Training Log Archive: PG

Event: Blue Hills Traverse
 

Blue Hills Traverse. Hadn't planned on going, just decided to at the last moment and Jeff was kind enough to allow me in.

The main reason for going was social. I haven't done much orienteering this fall, so missed seeing some friends. And in that regard the day turned out wonderfully. Plus I was more diligent than has been the case recently in trying to keep making contact with different folks, the goal being at least one per event. Because, otherwise, the folks you know will of course, little by little, stop showing up, or die. or whatever, and then it will be like the first time orienteering and you won't know anyone. Not that you have to know anyone to enjoy O', but it sure is better if you do.

Hmmm -- a short detour is called for here to examine one statement in the last paragraph: : "... then it will be like the first time orienteering and you won't know anyone." My first time orienteering to a regular meet was in Quantico-land in October 1973. I had been aware that there was a Quantico club, but I had been told that spring (mistakenly) that their events were only open to the military. But then there was a listing in the Washington Post about a meet, so I headed off about noon on a Sunday with two friends to try it out. An hour's drive down from DC, followed the directions, got there right at 1 pm, just when the paper said things were to start, and no sign of anything. No people, no signs, nothing. Must have the wrong place, we figured, so we drove around the marine base looking for it, found the FBI academy, got stopped for speeding (only a warning), finally at about 2 we gave up, headed out to get on 95, and there was an O' marker by the side of the road. And Bob Turbyfill, meet director, very happy to see us since that meant the day's total for participants had just increased from 4 to 7.

The courses offered were white, red, and blue. First time, so of course we opted for the blue, but he wouldn't let us, made us go on the red. Made it around, and have enjoyed it ever since.

But, back to the point of the detour, chatted up Turbyfill for a while, felt like I had a friend there by the time we left, plus the two I came with, so first time orienteering and I knew almost half the people. Not bad. And it really is more fun that way. But you have to make the effort.

So, today. Let's see....

-- I met Marie's partner, Mike, who seemed quite the stud, though you would expect that because she is quite the babe.

-- Talked to Andy the Latvian for a while, plus his brother-in-law visiting from Latvia, was often back and forth with the brother-in-law out on the course, but he shook his head when I asked if he spoke English so communication with him was pretty limited, though I did find out that he is an occasional ultrarunner.

-- Saw my old friend Fred, he was looking very thin, in the past that might have led one to think that he was on the prowl, but maybe times have changed, plus a trail running friend of his, Bruce Shenker, I've seen him over the years, never connected, this time I didn't mess around (You're Bruce, right?), found out he's done some orienteering with EMPO. Enthusiastic about it if not yet good.

-- Saw Barb and Dave at the start, plus David, who either had the most impressive race face on, totally concentrated, or else really didn't want to be there, and somehow my bets were on the latter.

-- Chatted a little, though less than I wished, with Judy K, interrupting her in her soup-serving duties. She is just like Ali (c, b, and a, see next paragraph).

-- And saving the best for last, carpooled over with Ali Crocker, now living in Amherst, very enjoyable, she is cool and brilliant and athletic. And it turns out we went to the same prep school, though I think she survived it better than I did.

So a great day.

Oh, there was a race. Later, dinner time.

OK, here are the maps -- part 1 (Blue Hills East), part 2 (Blue Hills West).

I went with very low expectations and no ambition. Maybe that's the secret, as I had a good run, even though I was pissed much of the time. Maybe that's another secret.

A few notes on some of the legs --

1. It seemed like getting to the road for the left route was by far the best. The only problem was that it wasn't clear if the start was in the right place. It might have been, it might not have been. The map up there is quite subjective. So I really had no idea where I was, just heading south and a little east until I hit the road. The rest was obvious. A couple of good morale boosters -- Boris came steaming by not too far before 1, and Ernst was there at the same time. And my legs felt reasonably good.

