Training Log Archive: PrueD

Had to cancel yoga at lunchtime (*sob*) as too busy. Turned up late to work after packing for Benalla on the weekend (and driving in). I have friends and their 3 children aged under 5 (including new baby) coming to stay for the weekend.

Big lesson for the day was not to wear old rags to work for 'casual Friday' ever again.

On arrival at work (late, tired and looking very scruffy) I was unexpectedly dispatched to the RC where I oddly found myself to be the only state representative and was promptly required to take an active role in providing direction to the state's QCs regarding cross-examination of expert witnesses on organisational restructure (of the state's fire services)! Hopefully the cameras didn't look at me.

Busy busy day with no exercise. Painter calling around before work. Eye specialist then dentist at lunchtime. BKV people to my place for dinner (me shopping then cooking), off to a theatre production at night, then coffee and cake at a cafe afterwards. All this plus a very busy day's work (writing the state's instructions to the QC on organisational re-structure for the RC on Friday). Ho hum....

C • Call that a rest day? 1

Street orienteering just down the road from where I live in Blackburn. It was a freezing night - mainly from the windchill - and I was tempted not to go. However, because it was so close and I had to hand over my map for next week to Vic to put on Ocad, I thought I had better front up. For once local knowledge helped and I knew a few shortcuts (including a new bridge that wasn't on the map). I plodded along very tentatively at the start but sped up considerably towards the end. I was pleased that nothing hurt - I am definitely starting to get into better shape and starting to run more comfortably (though slowly).

Pilates with 'the torturer' at lunchtime today. I expressed some fear before I went in - but there's no gain to be had without pain. Yes TT, I will try to go back each week - pilates on Tuesday and yoga on Fridays. The best part about pilates is when it stops - and surprisingly I do actually feel better after each time. The boss went and claimed an injury afterwards.

Re yesterday, my claim of elevation climbed may be exaggerated, due to Garmin idiosynchrysies yet to be resolved. Regardless - it was still awfully hilly.

C • smug satisfaction 3

I got up a 6am this morning and drove for 2 1/2 hours down from Benalla for the Yarran Dheran Enduro. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to do a long run on my No 1 favourite street O map (actually with quite a significant proportion of bush - and an awful lot of hills - note the 638 m of climb - and I tried to pick the flat route!) The map was a new A3 coloured map and it also included the very nice North Ringwood map. I ran all the flats and downhills, uphills where the gradient wasn't too much - but, like most other people, walked the steep hills. The hills on Glenfern Rd definitely push the envelope. I was also reasonably pleased with my score and placing compared to the other women competing in the 2hr event.

After a large lunch and hot shower (bit longer than I should have - but, despite the warm day, I was freezing), I then went out with Ian Mack to set the course for the Montomorency street O event to be held in 2 weeks time. This is my other favourite map. You are supposed to avoid parks in night Os but this was problematic as the parks in the SE corner link all the roads.

The highlight of the course setting was visting a dam in the NE corner of the map where, 25 years ago, I used to do my slalom kayak training with my canoe club. The dam was empty and probably hadn't seen water for some time. It was deeper than I had thought. The most amazing thing was that, standing up in the middle, was one of our old green and white slalom poles. It must have fallen in back then and not reclaimed when the course was dismantled. Also odd that no locals have removed it - given it is a piece of rubbish and the dam is surrounded by houses. But there you are - a relic from 25 years ago! I would have liked to hang a checkpoint on it but the rules say that they have to be on street lights for night Os.

I went for a run around the bike tracks in Wang. But I had a headache which showed no sign of easing so I gave up and walked.

Walked back to the car.

I had lots to do today - all my washing and a long run. But the time it had stopped raining (around 3pm) I had given up and gone to sleep.

Yoga today at lunchtime. The session seemed remarkably sedentary compared to Tuesday's pilates session. I will try to go both sessions weekly in future as they seem to have complementary benefits.

Very interesting day today fire newswise (resignation of CFA Chief Officer) with some more to come, I think, in the next few weeks.

Unfortunately Ian Mack's father passed away on the weekend (shortly after I visited him in hospital - hopefully with no connection) and the funeral was today at Rheola (the settlement at the southern base of Mt Kooyoora) where Ian's family has had a farm for many generations. It was a lovely sunny day and a beautiful cemetary beside a beautiful mountain - so you couldn't wish for a better place to go. The local CWA turned on a huge spread of passionfruit sponge cakes, home made lamingtons etc. I could have eaten the lot but had to show some decorum.

