Training Log Archive: RLShadowIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2011:
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Sunday Jul 31, 2011 #
Event: 2011 OUSA Convention
9 AM
Orienteering 2:06:53 [4] 5.32 mi (23:51 / mi) +427ft 22:10 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Day 2, Green Y. I really didn't think I could do worse than yesterday, but I managed to. "I was sucks" to use an expression I've heard on AP. I really don't get this sport. At some point I need to either accept that I'm terrible at it and focus more on something that I'm slightly more competent at like running, or else see what I can do to improve myself, but I'm not certain that's possible (can't teach an old dog new tricks, comes to mind).
I accidentally stopped my Forerunner for a few minutes, so I need to correct the time (which at this point is taken right off of the FR).
My course and route below. A few comments probably coming later. As can be seen from the route, my major downfall controls were #2 and #8. When looking for #8, it looked like I may have once again been barely off the map, but it may be an artifact of the scanner not being quite large enough to scan the whole map. In any event, I was very close to the edge.
I accidentally stopped my Forerunner for a few minutes, so I need to correct the time (which at this point is taken right off of the FR).
My course and route below. A few comments probably coming later. As can be seen from the route, my major downfall controls were #2 and #8. When looking for #8, it looked like I may have once again been barely off the map, but it may be an artifact of the scanner not being quite large enough to scan the whole map. In any event, I was very close to the edge.
 |
| From GPS tracks |
Saturday Jul 30, 2011 #
11 AM
Orienteering 1:56:17 [4] 5.74 mi (20:15 / mi) +276ft 19:23 / mi
spiked:8/10c shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Green Y, Day 1.
Two very very bad controls. In one of them, I think I was off the map for a bit. That's how bad that one was.
I counted 8 controls out of 10 as spikes, using my loose definition of a spike, but the 2 non-spikes were really major non-spikes.
My course and route below. The big problem spots were #5 and #8.
No issues with 1, 2, 3, or 4.
From 2 to 3, I had to figure out whether to go around the funny-shaped pond on the left side or right side. I started to go left (when I got to the trail), but only for a bit, because I decided the navigation might be easier going right. Just as I started heading back on the path, to go right, I saw PG come out of the woods, and could tell he was going right also, which made me feel better about my decision to go right. And I actually felt good about him catching me when he did -- he started 4 minutes behind me, and I had fears that he would blow right past me when I was about 5 minutes into my run! As it was, I was 14 minutes into my run, which meant he covered in 10 minutes what I covered in 14 minutes. I have a goal of someday being within 50% of his time, so at that point in the race, I was 40% behind him, not bad (at that point!).
Big problems going to 5. I decided against taking the straight line route, being a bit worried (needlessly, I'm sure) about crossing a marsh which also was green. The problem was, when I started heading towards the control, I wasn't sure exactly where I was. It turned out, from my GPS track, that I was very close to the control on my first approach, but I obviously didn't know it. I wound up somewhat off of south edge of the map, finally decided to find the stream, and after a few more back and forths, found a stone wall near the stream which identified my location. From there I made my way to the control, finally. 26 minutes on something that should have been maybe 8-10 minutes.
No issues with 6 or 7.
Big problems again with 8. I see from the GPS track that I was on the right track at one point, but got pulled to the right for some reason (other orienteers in the area may have been a factor). I finally wound up, to my dismay, on the trail. From there, I found a point where I knew where I was, and took a bearing towards the control. Once again, I was on basically the right track, but got pulled off again. Finally, more through luck than anything, I found it. 23 minutes on what should have been around 10 minutes.
I decided to take the easiest route to #9, even though it was very long. I had had my fill of wandering around in the woods with no idea where I was. This took me 18 minutes; I'm guessing that a well-executed straighter line route would have been 12-14 minutes. I think I over-estimated how difficult a straighter route would have been, and under-estimated how tired I was and how long of a distance I needed to cover on the trails and road. I did a lot less running and a lot more walking than I had expected.
Two very very bad controls. In one of them, I think I was off the map for a bit. That's how bad that one was.
I counted 8 controls out of 10 as spikes, using my loose definition of a spike, but the 2 non-spikes were really major non-spikes.
My course and route below. The big problem spots were #5 and #8.
 |
| From GPS tracks |
No issues with 1, 2, 3, or 4.
