to be. Always feel taller after I swim.

Pool - Splits

Threw mulch around for a while after work.

Event: QOC Pohick Bay
 

Actual 3.16 miles with 175 m climb

Arrived at park at 9 AM, scouted out where to set up, deciding on this view. Not too shabby.



Tried to send Amy out by 10, but the courses weren't quite ready, and I also was setting up the results display today. Good to keep practicing and got everything set up by 10:45.

My assistant, Barney, arrived...courtesy of Alli and Boris. Thank you...he's a sweetie!


Was able to hand off to Tori and got out just before 1, not even dreading it too much, despite the 80 degrees, humidity, and the reports of spider webs gone wild.

A couple of bobbles here and there, but I was feeling more confident after West Point, and I enjoyed the course.

Arrived home, car unpacked, and showered by 5 PM. Better picture of the red peony out front...I love this time of year.

Brown - Splits

Sorted the laundry and put in a load, queued up maps on the printer for tomorrow, after running into some unexplained issue last night, so I got a later start than I was hoping for, but I am actually sleeping pretty good, for me, so I went with the flow.

Overcast and around 70, with a little mist on the glasses at times. Trail busy in the usual places. Initially did the math wrong to start out, thinking 35 minutes each way was enough, but I had to add on since the plan was for around 100 minutes.

Didn't even want to try, so I walked up the first part of the hill at the end, but otherwise enjoyed the ride. Thanks to Roger for the encouragement to get out.

Red Peony in the front of the house


In the woods behind house

Mowed the lawn. It was long and couldn't wait another day even.

Also weed whacked. Roger hates when I use the weed whacker, or power tools in general. I usually hear him mumble something about me hurting his lawn, or me hurting me...not sure which, but I usually ignore him. Like I am going to get down on my hands and knees and trim the edges by hand. Seriously?!

Well, today in a moment of distraction, likely fueled by a quest to get finished quicker so that I could get a nap, I weed whacked my little toe at full speed, and my leg in the last gasp as it was stopping. And, it hurt like the devil! My leg had spots of blood, but my shoe was intact, but I had to look anyway. No damage. Whew!

Lesson learned...do not ever, ever wear sandals when using power tools. Oh, and I also scalped a part of the lawn earlier. Oops!

So, I went off to get my hair trimmed at lunchtime. Thank you, Ann, for pointing out that as an option. I am usually of the mind to scalp my head or just let it grow, and I don't really like those two options right now.

Anyway, not having an appointment, and not wanting to wait, I went back to work. On the way I heard again about the WWII plans flying over at noontime, so a plan was formed.

Rode my bike to the Memorial Bridge, being careful to not mow over the mass of humanity who were in the area for the same reason. Found a shady spot and enjoyed talking with some national park workers while we waited. And, then we watched the planes.

[Edit: Have some video, but I am having trouble getting it to show on a mobile device.]

And, then it was back to work, being even more careful not to dent my bike on a pedestrian.

What a great way to play a little hooky from work!

555 r110 555 r27 555 r23 559 r30 549 r30 553 r24 551 r19 555

Solid effort with more thoughts about enjoying the swimming vs. thinking about how soon I could stop swimming. Break times on the high end, with the one at the beginning sorting things out, like goggles fogged and necklace clasp snagged on suit. Also took swim cap off after first 10 because it was pulling my hair and irritating me. Hair is getting a bit long and bushy, so will need to work that out better next time, or get a haircut. I am torn.

C • hair 1

Seen in the yard today:

First Peony


Brendan: Blowing dandelion seeds is good luck.
Molly: Oh, my goodness, no, not on Roger's lawn. You'll have him frothing at the mouth. (Lawn they are standing on is not Roger's beautiful lawn)...



One fish, two fish, orange fish, yellow fish... (This weed free lawn is Roger's.)

Pool - Splits

Afternoon storms in the forecast so didn't ride to work as planned. Took my lunch break to go for a ride on my old bike which is stashed at my office. Wonderful conditions with light breeze and few people cluttering the trail. Ride felt great. Twenty situps after.

Azalea


Baby grapes

C • grapes! 2

551 r11 602 r17 601 r32 601 r14 554 r17 559 r16 614

Goal was 50 minimum and 80 as a stretch, and 40 was looking real good early on, and would have stopped at 60, but I told myself if it was under 600, then I had to do another 10. I made sure the next 10 was well over, and it was no use anyway to do 10 sloppy laps just to make 80. Yes, basically, I was all over the place! But, this is a good start - bouncing back from an emotional weekend with a workout, instead of sliding into nothingness for weeks on end.

Random notes
Have about 15-20 itchy welts on my arms - from biting flies on Sunday?
Can't find either my foam roller or my rolling stick. Foam roller seems like it would be harder to lose. Maybe I'll use my rolling pin on my calves tonight.
I was able to do a couple of sit ups today. Not very elegant but almost legit.

C • Gorgeous border! 5

Event: QOC College Park
 

Walk to start. Wanted to turn around about three times, especially when swarmed when standing still.

FR distance was 4.24 miles with 302 m climb.

S-1: Only pulled 45 degrees to the right to start today and recovered much sooner. No error time shown.

1-2: Working on being careful, so this was the best split for the day at 14th.

2-3: Being careful, or actually being SMART goes flying out of the window as I descend a steep, rocky scary route from the top. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Kind of shaken after I get to the bottom but find 3 easily enough.

3-4: With the recent experience in my head, I go down the spur to find an easier way down to the next control. Execute the descent well for the first half but again end up in a steeper area. Get down that in one piece, then around the lake, running into a confused PG and actually find the control ahead of him as he relocates off of the road. I took twice as long to get to the control, but PG has the error time, and I do not. :)

4-5: And, then he was gone in a flash! Have to admire how speedy he was, if this is his slowed down pace.

