Training Log Archive: PrueD

Same as Saturday. In the afternoon I went for a drive up Mt Samaria. The southern part of the plateau is fairly open and very rocky and I thought it might be a suitable O area. However an inspection of a topographic map when I got home revealed that the area was too small and the road through the middle ruined it.

C • How small? 2

Not sure what was wrong but my joints ached, I had a sore throat and no energy. It was raining and so I stayed at home all day.

One 'heavenly' session of yoga at lunchtime. I am going to miss these sessions and will have to find another venue. Back to Benalla tonight for a 4-day weekend :) The shops will be open Monday and Tuesday as the holiday is only in the Melbourne area.

Cup weekend is tradionally the time when my hayfever reaches its peak. It looks as though this will be the case again this year. The fallen pollen pods from the plane trees were in swirling vortexes on the way to work this morning. I don't have a problem in native forests - only among introduced species. Benalla is particularly bad because of all the grass and the hay being cut. AHHHHH CHOOOO (sniff)

My body has started to 'wind-down' knowing that the end is in sight. 19 days to go. I am really looking forward to doing some different things and have started planning. Due to the 'wind-down' I could only manage a walk tonight.

I forgot to mention that at street-O a couple of weeks ago (when I was absent) they had a draw for a Melways (street directory) from amongst the course setters of the winter season - and I won!

As I was being presented with the Melways this week by Mrs Prez Now Retired I asked 'Was this for the worst course?'. 'No' she replied - and then 'Why - which was your course?' 'Montomorency'. 'GIVE IT BACK'. Some readers may remember the barrage of complaints for that course and my hope that I might never have to set one again. But I've kept the Melways and it is very nice.

My first night of summer street-O at Forest Hill. It was attended by hundreds of school boys as well as a large contingent of my friends. I forgot to wear my Garmin but suspect that course C was shorter than advertised (so I might not have run 5.7 kms). If this is to be the standard length then I might have to go up to B next time to get the distance. For a first night's event I didn't mind as I haven't run for a while and am a bit out of condition. I also must remember to take BBQ food next week.

I took today off as I had to take Mum to the doctor. I am now on the countdown. 4 weeks to go. Mum thinks that I am going to die in the streets (because I've thrown away a secure job). However I sent emails to a couple of good clients from past years today and received immediate replies requesting meetings to plan projects for next year. So hopefully everything will turn out well.

Yoga at work this evening. I took this at an even more leisurely pace than usual. Some news today. I finally resigned. I've given one month's notice, then I'll take a break and then I plan to re-establish my consulting business.

C • congratulations 4

I could get by for one day with no training - but not for two. Another embarassing walk to the start - sore bottom, sore arms, sore everything. The long distance map was 1:25,000 and had 10m contour intervals - so it looked short and flat - but was anything but. This course established the superiority of those who could cycle, and there was no opportunity for those who could navigate to outsmart them. So it was one long grunt - uphills (walk) and downhills (hurtle - but into big puddles in most cases). So bloodied, muddied and thoroughly exhausted - I finished 9th out of 12 which was a bit closer to where I should have been placed. Still, given that I thought I would come last, I was pleased to have beaten some people. The assembly area was in a beautiful garden and it was lovely sunny day.

I had a really really good weekend and would even do it again!!!!

Warm ups to and from the start/finish - the lack of cycling skill and fitness really starting to show (just how do those gears work?)

Saturday night we had a presentation dinner at Hepburn Springs. It was a nice dinner and people were really friendly. The one thing that I really noticed on the weekend was how friendly people were. 'Here, try my bike' they said. All the women in my class introduced themselves. The young, elite riders were equally keen to have a chat - quite different to foot-O - so quite a remarkable, inclusive group (I say that because I am not a cyclist, but I was included just as much as those who were). I had a really good time.

Gloating in the glory of the morning (where I had actually tried quite hard) and feeling fairly exhausted, I set off in the Aus Sprint Distance MTBO. The route to our first control was up a long steep hill. Sprints are meant to be short and sharp - not long slogs. I had nothing left and walked. At the top was a hill and I hopped on and hurtled furiously down to 2. 1? Ohhh nooo - I had forgotten to punch 1 and it was a long way back up the hill. There was no way I was going back - so MPd - and pedalled leisurely back.to the finish. Very disappointing - but similarly so for two others in my class. I think we were tired.

C • 3 AM? 2

I approached the Aus champs MTBO middle distance with some trepidation. Unloading my old Repco bike (with no suspension) it was not hard to observe that the competition had bikes worth many thousands, all sorts of peculiar adpations (including single forks, which I had never heard of) and considerable riding expertise (whereas I had none).

