Training Log Archive: vmeyer

A winter wonderland...nothing stuck on the streets or sidewalks in Alexandria/Arlington, VA.



Week plan:
M - swim
T - bike
W - Swim
Th - walk/run
F - rest
Sat - QOC Bumble
Sun - MTB

Event: QOC Prince William Forest
 

FR = 3.34 miles with 161.3 m climb



The original intention was to work epunch first and then go out, but when I got there, I was anxious to get going and not sit around in the cold...so, I would do that after instead. As I have gotten back into shape, my competitive fire has returned, and I was aiming for top 2 women and top 10 overall, which was in doubt because lots of people were running Brown instead of Green, which was wise because Prince William can eat people. Was 10th overall, but I was the 4th women, behind two F55s and an F45.

Have to admit that it smarted a bit to have a walking Peggy beat me by a second...so close to a first time win, which I would have relished despite her injury status. :)

Was really happy with my effort, reading the terrain and listening to my compass, except to 7, where I was indecisive with the route choice, and 9, which some people lucked into and some did not. Though, personally, I stopped concentrating, and I paid the price.

Woods were beautiful, though a bit more blow down in some area. Less crap in the low area than I expected to encounter, through I did get lassoed by a rose vine and have the bloody leg to prove it.

After, I worked epunching, and enjoyed the beautiful winter day, which had temps in the mid 40's, no wind, but a little pre-snow nip in the air.

Was treated to hot dogs and chilli, and excellent volunteers at the computer, so a it a good day indeed.

Final cherry on the day was no traffic backup on 95/395 North, and I flew home in record time.

C • one second back! 3

Brown - Splits

Sandy down in the area, so besides the QOC event tomorrow at Prince William, which is wonderful on its own, we also did a training at GFMD today. Sandy set a course with longish legs, and my desire was to maintain concentration, and use the compass as much as possible to stay mostly on a straight line.



I started out first with pressure from behind for 1, 3, and 7, and Sandy started first to 5, and we left together for 9, taking different planned routes. Whoever got there first would hang their streamers and then wait at the connector control.



The second person would pick up the streamer and meet at the connector. Ignore the tracks to the short connector controls...we didn't really go to all of those.

The straight line to 1 included some asthma inducing climb, but sips of water kept it in check, and I nailed the control. And, what beautiful woods!



The last part to 3 was a little disappointing because I knew where I was when I crossed just below the spring, but I couldn't get myself to stop going to my left.

Very pleased with route to 5, feeling confident I was on the right hill, and checking the spring just to make sure, after seeing Sandy on the parallel ridge. Was afraid that we were going to have a case of each of use standing on our hills waiting for the other to appear...

Reminded myself to stay focused all of the way to 7 and used the two boulders as a check and into the control.

On the way to 9, I rewarded for a job mostly well done by running on the trail a little. Easy access to the control along the ditch off of the trail, and then down to the bottom. Waiting for Sandy on the well. While I was waiting and looking around, I had a huge smile on my face, and I kept wanting to shout "I love Great Falls!!"



And, all done! Thank you, Sandy for getting me out of the house on a day I may have been stuck inside doll house hell instead.

The almost a mile workout, done at an easy pace. Hoping a swim will clear the last of the gunk from my sinuses...feels like allergies, not a cold.

Still a bit of a stuffy head, but it wasn't sufficient enough to justify another rest day. Swimming or biking? Lunch or no lunch? Indoors on a beautiful 60+ degree winter day? No way! Decided on lunch and bike after work.

I usually take the trail under Columbia Pike to skip the light. But, the alternate has some very little steep hills which I find hard to get up so early in the ride, especially since my right knee is a little unstable at present. So, I crossed at the light, just missing it and having to wait forever to cross, or so it seemed.

Coming back, I was just missing it again, but the other day, there was like 10 extra seconds on the wait cycle, and I figured that would happen again. Just as I went to cross, the light turned green, so I put on my brakes, un clipped one side and fell over to the other - about fifteen cars witness this. Ugh! The car closest to me, the one not moving until it was clear what I was doing, looked at me with concern, and I gave a big sheepish grin, and waved him on. Then a guy waiting on the corner for the evening sandwich handout came over and picked my bike up and held it for me while I gathered myself.

Bloody knee, and some stabbing pain into my right butt, but otherwise bike and body were in one piece. Was able to finish the ride, with just my pride slightly in tatters.

I hate when I make poor decisions while biking. I am usually super overly cautious. I guess this .1% of the other me is a reminder to continue being as careful as I usually am.

Ah, well, it was still a nice ride on a beautiful afternoon, and I live to tell my tale. :)

C • Nothing like an audience! 5