Training Log Archive: Linear IceIn the 7 days ending Mar 13, 2010:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |||||||
Saturday Mar 13, 2010 #
Run (Touring) 1:10:00 [3] 6.5 mi (10:46 / mi)
I'm in Oxford, visiting my sister who is a Research fellow here for a year, writing a law book about the miners in the California Gold Rush. She loves Oxford, would live here forever if she could, and it has been a big part of her life. But it has been my first trip here... a lot of the trip is walking through the city, seeing her favorite places, and getting great descriptions and eating good food. Also, finding some time for runs which is always one of my favorite ways to get a feel for a new place. I like to run at my "touring pace" which means that I am not pushing hard, observe my surroundings, stop to look at things along the way. It's not really about the run... it's about taking advantage of the vacation. Great great runs.
From downtown Oxford --Canal tow path to Wolvecote, a small town just North of Oxford. In Wolvecote, found a small entrance between buildings with the sign "Footpath to Wolvecote Commons". The footpath wound between sheds and buildings, very narrow, before coming to a latched gate and a big wide expanse of field. Big. 1.5 miles long big-. Thames (for some odd reason called the Isis here ) winding alongside the Commons. With about 30 horses in it, a person walking two dogs. I really wondered if I was allowed to run on this amazing big expanse. So, I ran up to the man walking two dogs and asked "Am I allowed to run here?"
He seemed startled that I asked "What?" Oh, he also reeked a bit of alcohol. "What, why couldn't you run here?" and so I asked again if it were permitted, "Well, it's Britain" he said, waving his arm across the expanse, "of course it's permitted". And then he thought perhaps I was asking because I might be afraid that it wasn't safe, but once we got the conversation sorted out (with one drunk and one foreigner, it took a bit), he was kind enough to point out the key bridges, towns to be seen from a distance, asked if I would rather run on the Isis towpath or on the other edge... very helpful.
Great run after that, since I knew I was well within my rights to run alongside the horses and geese and other people.
I am definitely going back tomorrow. Loved it.
Question on England and maybe other parts of the world: Why don't other runners say "Hi?" They look kind of funny at me when I do. I noticed that in London, but thought maybe it was a city thing. Tested it on about 6 other people today. Got one good "hello" back. If I stop and ask a real question, people are pretty friendly. But no passing-runners greetings, apparently. Afton is very friendly, on those rare occasions that I see someone.. and most of the rest of Minnesota is too. Just wondering.
From downtown Oxford --Canal tow path to Wolvecote, a small town just North of Oxford. In Wolvecote, found a small entrance between buildings with the sign "Footpath to Wolvecote Commons". The footpath wound between sheds and buildings, very narrow, before coming to a latched gate and a big wide expanse of field. Big. 1.5 miles long big-. Thames (for some odd reason called the Isis here ) winding alongside the Commons. With about 30 horses in it, a person walking two dogs. I really wondered if I was allowed to run on this amazing big expanse. So, I ran up to the man walking two dogs and asked "Am I allowed to run here?"
He seemed startled that I asked "What?" Oh, he also reeked a bit of alcohol. "What, why couldn't you run here?" and so I asked again if it were permitted, "Well, it's Britain" he said, waving his arm across the expanse, "of course it's permitted". And then he thought perhaps I was asking because I might be afraid that it wasn't safe, but once we got the conversation sorted out (with one drunk and one foreigner, it took a bit), he was kind enough to point out the key bridges, towns to be seen from a distance, asked if I would rather run on the Isis towpath or on the other edge... very helpful.
Great run after that, since I knew I was well within my rights to run alongside the horses and geese and other people.
I am definitely going back tomorrow. Loved it.
Question on England and maybe other parts of the world: Why don't other runners say "Hi?" They look kind of funny at me when I do. I noticed that in London, but thought maybe it was a city thing. Tested it on about 6 other people today. Got one good "hello" back. If I stop and ask a real question, people are pretty friendly. But no passing-runners greetings, apparently. Afton is very friendly, on those rare occasions that I see someone.. and most of the rest of Minnesota is too. Just wondering.
Friday Mar 12, 2010 #
Run (Touring) 2:15:00 [3] 12.0 mi (11:15 / mi)
Woke up early in London, and got in a run while my daughter was sleeping. I had a little tourist map, and just decided to try to hit the green spots... so starting from South of the River downtown, i crossed over bridge, ran along Parliament Bldg and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, Kensington, then to Holland Park.