2. Plenty of time to plan the route, and I really liked coming in from the western trail, so I headed off to it. Had Bob Lux and Dave Yee as a tail. And for some reason that irritated me, though I like both guys a lot. First Bob, how do I say it, he makes a lot of noise when he runs, he's a heavy breather with a sinus condition, or something, sounds like something from a Seinfeld show, and just as silly for me to be irritated, but I was. So first I tried to get away, but I'm clearly not in the shape to do that, and then I tried to lag behind, but neither worked. Until up the hill to #9, where I lagged behind so successfully that I never saw him again, though I think I was just a minute behind him for most of the rest of the course and at the finish. So he beat me fair and square.

Anyway, my approach to 2 was perfect, at speed, and Balter at the control was also good for morale.

3. Low route, nice and easy.

5. Silly route, left was easier/quicker/better, but Bob was going that way so I tried something different.

7. Took the last bit straight, as the mapped vegetation was nowhere to be seen, just nice open woods.

8. A very nice exit from 7, due north, got to the road with the minimum of rocks.

10. Saw Bob ahead of me on the approach, last time I saw him.

11. Thought I had a decent line through the scrub on the top of the hill, but no sign of him at 11.

12. Up the trail out of 11, walking, Dave catches up and very politely asks if it bothers me that he's been tailing me for the last 90 minutes. Why not be honest, I think, so I say, Yeah. And then I add, But often I run better when I'm pissed, so it's probably all right (not sure of my exact words, but there was a definite snide tone....). Perhaps not my finest moment.

Amazingly my legs were holding up. Walk all the uphills, try to keep running the flats. And try to find good lines in the woods, and not fall. Quite successful in the latter regard, only went down 6 or 8 times for the day.

13-15. By myself, mostly.

16. Tim Parson caught up.

17. He went left, I went right. He was 30 seconds faster, but I'm pretty sure he had more energy and was just running better. Just before the control Samantha came cruising by. Wow, was she having a bad day.

Finish. 2 hours 13. I had expected 2:30 to 3 hours, so a very pleasant surprise. Though I must say, the course was quite benign, very considerate of Ross for us OFs.

Guess I will need to go to Wooster Mountain next Sunday.

C • Breathing and irritation 8

Traverse - Splits

Changed my mind, seems like I'll Traverse tomorrow. Even at a slow pace the odds are good that there will be more self-inflicted damage, so I think I'll try to keep up to Charlie, always useful to have an EMT nearby.

C • Yeah 1

A loop around the south course at Bretwood (without the clubs), after a loop around both the south and north courses with the clubs, got that part finished with not much daylight left. Quite dark by the time I finished the run, but of course the footing was excellent even if I couldn't see much.

Very enjoyable day. One of my favorite places but somehow I hadn't made it there for several years.

Legs and feet feeling quite fragile, but didn't seem to get any worse. Took a little bit of discipline to get going after not quite 6 hours on my feet already and nothing to eat or drink since breakfast, but quite pleased with myself for doing it.

First time with the Mt. Toby Tuesday evening group in quite while, long enough in fact that it has changed to the Toby Wednesday group to accommodate someone's schedule. Last time it was dark only the last 15 minutes. This time it was dark an hour before we started.

Easy pace, modest amount of walking, a bit of waiting to keep together. Very nice that two of the group had run 50-milers on Saturday, so I was not struggling to keep up. Did a slightly truncated version of the regular loop, maybe 8 miles or so?

Tesla was very fine and much admired. I was afraid it might be obnoxious (too bright), but that seemed not to be the case, and Dave wants to get one. No falls, though my feet feel the effect of various rocks that were hiding under the leaves.

Overall, very nice outing. Good to get out, get a little motivation back. Maybe I should go to the Traverse, just go at an easy pace?

Pocumtuck Ridge, up to the picnic table (18:55) and back (16:37). Nice day, quite enjoyed it, time to slowly get back into things.

C • Long ? races 2