Training Log Archive: TomN

Event: West Point A-meet
 

West Point Day 1 Middle Green X. I was one of a half-dozen or so waiting for clue sheets and maps, and started about a half-hour late. No problem with that, other than maybe not as good a warmup as I would have liked. Whether that was the issue or not, I felt pretty sluggish on the long rise up to the first control, but picked up the pace after that. Trouble on #5 at the foot of the cliff. I took what I still think was a good route, following the little trail across the stream to its end, but what I think happened was the "trail" kept going a ways after it stopped on the map. I came down on the wrong spur and lost some time backing up to the right one. Then slow on the next control, good running on a flat area below the hill but I couldn't see it on the map, so constantly looking for confirmation. Overran the control and backed into it again. No problems other than that, and I was a little surprised to find myself first in M60.

West Point Day 1 Sprint Green. I'm just not good at this format. Can't read the map fast enough. I'm pretty sure I'm making the same kinds of 20-30 second mistakes in other courses too, but it doesn't matter as much. I hesitated crossing the bridge, because there didn't seem to be any crossable water on the map. Then ran up the wrong set of stairs. Then started down the hill after 10 the wrong way and had to backtrack. Nothing really significant, but it sure matters in a race this short. Second in M60, but way off the winning pace on Green.

Day 1, Mid, Green X - Splits

Day 1, Sprint, Green - Splits

Core strength and stretching. This gets easier when you do it regularly. Still, I wouldn't call it enjoyable.

Set out controls for Rockburn Branch-Patapsco, along with 13 gallons of water. The woods are in good condition, lots of variation in the kind of terrain, control placements are all solid and the map is excellent barring a few specific changes to the terrain that aren't mapped. Handed off a dozen or so controls to Jody Landers to put out Sunday morning. I set a few controls that were a little more visible than I'd like, given that they're going to be there for 3 more days, but it would have been pretty unfair to burden someone else with them. Also dropped an e-punch box in the water. Hope they're submersible.

Gluteal strain was acting up for the first few hours, but in the afternoon I hardly noticed it.

The usual core strength workout. Increased side plank leg lifts from 15 to 20. Other systems feeling good too.

The gluteal injury is improving but not healed. I never felt it when it happened (neither the first injury nor the re-injury a week later). In both cases the pain grew over a period of 1-2 days afterwards, then started to diminish. At its worst (after the reinjury) it took effort not to limp when walking. In both cases, the worst gait is gradually uphill. Flat is easier but still painful, downhill no problem, steep uphill no problem. Sitting, standing, etc., no problem. Running hurts. In static exercise, there is full range of motion and no pain.

I don't quite get it, but I'm taking it seriously. Upcoming A-meets at best efforts.