Training Log Archive: Torino

In Breckenridge with SandraMarcMatti for altitude living for Marc's preparation for the Pikes Peak roundtrip race this Sunday.
Living on 3100 m higher than Trockener Steg!

Went trailrunning from the apartment following a beautiful trail, then a paved road leading into a dirt road. Up high, on 3400 m I wanted to go over the top and back down the other side when big signs in the middle of the woods told me that the trail was closed-private property. So annoyed and backed out an old very rocky mining trail steeply down back to the road. Followed the same way back.
A beautiful day in Colorado!

Stopped a lot on this outing, checking my map, talking to people, taking pictures.

Day 2 Classic Champs: what is there to say about this race except disappointment. I guess I had really overcome my jetlag and slept soundly and deeply without a headache in the morning. But it also meant that my brain remained foggy for a long time and could not snap out of it.
Started ok but realised soon that I was always drifting way too the left. It was all about compass reading and I had to correct all the time by navigating with the few features I could see.
Managed well to #5 and was quite happy. To # 6 followed my route, went up a little valley with aspens that were on the map. At this point stopped checking my map. Went up the valley and veered right into rocks and a little side valley that should have my flag. No flag! I circled some more around these huge rocks/boulders and found a control with the wrong code. Went back where I came from and got more and more discouraged.

PS: my Garmin must have been so shocked that it stopped working ;-), and it doesn't even show that I eventually found my flag!
Circled some more until I noticed I hadn't checked my map. Went low and out into a map and immediately knew where I was and what I had to do and found my flag with no problems! (the control I had seen 10 min ago was my #3, but I did not even check that)
Continued and made some more mistakes but relocated everytime. But the air and joy was gone. Too bad I was so stupid and out of it.

C • Aspens before #6 3

Brown X - Splits

Event: 2014 US Classic Championships
 

At the M Lazy C-Ranch and running from our cabin to the assembly area and the start. Hurrying.

First day of the US Champs at Round Mountain. Went cautiously mostly by compass as there were not many feature to orienteer by except rocks and few contour lines. I also felt the altitude, mostly at the beginning, then things settled somewhat and my leg muscles were not screaming anymore. Beautiful area, nice open woods, far visibility, if one found the flags, one had the feeling it was easy. But if the compass bearing is somewhat off, it is very hard to relocate.
Made almost no mistakes, just a few detours of 10 meters.

C • Good day 1! 5

Brown X - Splits

First training run in Colorado Springs. Starting at Peet's house on 2222 m. I felt surprisingly good and rested after the long flight yesterday.
Did the Fox Run loop where it always goes in wavy little up and downs. Beautiful woods.