Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Was invited to run along with this group's annual run, I thought it was the skier group and volunteers, but it turned out it was the trail runner group and volunteers... maybe the dead runner's society, maybe just the ultrarunners. Who knows but they were much more entertaining than I expected.
We ran mostly on the deer trails, starting from the visitor building and through the buckthorn. We really hit a lot of areas of the park -- and a lot of the back routes for sure.
And along the way, there were aid stations! Yeah, John S. put them out for us.... one at the "arch" area near the creek by the snowshoe trail, and others in equally remote places. With juice, bagels, meat, chocolate, oranges and socializing.
There were a few "challenges" along the way.... at the river, a 100 ft swim to a water jug; winner got a $75 gift certificate AND free entry to a 50K event. Only four people even tried so the odds were pretty good!
I've run with other ultra runners before and I really enjoy the relaxed nature. For sure they're in shape and can run fast.... but they seem just as happy to run slow, moderately, walk, whatever. I think I'll do more of this.
Afterwards there was a potluck and lots of free stuff (a few running shop owners had things to get rid of.)
I totally underestimated this group; I really wish I wore my Icebugs.. had no idea we'd be off trail and it was slick. And, the run was much sillier than I'd imagined. Good group.

C • Sound great 2

with Meetup people.
was fun to jump Jump JUMP
too many people showed up though so the game was a bit crowded. Still fun. May do it again.

Ran with Alice, before kids woke up so I could steal my daughter's car.... I wanted to run somewhere a bit different and knew the mountain bike trail would not be crowded with school, work, snow. It was perfect.

My VW is in the shop.... being a victim its own maintenance check-up from last Friday. VW charged me $700 on Friday, then forgot to reconnect an air hose when they were done. I got stranded on my way to mpls yesterday and had to get it towed back to the dealer. Argghhh. At least they're paying for it all, including tow.
But the service dept. conveniently also found I need a new $160 special VW battery, plus labor. Funny how that works.

pfc set a "Team Memory-O" course in Battle Creek Park; we divided into a girls' team (mobiz, julia and me) and two boys' teams (of two each).
15 controls were set, and the goal was to come back with all 15.
We decided to each go for 5. I memorized my course, then bounded off in the wrong direction and had to come back once I realized I hadn't looked at my compass at the start. It turns out I wasn't the only one to do so, either!
Second time out, I had no problems with 1, got a little confused at 2 and just skipped to 3 (no time lost, but no #2 control either).
At my 4, I was looking for a control off the dogpark.... in a depression? Couldn't remember and wandered around then gave up. But I remembered 5 and found it np.
And then... UHOH. Forgot I would have to remember how to get back to pfc and the maps!! I went WAAYYYY around the wrong way and lost a lot of time. But finally found them. Ran into Julia and Molly and we re-strategized how to best get all the controls remaining.
BACK to find 2 and 4, and the second time it was so much easier! Since I knew what to look for on the map, had some context (having just run it).
The pink team finished first in the women's division and are now the reigning women's champs.

Fun late late breakfast afterwards, and I think I've been talked into Possum Trotting. =)

This was a really good exercise and I would do one every week if I could. Such a great way to try to visualize, remember, plan... each control was easy, but stringing them together and still trying to recall...... that was pretty hard. And fun.
Thanks pete.

C • PT 8