Training Log Archive: broccolisa

Wonder of wonders, the ITB was totally fine before/during today's race. So, didn't hold back on running today.

The thigh wrap travelled all the way down to the ankle within 10 minutes, d'oh. Fortunately it settled well there for the ride and wasn't a problem. Knee wrap stayed in place well.

ITB back to some tenderness at home afterwards.

The ITB was totally fine today, to my detriment. Likely would have done better walking, like yesterday. But it was fun to feel healthy and strong again, so couldn't resist picking up the pace.

So many bad legs. Some started well, then went off the rails. 12 and 13 were surely the worst; the wheels really fell off there. Major relocation needed, for 13 especially. Wonder what the GPS track will look like for these.

A new thing for me, calves started cramping up occasionally starting around 1:40, while climbing. Never had that happen before... But they were only momentary incidences and didn't cause problems.

Body feels totally trashed from the exertion today -- but in a good way.

Not running tomorrow (ITB would be highly likely to go on strike), so thus ends my first Ontario Championships, and second A-meet. Despite all the "scenic detours", enjoyed the challenge and the time out in the forest.

Long 7 - Splits

The ITB didn't recover this past week as much as it usually has. Been a little tender going down stairs the whole week, so wasn't sure if I'd even be able to finish today's Middle at the Ontario Orienteering Championships at Vorlage, especially since there's so much downhill and that's what the ITB hates the most.

As a "+" age class competitor I probably should be mature enough to put myself on rest... But, where's the fun in that. So, instead wrapped the knee and thigh in compression things and lo and behold, the knee held out today. Walked the course, with a few jog steps here and there and a slow jog at the finish, trying to save something in the ITB tank for tomorrow. The thigh wrap slid down to the knee partway through the course, but that worked out anyway, more support for the knee itself I guess, and both wraps stayed on the knee rather than sliding all the way down to the ankle which I feared might happen :-)

So, walked the Middle at the Ontario Orienteering Championships, with a few jog steps here and there. Overall went pretty well, although haven't loaded the track to RG yet which will surely show lots of goofs. Big messup at #7 as I wasn't sure which ski hill I had come out on from #6. In retrospect the chairlift indicator on the map would have been a huge clue if I had noticed it sooner.

At the back half of the course, I was with someone else on the same course who was also walking so we were the same speed = not as much fun and I was worried about feeling that I was following, especially since those legs were so short, not much in the way of route choice to take a different path. That's where I made the mistake of completely missing 13 and not realizing it, so, MP for me. The other person said afterward that as we passed 13, he was on the correct side of the boulder and I was on the other side and I walked right by. Woops.

There's that mental thing I think, getting distracted being around other competitors. I didn't want it to seem like I was following, so lost focus on my course... Or maybe the same thing would have happened regardless. Also, back at the arena afterwards, when I mentioned I had MP'd, an experienced competitor told me when he sees a straight line of controls he makes a mental note to be extra focused, because that's a place where people can tend to skip a control. Sure enough, that's where I had my MP.

So, there's a couple of good things to keep in mind in future.

I MP'd on the Middle at last year's COCs, so I'll chalk this up to starting a new tradition perhaps ;)

Middle 7 - Splits

Finally found another course to join. This time, at an actual rock climbing gym. Wayyyy bigger than the City's wall out in Kanata.

Funny how when something is explained well, it can be easy to understand. Belaying seemed so complicated when explained at the other course last winter. Today, easy peasy, and we were all putting our lives in each other's **completely novice** hands belaying each other like we'd been doing it our whole lives. Well, maybe not quite, some jolty rides down, but everyone survived. Woo!

Started with top-roping. Completed a couple of 5.7s. There were no numbers at the City's wall so not sure how that compared. Maybe try 5.8 next week.

Then bouldering. Did white and orange only -- others way too hard.

Feeling the arms now for sure.