Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Today, my at home plan was to get the electronic equipment sorted out for the event in two weeks. Partly successful - at least the O-Lynx is sorted and charged, and the new QOC controls have been unpacked. They are just more BSF-7s, but they are so shiny new looking. :)

So, I had decided that I would wait until about 3, and then go out for a bike ride. The most snow we got today was a slight dusting, and since it had reached 37 F, I guessed correctly that the bike trails would be clean and dry.

Still kind of shocked that I left the house. I guess this is a good sign. Felt like I struggled the whole way out though.

And, then the fun part - the return trip. Fun, fun, fun, as long as I ignored my painful thumbs. Was pretty sure that I was going to have to take the walk of shame up the hill, but I took the first third after a "running" start, and then a short break, and then up the rest of the way.

But, dang, it was cold, and the little wind there was blew right in my face! I wanted to turn around within seconds, but I decided this would be a good exercise in HTFU. Well, with four light layers on the top, and good bike pants, most parts were fine, though I really needed more on the hands. And, I thought my toes were fine, but taking a shower before they had thawed out was very painful.

Event: QOC Wheaton Regional Park
 

Garmin distance 5.02 miles with 201 m climb.

Wheaton Regional Park - Ah, a return to orienteering, in the cold, at one of my least favorite parks. At least registration and results were in the Party Room at the Train Station. Considering that it was 18 F when I left the house, I was happy that we were going to be inside today, despite knowing that I wouldn't be able to hear myself think at some point.

With the addition of a light pair of gloves, I was perfectly dressed in long sleeve, short sleeve, tights and headband for the 20 F that greeted me at 9:45 AM.



Today's format was a mass start at noon for the advanced classes, but I was happy to go out early and work the epunch shift during the mass start. Based on your normal course, you were supposed to do from 0 to 5 of the windows, taking the controls within the windows in any order. I guess I could have done 0, since I am Brown W now, which meant that I didn't have to do any of the windows, but just traveling between the windows didn't look like much fun. Or, I could have done 2 as a Green W. But, after turning over the map, I decided to see how much of it I could do, though I immediately eliminated the second window. It just didn't look too appealing to me.



The path out of the Start.


The miniature train tracks.


The trails were in good shape with just a light dusting of snow.


The woods were a bit scruffy in places, but very runnable in general, especially for Wheaton.


A huge rootstock coming out of 21.


With a bit of whimsy stuck in it

Considered doing a gratuitous culvert crawl just before 27 but thought better of it.




This was a fun course, especially for Wheaton. I felt fit, and the only real error was losing concentration a bit and turning left instead of right when going from 7 to 14. After this error, I kept running into the same guy with his little dog as I looped around the next window. It was pretty amusing but getting old, so I was glad to shake him after M.

Enjoyed my stint at the computer, especially after a large number of people exited the building for the mass start. :) Thanks go out to Sam L. for going to the office supply store for more printer paper, as I left the resupply at home by the front door.

Later, I was awarded the style points award from David (course setter) and Heidi (meet director), supposedly for making the whole windows think happen. I think this was just their way of saying that they missed me last month. I guess I better get those results done before I eat the rest of the candy.


Then we tried to arrange a Fab 50 portrait after noticing we were all in red. It didn't go so well at first, as the lineup toppled over.


A pretty good one,


and, then it started going downhill again after that.


Thanks to everyone for a fine event at Wheaton. It may have to move up a bit on my list after today.

It was a good day. ;-)

Thought to myself, 20-30 mph wind, hah, that isn't going to stop me, so I headed out of the back door of work for an hour walk, and I walked back into the front door four minutes later. That was not fun.

Warmed up running from 4.0 to 5.9 mph increasing .1 every minute (20 minutes)
Then walked 10 minutes.
Ran 6.5 down to 5.6 (10 minutes) - happy that breathing was so good at the higher pace.
Walked the last 20 minutes. Wanted to run 10 more, instead of walking 20, but I ran out of steam.

I should lose 40 pounds according to my doctor, but that is totally mind boggling, and seemingly impossible, so I decided to start with 10, which would get me back to where I was a year ago.

December 30: 198
January 30: 187

Oops, overachieved. ;) OK, New Zealand was good for me - orienteering along with bonus orienteering, helping to load and unload the trailer every day, eating lots of healthy stuff and not eating when bored, and drinking lots less after the first week.

New goal - lose 10 pounds.
January 31: 187

C • overachievement 2

HAH, hills yesterday and core today!!! So, there!! And, I did it all except for 5 of the rolling planks! Did not do it even once in 2012! WooHoo for me!! ;-)

C • great minds 3

Something like 70 degrees, so despite a nap after work, I had to get this in. Was planning on working out at lunchtime, but I got sidetracked...

Down to the track while it was still light enough and did 3 run/1 walk after running the first seven minutes. The plan was an hour, but my left hip was stiffening up a bit, so I decided to walk the rest of the hour.

But, once I got out to the sidewalk, I thought I would add some hill repeats to follow up on the fitness I gained in NZ. Instead of slogging up one of the big hills, I picked the little one (about 330 feet) and ran up it as hard as I could 5 times. Kept telling my legs that they needed to get some Billygoat in them.

Haven't done hill repeats in forever - 10 years? It was sort of fun and definitely satisfying.

Speaking of NZ, I finished all of my entries about as much as I am going to. Might be easier to read at vmeyer.net. Now, to get my clothes put away next would be good.

C • great minds 2