From 2 to 3, I had to figure out whether to go around the funny-shaped pond on the left side or right side. I started to go left (when I got to the trail), but only for a bit, because I decided the navigation might be easier going right. Just as I started heading back on the path, to go right, I saw PG come out of the woods, and could tell he was going right also, which made me feel better about my decision to go right. And I actually felt good about him catching me when he did -- he started 4 minutes behind me, and I had fears that he would blow right past me when I was about 5 minutes into my run! As it was, I was 14 minutes into my run, which meant he covered in 10 minutes what I covered in 14 minutes. I have a goal of someday being within 50% of his time, so at that point in the race, I was 40% behind him, not bad (at that point!).
Big problems going to 5. I decided against taking the straight line route, being a bit worried (needlessly, I'm sure) about crossing a marsh which also was green. The problem was, when I started heading towards the control, I wasn't sure exactly where I was. It turned out, from my GPS track, that I was very close to the control on my first approach, but I obviously didn't know it. I wound up somewhat off of south edge of the map, finally decided to find the stream, and after a few more back and forths, found a stone wall near the stream which identified my location. From there I made my way to the control, finally. 26 minutes on something that should have been maybe 8-10 minutes.
No issues with 6 or 7.
Big problems again with 8. I see from the GPS track that I was on the right track at one point, but got pulled to the right for some reason (other orienteers in the area may have been a factor). I finally wound up, to my dismay, on the trail. From there, I found a point where I knew where I was, and took a bearing towards the control. Once again, I was on basically the right track, but got pulled off again. Finally, more through luck than anything, I found it. 23 minutes on what should have been around 10 minutes.
I decided to take the easiest route to #9, even though it was very long. I had had my fill of wandering around in the woods with no idea where I was. This took me 18 minutes; I'm guessing that a well-executed straighter line route would have been 12-14 minutes. I think I over-estimated how difficult a straighter route would have been, and under-estimated how tired I was and how long of a distance I needed to cover on the trails and road. I did a lot less running and a lot more walking than I had expected.
Friday Jul 29, 2011 #
2 PM
Running 27:10 [2] 3.01 mi (9:01 / mi) +4ft 9:01 / mi
max:150 shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 11
Short run, to try to shake out the rust in my legs and in my rib/shoulder area (still a little bit bothersome from the pickleball injury -- trailsnail can snicker now if she wants to :) ). Probably good thing I did, as I definitely felt the rust in my legs and some soreness in my ribs/shoulders the first mile or so, then things got a little better. But of course, I got very warm too. Dew point of 71 degrees.
Wednesday Jul 27, 2011 #
8 AM
Course setting 31:18 [1] 1.02 mi (30:40 / mi) +90ft 28:18 / mi
shoes: New Balance MT461GO
Streamering some controls for Linda's training session.
Running 38:03 [2] 3.91 mi (9:44 / mi) +78ft 9:34 / mi
shoes: New Balance MT461GO
Hojack Trail run, with trailsnail.
I seem to be recovered enough from my pickleball injury to do at least an easy run like this.
I seem to be recovered enough from my pickleball injury to do at least an easy run like this.
Tuesday Jul 26, 2011 #
9 AM
Walking (Dog walk) 1:07:04 [1] 3.56 mi (18:50 / mi) +86ft 18:25 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Still feeling some after effects from the tumble I took during pickleball yesterday (soreness in the rib area under my right arm). Originally had planned a run with trailsnail but I tried a few running steps this morning and my ribs didn't like the jostling. So Homer got a nice long walk at Whiting Road instead.
Monday Jul 25, 2011 #
Pickleball 45:00 [3]
Second attempt at pickleball. Webster Park tennis courts.
My first time out, I lost both games I played. This week, I lost two and finally won my first game.
Of course, the games were all doubles, and teams were assembled more or less randomly, so winning or losing can be influenced by the partner's play as well as mine. But I think having one win and four losses does pretty much reflect my relative ability vs the rest of the people playing -- that is, worse than the average ability of the others, but not so much worse that I can't occasionally end up victorious.
Had my first pickleball injury -- I was hustling toward the net to retrieve a drop shot, and I managed to get to the ball and return it successfully; however, while doing so, I tripped over my own feet, and tumbled and rolled, landing kind of tangled up in the net. Small scrape on my right elbow and possibly a sore shoulder resulted. The particularly discouraging thing is that my shot didn't count, as you're not allowed to touch the net (as in tennis and most other court sports involving a net).
