Training Log Archive: bl

At BHS around 4:30. Usual beehive of youthful activity. After quite a few You Tube videos, I readily visualize their efficient heart valves, papillary muscles and chordae tendonae all working efficiently, pumping hearts at work, fast and slow.

NAOC days - just had a small sample but it was very nice. I missed seeing the middle but helped with the long, setting controls with Alar in fantastic woods, waking some points Sat early & and picking up a few Saturday afternoon. Camped at Storrs Pond, setting up the tent around 5:30 Sat. There were other tents but no orienteers that I could see - but it was also nearing dinner time in town. Had dinner at DHMC and then walked Main Street in Hanover, filled with people, mostly college kids. That caused some nostalgia for being young and in college once upon a time. Went to the awards ceremony & appreciated the many club history exhibits.

Cold, cold at Storrs this morning - said 37 in the car & by the time I got to town it said 33F. Just plain Cold for the half-prepared. Saw several runners out in running shorts and long-sleeved shirt but nothing on head or hands. The sprint was really good: great announcing in particular, and courses that used both forest patches and the many buildings. Followed some runners into and across the cemetery and stopped at the edge of a green “precipice” into the woods. Without map or course, could not see what next. Also crossed over to the other side around the Observatory and again peered into the woods.

Happened upon a bronze life-sized of Robert Frost, a Dartmouth grad. Last summer, we stumbled upon the grave of William Wordsworth in Grasmere in the UK Lake district. I’d say pretty lucky stumbling. Spent the remainder of my time watching finishers and of course talking with some of the many, many O friends I’ve known over the years. Never enough time and always a bit of a social overload at large meets. Always good and inspiring to see Tom Jahn, the Charlows, the Bermans and some "intermediates", Hans B, Tony F, Roger U, vanishing breeds it could be said.

Left before the sprint, miles to go before sleep time, to paraphrase. Thought of NAOC Whitehorse in the Yukon in two years but that is so many miles it’s hard to know.

Ghost at the spectator control...

C • Frost 2

Waking controls & picking up some at the end of the day. Was pretty concerned about waking up myself, 60 miles away at 0600 and getting out the door on time. A smart phone and an iPad alarm both set for 6am added reassurance.

So nice in the woods at the end of the day with the slanting shafts of light.

Event: North American Orienteering Championships 2016
 

After work, around 1pm. Wanted something different or at least not visited in a while. Just north of Concord fit the bill. Along the Merrimack for a bit, in a field. Flat, fertile farmland.

Early enough to bed, early to rise in the morning for NAOC helper work.

Route

C • Thanks for helping 2

Walk with Mocha at the brush dump which runs along north portion of Nottingcook as does the power line. Concluded this beast was the culprit that took what must have been a joy ride on an adjacent forest road, leaving minor damage - broken tree branches (more than 10' above ground) and downed trees either side. PSNH or a contractor is working on the power line. However, I don't see how there would be a justification/explanation this road taken.

At Burnt Mt. with Alar putting put flags for the long. We set up 23, I think.

Started by going up & up to the quarry area. More than a WP climb. I needed several rest stops. A visitor drank from one of the gallon jugs at the water stop. We had not noticed but then Alar found the jug in a crevice. Then we noticed that the used cup had been put back in the wrapping with the others. The point was near a trail and at the quarry. My first impression was that it was quite isolated. Amazing terrain. Had a nice time working together. Long, creative walk back after the last flag placed.

After work from 5th District Rd. Went all over the lot Beth & I admired some 10 yrs ago. Still largely hardwood forest & field. Followed an old leafy road away & away until continuing on as the way of returning became the priority. The Google app on the smart phone added a bit of fun - even if the sun alone could have done the trick. Someone pointed out to me the other day the iPhone health app with its gps measuring function. Used that for distance. A nice part of west Concord to investigate more.