Training Log Archive: Swampfox

So far, the much dreaded Summer Heat Wave has not hit yet. In fact, today I was mapping in two medium weight jackets and a knit cap. Even with that, it was getting chillier and chillier because of fierce wind that was 100% fierce all day long. The real problem was just trying to hold the map board still enough to draw usefully on. Beautiful out otherwise.

Quick trip down to see the Laramie River, which is now well out of its banks. The redwing blackbirds looked very happy and not at all concerned. There were two hydrologists measuring volume flows and they didn't look too concerned either, perhaps taking comfort from the birds.

Foggy and cool; very pleasant conditions for running.

Cool, grey, pretty windy.

I updated the map count (km2 of coverage) for Laramie at the LROC home page.

The Diamond Bay/(mystery map name) map, to be used for the US Championships in August, measures at about 9.4 km2, making it the 6th largest map in the Laramie map set. But maybe it gets larger...

I ran through some snow just to say I could; yesterday was the first time this year I've run off-trail or orienteered without touching snow this year.

Today was the first time I was forced to dispatch more than 1 dozen mosquitos (while mapping). That was too fast.

Killer Bee Test Loop in 56:50. First time orienteering in the hills in 2008 where feet didn't contact snow. I was surprised by how my legs felt--there were stretches where it felt like I was rolling along pretty good. And even on the uphill legs headed into the wind, things never got too boggy. Last year's best time was 55:51. I reckon the chances of bettering that this year are better than I would have guessed before today, based on relative fitness levels then and now.

So super fine out that even though the mapboard is calling, I felt it would be almost shameful to not hop on the bike and ride down to the river and back. The river is high, just out of its banks, but snowmelt is propably about peaked now. The mosquitos will all be so happy, because every dip and low area along the river will be excellent for egg laying!

There were entire flocks of goldfinches and even one white pelican. In basin and range lore, sighting the white pelican is exceptionally lucky, though since there's no lottery in Wyoming it doesn't really matter so much.

I swung by Coal Creek Coffee, and anyone coming out to the US Championships who likes their coffee edgy should swing by there too, since, after all, it is the home of edgy coffee. Yum!

O' in short sleeved t-shirt again at last! It was almost worth the wait.