5-6: Another 90 degree error, since I was aiming for the marsh west of the control. Sort it out, though only after avoiding the concertina wire and also mispunching #38.

6-7: Another adventure in poor compass but manage to sort it out and find the control, though only after adding some more climb to the total.

8-9: Pleased with the route choice for this one until I got to the bottom of the hill and looked up. Once I got up there, I walked by the tiny rootstock and only saw the bag tucked into the hole when glancing back over my shoulder. 16th best split.

9-10: Back done ANOTHER steep hill.

10-11: Road to trail and into the control, which seemed like it should be right there, but of course, it is up another big hill. Making matters worse, there was an unmarked trail, so when I got to the small trail, I started looking for the control there. Up and down a couple of times until I was finally where everyone else was. Mary Jo sees me and ask if I was looking for 90, and I said yes, but I am trying to decide if I want to go up there or not. She asks if I had gotten all of the other controls, and I say yes, to which she says something like, well up you go, no use quitting now. So, up I go with Mary Jo behind me. Seemed strange that she was not in total race mode, but it she had some errors. So, we punched the control, and I sat on the bare rock looking out over the pond and chatted/vented for about two minutes, and then went off to finish the course.

11-12: Turn down the trail and MJ asks me if I really want to go that way. Had the same plan but I was about to do a 180. Off to the water pit, though we are little high. Error time on this control because of sitting on the rock after punching.

12-F: Down to the trail, and then I run for the first time all weekend trying to get MJ in the chute. It was a tie.

Water and the finish and then a nice walk back to the parking with MJ and Starr. Hosed my head off in the camp pump. Ahhh!

About 15 minutes in error and ~20 minutes in fitness.

Physically, I am happy to get through the weekend in one piece, except for sore body parts and three burst blisters.

I would have liked to have talked more to people this weekend, but I was having trouble keeping up my side of the conversation. I found myself just walking away. I think maybe want I think of as my orienteering identity is too closely tied to the electronic punching side of things, so I don't know what to talk about when I am not behind the desk.

Thanks to everyone for the hugs!

Brown X day 2 - Splits

Event: West Point A-Meet
 

Brisk walk to the start - chatting with the Domonies.

Advertised distance was 5k w/ 105m climb (way too long for a Brown WP course) - FR says actual was 5.191 miles with 336 m climb.



S-1: Did a 90 out of the start and was fighting my compass, trying to convince it that I was going in the correct direction. Crossed enough of a wet spot that I was sure everything was fine. Turns out I was over visiting in vicinity of Brown Y #1. Caused some of those folks to scratch their heads for sure. :) I finally made a big enough circle around that it got me close enough to the road that I could figure out where I was. Then to the control but missed seeing it because the bag was faded. Back to it as Peter and a train dropped down from above and punched ahead of me. 30+ minutes lost.

Should have followed my first instinct and gone back through the start to the road and around.

1-4: Settled in and carefully made my way around.

4-5: Ugh! Route choice poor. Should have gone straight. Met up with Barb D at the control.

5-6: Was going to take the trail around but my feet were hurting and felt better in the woods. So, after a bit of a debate, I bashed into rhododendrons and nailed the control. Best splits of the day (10th).

6-7: Not a horrible leg but should have gone to the road and trail since I was just fighting through low veg. Lifted my foot high to stomp on a blueberry bush in frustration, and within a foot of me a wild turkey whooshes up and flies away - we screeched in tandem.

7-8: Finally #8 is the water control, and I am looking forward to it. However, I bash through the worst of the green/swamp and then parallel the trail instead of finding the trail, wasting time along the way and starting to stumble around. Break out the GU knowing that water won't be far behind. Get to the control location, and it is on the top of a huge bare rock and boulder, some look out point with buzzards flying overhead. Getting up was hard, but I did it unaided. Getting down was sketchier and I ended up with my legs in an awkward position but managed to get down in one piece. Felt sorry for the even less nimble people who had to tackle that control. Cool site, but not on an O course. Should have carried water, since it is often a hit or miss at this event, as well as the fact that my navigation is often a hit or miss. No water until 2 hours in for me, which was about 3.5 k into the course.

8-9: On the trail and thought I would see it, which I wouldn't have because it was on the other side of the hilltop. But, had switched in my mind that I was going to 10. Checked the code and back to 9.

9-10: And then back to 10. Knew where it was - 15th split, second best one of the day.

10-11: Descent out of 10 is scary work, even on the trail.

11-12: Yay! More climb.

12-13-F: Finally done.

Brutal, physical course, though I felt strong through the blueberries and even took this as a route choice a couple of times, gaining time on my competition, or so I thought at the time, and a little motivation is good at times.

Time loss is ~40 minutes in error and probably ~20 in fitness. Two hundred pounds is not easy to carry around, though my breathing was never really an issue. Oh, I was breathing hard, but I guess I mean that my asthma was in control.

It has been almost two years since I have toed the line as a regular competitor at a national event, so my expectations were pretty low - don't get hurt and find all of the controls, and I reached those goals Foot held up fairly well, though I have three blisters contact points in the shoe. But, I never wanted to quit because I was in extreme pain.

Roger enjoyed the day, and we had a nice dinner with Sandy after.

C • Wow...wild route to 1 2

Brown X Day 1 - Splits

Walked around NYC with Roger. Keeping a slow pace is harder than walking faster. Feet in such pain by the end of the day - nine hours later. But, this was Roger's day...a small price to pay for him being an O widow many other days of the year.