I have never been to Holland Park, and it may be my new favorite so I spent some time there.... watching the pigs in the fenced in meadow reclamation area (rooting the earth, presumably bringing it back to a meadow-like state), walked through the Japanese garden, ran down the hills.... not a very large park but nice.
Then over the Regents park past the zoo.
Realized I was taking quite a bit longer than I had planned, stopping for traffic, map reading, looking at things, etc.... so took the underground home.
Then proceeded on a full day of walking through London. THAT got my legs tired.
I have never been to Holland Park, and it may be my new favorite so I spent some time there.... watching the pigs in the fenced in meadow reclamation area (rooting the earth, presumably bringing it back to a meadow-like state), walked through the Japanese garden, ran down the hills.... not a very large park but nice.
Then over the Regents park past the zoo.
Realized I was taking quite a bit longer than I had planned, stopping for traffic, map reading, looking at things, etc.... so took the underground home.
Then proceeded on a full day of walking through London. THAT got my legs tired.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2010 #
Run (Treadmill) 37:07 [4] 4.75 mi (7:49 / mi) +133m 7:11 / mi
2.4 miles @ 8 min pace but it felt harder than it should 19:12
oops it was set at 2% slope TG
1.6 miles @ 6:56 min pace 11:10
.75 miles @ 9 min pace 6:45
oops it was set at 2% slope TG
1.6 miles @ 6:56 min pace 11:10
.75 miles @ 9 min pace 6:45
Monday Mar 8, 2010 #
Elliptical 55:00 [3]
Sunday Mar 7, 2010 #
7 AM
Note
I think one of my favorite things about orienteering is the amazing community that surrounds it. Interesting people who enjoy the outdoors, staying active, being competitive, playing games, and supporting each other.
I feel so fortunate to be able to do so much stuff with the MNOC folks; so many activities up here and a very supportive crowd. I think I hit the club jackpot.
But it has also been such a pleasant surprise that it's so easy to meet other people from all parts of the country, and everyone seems open to striking up a conversation on almost any topic! but mostly orienteering.
I spent a lot of time talking to Mary before learning she was Maprunner.... now I know why O-people put so much emphasis on telling each other their AP names! With a heavy imbalance of men:women on the MNOC team, it was really really nice to get to meet Mary, get her advice, perspective, experience, etc. etc. and just hang around a bit. The OK group is misnamed.
And once again, Soupbone has spurred me on to more, asking about whether I would be doing the Badger Rogaine and then responsible for an "assist" in finding a partner for that event... Jim Gordon, also from CAOC..... who was kind enough to invite me to dinner with the whole crew to eat fried food and more fried food. Yum?
Good also to meet the SLOC folks, of course I've seen Eric's name all over so good to put a face to it, and to meet Rick, Anna, others. Amazingly good time.
I feel so fortunate to be able to do so much stuff with the MNOC folks; so many activities up here and a very supportive crowd. I think I hit the club jackpot.
But it has also been such a pleasant surprise that it's so easy to meet other people from all parts of the country, and everyone seems open to striking up a conversation on almost any topic! but mostly orienteering.
I spent a lot of time talking to Mary before learning she was Maprunner.... now I know why O-people put so much emphasis on telling each other their AP names! With a heavy imbalance of men:women on the MNOC team, it was really really nice to get to meet Mary, get her advice, perspective, experience, etc. etc. and just hang around a bit. The OK group is misnamed.
And once again, Soupbone has spurred me on to more, asking about whether I would be doing the Badger Rogaine and then responsible for an "assist" in finding a partner for that event... Jim Gordon, also from CAOC..... who was kind enough to invite me to dinner with the whole crew to eat fried food and more fried food. Yum?
Good also to meet the SLOC folks, of course I've seen Eric's name all over so good to put a face to it, and to meet Rick, Anna, others. Amazingly good time.
10 AM
Orienteer 1:57:00 [3] 9.5 km (12:19 / km)
My Runt Route
Ok.... last entry for Hawn, a few more reflections.
