Training Log Archive: PG

Alex's sprint at UMass. Really fun, although like pretty much any orienteering I've ever done, there was a sizable element of just plain hard work. My 305 was DOA, so no heart rate data, but it was pumping away quite vigorously.

Surprised that the fast guys weren't faster (best time was 20 minutes), but I think they all had a problem or two.

I'll put the map up in a while, but I'm moving in super slow motion this evening, just no energy and can't get anything down. A bit of stress getting things set for the weekend and also dealing with Litchfield matters, and I think the gas tank is a bit low.

Cold (about 30F), but Alex had her office open for refuge and toilets, for which she gets many gold stars.

C • Thanks! 5

Over to Quabbin for the final event of the weekend, mass start relay training (or just training with other people around who are maybe going to the same control, or maybe not). Different courses for all 19 starters. Seemed to work out well, mass start, didn't get the mass finish I'd hoped for, but everyone was in within a 20-minute window, and on a cold day with no shelter that is a very good thing.

First orienteering at Quabbin in 15-20 years (other than a few solo training runs). Way back when it was the site of the 1979 Team Trials, a New England Champs, a couple of Billygoats, and a number of local meets. But they really didn't like us. If we'd had any sense, we'd have made a nice donation to their "Friends" organization and I'm sure that would have greased the necessary wheels.

The contours are still good but the vegetation has changed a lot -- still a lot of really nice forest but also now more thick areas. And in the growing season there are quite a lot of ferns. But for what we were doing today it seemed to work real well.

Again, map (with all the controls) coming....

C • last time 2

UMass Sprint - Splits

Event: CSU Orienteering Superstars
 

Superstars weekend. Just managed to stay one step ahead as far as having things ready when they were supposed to be ready. Weekend was great, but my superstars performance left a lot to be desired, wrapped up by a dismal showing at the bowling lanes, though at least I managed to stick the axe in the axe throw, in not so many tries.

But the event was really fun. Laughed and laughed. Of the seven regular events, 6 were repeats from last time 20 years ago. The new one, the ski-O was fabulous. And then we had the bonus events -- crutches (around the ski-o course on crutches), the axe throw, and the wife-carrying race (or husband or partner) -- plus a team competition, plus some awesome pole dancing. As I said, I laughed and laughed.

Hanging streamers at Quabbin, 38 of them. Easy in places, the contours are still excellent, harder in others where the vegetation has changed. Think I did it so that if people end up in the dark green (mapped as white!) it's their own damn fault. Still a lot of really nice forest. I'm sure that more rock would be mapped now, but I'm not sure whether that is progress.

Map is 1:15, features on the map are rather small, but for a 1:15 map it is pretty easy to read. Still might want to bring your magnifier if your eyesight is shaky.

Sorry, no map of my track just yet. :-)

Now have to draw the courses on the maps. Everyone will get a different course, so that in addition to having a mass start, we will also have a mass finish, as long as everyone orienteers the way they usually do. Makes it a lot easier for the organizers, just need to get the time for one person.

The course for Superstars, first lap 1:05, second 1:00. Joe ought to be able to do laps in 45, Alex in 40.

C • Prepping the course 4

C • predictions 6

Count after yesterday is 320/800 = 40%. And 1680 to go lifetime.