My first time out, I lost both games I played. This week, I lost two and finally won my first game.
Of course, the games were all doubles, and teams were assembled more or less randomly, so winning or losing can be influenced by the partner's play as well as mine. But I think having one win and four losses does pretty much reflect my relative ability vs the rest of the people playing -- that is, worse than the average ability of the others, but not so much worse that I can't occasionally end up victorious.
Had my first pickleball injury -- I was hustling toward the net to retrieve a drop shot, and I managed to get to the ball and return it successfully; however, while doing so, I tripped over my own feet, and tumbled and rolled, landing kind of tangled up in the net. Small scrape on my right elbow and possibly a sore shoulder resulted. The particularly discouraging thing is that my shot didn't count, as you're not allowed to touch the net (as in tennis and most other court sports involving a net).
C • net 2
Course setting 11:00 [2] 0.5 mi (21:59 / mi)
shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 11
Checking out two map updates on the east side of Holt Rd, and one near the road leading to the tennis courts.
Sunday Jul 24, 2011 #
7 AM
Running 32:19 [2] 3.46 mi (9:21 / mi) +183ft 8:54 / mi
shoes: Saucony Progrid Hurricane 11
Morning run from our bed and breakfast in Interlaken. The temperature was modest (maybe low 70's?) but I think the dew pt report I saw from Geneva was 68 degrees, not all that much lower than it was on our record hot day last Thursday. So it was quite muggy, for sure.
Saturday Jul 23, 2011 #
7 AM
Walking 38:37 [1] 1.77 mi (21:49 / mi) +220ft 19:31 / mi
Morning walk with Cheryl in Ithaca, in the Cornell Plantations area (although basically just around the pond).
Crossed one of the gorge-crossing bridges that's guarded with massive amounts of fencing to prevent anyone from jumping into the gorge from it. I see that there is an anti-bridge-fencing movement in town called Ithaca is Fences, and we read a lengthy article in the Ithaca Times about arguments on both sides of the controversy.
Crossed one of the gorge-crossing bridges that's guarded with massive amounts of fencing to prevent anyone from jumping into the gorge from it. I see that there is an anti-bridge-fencing movement in town called Ithaca is Fences, and we read a lengthy article in the Ithaca Times about arguments on both sides of the controversy.
11 AM
Walking 40:00 [1] 0.9 mi (44:27 / mi)
Walking with Cheryl at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (lab of WHAT? I asked).
No GPS carried. Approximate route was:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4669446
No GPS carried. Approximate route was:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4669446
Thursday Jul 21, 2011 #
8 AM
Course setting 1:07:05 [1] 2.23 mi (30:07 / mi) +218ft 27:34 / mi
shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 11
Checking out and streamering control points for the sprint at Webster Park during the convention.
1 PM
Running ("Trail") 39:04 [3] 4.04 mi (9:40 / mi) +128ft 9:23 / mi
weight:170lbs shoes: Inov8 X-Talon 240
Hojack Trail run, at 1:30 pm on the hottest day in quite a while ... But it was mostly in the shade, and there was a nice wind, so it could have been a lot worse than it was. (97 degrees, with a 71 deg dew pt, according to the official weather report)
With trailsnail. It's totally unlike her to run in the heat, so I was quite surprised when she offered to join me. :)
My second run in the Inov8's. They're definitely not very cushioned or supportive, and I don't think my feet are real happy in them. I'm hoping to use them for O shoes but I'll try them first on a fairly short course to see how they do.
With trailsnail. It's totally unlike her to run in the heat, so I was quite surprised when she offered to join me. :)
My second run in the Inov8's. They're definitely not very cushioned or supportive, and I don't think my feet are real happy in them. I'm hoping to use them for O shoes but I'll try them first on a fairly short course to see how they do.
11 PM
Note
Outdoor temp at our house at 11 pm: 88.7 degrees.
Indoor temp at our house at 11 pm -- about 86 degrees. (No A/C in this household ... :( ) (Well, slight correction, our son has a window A/C so he and the grandson had a nice comfortable night -- just doesn't sound fair to me.)
Tough night for sleeping, and that's for sure ...
Indoor temp at our house at 11 pm -- about 86 degrees. (No A/C in this household ... :( ) (Well, slight correction, our son has a window A/C so he and the grandson had a nice comfortable night -- just doesn't sound fair to me.)
Tough night for sleeping, and that's for sure ...
