Training Log Archive: Gswede

Few people care about an athlete's feelings, they mostly care only about their results. But since this is my log, I'll express feelings from time to time.

Since the Finnish World Cup I've been feeling discouraged in terms of my ability to compete with the elite athletes over here. I see everyone's accomplishments here, and I find it difficult to see myself on that list.

So, instead of comparing externally, I returned to comparing with myself.

It is very encouraging to see the progress I've made just over the past years from the Flying Pig in 2015 (15th) and the Western Mass 5 Day in 2012 when I decided to return to elite orienteering to the Classic Champs and NAOC this past fall. I'm not at the top yet, and there are certainly going to be more disappointments than victories as I rise up, but I will not stop.

Ultimately, I don't want my journey to be self-serving, but rather I hope that my example can serve to inspire others to pursue their goals despite setbacks.

Now, let's go rock this Classic Distance in Madsa set by the always classy BigWillyStyle.

A nice spin to the map and then back home.

Pretty solid effort. A few sub-optimal routes that cost me about 5-6 minutes total. For example, I avoided the swamp to 12 after having struggled through the swamp to 11 (I swung too far right though). And I probably should not have climbed on the way to 14. It turns out that swamp was very runnable and actually kinda pleasant. Still struggling to determine what factors make the swamps runnable.

Soaked my legs in the lake for about 10 minutes afterwards. Beautiful area.

http://sprintseries.org/doma/show_map.php?user=gsw...