Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Event: QOC Little Bennett Day-O
 

FR = 3.47 miles with 132 m climb

Got to hang with Barney briefly before he went out on his course with sgb.





Got out later than expected, just before 1 PM. Very cold, in the low 20s, and the woods did not feel as sheltered from the wind as they did last night. Had the right amount of clothes on - top was 1 short and 2 long. Bottom was long with thigh covering undershorts. Buff on head.

Happy with this effort, though flagging a bit at the end. I guess I need a pick me up about 30 minutes in.

FR = 1.71 miles and 86 m climb



There was a little bit of smack talk between Alexis and I, so after a 14 minute rest, I went out to run the Yellow as well. Pretty tired by now, and the climb to 8 seemed like it took 10 minutes. Trail is a bit off from 9-10, but I was on the trail, so I didn't adjust my tracks...

Hands were freezing for the first 20 minutes, and I had removed on of the long sleeve shirts, which would have been fine, if I had kept the warmer on on. The wind was blowing right through me, and my stomach was bright red when I finished.

Alexis got me by a lot (7 minutes), but then she was determined to avenge the loss from last night, and she is 13, and can run fast!

No regrets on giving it a go. Would liked to have been closer to 24 minutes, but, well, tired legs. :)

I think it may be the purple ice bugs which are aggravating my heel...

Yellow - Splits

Brown - Splits

Event: QOC Little Bennett Night-O
 

FR = 2.18 miles with 58.5 m climb Ready for the night! Warm up by going NC on the Beginner course.





I decided to go out on the Beginner course first, in order to gain some confidence. It was so much fun! Even the adventure from 2-3. The trails between 6 and 9 are a bit off, and for 7, I thought I was there because there was a sharp turn in the trail. And, the trail comes to a "T" well before 9, and there is even a fence there. The mapper will be redoing those areas. Thank you, Sam.

Even with temps in the 20s, it wasn't so bad if you kept moving. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground, and the traction was great. So much fun to run!

FR = 3.11 miles with 101.8 m climb

After waiting about 1:45 for Amy to return for epunch relief, I conscripted Laura and went out on the Intermediate course. Only real error was from 5-6. Otherwise, I was carefully nailing the controls, and I ended up 2nd, a little in front of Alexis. She was beat by 50 and 59 year old women - good role models, for sure. ;-)

Beginner - Splits

Intermediate - Splits

A bit of a post vacation/return to work, among other things, let down. So, I channeled my mother today, and she said, Buck up, Lally, so, I did, and off to the pool it was. Swam really fast and steady, and I could have gone on and on, but I had to get back to work. Thought 1700 yards would be at least a mile, but it is a bit short.

It felt really good to swim, and to overcome, at least for today. :)

So, I offered to do a little pre-night-o write-up for tomorrow to get a few more people to come out and try it. I took some pictures to illustrate, but I never quite got around to putting it together. Here is the start of what was in my head...silly as it is.

Grab your gear, and don't forget to dress properly for the conditions. The best lights are lightweight but bright. Mr. Bear is sporting a 1995 headlamp from the Nature Company. Headlamps have come a long way since then.


Not too keen on going out by yourself? Then invite a friend or two and go out as a group. Good company and more lights that way too. And, you only have to stay ahead of the slowest person in the group.


Carry a backup light, preferably a handheld one with a leash. Leave the camping lantern at home. A lightweight handheld light is good for scanning the woods for the reflector on the control. Reminder, everything that reflects may not be a control...

No, the flashlight on your phone shouldn't be counted as your primary or backup light.


It can be harder to navigate at night. The terrain looks flatter and it takes longer to go the same distance as it does in the daylight. So, don't be afraid to choose an easier course than what you usually do during the day. It can be quite satisfying to complete a course at night, easy or otherwise.

Most importantly - do not jump out and scare people. Some of us are spooked enough without help from others.

C • Bears! 3

Hanging out at the hospital with Roger. He had a Bronchoscopy done in order to determine what is going on in his lung. The opinion is infection, which would be great. Just another chapter in his 30 year history of renal cell cancer. No biggie.



We had a good laugh after Roger asked the nurse if she was going to mark the side with a black sharpie so the doctor would know where to go. She told him that there was only one hole they would want to enter.

C • Roger 6

Pool open again after being closed for maintenance the last week. Got there just after the noon rush, during which all lanes were circling. I got a lane to myself for about 55 minutes, sharing with a young girl near the end. Had to stop to discuss with the lifeguard, but otherwise I swam without stopping. Negative split with first 1500 in 3100 and second in 3050. Felt great.

Renewed my pass for another year. Swam about 80 times on 2016 pass, averaging $4.70 per swim vs. $5.10 per swim on 10 swim pass. Perhaps that would have been a better buy for the coming year, but I like having the motivation of each swim lowering the per swim cost. And, it is convenient.

Yup, I gained another pound since yesterday. Back to work tomorrow. It was a good break.