Wednesday Jul 20, 2011 #
8 AM
Running 34:24 [3] 3.76 mi (9:09 / mi) +85ft 8:57 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Morning run on the Hojack Trail. Started my run just before 9 am; it was warm but not unbearable. The trail from Klem to the 2nd cross road (Drumm) is probably 75% in the sun, but from Drumm to Lake, it's around 95% shade, at least at this time of the morning. So that helped a lot. However, given that the last stretch back to my car was mostly sun, and I was more tired then, and the temp. had risen, I gave in to the temptation to walk the last approx half mile.
Monday Jul 18, 2011 #
10 AM
Running 1:10:10 [3] 7.71 mi (9:06 / mi) +53ft 9:03 / mi
weight:172lbs shoes: Saucony Progrid Hurricane 11
Mid morning run, after the rain. It was overcast, low 70's, almost 100% humidity when I left. While running, it cleared up a bit and warmed up to the upper 70's. DP 71 degrees according to the national weather service.
I didn't do real well. Ran 4 miles, took a walking break, then 2 miles and a walking break, then 1 mile and a walking break.
I didn't do real well. Ran 4 miles, took a walking break, then 2 miles and a walking break, then 1 mile and a walking break.
Saturday Jul 16, 2011 #
10 AM
Running 45:27 [2] 5.01 mi (9:04 / mi) +83ft 8:56 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Mid morning run on the Hojack. Kind of warm (around 80) but the trail was shaded in many areas so it didn't feel too bad.
Friday Jul 15, 2011 #
Pickleball 45:00 [2]
shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 11
Tried a new sport this morning, at the suggestion of a long-time acquaintance. It's a paddle/ball sport played on a tennis court but with different out of bounds lines drawn onto the court (much smaller playing surface than the normal tennis court). It's basically an old-person's court game, and I think I qualify in terms of age.
I'm a former tennis, squash, and racketball player but I don't play any of them anymore, although I dabbled in squash again about 5 years ago, and in racketball a couple of years ago. So it was nice to be hitting a ball with a paddle again.
I had some brief instructions on the rules and hit around a bit with Joe, the friend of mine who invited me to play, then we picked up two other people (there's an informal group that meets M, W, and F at 8 am at the Webster Park tennis courts) and played doubles for a while.
In spite of my inexperience, I was only a minor weak link and not the major one I might have imagined, so it seems like something that can be picked up fairly quickly.
I suspect I'll try playing some more in the future. Right now, I expect to be sore tomorrow.
I'm a former tennis, squash, and racketball player but I don't play any of them anymore, although I dabbled in squash again about 5 years ago, and in racketball a couple of years ago. So it was nice to be hitting a ball with a paddle again.
I had some brief instructions on the rules and hit around a bit with Joe, the friend of mine who invited me to play, then we picked up two other people (there's an informal group that meets M, W, and F at 8 am at the Webster Park tennis courts) and played doubles for a while.
In spite of my inexperience, I was only a minor weak link and not the major one I might have imagined, so it seems like something that can be picked up fairly quickly.
I suspect I'll try playing some more in the future. Right now, I expect to be sore tomorrow.
Note
I'm not sure if it's possible to come up with a more ridiculous and off-putting name for a sport than "pickleball".
I've heard grumblings in orienteering circles that "rogaine" is a really dumb name, and even "orienteering" isn't the greatest. But compared to "pickleball", they are both totally fine names in my opinion.
Maybe this indicates that a name isn't as important as we might think, because pickleball seems to be becoming quite popular in spite of its name. Of course, its popularity is mainly among old people who might put less emphasis on a catchy, appealing name.
I've heard grumblings in orienteering circles that "rogaine" is a really dumb name, and even "orienteering" isn't the greatest. But compared to "pickleball", they are both totally fine names in my opinion.
Maybe this indicates that a name isn't as important as we might think, because pickleball seems to be becoming quite popular in spite of its name. Of course, its popularity is mainly among old people who might put less emphasis on a catchy, appealing name.
Thursday Jul 14, 2011 #
1 PM
Biking 36:06 [2] 9.21 mi (3:55 / mi) +39ft 3:54 / mi
shoes: Dave Scott Ironman Centurian (
Second bike ride on the "new" bike. Triple the distance of the first ride but still not very long. I lowered the seat by an inch or two and it was a lot more comfortable. Also I wore some nicely padded bike shorts which also helped the comfort situation. Still, biking is a lot of work, and I can see it will take a while to work up to doing even semi-long rides.
