Training Log Archive: dlevine

Warm-up for Letchworth Ski-O. Hadn't been on skis in two years due to knee surgery. Fortunately, it seemed to come back quickly.

1. Up the yellow corridor to the unplowed, but snowmobiled parking lot to the northern part of the field, then to the trails on the right (5:59).

2. Obvious route, with a brief hesitation at the first junction which ended up confusing me far more than it should have (5:07).

3. NE to trail and then S at the control. Had wrong code, but it seemed too obvious to be anything but the flag I wanted (time estimate: 4:30).

4. E and then across plowed road and then down unplowed road. Turned S on the road before the control and went SE across field, trail, and field to control (time estimate: 10:55; combined 3-4 was 15:25).

5. Across field and along obvious path. Saw Mary Smith coming N on path and hoped she was on a different course (since I mistakenly thought I had started before her) (7:13).

6. Along trail at edge of gorge to junction, then overland through the pines. Climbing the steep hill was a challenge as was relocating at the top. Finally struck off into the location allowing for stone wall, ridge up ahead and trail to N to bound any error; practically spiked it, but had lost a good amount of time. (13:11).

7. N, then W, then N to road. Crossing road, couldn't find trail and bushwhacked NNW, eventually hitting trail that came out near another on the snowmobile track. Cursed that the track was OB and continued into the field eventually going NW to trail. Lost map contact and followed trails generally N before seeing snowshoe tracks heading north-ish. Followed them, but they led me out to the sand pit E of the control and with no path up. I tried to sidestep, but couldn't do it; took off my skis and climbed the ten feet. As I was putting on my skis, noticed that I had lost my punch card; sure enough it was in the pit. After I retrieved it, it was a straight shot on the trail to the control (24:12).

8. Down the power line until I took a shot straight S at the control and spiked it (4:02).

9. NW to power line, across road, N of pond and eventually to trail junction below the "6" in the clue code. From top of that hill bushwhacked to control. The strategy of attacking a ski-O control through green slash is dubious, but somehow this worked out better than I deserved (15:02).

10. Trail NW, then E, cutting the corner at the end as I saw someone near the control (6:01).

11. Obvious route S, bushwhacking at bit from parking lot S of pond to trail head NW of control (11:07; includes in to finish).

F. Trail to road then along a path at edge of road.

All in all, a nice outing considering that I hadn't been on skis in two years. Alas, commitments will keep me from more ski-O this year. Go figure...

C • Code for 3 16

C • Not OB and other comments! 2

Cutthroat with two very good players. Lost the first game to the young guy who warmed up faster than us. (15-8). Lost the second to him as well (at 15-12) when he came on strong with his serve at the end. Won the third game as my serve got hot (15-7-4). Lost the last one at the end when I inexplicably (tired?) missed four relatively easy serves in a row (21-18).

First run in the Polar Bear Series. Race temp was 19 F, but with no wind and even a bit of sun. Footing was okay, with hard packed, somewhat slick snow most of the way. Most runners added distance to take the outside lanes which were more often wet pavement. Saw most of the Lyons crew, mostly from behind...