Training Log Archive: ernst

NEOC Wachusett Mountain local event. Blue Course 8.2 km 300m climb.
I was eager to race again on this map after about a hiatus of 15+ years. There had been a Troll Cup that initiated the mapping, and soon thereafter a Billygoat.

Well organized event by the Campbell's and Paschetta and ...? The hot chocolate afterwards (with dark chocolat!) was a bonus! - I would have shown up just for that..!!-:

A lot of climb and a lot of fight, as would be expected. Fortunately the leaves had fallen during the last few days. Feet and ankles felt totally ok with all the nice padding. And I totally appreciated the added visibility as well.

I attacked #2 from W trail and drifted too far S, right in the green looking for a stream, but there were multiples. Went in circles, out to the road, attacked again and landed again in the thick areas. Grrr! Eventually just search further N and found it. I should have recognized the sloping hill. I found out at the end I had lost 8 min after comparing splits. Jeff who started ~ 2 min behind me passed me easily unseen. Then a long leg over the top, then back over via some rough woods and icy-muddy trail back up - I passed Jeff, but then at #6 I opted for the trail around thinking it was a safe route, but turned out that the attack from the trail was all but trivial. Complex terrain, not clearly indicated on the map. Lost 3 '. Should have gone straight. Jeff passed me again.

The rest was more or less ok. By then I did meticulous pace counting and compass checking to provide more confidence near the controls. That plus checking features helped. I passed Jeff again at 10 which he had overrun.

Obviously this was not a runner's course. Yet I enjoyed it and the physical (fighting with the branches mostly) and navigational challenge. And the cool weather kept me refreshed throughout.

Blue - Splits

A longish road run on a blustery 40 F November day. Ideal for running. To Wednesday Hills with Lamprey Lane detour, then Allen Way to 155, to Stepping Stone to Sheep Rd, to Newtown Plains and to Faye's place - would have stopped to say hello but she was not home - then back down Snell Rd and home via Garrity. Ended up being close to a half marathon. I exercised constraint on the flats and downhills - this helped me to save energy for the hills on the last 3 miles. Now I have to work my way up to marathon distance throughout the winter.

Run to work. Via Shelter and West Foss Farm, then OR dam. Mainly to avoid getting muddy shoes. This route is faster and drier.

Biking home, all on road via fish pickup. Legs felt good on the uphills.

Errands day. Was quite hungry when i got home (5 pm) and had no ambition to go for a run. At least I did about 1.5 miles of walking to and from remote parking lot.

Run to work. Trail still muddy in places.

Run home. W Foss Farm to Shelter over to Spruce Wood, and hill sprints around the hole. Fast pace! Second half with headlamp.

Run to work.

Running home usual way but around the hole. Just barely made it before complete darkness. (arrival at 5 pm)

Bike to work all on road (dam cutoff is still obstructed by construction).

Running home - all wet from an afternoon of raining - still misting. W Foss Farm to Surrey to Griffith and trail to Mill/Packers F intersection and the loop around the hole. Second half in the dark with headlamp. (it's that time of the year)