I'm again suspicious of the AP climb calculation -- it wasn't a hilly ride by any means but there were several gradual hills that I have to think added up to more than 39 feet.
I'm again suspicious of the AP climb calculation -- it wasn't a hilly ride by any means but there were several gradual hills that I have to think added up to more than 39 feet.
Wednesday Jul 13, 2011 #
9 AM
Running 53:45 [2] 6.04 mi (8:54 / mi) +144ft 8:42 / mi
shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Urban run on a nice cool (relative to the last couple of days) morning. Didn't feel real energetic though.
Tuesday Jul 12, 2011 #
11 AM
Running warm up/down 11:17 [1] 1.17 mi (9:40 / mi) +43ft 9:20 / mi
shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Running intervals ("Trail") 26:15 [4] 3.08 mi (8:31 / mi) +93ft 8:17 / mi
shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Fairly lame interval workout, but I have to start somewhere ...
My goal was to run 400 m intervals (as determined by the Garmin) at slightly under 8:00/mile, as that would be slightly faster than my only recent race pace. In between intervals, I was going to jog for around 200 m.
I didn't hit the distance exactly right each time, but the per mile pace should be pretty accurate --
1st interval -- 7:55/mi
2nd -- 7:35/mi
3rd -- 7:53/mi (this one included a 180 degree turn as it included the northern terminus of the Hojack trail)
4th -- 7:35/mi
5th -- 7:49/mi
6th -- 7:22/mi
Fairly hot day, but the part of the trail I was on was mostly shady, so it was tolerable.
My goal was to run 400 m intervals (as determined by the Garmin) at slightly under 8:00/mile, as that would be slightly faster than my only recent race pace. In between intervals, I was going to jog for around 200 m.
I didn't hit the distance exactly right each time, but the per mile pace should be pretty accurate --
1st interval -- 7:55/mi
2nd -- 7:35/mi
3rd -- 7:53/mi (this one included a 180 degree turn as it included the northern terminus of the Hojack trail)
4th -- 7:35/mi
5th -- 7:49/mi
6th -- 7:22/mi
Fairly hot day, but the part of the trail I was on was mostly shady, so it was tolerable.
8 PM
Biking (Road) 12:53 [2] 2.95 mi (4:22 / mi) +21ft 4:20 / mi
shoes: Dave Scott Ironman Centurian (
Shake-down ride of my "new" (actually about 20 years old, but new to me) bike.
My previous decent bike was stolen about 3 years ago and I hadn't gotten around to replacing it. My interest level to get back into doing some biking rose enough that I asked a friend of mine who was tied in with a bike riding group if anyone had a used bike that was halfway decent that they wanted to sell.
I had the good fortune of finding someone who was essentially giving a bike away. It was his back-up bike, and he had kind of gotten away from riding, so he hardly even used his primary bike anymore. It needed a little work to get the shifters working right, but seems to be working OK now. I'm sure it could use a tune-up. Plus it should be fit for me -- I sensed the seat was a tad too high, but there is room to bring it down a bit.
The ride tonight was a bit nerve-wracking, the part on Bay Rd anyway, especially with no rear view mirror which my old bike had, and which I relied on a lot. Something I'll need to add ...
My previous decent bike was stolen about 3 years ago and I hadn't gotten around to replacing it. My interest level to get back into doing some biking rose enough that I asked a friend of mine who was tied in with a bike riding group if anyone had a used bike that was halfway decent that they wanted to sell.
I had the good fortune of finding someone who was essentially giving a bike away. It was his back-up bike, and he had kind of gotten away from riding, so he hardly even used his primary bike anymore. It needed a little work to get the shifters working right, but seems to be working OK now. I'm sure it could use a tune-up. Plus it should be fit for me -- I sensed the seat was a tad too high, but there is room to bring it down a bit.
The ride tonight was a bit nerve-wracking, the part on Bay Rd anyway, especially with no rear view mirror which my old bike had, and which I relied on a lot. Something I'll need to add ...
Sunday Jul 10, 2011 #
Walking 1:30:00 [3] 3.5 mi (25:43 / mi)
shoes: Asics Gel Enduro 5
Cheryl and I went to Corn Hill this afternoon. Lots of time on my feet, although very little ground covered to show for it. The main real walking (as opposed to meandering around looking at various artists' displays) was from our parking spot (a free on-street spot, believe it or not; near Washington Square Park and St. Mary's church) to the Corn Hill area and then back again.