Street orienteering at Bayswater tonight. I decided to do A course so that I could at least try and run for that long. I ALMOST achieved this goal (although there were 2 little walks on hills tucked in there). I am starting to feel much more comfortable running now and have no aches or pains to complain about. I am also enjoying running at night - no houses, gardens (or males of the species) to distract me. Afterwards I collected checkpoints and tried to make amends with certain individuals for contoversial comments made by me elsewhere on AP.

Oh - and has anyone else discovered that their colour scheme in AP has gone askew? I tried to edit mine and lost my scheme (which I had rather liked).

I attended my first session (ever) of pilates today at the work gym. The instructor was a superbly muscled Japanese man in black tights whose training technique seemed to have had their origin in samurai culture. Pain and suffering! It was not long before I conceded that I had no core strength whatsoever and collapsed in a heap. The very cheery little man then stood over me and, with a smile, advised that I needed to attend more often.....

C • Well? 2

As I was too late home to go to Monday street-O (shame) I walked around Blackburn. For entertainment I watched the Garmin - getting ahead of my schedule at times. Nothing exciting to report upon today - other than that I still have about 20% ivy rash remaining (that's a week and a half since I pruned the hedge). It's still very itchy - especially when I'm hot (which, of course, is always :)... (sorry, couldn't resist)....

Bush orienteering at Porcupine Ridge. I started late in the morning and the day had warmed up a bit - which was nice if you were sitting around but a bit hot for running. I had 2 mistakes - the first one at the start triangle where I couldn't quite work out where I was amongst the many tracks in the area and had the map upside down (I had to start quickly and hadn't composed myself - normally orientating the map at the start, but not so today). I then ran downhill for about about 100 meters at 180 degrees - about a 4 minute error (coming back up) and it also threw me off a bit. The area was fairly steep and I was a bit hot and flustered, not running well at all. The next mistake was a poor route choice between 4 and 5. I was with Janine (who started before me) at 4 and she took the direct route, which looked steep and slow - but was apparently not so bad. I decided to take the road option but this proved much longer as Janine beat me overall.

Street orienteering at Bennetswood (along Gardiner's Creek behind Deakin Uni) in absolutely glorious sunshine. Possibly even a little warm. I ran with Ian most of the way. It is a hilly area and I tried to run up the hills -managing most (slowly) except for one big one at the end. I ran past one checkpoint in the park at the end. I thought it was too late to go back but in fact I would have made it as I was back 2 minutes early.

Yesterday I was unable to do any exercise because I went to work early and didn't get home until after 8. The boss made it quite clear that, at the moment, we need to be here early in the morning and stay late. Now I'm not keen on that because, as you know, I am struggling to resurrect some semblance of work/life balance - although it appears that the workplace priority on the latter part of that relationship is nil.

Anyway, that leaves the middle of the day and I'm going to have to start doing something there. Today I walked briskly for 45 mins in glorious sunshine. I'll bring in my running clothes next week and try that.

Last night in MX (free paper for commuters) they had a quiz (along these lines):
Who is responsible for the cover-up of the Catholic church child sex scandel?
a) the devil
b) gays
c) gay devils
d) Christine Nixon
I am feeling really sorry for her. Rumour has it she is the victim of payback by the police union. We are all going to have to include "I had dinner" and what we were wearing in all our statements in the future - in case we too are accused of witholding information from the commission.

Street O in hilly Templestowe tonight. I felt like runnning and COULD run - even up the hills. Nothing hurt whatsoever. I have been a bit down for the past week but started to feel a bit better after tonight's run - and even turned the Garmin on AND off at the appropriate times. It was Bruce's birthday so afterwards we all pretended to be his friends so that we could eat his cake - yummm.

I spend a rather intense day at the RC. My area of work (fuel management) was being summarised in the afternoon so I thought I go for the full day. Similarly a couple of my other areas are being heard tomorrow so I will be there again. So I was present at the crucifiction of Christine (it appears to be a hanging offence to have dinner). The first witness was an Assistant Commissioner and I had first hand knowledge of the subject he was talking about (iECC) so was interested to see what he said. I have been a bit worried that they would get around to me again - but I think I will be OK after all - they are looking for a sacrifice who has a higher profile. The proceedings were at times hard to hear due to the demonstration by my (least) favourite union outside.

