Training Log Archive: evancuster

Day 1 of US Champs at Prince William Forest, QOC, Brown X course.
Lovely day, about 60 degees, slightly overcast, breezy.
Generally had a good run except for one control, number 6. Decided against the trail run to the tower, since the attack point was about 200 meters through green. Tried to follow a course that would avoid most of the green, but ending up hitting a wall of green. I thought I was higher up, and thought if only I went west and north, I would be able to slip around the patch of green. Instead, I kept going north, continually facing a wall of saplings which I thought were at least medium green. Instead it turned out to be mapped as light green. I finally saw the river with a log crossing it and realized where I was. Probably went about 200 meters back north instead of south towards the control. Once I figured where I was on the river, I followed the creek up to the dry marsh and then across. Probably a 12-13 minute error.

Otherwise, I was pleased with my navigation and running. However, that error dropped down to 5th place, about 15 min behind Rich Parker, 13 minutes behind Chuck Ferguson, and 11 minutes behind Fred Veler. Very unlikely I will get a medal, but it was fun anyway.

Actual distance ran was 6.1 km.

The day didn't start out that well, since I did the model event before my race. I actually could not find one of the controls, and since it was getting close to my start time, decided to bale out and head back. I think I must have run off the model map, since I really did not know where I was coming back.

The evening was pleasant. George, Dennis, and Dick Neuberger and I went out to a nice Italian restaurant, and then to the event at the Marines Memorial for the 40th birhtday of QOC.

Model event.

Went out to get a look at the terrain and type of mapping. Woods fairly thick. Never was able to find one of the controls, but it was getting close to my start time, so I did not bother to reorient and try to find it. I think I got confused by thinking a gulley marked with the brown line was the blue stream. I had not realized the gulley on the map at the time. Good learning point: all "streams" are not in blue. Did not know where I was on the map coming back until almost at the start/finish, but again, I was mainly interested in getting back rather than knowing exactly where I was. It was still a little disconcerting.

Day 1 Brown X - Splits

Event: US Champs
 

Long plane trip to Virginia. Had to get up at 3:30 to get the 6:00 flight to Denver, changing planes there. Didn't arrive at Dulles until 3:30, and it was 5:30 before I reached the event site. The sprint was over, and the model event had shut down for the night.

When my non-stop flight was cancelled and I was placed on a connecting flight through Denver, I should have looked more closely at the times of arrival and the times of the sprint. Had I realized it then, I should have taken the non-stop red eye at 11:00 which would have gotten me in at Dulles at 7:15 am, and I would have been able to make the sprint, which turned out to be a great event by all accounts. Actually, I think I will take red eyes more often, since I have to get up at 3:30 in the morning to make a morning flight these days. I would probably end up with about the same amount of sleep, and have a whole extra day to get adjusted to the trip.

Waist 32.0

Briones trail run. Usual first part out Orchard trail and then Pine tree trail. Then I caught a small trail just past a couple of ponds and got into some neat woods. There was supposed to be an indistinct trail down a spur connecting to the Alhambra Creek Trail, but it was really indistinct. I went down it about 20 meters, and then saw why. The rangers had put up a fence acrosss the trail. I clambered over the fence, and went on down the spur. The trail was very indistinct, and the madrone leaves on the ground were really slippery. Finally I came to the end almost where it joins up with the big trail, and there was another fence. This one I could get around by crossing a couple of reentrants, just as they joined where the fence was. Now I know why the trail was so indistinct. Even the deer have stopped using it. Nice run. I tried to push it a bit on the uphills, but the push has mainly gone. I certainly can't say I am a runner any more, hardly even a jogger. I tried to push, but the spring in the step just wasn't there. I guess Old Man Plodding is about one step above Dead Man Walking. Got back about 6:00pm. The sun had set at 5:30, and it was getting dark, and most of the other hikers and mountain bikers were rolling into the parking lot ready to head out. 491 cals.

Jill is up at Sea Ranch waiting for the delivery of a new refrigerator. They only deliver on Thursdays there, and I had to come home on Tuesday to work today, so she is there by herself. I was going to go get some Chinese food, but the thought of ribs at Bo's became overpowering, and I just couldn't resist. Great ribs. Plus they were playing a CD by Al Green, probably Al Green's Greatest Hits.

Could only do 43 pushups. Maybe the extra pounds are adding up. My waist is definitely up to 32.5, so the extra weight is not lean body mass, but fat. Got to cut back. Bad timing as the US Champs are this weekend, and I'm all porked up.

Waist up to 32.5!! Maybe it's the different tape measure, maybe because I measured in the afternoon instead of in the morning. Let's hope it's not real.

Anyway, it encouraged me to get on the bike, which I was resisting doing because I just felt lethargic. I went 5 minutes over my minimal goal of 30 minutes, but at least I did something.

48 pushups. 4 min of squats.

Slow walk with Jill north on the bluff trail, and then back via Leeward Rd.
350 cals