Training Log Archive: Orunner

Event: OCIN-FAST-O Sebald Park
 

Dave Waller set a challenging Sprint. I did not take the opportunity to examine the course and did not review or check the descriptions. After clearing my stick, I punched the start and ran towards the circle. Looking at the map, I imagined the control hanging along the trail at a dry ditch intersect. Fortunately I roughly gauged the distance with the edge of my compass and pace counted as I ran. Without conscious thought, I reached my count and continued on about 10 steps and stopped thinking, ‘what the heck?’ Ahead of me was a trail going up. Behind me was no bag. But I had crossed a ditch. Did I run right past the bag? I turned and high-tailed it to the ditch. No bag. I look at the map and read the description. Ahah! I look into the thick vegetation, and there it was, maybe 15 feet up the ditch. Correctly placed and visible only when looking directly at it. So this is what Waller had prepared. I had to rethink my methodology.

The second control was even more devilish. I over ran it as well, but this time I suspected it would not be visible from the trail. I had trouble reading the vegetation boundaries and was unsure but correct in my guesses. After a slow investigation into the clearing edges, there was the bag.

Dave had carefully and, obviously, deliberately placed the bags so as to prevent premature observation. Nicely done, Dave. There wasn’t a single gimme on the course.

OCIN FAST-O Sebald Park Sprint - Splits

Went out for a late night summer sun down run along the river. Starting at the Fitton Center I ran to the center of Joyce Park, 3.5 miles away. I started out at a good lick but slowed gradually, maintaining constant perceived effort. I did average less than 10 minutes per mile. Hoorah.

Dottie and I took a pleasant walk through Joyce Park. We spent the whole time deep in converstaion. It was nice.