Training Log Archive: dlevine

After an overflowing (no pun intended) class on Tuesday, only six people showed today and two had to leave halfway through. The only noticeable difference was that the therapy pool was closed (apparently yesterday, too) but it is hard to believe that that kept a dozen people away...

Hunter's Creek "Sprint" course.

With my chest all congested, I really couldn't run so the navigation was even easier than usual. I took three steps down the wrong trail twice, hesitated at #5 because I couldn't see the bag (tree in the way - I was right there) and climbed out the creek a bit earlier than I meant to, but these errors totaled to less than 30 seconds. Mostly, I couldn't run and thought I was going to puke going to #11. Fourth place (really fifth as Dave Cady declared himself "unofficial"). Under normal circumstances, that would have been about three minutes faster, but I still wouldn't have caught Rob Holmes.

Hunter's Creek Score O

Sixty minutes, all controls worth 10 points, 10 points/min penalty.

Tried to run to #1, but walked about a third of it. Was probably third to control in a big pack. Jogged to #2 and got there third in a group of 3. Off to #3, but split from the other two in the thick green. Came out a bit south of desired location on road and jogged in to the flag. Dogleg out and I was now completely alone. North to #11 where I went a bit slow to make sure that I didn't err in the bland area. (Good idea as apparently two experienced folks couldn't find it.) Jogged to #12 and then towards #13. From the mini-escarpment, saw Dave Cady crossing below leaving the control, but it took me a while to scramble down. I had 33 minutes left and was now turning around for a more or less straight shot back, so I had to adjust some. Saw DC leaving 14, but didn't see him descend to the creek. Had some trouble getting down myself and saw Brigid Lyons coming the other way. Spiked #9 and saw DC heading up the hill to #8. Took the angle in while he went up the trail and then across, beating me there by a bit. Overshot #5, but realized my mistake in about 50m. Recrossed creek and with 19 minutes, thought I might try for #10. About 150 m (plus climb) from #10, got the dry heaves and felt sick and exhausted and got concerned about time. Went for #7 instead and spiked it. Off to #4 feeling like I could walk in. Got it and was walking in when Jackie Novkov passed me jogging, motivating me to do the same. Still ended up walking in, seeing DC cross my path in the last 40m to beat me in by 15 seconds. No matter, he surely had more than me.

In the end, DC had 12 controls as did I. Rob Holmes got 15, but came in 2.5 minutes late, so he was behind on the tiebreaker. Strangely, no one else had done that well. Can't explain it.

Note to self: In future, do not "taper" for a local event by not running for four weeks prior to start. Also, do not run in hot weather when feeling ill. Still, it was nice to be on a map...

C • A four week taper... 3

First exercise since hike; still feeling more than a bit ill and this minor workout felt substantial. On with the healing...