Training Log Archive: Kseniya

Eagle rock trails on a super warm october day. The forest looked majestic in all the colors but there was a certain calmness all around; there was no wind at all, and the bright trees stood almost self-aware of their own beauty and its fleeting nature. Hard to describe in words but this amazing tune gives that sad happy feeling well.

Headed to the pool despite my legs still looking like I've been attacked by a strange sylvan creature. Didn't count laps or switch styles today, just swam free for half hour straight. Just what I needed. Had to push off my left leg only as my right calf is still in pain.

Easy run at prospect park, two loops on grassy fields. Barely any people due to darkness, quite nice. I so wanted to get caught in the rain but no such luck, a nice breeze helped with the humidity in the air.

Since last night I've been noticing an acute sort of pain in my right calf, which could be a minor strain or something with the achiles tendon. It didn't hurt much while running but I will be cautious.

The plan was to not go all out on this one and that is what I did. Fun city sprint. I liked running in the middle of empty streets.

Ran first leg of our relay team of half-ass nerds, consisting of Ian, Wyatt, and Angelica. Very nice forest sprint. I tried to keep up with Cristina and Tori but took my own routes.

This NAOC sprint relay was such a great team bonding event. The atmosphere was so joyful and positive. For the first time it felt like I was part of a team, thankful to have had the opportunity to participate.

Sprint - Course 4 - Splits

Ahh! What difference from yesterday! Such a pleasant surprise this Long race turned out to be. I was worried all morning that this one will be a difficult one but Pia put me at ease by telling me she had a lot of fun out there. I decided to believe her and relaxed a bit. Prior to the start I was alert, calm and focused. Easy #1 but I was careful and read ahead as to how to do the long leg to #2. Decided on the trail route and executed it well, hard on trail, saw #5 from it, mental check, bashed to power line, slowed down after crossing it going in to the control, careful of my location. Caught up to Rachel and Angelica and ran together to #3. Running back to power line on the way to #4 I made a decision to take the trail and got it to it eventually, after fighting through the high grasses on the power line. Cut a bit of distance to the next trail and approached the control from behind. Trail to #5. On the way to #6 I tripped over a barb wire and fell straight into mud. Although it did not bother me mentally, on opposite, kind of felt refreshing in a way, my toes on left foot got really banged up. No mistakes in attacking next few controls. After the map exchange I felt I was getting tired keeping constant focus but kept telling myself to carry on strong. Again, I decided to take the trail to get to #10 (sort of proud of myself considering a few years back I would blatantly refuse to take trails just because I thought they were not a good route choice for my short legs, stupid me). Hit #10 Ok but exited it poorly and had to traverse a marshy stream and climb extra contours on the way to #11. Fine in the control circle. I could tell I'm losing mental strength but fighting it. I read way to much on the way to #12, should have just bashed to open hill with cliffs, and I was also confused getting close to the control circle. Some hesitation on #14 route as well, trail to #15. Strong finish. Happy with my performance. Lost ~ 8 min to Sam but second place at NAOC's is not too shabby.
So the first loop was definitely better, but overall, I felt like I had great contact with the map today. Now just need to learn to replicate this more often.

C • Nice! 6

Long - Course 9 - Splits