I went back to work afterwards and was the victim of a mean joke. I had lent my ID card to a colleage who'd forgotten his so that he could go to the loo. When he returned I was busy working and he just casually thanked me and then handed me a VERY WET (DRIPPING) CARD!!! YUKKKO!!!

Ooh ah ... still itchy - I am thinking it might be at least a week or so before this ivy rash is better. I didn't have time for training tonight as I had to do Mum's shopping.

She needed a light globe. I bought one and took it around. Wrong fitting (screw base not bayonet) I went back to the shops and replaced it and went around to Mum's again. I opened the door and promptly dropped it. Smasshh!! And then gave up.

Street O at Mont Albert - a leafy suburb with houses to die for. This was the first of the 'new-look' Monday events that I have been to and am still a bit confused/puzzled about how they work. It appeared that, with my low handicap, I only had to get a few controls and then return. However I deperately needed the exercise and so walked briskly for the full hour - collecting extra controls (worth nothing) and then arriving back later than I otherwise should have, thereby maintaining my low handicap. Very odd. It is lucky that I am doing these events for fitness and not for a placing.

I am still covered in spots - people at work thought that I had chicken pox and should go home. The idea was tempting but I didn't succumb. I am still envious reading about everybody else's great experiences at the ACT champs and wish I had gone.

Antihistomines and anti-itch cream are doing no good. Ivy allergy continues.

I went to a wedding last night (covered in spots - not a great look) and didn't get home until 1.30am. I had cleaned my car inside and out before the wedding, which was good, as it ended up being used as the wedding car. The bride was not exactly dainty and was wearing a huge dress - so it was a major squessze getting her into the back seat.

I am not sure how to say this - but I am covered in spots and awfully itchy. Sleeping is a problem. I am SO SO allergic to ivy.

After another day tackling the ivy and then going to the tip with a huge trailer load, I went for a slow walk around the lake. For some reason my legs ached the whole way and one knee was sore.

You might like my stars for today, which seem surprisingly relevant:
"Resume your exercise program, and if you've been slack for a while forget about the guilt trips. .... Jump back up and move forward with no regrets"..... hmm - maybe tomorrow.

Oh dear - training program not going well. I spent the day reverting to my forner rural lifestyle. The morning was spent as 'truckie's assistant' doing a timber delivery out to Lima. The highlight was seeing a litter of four rottweiler puppies being pushed around in a pram. I still cannot understand how something so ugly and vicious as an adult can be sooo cute as a puppy (they fitted into the palm of my hand). I suspect that their cuteness is a mean trick of nature designed to make unsuspecting people buy them in pet shops, thereby ensuring survival of the species. Despite the best efforts of the owners I resisted taking one home.

I then went past my old house in Lima. The new owners have done nothing but garden since I left and the place looked absolutely gorgeous. All the trees I planted have grown up and the place is green and lush (it was a bare dry paddock when I bought it). Ah *sigh* - I wish..........(but I wouldn't have enough time to orienteer if I was still there).

The remainder ot the day was spent battling ivy and then cooking (plus eating). The ivy fought back valiently - releasing a toxic powder as I cut it - which even two anti-histomines could not counteract. I must be really allergic to the stuff.

C • rottweilers 2

I took Bruce and Suzanne for an exploratory walk around Reef Hills in the hope of illiciting some enthusiasm for mapping the area. We went in a fairly circuitous route along the smaller tracks so that we visited the various areas of mining detail not able to be seen from the tracks. In addition to the mining detail, the area also has a lot of subtle spur gully terrain, well suited to long legs.

The verdict? Bruce thought that the area was suitable for a MTBO (flattish tracks and lots of them), a duo, a hagaby (from the central carpark) or a club event held in conjunction with a sprint event on the Lake Benalla map. Anyway, interest was raised and we might be able to get some mapping started (although it was suggested that the plan involved me - roaming around with the Garmin turned ON - to get some initial mapping of the tracks). However, transferring the route to a map base might need to involve someone with a bit more mapping nous that me.

John and Jenny Sheehan, on their way back from Easter, then joined us for lunch. With all this socialising, it feels as though the Easter event is still on....

