Training Log Archive: Nadim

Bloomington, MN. From Killebrew Dr. across from the Mall of America, I ran to Bass Ponds Park. I ran loops along Long Meadow Lake (Minnesota River), downstream of Cedar Ave. (Rte. 77). It was about 21 F with a steady wind. There was about 4-5 inches of snow on the ground. I ran on packed snow from hikers. I saw one hiker with his dog and I startled a deer and some geese. It was a nice run that felt pretty slow. On the few parts where there was actual pavement, I ran much better.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Madison St., running and holding Max's bicycle, then back with Max on his bicycle. It was colder this morning but it heated up oddly. I ran in shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. It was about 60 F. I was rather full still from eating lunch.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to the Bethesda Metro Station. It was about 36 F.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. in the dark. It was somewhat cold too; in the low 30's F.

Event: QOC Wheaton
 

Armco Park, OH. Warming up between the parking area and the start of OCIN's Middle Distance event.

Armco Park, OH. OCIN's Middle Distance event was in a park that was more appropriate for a sprint. The really hadn't intended this for A-meet material but took on the work of doing the Championships for NIght-O and the Relay. I think the event for Sunday was just a way to round out the weekend. I heard from several people who more or less stopped racing and just wanted to finish on the least unpleasant route, even if it were longer. Certainly the weather did not help matters much. The ground was snow covered (2-4 inches), it was well below freezing, and with increasing winds. Almost out of the starts I had thoughts of taking a more pleasant route, on the way toward #2. The basic approach involved going across one or another flowing streams. I unknowingly had picked the worse of the 2 options plunging in on the left side. To get to #3 the most efficient route was across some green and across the same stream. I learned after the event that the Red course had to cross this set of streams 5 times. There were several controls which involved crossing mowed fields. Going to #4 was one of these. I went on the longer left approach around fenced-in ball fields so that I could use more pavement. I approached well but got distracted at the end by a control more visible but on a different nearby ditch. For controls #5-12, I ran prostrate most of the way. I had to duck to get through the green. Most of the navigation involved keeping a good bearing or aiming off or even following the right snowy elephant path. I managed to mess up a few of these controls one of which I passed by within 10 ft. Of near a shoreline and still couldn't see. Navigation came more into play when correcting errors. For leg #13, I ran down the snowy rough open ride passing a woman and a man. When another ride merged in from the left, I cut right at an angle sharper than needed to get around some green. As the terrain dropped of to a stream, I cut left, once again missing the control by less than 15 ft. as I did so. By the time I looped back, I crossed paths with Ali Crocker and Bill Pullman who were apparently making the same mistake that I was doing.
I think Bill figured out something was amiss when he saw me running the other direction. I lost about 2 minutes. The last 6 controls were better. The green wasn't as bad. I did choose to cross some green and another stream that I know others chose to go around. It saved me a little time but not much. I found it hard to run at the end. I was just tired. I caught the man I'd passed on the way to #13 but couldn't quite catch the woman. Once again, my feet were numb after finishing. That's a wierd feeling knowing that I'm touching something with them but not being able to feel the touch. I could see an old line that I thought had long ago healed from a frostbite in the 1980's.

Armco Park, OH. Warm-down jog back to the start to pickup my coat.

OCIN_Armco_Middle_Dec_2013_Green - Splits