Training Log Archive: kissy

Another day of the same with the puppies. After the initial stops and starts for pooping and peeing, we were off. They did fine again today, still going strong at the end. Next...the fire roads in PWF.

C • So are you looking at havin... 2

My first attempt at running with the dogs. I took them to PWF to run on the scenic loop. I figured this would be easier than trying to run on a trail for the first time, and I could run an out and back, so when they tired out, we could just turn around. Well, they *never* tired out. This was their first run ever, for 3 miles, in hottish, humid weather. And they were still going strong at the end.

This has good and bad implications. Good because, as suspected, they will be good running dogs. Bad because...what will it take to wear these dogs out?!?

"The Tale of the Snake" in which kissy is kayaking down a canal, only to realize that she is surrounded by Northern Water snakes and is nearly paralyzed with fear. She manages to make like a high-speed paddle boat and make it home before a close encounter with a snake that one website describes as "highly aggressive and will strike often and repeatedly." Nice.

C • I sense several problems wi... 4

I had to work pretty much all day, so no beach for me today. I did go over to the lighthouse, though, and explored a trail that I thought was there and that I thought went through Buxton Woods

It *was* there and it *did* go through Buxton Woods. And it was one of the nicest "trails" I'd ever run on. It was actually the width of a jeep trail, flat, and pretty much grass covered for as long as I was on it. It was like running on a linear lawn, with maritime woods on either side. It was truly enchanted. I would have run longer, but I was meeting my sister, so I had to cut it short.

I took the house's kayak out on the Pamlico Sound for an out-and-back north up the shoreline. It was a beautifully peaceful late afternoon, after a day of rain storms. This was not a strenous workout, but it did take it out on my arms a bit. It was nice to do something different.

C • I am feeling so inspired, i... 9

Ok, so my streak ended after one day! That will happen when you get a call from your sister, asking if you could get to the beach the next day to watch her kids while she and her husband go back home to pack up their house and move into an apartment because someone signed a rental lease on their house *much* quicker then they had anticipated.

So, I drove to the beach (Cape Hatteras) on Wednesday, worked from the beach yesterday, and am now trying to get back on track with my "streak."

I went out a little too late (9:00 a.m.) because it is stinking hot here, and you really need to be out running around 7:00. Still, I felt pretty good, which I largely attribute to my new kicks! Adidas Supernova Cushion 7. My orthopedist said I should get the cushioniest shoes I could find to help protect my knee, and these shoes make it feel like I'm running on two little pillows. I'm very happy with them.

C • "The shoes you run in matte... 2

Went for an early morning run at PWF. It wasn't the best-feeling run, but I'm glad I got out and did it. I know that I need to do something in the morning or my day just gets away from me and nothing gets accomplished, so this was a good start.

C • early run 1

Today's planned activities -- mountain biking at Vedauwoo with some letterboxing thrown in -- were scrapped when the day dawned grey, rainy, foggy and cold. So, all I could muster was a ride down to Grand Ave. Newstand and Coal Creek Coffee for a Denver Post and an afternoon cup of tea. So fine.

C • Coal Creek 3

Just toodling around on Pelican Bay map.

Ran the Green Y course again from Day 2. Mikell had hung controls, but I didn't punch...just touched. I took a much worse line into #4 than I did during the race, but otherwise was pretty much the same, except for a few small changes.

Collecting controls, along with an additional trip around Conical Rock.

While running the Green Y course, I saw 6(!) mule deer bucks between #5 and #6, running in a line. All of them had huge racks...a hunter's paradise.

A tour of the Flats and the Hills. Another beautiful Wyoming day.

Went out to Remarkable Flats and Diamond Bay to pick up the last of the controls and water points. It was an incredibly beautiful evening, with unbelievable light.

I felt much better running today on the Flats and navigating on the Diamond Bay map. The "it's a small world" moment of the day happened at a water control near Diamond Bay itself, when who should I run in to but Rick Oliver! Two Virginians meeting in the middle of Wyoming prairie land. So fine!

Green Y at Remarkable Flats; Day 2 of US Champs. This day started out fine...I felt good, ready to race. That was about to change, though. At the second control, I smacked my head very hard on the tree limb that was holding the control. I had punched and was getting ready to take off, when head and tree made contact. It almost felt like my brain got sloshed around. I kept running on towards #3, holding my forehead, feeling the beginnings of a headache. Found 3, headed to #4, when I started getting a little nauseous. Stopped behind a boulder on the way up to 4 and lost my breakfast. Not good.

I finished the course, having to stop one more time on the way to #11 to be sick. I was nauseous the whole time and my head hurt so bad. When I got in, I took a look and there was definitely a bruised, scraped bump on my forehead. I sat down for a while and felt a little better.

Other than feeling sick and not being able to run as strongly as I would like, my run was fine. I found all of the controls right on with no problems. It was kind of cool to see these wide open plains covered with orienteers, like little ants. The final slope towards the finish was especially fun to watch.

Even though I managed to eke out a 2nd place for the weekend, I wasn't happy with either of my runs. I needed better navigation on Saturday and better running on Sunday. I need to get those two in sync!

C • Maybe getting sick after hi... 3

US Champs: Green Y Day 2 - Splits

Green Y course at Diamond Bay; Day 1 of the US Champs. I hadn't been expecting too much out of this weekend since my intended training plan has been waylaid the past month or so. And the lack of O training certainly showed. I was drifting right or left on several controls, often finding the men's Green X control before my own. I also didn't feel as strong today as yesterday; that rough open sage stuff is just tough for me to get through.

Everything else about the day, though, was fabulous. I thought the course was a lot of fun, with some rocky terrain in the beginning and then the long open areas so familiar to anyone who has run in Laramie. If only I could have run faster. :-(

US Champs: Green Y Day 1 - Splits

Green course at East Pelican Bay. Quite a disaster at #7 with Phil and then a few more bobbles on 8 and 9. Then I settled down. Unfortunately, there were only 14 controls.

I felt fine physically, though, which is half the battle here.

C • Control 7 1

Ran the Green course today at Happy Jack. Took it a little easy today, still aclimating. The navigation went okay...not stellar, just okay. Luckily, this was not at all like the US Champs terrain.

And, I actually felt better than I had anticpated. Could breathe better, so this weekend might go well.

Collecting controls after the One-Man Relay. I didn't feel like racing today, so this was a perfect intro to the altitude. It didn't hit me as much as I was expecting, which is a good thing.

C • You made it! 1

Event: 2008 Laramie Daze & US Champs
 

This has been a weird medical week for me. After much investigative work by my allergist and many, many blood tests, I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and discoid lupus. Neither of these is really bothersome, and I only have to take medication for the hypothyroidism. I have to minimize my time in the sun and use sunscreen at all times for the lupus. It was actually somewhat of a relief to finally have an explanation for some of the strange symptoms that I've been experiencing over the last year or so.

C • I'm shocked 4