C • print this out and give it ... 3

Felt quite tired and spent all day doing the washing and tidying up. Bruce and Suzanne came to stay in the evening on their way home from Easter. I forgot to mention how impressed I was at the organisation of the Easter twenty10 carnival - it was a huge effort and went off really well. I especially liked the novelty aspects - Captain Compass and the spot prizes. I was also pleased that the courses were technical. Well done to all concerned!

Day 3 at Collector Hill. I started poorly - being insufficiently fit and warmed-up to run up the long track to 1. From then I was in 10th place and stayed that way for most of the event (except 5-6 where I had the 3rd fastest split - not sure how). However the extra speed quickly deteriorated at 8-9 where I lost about 5 minutes. Similarly to Day 1 I lost contact with the map and, even though I was virtually on the control, took some time to relocate. Then - into the too thick casuarina and very slow going. Jools caught me and then disappeared in to the nether. Anthea Feaver raced past looking like something from another planet. From then on I was quite tired and couldn't run through the paddock and up to the finish - and got one of the slowest splits for the finish shute. I came 11th - which was down a bit in pace from the previous days. The Garmin failed yet again (I forgot to take it entirely).

Overall, if I hadn't mispunched on Day 2 I would have been about 8th in the field, which pleased me, as it is a bit higher up the field than previous Easters. My navigation has improved but my fitness is lacking. Lessons learnt - there was a pattern between Days 1 and 3 and I need to trust the bearing and keep going just that bit further rather than relocating too quickly. I also need to improve running fitness - especially on hills (more training at a higher intensity is clearly needed).

After the event - my lift was waiting so it was into the car and back to Benalla where I will spend the rest of the week having a holiday at home. Although entered for next weekend, I have a wedding to go to, and regretfully have had to select duty over passion.

C • Pity.. 4

Day 2 at Kowen Forest East. I started reasonably strongly and went well until 7-8 which was a long route northwards over hills. I couldn't decide on a good route and went slightly to the west - but still over too many contours. I spent too long deciding on my route and then too long climbing hills in the pines. I also picked the wrong route between 8-9 - choosing the direct route instead of going up to the road.

9 - DISASTER!! As I approached 9 there was a crowd also approaching and I felt under pressure to get in and out - punching quickly. Now thank you to all the kind souls who offered their sympathy at a later stage regarding the SI stick not registering. Your sympathy was much appreciated. However I may have misled you all - on inspecting my splits and the maps of others, later in the evening, I realised that there was another control within 100 meters, on a thicket, rather than a watercourse. In my rush to get in and out of the control I didn't read the number. Big mistake!!!

The rest of the event was uneventful but slow - again poor route choice through the forest rather than the longer routes. I also had a tumble and stabbed myself on a stick.

Result - MP (would have been 9th again). BOO HOO!!!! Easter ruined and another lesson learnt. Oh - and the Garmin failed again ( I forgot to turn it on this time).

Day 1 at Gudgenby Homestead. This was an area of thick scrub and granite with technical rock detail and wide open plains with the odd rock outcrop. Having not orienteered in this type of terrain for some time I started slowly and carefully - and navigated well 1-2-3. However 3-4 I knew that my route must have gone where hardly anyone else had been (as I was a late starter and there were about 900 competitors) as I saw a large black snake that slid away as I passed.

I was almost at 4 when I became confused with the contours - believing that I was looking for a downhill, rather than an uphill. Rather than trusting the bearing and heading towards the people emerging from the rocks that I could see - I headed back to the saddle and a nearby rocky knoll to relocate - and lost about 8 minutes. Oh dear - I should have trusted my bearing and gone that little bit further.

I had another mistake 9-10 where I had arrived at the pile of rocks where the checkpoint was but thought that it was too short - so went on 50m or so before returning. The rest of the course was mostly uneventful - but legs failed to run up the grassy hill between 12-13. I was a bit tired towards the end but reasonably pleased with my place 9/17 - midfield rather that at the bottom and within a few minutes of 6th (but, of course none of us would ever catch Jenny Bourne or Anthea Feaver, who come from a different gene pool to the rest of us).

Overall, the issues were confidence issues and I think my technical orienteering has improved since last year. I really enjoyed this event. Oh - and there was 'Garmin failure' (forgot to turn on until 4 and then forgot to turn off until after drinks).

Event: Orienteering Easter twenty10 Carnival
 

Shared the drive to Canberra. I was disappointed that I hadn't entered in the Prologue. Somehow I had missed that this was a sprint event - which was annoying as i love sprint events. Oh well...