Training Log Archive: mayer22

Last commute of the year. Work was empty.

Temp was 26 (starting to get cold) no wind. Thermal knickers were enough. Wore long sleeve jersey instead of AW, which was a wash. Added a wind vest and toe covers. Hands got a little cold.

Went down to the gym to change and it was closed. Ever since the last time they locked me out I usually ask on holidays if they close early. Forgot today. No sign on the door. I was just supposed "to know."

Got started late and it was dark by the time I made it to Backlick. To add insult to injury the batteries in my taillight were dead which meant a daring ride home. Rushed as much as I could. Bad T-bone accident on Gallows.

30 deg w/ a slight side/tailwind.

Shane's DIET

Ride to the DIET at Shane's house. Snow. Low 30's. Wetness made my shins were cold in the bib knickers. Feet were wet and cold as well. Couldn't find the second booty I pulled out when I was ready to leave. Carried a pretty big gear bag.

My crank was falling off (as usual). Was trying to make it the whole ride without tightening it again because my tool was buried in my bag. It started falling off too much so I had to tighten. About 2 miles later it fell off again and would not screw back in. The crank screw was stripped. Pedaled with my right foot the last mile and luckily Jeremy had the same crank on his spare so we stole the arm off it.

Snow stopped before we started.

First section: Ocourse
Shane said any order. There was only one point I questioned the order I got it. Points were close so there were a few spots I started heading in one direction and then realized I should go another. Lost little bits of time here and there but nothing big. Pace was reasonable but not blazing.

Trek section
Shane suggested doing them in order. The only other reasonable choice would have been backwards. This was very straightforward with mostly road running. Kept the pace high and got pretty tired about halfway through. Still sans backpack. Was very hot for most of this run.

Riding section
Probably half trail and half road. The shock on my bike also seems to be broken. It was effectively locked out the entire ride. Will have to take a look at it.

Rode past the first point as I was watching Victor in front of me instead of the map. Next several points were clean. Accidentally went to I before H and then couldn't find H. Was looking on a parallel unmapped spur also next to a parallel unmapped trail. Figured the flag was stolen so moved on after 10 minutes of looking.

Saw Victor at the RecCenter after some searching for the sign I needed. Chose an alternate route to L then the marked trail and had trouble finding the other trail I needed. Should have taken the original trail. After a quick jaunt in Huntley Meadows it was all road riding mostly in areas I was familiar with.

After I got the last point I took 5 minutes to ride back to H to find it. Had no problem this time. I had a feeling it might be on a parallel feature but the map was telling me it wasn't so I ignored earlier. Finished a few minutes after Shane (who set the course).

Sun peaked out a few times to warm up but it was still cold.

Total Time: 3:35

Commute in. Ditched the pads. Temp was right at freezing with minimal wind. Toes stayed just warm enough without toe covers.

Security guard walked as he checked my badge which meant I didn't have to stop, good stuff.

No watch.

Ride home. Made most of the lights. No watch again.

Merry Christmas

Skating with my Dad at Pro Skate. Learning power pulls and practicing skating on my outside edge.

Fixed barn siding and split more wood.

2+ hours of splitting and stacking wood.

Ride in was good. Wasn't sure if I would with ride the chance of showers later in the day. Wanted to ride to avoid potential holiday traffic on the way home but I think most of it left yesterday. Pavement was wet and had a 15mph crosswind with gusts of 30. 40 deg. Feet started to get cold.

Stopped at Best Buy to pick up a last minute gift for KT. Took Beulah.

Can't remember the temp but 15-20mph from W with 30mph+ wind gusts. Gusts were pretty constant. Got a face full of wind riding west on the parkway and through Springfield.

Toe feeling better. It was pretty painful for the first few days. Getting a boot from the doctor really helped though. A little sore still but I didn't think it would bother me while riding. Basically sidelined me for about a week. Think I can start running again around Christmas.

Slept in a little later than planned.

Back in the saddle. Toe felt ok. A little sore at times at the base of it where it connects to the foot.

Installed a new BB and Crankset last night. External bearing is smooth and I won't have trouble with the removing cranks or BB anymore.

A little daring today. When I went to bring the bike to the shop to help with the stripped crank I was on the phone and KT forgot it was on the roof and it clipped an overhead gate. Not too much damage. Rack looks fine. Snapped one of my trays and I broke wear the front axle connects to the fork. My wheel seems secure in there but I have to believe that I run the risk of losing it in a pothole. Rode on it anyway.

Anyone have insight as to the true importance of those little guides on the fork?

Ride home was a little rough. Out of shape, 20mph headwind, and darkness.

Forgot that the new crank only has 50t. Couldn't find a 52t triple with external BB. I do miss some of the top end but it allows me to do more in the big ring. May end up replacing the ring.

Event: QOC Oregon Ridge
 

Went to get my toe looked at. He said I fractured the toe. Just a little chip though. Told me it would take about a week to feel better and that it would heal cleanly. Gave me a boot to walk around in which means walking is no longer painful.

Event: QOC Prince William Forest
 

Not the best of days. Started out by realizing I left my shoes on top of my car and only one made it to the meet. The other is somewhere on I95. Luckily I had a spare pair of road running shoes in my car. Not preferable but they would work.

First control was perfect and caught Iliana. 3rd control not so much. I was realizing there were going to be broader features then I was ready for. I wandered a bit before realizing where I needed to go for 3. At 5 both Iliana and I overshot a little and had to back track. I didn't read the map correctly at 6 and was unsure if I was in the right spot before finding 7.At that point I caught up to Mark who had started well before me. I would pretty much be near him the rest of the run.

I ran a little west on my way to 12 and ended up on the trail through the cabins. I realized after that Mark had a slightly better route to 13 that used the road. 15 was a little rough. I tried to cut over to the road but kept veering north and running along it.

16 was where I injured myself. Stubbed my bad toe really bad and then fell right between Mark and the control. I told him to go and slowly got up and started moving. Took it easy the rest of the way walking quite a bit. Thought initially it hurt because of my toenail but further evaluation when I got home looks more like a sprain or broken toe.

Think I had a decent run up to 16 despite what felt like lots of searching. I also realized how out of shape I am. I was considerably slower by CP 13. Will start running again probably after Christmas.

Blue - Splits