Saturday Jul 9, 2011 #
10 AM
Running warm up/down 5:23 [1] 0.54 mi (9:55 / mi) +1ft 9:54 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Orienteering (Sprint) 20:43 [4] 1.79 mi (11:34 / mi) +186ft 10:32 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Ellison Sprint. Didn't find #8. Found out later that someone (from ROC) had moved it during the competition because (I'm assuming) there were complaints from people using the lodge that it had been at the south corner of. Of course, just moving the control without modifying the competitors' maps (or having someone on the course alerting people to the changed location) doesn't do anything to reduce the number of orienteers going to the mapped control location, in fact it makes people linger longer in the area of the lodge, looking in vain for the control.
I probably spent a minute looking for the control (according to my GPS track, that's about right), then I was a little less motivated to push myself the rest of the way, knowing I had missed the control.
I glanced at the results and saw that they had given me and others who came through after the control had been moved credit for completing the course, which was nice. I'm still guessing my time was 1-1.5 minutes slower than if the control had been in the right place.
I probably spent a minute looking for the control (according to my GPS track, that's about right), then I was a little less motivated to push myself the rest of the way, knowing I had missed the control.
I glanced at the results and saw that they had given me and others who came through after the control had been moved credit for completing the course, which was nice. I'm still guessing my time was 1-1.5 minutes slower than if the control had been in the right place.
C • Sad 4
Orienteering (Score-O) 51:42 [4] 3.57 mi (14:29 / mi) +546ft 12:39 / mi
weight:171lbs shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Ellison Score-O. Actually started about 10 minutes or so after the official start, so I was really on the move more around 52 minutes, even though the official time was just under 62 minutes.
I started late because my son (late 20's) and his 2.5 year old son came out to the meet. He's been talking about bringing his son to a meet for a while now, but afternoon meets tend to conflict with his son's normal nap time, and there have been a lot of times that he (my son) has a conflict and couldn't make it anyway. They were just finishing up the White course when the Score-O was starting, so I just had to stick around and get a few pictures of them, and chat with them a little about how it had gone (very well, it seemed).
So not only did I start very late, but I had a pretty poor strategy, and then made a major navigational mistake to help add up to a pretty poor showing.
The navigational mistake was on 197. I came from 191, up to the E-W trail, then took the trail east to the first trail on the left, which looked like it should take me right to 197. I went down a spur, then down some more, then it leveled out a bit, but no control. I finally concluded that I was on the wrong spur, and I needed to be one more spur over to the east. The spur that I was on, even though it had a very distinct trail, did not have any trail shown on the map. To complicate things, the contour lines were printed extremely lightly, especially it seems in this area of the map, so I could hardly see (and only in retrospect) that there was another spur (the one that I wound up going down the first time). I finally got on the right spur and found the control, but it took me 12 minutes to go from 191 to 197 which I'm guessing was about 8 minutes longer than it should have.
From there, I got 196, since I didn't want to pass up that nearby high-point control, even though I suspected I would finish late, which I did, but only a minute late, for a 10-pt penalty, so getting the 50-pt #196 certainly did make sense.
Edit: The split sheet from the finish line said the penalty was 10 points, but I see from the results that the penalty was actually 30 points. Well, still worth getting the 50-pt control.
I started late because my son (late 20's) and his 2.5 year old son came out to the meet. He's been talking about bringing his son to a meet for a while now, but afternoon meets tend to conflict with his son's normal nap time, and there have been a lot of times that he (my son) has a conflict and couldn't make it anyway. They were just finishing up the White course when the Score-O was starting, so I just had to stick around and get a few pictures of them, and chat with them a little about how it had gone (very well, it seemed).
So not only did I start very late, but I had a pretty poor strategy, and then made a major navigational mistake to help add up to a pretty poor showing.
The navigational mistake was on 197. I came from 191, up to the E-W trail, then took the trail east to the first trail on the left, which looked like it should take me right to 197. I went down a spur, then down some more, then it leveled out a bit, but no control. I finally concluded that I was on the wrong spur, and I needed to be one more spur over to the east. The spur that I was on, even though it had a very distinct trail, did not have any trail shown on the map. To complicate things, the contour lines were printed extremely lightly, especially it seems in this area of the map, so I could hardly see (and only in retrospect) that there was another spur (the one that I wound up going down the first time). I finally got on the right spur and found the control, but it took me 12 minutes to go from 191 to 197 which I'm guessing was about 8 minutes longer than it should have.