Anyway, we rode the 3k to the start and even Jim was heard to say that the last bit was the longest 800 meters ever (I even had to get off and walk to the start). Not looking good :(

So off we went. My bike is quite fast down hills (could be the extra weight) and quite comfortable - even on the rough stuff. But the bike was not the limiting factor. Rather, it was the body - not good at all on the uphills. Navigationally the course was easy but it did offer some route choice - and so I gained some pleasure watching the opposition (numerous times) pedal off in the wrong direction, pass me in the wrong direction or even (cheeky things) ask where they were. So it was that a miracle came to pass - I was 4th out of 12 in W50 - better than my foot-O results in similar sized fields. Not a good time in absolute terms - but quite satisfactory in relative terms to the quite respectable field. A very satisfactory morning!

C • Awesome! 1

If life consisted of only orienteering and yoga, I would be very content. I am now nicely stretched-out and relaxed for tomorrow - where I am aiming to finish in not too much of a disgraceful time. I don't mind coming last - someone has to be in the field to make the winners look good. Instruction to self -*you will have fun*.

Another hospital visit etc (a round trip including collecting things, driving there, visiting, returning and doing the washing) takes nearly 2 hours. Thank heavens 'Robert' (aka my sister) came home today.

I had a 12 hour day travelling to Bairnsdale and back for 1 hour meeting (that turned into a 3 hour meeting) ina lovely hybrid car (with no key and no engine noise) that kept giving me nice positive messages suxh as "Excellent fuel savings" etc. I haven't been that way for a number of years and enjoyed the view of the lovely green rolling hills. I got a bit of a shock when I arrived in Bairnsdale as the office had moved since I was previously there and I had no idea where to go. The other *highlight* of the day was my first ever (and I think my last ever) visit to a KFC (not my choice). For a place that offers lots of 'hot and spicy' - it was rather odd that they had run out of 'fiery sauce'. So a 'hot and spicy' was a 'bland and boring'. I went for an even more 'bland and boring' walk around Blackburn on my return.

I am starting to feel slightly anxious about my entry into the Aust MTBO champs on the weekend. You, the reader, will appreciate how rarely I ride my bike. I tried to withdraw my entry and offered to help. However the organisers replied "No way. You are riding (whether you like it or not)" - as they needed the entries.

C • AustMTBO 1

No exercise - visited Mum instead (who is now lonely in her long sought-after single room).

No exercise - visited Mum.

Albury Wodonga Club Championships at Granite Gully (Barrambogies near Beechworth). I did Course 2 which was the women' championship course. Arguably it was one of the most challenging and well set courses I think I have ever done (thank you to Liz Wood - who won't be reading this). Lots of route choice. no easy options, very steep terrain and technical controls! Very hard to run at all. The AWOC club were a bit defensive - thinking that people were complaining - however it was the opposite - it was fabulous to have such a challenging long course.

I think I won the women's category but couldn't clain the trophy as I am not a member. I was also not about to join on the spot for the prime purpose of the claiming the trophy. I might, however, join the club anyway at a later stage. Overall a great day!

C • joining up? 4

Drove back through the storms to Benalla last night and had a swim in the pool this morning. No-one else was in the pool but there were lots of spectators - and eventually I was relocated to a new lane to make way for the swim club to hold a carnival.

An hour's yoga on a very wet Friday lunchtime. I haven't been for a number of weeks so it felt good to have a stretchout. Overall I feel much better today.

I went for a walk around the North Carlton area today at lunchtime. I'm not feeling any better so am sticking with low intensity for a while.

I'm very low on energy this week. This has not been helped by both Mum's hospital and Mum herself ringing at regular intervals wanting me to get things and do things. Yesterday, from the hospital - 'we've moved your mother to another hospital but we didn't take any of her luggage. You'll have to come and get that.' I am relating very much to 'Mother and Son' at the moment. I am Arthur.

C • Maggie 3

C • Arthur? 3

I tried to shake off the cobwebs by going for a walk down to the MCG at lunchtime. I'm finding it a bit hard to get out at the other ends of the day. Mum is in hospital again and requires visits, washing done etc. Thnakfully motor is going again at work.

First day back at work after my 3 week break. Unfortunately it took until 4pm before I felt properly awake.

C • Jet lag? 3

Victorian Long Distance Championships. You would think that I would learn from yesterday - but no - raced off at the start with map at 90 degrees. Quote from starter (recounted a number of times from those following me) - "Oh no, where is she going. Don't follow her". So Margie (2 mins behind) passed me at 1. Carolyn (4 mins behind) passed me at 2. It looked bad. However, I managed to regroup and started to run more comfortably, including up the hills. I passed Margie and managed to regain some of the lost time. I really enjoyed the run over the gentle spur gully terrain once I got going.

I know the course was easy - but this is the first time I have broken 10mins/k while bush orienteering.

Victorian Middle Distance Championships. Score - course setter 1 (or more) : Prue nil. It is now confirmed that I am completely stupid.

I ran off at the start, overshot everything and got hopelessly lost on 1 (still in sight of the start area) and then 3 (about 150m further away). Normally there is one control on which I make a major mistake - but today there were at least 3. For the last 5 controlsI got in a pack with Helen Edmonds and a W16. I beat them to every control but they outran me at the end.

