Training Log Archive: maprunner

to the arboretum

Bike O at the arboretum. I didn't notice that the parking lot at 3 was much longer than mapped, until I downloaded my route. Did a good job of finding 4. More gravel riding than I'm used to but it was still a fun outing.

back home

At the dog park with Sandy and Kiri

Easy Memory O at Holcom. Despite knowing the park well, this is still a challenge and feels like O training.

Weight workout in the basement. I
was supposed to see my trainer today but I canceled since our sewing group outing was running long. We met for lunch and then went to a cool fabric shop in Topeka. It was a lot of fun to hang out with the group for several hours, and talk with the shop owner and staff about all things fabric and garment sewing. A great way to kick off a 4-day weekend, and inspired me to get into my sewing room tonight.

Ugh, this felt hard. I kept trying to run (on flats or downhill) and I could barely make it 100 meters at a time. Just no energy today. Probably too soon after Sunday's event.

Took the folding bike to Burroughs's Creek trail to check out the new sections near Hobbs Park and the train depot.

SMP Adventure Race, 2-hour trek version
hosted by JC Parks and Rec on a PTOC map

Nice day, not too hot. This was my third JCPR adventure race. They are getting better organized. You are allowed to look at the map in advance so I planned my route. They allowed 2 hours and 1 min to get back to the finish. After the pre-race briefing, the director let us go 4 minutes early. So we had 2 hours and 5 min total, and I just made it.

I decided to go clockwise. Only one other person was ahead of me, a solo male. We both got to 18 which was supposed to be on a bench. Found the bench but no marker (pin punches on a piece of PVC pipe). We both looked all around for a few minutes, then decided to move on. Turns out this was also a kayak marker for the 6-hour group, and it was hung in the reeds right on the edge of the lake. I never saw that solo male again.

I got to 27 just behind another solo male. He decided to go along the power line while I continued up to the road. I never saw him again.

I was cutting through the woods a lot this year. That was my mistake last year, I didn't want to deal with the crappy vegetation and ticks. But I realized that the straight route is the only way to win, so I was prepared this year. Still sucked to go through the woods.

Messed up 31 because there are new trails in here, and I was still trying to avoid the thickest woods. I gave up that thought after this control.

I didn't see anyone else on my course until 32. I think most people went counter-clockwise. They had the benefit of bumping into 22, which was down in the flat area west of the circle. I had to climb the big hill through the woods, spend time looking, then decide to move on down the trail before I found the marker.

I was really pushing the pace near the end. I had considered not getting them all in order to assure that I finished on time. But I decided I would feel better if I swept them all, no matter the time.

I tried to cut through some woods one last time after the last control (19) but the trail ended and I was stymied by honeysuckle. I had to back out.

I was happy to finish within 2 hours and 5 minutes. Results usually take a few days, but the director told me that no one else had gotten all points (and she gave me credit for 18). That was great news. I had finished 2nd in the last two adventure races, and I really wanted to win once. Love to see people's faces when a 60 yr old solo female wins :)

I did some O-vangelism afterwards with some enthusiastic first-timers, pointing out the PTOC address on the map, and encouraging them to try orienteering. I also chatted with some 20-something guys who asked for help on reading contours.

C • Nice job! 9