Training Log Archive: Charlie

Event: Blue Hills Traverse
 

BH Traverse. Had a hard time being warm enough on the first map, and for the last three or four controls. Also a hard time with the rocky footing, with general energy and with seeing the map. Amazing I could do it at all! Map reading was particularly hard in the area of 7 through 11, when my eyes were watering and the contours were so light and fine. Huge error at #8, where I visualized the control area differently from what it turned out to be, and so kept going by it looking for (and finding) sharper, steeper reentrants. But otherwise a fine time, and pretty satisfied with the way the last loop went from #16 to the finish.

My hands didn't warm up enough until I was almost home! I may have to consider Phil's mittens next time. Pleasant to have Clint's company on the ride up and back.

If I recall correctly, this was the first December Traverse since the infamous 1993, where I determined to DNF because of hypothermia, but found that the fastest way back was past all the remaining controls. That was the race where I lost three minutes trying to tie my shoe with fingers that no longer worked.

C • ...where I visualized the ... 2

Got curious and did a little digging, courtesy of billygoat.org. This was my 15th Traverse (out of the last 19). I missed in '92 when I was in California, in '94 for no remembered reason, and in '95 and '06 with rather debilitating injuries. Best place was 6th in 1996. Worst previous place was 25th in '99, but I suspect I was further back this year. Results apparently not out yet.

Traverse - Splits

With Rhonda's gang this morning, but without Rhonda, who is in TX visiting her mom.

with the morning group. after Jan's session, which really burned up the place. She was putting in some serious effort. I am scared to row that hard yet. Got to work up to it.

Pleasant Valley out and back with Kathleen. Fairly mellow pace, until the last mile when she kept cranking it up. 9:45; 16:05; 15:25; 7:52. I was working pretty hard at the end, and my stride kept getting longer, but she seemed like it was pretty easy for her.

In Peoples State Forest, with Kathleen. Mixture of roads and trails. The approximate route, although it doesn't do justice to the twists and turns off-road. Downhills were pretty scary with rocks covered with wet leaves. Uphills were really hard, maybe because of the rowing yesterday. Rhonda was not available, because she was overseeing the garden club wreathmaking event in our barn.

With Rhonda and Kathleen. Missed the morning class today - not quite together in time.

Inspired by coach. Definitely not used to this. Breathing kind of hard, and most difficult in the hands and forearms. It's always like this when I first start out in the fall. It will get better.