Training Log Archive: ginger

Blue/Red Sprint - Splits

Event: Sierra Summerfest
 

8x400m at mile pace w/ 1 minute rest between. Did the 1st 2 at 1:48 and 1:50, but then my right calf started cramping a bit on the third (1:55). Took an extra minute during the break to stretch and try to work out the knot, and it seemed to do the trick, because I felt great for the next 4 at 1:44, 1:42, 1:44, and 1:51. Decided to really push for the last one, and knocked it out in 1:38. Felt quite good (except for the little bit of calf cramping), and the weather finally cooled down enough that I didn't feel like I was dying.

Evening run before the thunderstorms started. Felt good, with just a little tightness in my lower left calf.

Route-choice exercise designed by Nadim. 700m jog to the start, then 1-2 at race pace, jog back to 1, try a different route to 2, etc. 1-2 I tried the trail route 1st (3:18) then the straight route through the open woods (3:23). 2-3 I did woods first (6:37) then trail (5:17). 3-4 I only did once, as I really didn't see a reasonable second route choice. Went fairly straight, with just a little trail running (5:17). Busy congratulating myself on my decent execution of 4 (with a small hesitation inside the circle), and promptly goofmuppeted 4-5. I meant to go straight, as it was the most logical choice. and veered too far off to the right (3:42). I decided not to leave it at that, went back to 4 and attacked again, this time reading my map (2:15). 5-6 again only had one choice I would make, trail run up the slightly gross (from what I could see, anyway) hill (5:57). When I got to the finish, though, Ted said he only saw one route choice for that leg as well, except it was the exact opposite of mine (he went straight, once off the trail a little, the woods weren't actually too bad, but the hill was still quite steep). I also goofmuppeted a bit in the circle on this one, while I was deciding which ditch to aim for, completely forgetting to read the control description, which was a knoll. 6-7 I was getting a little tired, so I opted for the trail route first (4:10). The straight route on this one probably would have been a good choice, too, but I was running out of time, so on to 8. Opted for the woods route first, as it really didn't require a lot of thought, just bomb down the re-entrant to the trail (1:50). Went back and did the trail route (1:38). On the way back to the finish, I got stung by a yellow jacket-the first time I've been stung while on an o course!
So what did I learn? I tried to maintain the routine of actively reading my map and making choices on the second time to each control, but even so, the trail routes seemed to be faster for me. I definitely need to work on getting faster through the terrain, as most of my time lost wasn't goobering around, I'm just slow moving through the woods while I try not to trip over my own feet.
Things to work on in the next few weeks: committing to a route choice (this exercise was awesome for this!), working on my core and leg strength so running through the woods isn't so exhausting, focusing on simplifying legs and choosing good attackpoints.

C • Route Choice 1