From there, I got 196, since I didn't want to pass up that nearby high-point control, even though I suspected I would finish late, which I did, but only a minute late, for a 10-pt penalty, so getting the 50-pt #196 certainly did make sense.
Edit: The split sheet from the finish line said the penalty was 10 points, but I see from the results that the penalty was actually 30 points. Well, still worth getting the 50-pt control.
C • 197 5
Friday Jul 8, 2011 #
8 AM
Running 45:32 [2] 5.01 mi (9:05 / mi) +125ft 8:53 / mi
max:140 shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Morning urban run, starting from Winton near Blossom. I felt very lethargic. Not sure why, it was warm but not extremely so.
Thursday Jul 7, 2011 #
10 AM
Running ("Trail") 51:58 [2] 5.74 mi (9:03 / mi) +64ft 8:57 / mi
shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Hojack Trail run, mid-morning. Not too hot today, low 70's. Cheryl and Homer came along and walked while I ran.
I threw in two 0.25-mile intervals near the end, to try to start easing into doing some speed work. Didn't go very fast but felt like I should have been going fast; 1:45 and 1:48 were the times (the first one slightly downhill, the second one back uphill).
I threw in two 0.25-mile intervals near the end, to try to start easing into doing some speed work. Didn't go very fast but felt like I should have been going fast; 1:45 and 1:48 were the times (the first one slightly downhill, the second one back uphill).
Wednesday Jul 6, 2011 #
9 AM
Running hills (Trails) 37:19 [3] 3.3 mi (11:18 / mi) +434ft 10:03 / mi
max:150 shoes: Montrail Mt Masochist Mar 2011
Iron. Bay Park West, running trails with the mapping GPS in hand, to make more progress on getting the new and very extensive trail system mapped.
In general, I like the trails. It makes some previously nearly inaccessible parts of the park more accessible. It will definitely make setting White and Yellow courses easier (and make for more interesting courses for those levels). Orange courses shouldn't be affected too much, one way or the other. The park was never ideal for much beyond Brown because it's so small, and it still won't be, and the trails may make it tougher to find challenging control placements (but of course, at Dryer Rd, having a lot of trails does not necessarily make navigation easier! But the trail system at Iron Bay isn't quite as bizarre or confusing as Dryer Rd).
All of the mtn bikers I've encountered in my two visits to the park have been exceptionally polite, so based on my limited experience, I haven't seen any issues with bikers sharing trails with people on foot.
In general, I like the trails. It makes some previously nearly inaccessible parts of the park more accessible. It will definitely make setting White and Yellow courses easier (and make for more interesting courses for those levels). Orange courses shouldn't be affected too much, one way or the other. The park was never ideal for much beyond Brown because it's so small, and it still won't be, and the trails may make it tougher to find challenging control placements (but of course, at Dryer Rd, having a lot of trails does not necessarily make navigation easier! But the trail system at Iron Bay isn't quite as bizarre or confusing as Dryer Rd).
All of the mtn bikers I've encountered in my two visits to the park have been exceptionally polite, so based on my limited experience, I haven't seen any issues with bikers sharing trails with people on foot.
Tuesday Jul 5, 2011 #
8 AM
Running 20:37 [3] 2.37 mi (8:42 / mi) +7ft 8:41 / mi
slept:6.0 weight:172.5lbs shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Short morning run, to see how things felt after the race yesterday. Felt totally OK, surprisingly.
Monday Jul 4, 2011 #
8 AM
Running warm up/down 11:26 [1] 1.14 mi (10:04 / mi) +70ft 9:31 / mi
shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Warmup jog.
Running race 40:26 [5] 5.0 mi (8:05 / mi) +211ft 7:47 / mi
max:170 shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Fairport 5-mile race. First road race in a long time.
I had a loose goal of being under 8:00/mile, which I didn't quite make but I came reasonably close.
I felt like I ran a pretty constant-effort race, not going out too fast or too slow, not fading at the end, but not having anything really left either. So I'm not sure I could have done any better, other than, of course, by being in better shape (or by being younger :) ).