WIth the mass start, I saw 90% of the individuals heading South on the trail as a route choice for Control 1.... and just a few people running E/SE. The map showed two distinct route choices, but the nice trail across the creek on the bottom of the hill (E/SE) was shorter and seemed preferable. UNTIL.. I got to the creek and realized it was about 10-15 feet across and not shallow looking. So I stayed on the unpaved side. Oh well... it still would have been pretty quick if I did a better job counting creek crossings. I still like this choice.
I did see people running down the re-entrant as I was looking for the control.... and knew I was fine and not too far behind.
This was a very social feeling event; with the mass start of course, but then also the way the course was designed with the Grunters starting 20 minutes earlier and then joining up on the Runt course for their last 16 controls... it meant that I had the opportunity to be passed by a lot of good people.
In addition to the people in my own event... I saw John W around 6, Eric B and Pete W before 8, Maricel on the way to 9, Andrei at 10 when we were both searching around the Easter Egg hunt, Pete W and Ian on the trail to 11, Tom P at 15.....
that's kind of what I recall... but it was reassuring and fun to see everyone! I tried to keep telling myself "don't follow, pick your own routes, gotta learn", but it is possible that I might have peeked once or twice.
But I also tried to let people go ahead, or chose alternate routes a couple of times, which was a good exercise.
Ok.... last entry for Hawn, a few more reflections.
WIth the mass start, I saw 90% of the individuals heading South on the trail as a route choice for Control 1.... and just a few people running E/SE. The map showed two distinct route choices, but the nice trail across the creek on the bottom of the hill (E/SE) was shorter and seemed preferable. UNTIL.. I got to the creek and realized it was about 10-15 feet across and not shallow looking. So I stayed on the unpaved side. Oh well... it still would have been pretty quick if I did a better job counting creek crossings. I still like this choice.
I did see people running down the re-entrant as I was looking for the control.... and knew I was fine and not too far behind.
This was a very social feeling event; with the mass start of course, but then also the way the course was designed with the Grunters starting 20 minutes earlier and then joining up on the Runt course for their last 16 controls... it meant that I had the opportunity to be passed by a lot of good people.
In addition to the people in my own event... I saw John W around 6, Eric B and Pete W before 8, Maricel on the way to 9, Andrei at 10 when we were both searching around the Easter Egg hunt, Pete W and Ian on the trail to 11, Tom P at 15.....
that's kind of what I recall... but it was reassuring and fun to see everyone! I tried to keep telling myself "don't follow, pick your own routes, gotta learn", but it is possible that I might have peeked once or twice.
But I also tried to let people go ahead, or chose alternate routes a couple of times, which was a good exercise.
2 PM
Orienteer (Practice at Hawn) 1:30:00 [2] 4.5 km (20:00 / km)
shoes: Inov8 Roclite 305
I was kind of a lot tired after the weekend events, but wanted to take advantage of the terrain, a map, new realization of things to work on.... and Expresso's offer to help me when I asked him to select some key features for me to find on the map. In fact, he was great and walked/jogged with me as I found what to me seemed like some subtle boulders or re-entrants up the hill. And so many things weren't on the map that seemed pretty big. So I learned a little bit about that too. Great exercise.
It kind of showed how much of a crutch those great control flags really are. I would THINK that I found a feature perfectly, but it is so hard to be sure without that reassuring flag, and to his credit.... Joe was not that helpful and let me stumble around a bit while he was either laughing or shaking his head at my attempts.... hard to tell for sure which.
I think that doing this while tired was also helpful.... I didn't even have to run and could still emulate the fatigue of an event. Enjoyable but also work. Still, what can be better than walking around Hawn, enjoying a great weekend day?
But, I had to get back to St. Louis and my folks and a great homemade dinner like only Mom can make. =)
It kind of showed how much of a crutch those great control flags really are. I would THINK that I found a feature perfectly, but it is so hard to be sure without that reassuring flag, and to his credit.... Joe was not that helpful and let me stumble around a bit while he was either laughing or shaking his head at my attempts.... hard to tell for sure which.
I think that doing this while tired was also helpful.... I didn't even have to run and could still emulate the fatigue of an event. Enjoyable but also work. Still, what can be better than walking around Hawn, enjoying a great weekend day?
But, I had to get back to St. Louis and my folks and a great homemade dinner like only Mom can make. =)