Training Log Archive: BorisGr

This weekend has been very disappointing for me. I felt pretty good after last weekend's A meet, satisfied with my shape and eager to race well and Kentucky. Because of my back/hip/hamstring mystery injury, I've been hobbling around all week and struggling to run without pain. Yesterday I didn't really expect to run, but managed to warm up ok and started. My brain was not turned on, and I was running like a headless chicken for large parts of the race. But afterwards I thought "Ok, i didn't even expect to be able to race, so this is positive. Time to refocus for the long distance and give it a shot. So I did. But I could not make myself get going at a race effort at any point today, and so I slogged around in nearly two hours, beaten handily by several orienteers who were well behind me a week ago. Very disappointing to not have a real chance to compare against the best in the US, but still cool to be here and see our younger guys who have been working hard - Greg and Giacomo - racing well, and hopefully racing themselves onto the WOC Team. And, as always, it's inspiring to watch Eric bring his A-game when it counts. Well done, guys!

Long - 12 Blue - Splits

Event: Flying Pig XIX - U.S. Individual Champs - Sprint-Middle-Long
 

Sprint - 11 M-20 12 M-21 - Splits

This will be a very exciting US Champs and Team Trials next weekend.

If I had to guess, I would say that Sergei Ryzhkov is the overwhelming favorite for the US titles in the sprint and long and probably the middle too. But after that, with the Champs coming so early in the season, it feels like there are a lot of unknowns, and several people can put up great performances and run themselves into the medals and the WOC team.

For the forest races I would single out Eric, Ethan, and Mattias E as favorites (after Sergei R). But after them, there are so many unknowns: Eddie, Giacomo, Greg A. I would also watch out for Erin, who had some great races this past weekend, and for Jordan, who is getting back into the swing of US orienteering. And never count out Sergei Z, Kenny, or Wyatt. Or will this be the year that Brendan, Ian, or Will E take a step up?

I think with the exceptions of Will H (baby-crazy), Ross (too far away), and Swampfox (???), basically all the top US men will be here this weekend, which is pretty cool. Anyone else have any predictions/speculations?

C • This seems pretty accurate.... 9

Tried jogging home from work. It went ok in the sense that I was able to run, but felt stiff and in pain. I did not try picking up speed above a jog.

Probabilities of starting for this weekend:
Sprint - 75%
Long - 25%
Middle - 50%

Feeling pretty bummed. But at least it's budget week in the senate, so I am working all sorts of crazy hours and don't have to worry about silly things like sleep. So yeah, awesome prep for the US Champs.

I was feeling pretty optimistic about my shape after last weekend's races, but soon after Sunday's race the right side of my back tightened up, and by the time I was back in DC, I was noticeably limping. I tried loosening up by doing some easy elliptical. It helped somewhat, but was back to tight and painful soon after.

I am writing this Wednesday morning, after two chiropractor appointments with Dr.Glodzik, recommend by Peggy. This morning I found myself lying on his table with long needles stuck into my butt, back, and hip, a situation I am unfortunately all-too-familiar with. I am feeling pretty pessimistic about my chances for good races this weekend. Even if I am able to run, I am strongly considering skipping the long distance and focusing on the middle.

C • Feel better 6