I surprised myself by finishing 2nd in my age group; I really didn't think my time was worthy of an age-group place. Likewise, trailsnail surprised herself by placing 3rd in her fairly new 55-59 age group. Guess there are advantages of getting old and moving into easier age groups!
Official time was 40:26, and of course the official distance was 5.00 miles. The course is listed as certified, although the starting location and the turnaround point have both changed in the last couple of years, and the map of the course still on the web site shows the old course layout. I'm assuming it's been re-certified, but who knows for sure.
My GPS said I covered 5.05. A small amount of that difference is no doubt the distance behind the starting line that I was when the race started (maybe around 0.02). The rest might just be GPS error. I don't think I took any non-optimum "route choices" (in how corners are rounded, etc.) that would add up to that much.
I finished 181st out of 635 finishers (around 29th percentile -- a bit better than I do at most trail races), and 2nd out of 8 in the 60-64 age group.
I had a loose goal of being under 8:00/mile, which I didn't quite make but I came reasonably close.
I felt like I ran a pretty constant-effort race, not going out too fast or too slow, not fading at the end, but not having anything really left either. So I'm not sure I could have done any better, other than, of course, by being in better shape (or by being younger :) ).
I surprised myself by finishing 2nd in my age group; I really didn't think my time was worthy of an age-group place. Likewise, trailsnail surprised herself by placing 3rd in her fairly new 55-59 age group. Guess there are advantages of getting old and moving into easier age groups!
Official time was 40:26, and of course the official distance was 5.00 miles. The course is listed as certified, although the starting location and the turnaround point have both changed in the last couple of years, and the map of the course still on the web site shows the old course layout. I'm assuming it's been re-certified, but who knows for sure.
My GPS said I covered 5.05. A small amount of that difference is no doubt the distance behind the starting line that I was when the race started (maybe around 0.02). The rest might just be GPS error. I don't think I took any non-optimum "route choices" (in how corners are rounded, etc.) that would add up to that much.
I finished 181st out of 635 finishers (around 29th percentile -- a bit better than I do at most trail races), and 2nd out of 8 in the 60-64 age group.
Saturday Jul 2, 2011 #
1 PM
Walking 52:53 [1] 1.82 mi (29:03 / mi) +329ft 24:49 / mi
shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus 11
Walking trails at Iron. Bay Park West. We have a meet this fall, and I know there have been a lot of mt bike trails put in which will need to be mapped, so I thought I'd get a start on it by walking some of the trails with a GPS.
The trail system seems a lot more sane than the mazes at Dryer Rd Park.
With Cheryl and Homer. Quite warm, especially with some significant climbs involved.
Here's a map showing the trail system:
http://www.mygroc.com/images/stories/maps/IBW-MAP_...
The white trails are for foot travel only. Trails shown in color are for mtn bikes or foot travel.
The trail system seems a lot more sane than the mazes at Dryer Rd Park.
With Cheryl and Homer. Quite warm, especially with some significant climbs involved.
Here's a map showing the trail system:
http://www.mygroc.com/images/stories/maps/IBW-MAP_...
The white trails are for foot travel only. Trails shown in color are for mtn bikes or foot travel.
Friday Jul 1, 2011 #
10 AM
Running 56:43 [3] 6.37 mi (8:54 / mi) +132ft 8:44 / mi
max:155 slept:7.0 weight:173lbs shoes: Saucony Progrid Guide 3
Mid-morning urban run. Nice day, mid 70's, sunny, low humidity.
Legs felt very creaky at first, I think from the O races Wednesday night. I didn't run extremely far Wed., but I ran pretty hard at times, way harder than I do in any training runs recently. Guess that tells me I need to do some harder running in training ...
After a couple of miles, the legs seemed to loosen up and I sped up a bit. Have had some pain in my left knee again, though, and that was definitely noticeable in the Wed. O meet, and again today, so I'm hoping that doesn't resurface as a nagging problem like it was about 6 months ago.
Legs felt very creaky at first, I think from the O races Wednesday night. I didn't run extremely far Wed., but I ran pretty hard at times, way harder than I do in any training runs recently. Guess that tells me I need to do some harder running in training ...
After a couple of miles, the legs seemed to loosen up and I sped up a bit. Have had some pain in my left knee again, though, and that was definitely noticeable in the Wed. O meet, and again today, so I'm hoping that doesn't resurface as a nagging problem like it was about 6 months ago.