Didn't do any training between Tuesday and the weekend. Thursday night I went to a reunion of my university faculty. Of interest was that it was held at University House and I had to walk up Tin Alley to get there - right past the site of my Big Accident when I was at uni.

Returning back to residential college on a large borrowed bike (belonging to one 6ft 5 inch giant) one afternoon, helmetless and carrying a pile of library books under my arm, I came to grief on a speed trap. When I woke up I thought 'isn't it nice here in the sun under the trees' when, suddenly, I was lifted up, put in an ambulance and taken off to Royal Melbourne Hospital. Result - concussion, (and hopefully no lasting damage), 17 stiches and a $7000 ambulance bill for a 500 metre trip.

A swim in the Benalla pool this morning. I still feel a bit sluggish from the trip and am surprised that people can actually go to work this week.

Benalla has someone on the council (and I think I know who it is) who specialises in marketing campaigns. There was that well thought out 'If you can't get to Paris then visit Benalla' campaign last year (which may have still been running during the sprints) where shops were decorated with bright pink shopping bags emblazened accordingly.

The pool has now just finished its 'Get off the couch' campaign - and the old couches, all wrapped up in 'Keep Out' tape, have been removed from the entrance foyer. The campaign doesn't seem to have been very effective as there were only two other patrons there this morning.

I decided to go home to Benalla along the Murray. I haven't been this way for some years and was also curious to see how the water had affected the area. However the trip was a bit longer than I had thought .. and hot..and little 'Bub' doesn't have any aircon.

I was delayed for a while at the ferry at Swan Reach and then should have stopped in Midura but chose to battle on. I was thinking of stopping at Robinvale - but agreed with Ilka's view of the place and decided to continue.

Soon after it got dark and there were only a few cars between there and Swan Hill. All the water had caused mass population growth and a million little bugs were squashed onto the front of my car - completely obscuring the number plate and making it difficult to see. I actually didn't feel too comfortable driving in these conditions - out alone, driving through a long distance of forest (kangaroos), hot and with millions of bugs on the windscreen. I went slowly and got to Swan Hill at 1030. I rarely eat fast food - but Red Rooster was all there was at this hour. I then snuck into a lovely caravan park and stayed the night.

In the morning it was only a 4 hour drive home from there. 850 kms! Maybe not the best way home and don't think I could have done the trip in one evening.

C • Danger 3

Australian relay championships at Rock Oyster - named because of the all the interesting oyster shell fossils in the erosion gullies along the escarpment of a tributary of the Murray River. It was one of the more interesting events I have been to for this alone. The bush was mainly mallee scrub and grass - which concealed giant wombat holes (nearly big enough to hide in). It was a sunny day and I got a bit much sun.

My team's first runner, Jools, had a great run and the pressure was on. Then Margie came in with the wise words 'go very, very carefully'. Advice which I completely ignored up until control 2 - which took some time to find. I then didn't really make any more major mistakes but was just slow. The day was getting hotter and I was quite stiff and sore from the long distance event. Unfortunately I ran over what appeared to be a midden, crushng a few shells - I would have liked to have explored this area a bit more.

Unfortunately one of our opposition, Judy, broke her ankle in the event. She has just recovered from a hip replacement and this is the last thing she needed. Broken ankles were a bit of a theme - yesterday Debbie Davey beat me - and she had a plate in her ankle from a break 6 weeks ago. So hopefully Judy will recover more quickly that we first thought.

After the event I started the long trip home. I redistributed all the wine in the car (that the others in my club think I am taking back to Melbourne for them) so that the car was not so tail-heavy and I had some steering. It certainly would be interesting if I had an accident!

C • Broken Ankle 3

Australian long distance championships at Tanunda Creek in beautiful sunshine. There is nothing that some weight loss, a major increase in fitness and some navigation lessons wont fix (and maybe it would help to knock a few years off as well).

Much of the event was running in long grass across open hills, interspersed with concentrated areas of complex rock (and a river and a few prickles thrown as well). My fitness was lacking (especially running up hills in long grass) and my fine granite navigation was a bit off as well. I had a bit of trouble on a few controls but my major error was where I was actually inside the circle (was it bigger than normal?) but went round and round until I finally found my control. There were 2 other controls on the circle's edge (but no bonus points).

Result - 10th out of 18, which was OK for me. Next SS I am dropping down to W35 (where everyone else is over 60) in an effort to remedy all matters referred to in my opening paragraph.

C • splits 2

Australian Sprint Championships at Trinity College Gawler. It was a beautiful sunny day at a magnificient venue for the sprint. The course itself was fairly simple but I still managed to make a mistake. I was trying to catch Debbie Dodd, who started a minute in front. I finally caught her at 11 and then didn't check my map when pursuing her to 12. Unfortunately we both went the wrong way (I know - Rule 1 - never follow). It cost me a couple of minutes which was annoying as I am slow anyway.

I was a bit distracted before I started - 2 incoming phone calls about an hour before the start requiring two separate but related potentially life changing decisions. I will consider these things over the weekend.