Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Event: MNOC Nerstrand Woods SP
 

I heard a few complaints about standing in line to get on the jungle gym for close start Control 324, but I kind of liked the opportunity to look at the map, plan a preferred route (or really direction) and decided to head South. There were many easy controls near the Start location, but I figured I'd try to pick those up near the end. Looking back now, I can see that (once again) my route choice was overly ambitious for my abilities. But totally fun, so no regrets.

Awesome park, with the open woods, ostrich ferns, grasses almost up to my shoulders (no one else was probably in THAT part), and really great trails. Loved it. Which is not to say I didn't have some problems.

Things to work on
Still need to stay more cautious on the first control. (In this case, the second.. 321)
Be more careful with compass bearing while running (301 to 309 to 302)
Use compass at least a bit when following shaky handrails (305 to 311- along spur)
Consider letting the farthest controls on the map just be.

Things I did well
Found and recovered from errors fairly quickly
Running through woods at a good clip.
Having a lot of fun
Keeping the right pace
Looking at map while running-preplanning
Not getting discouraged
Getting back in time

Route
Note My GPS shows a number of straight line segments near the end where I apparently lost satellite contact....too much rain/cover perhaps? And apparently there's a limit to number of correction points on QuickRoute. So everything after 311 is just wrong.
Also, distance is actual distance, not between points. (come to think of it, it's not even actual distance due to GPS errors). I should measure on map but probably won't.

I found my event. It's Maze-O. I got third, and with a little practice... who knows!!!

Very fun sprint. Will write more when I find my map.
But, I was very glad to have this event because I really liked the first event SO much, and wasn't quite done with Nerstrand woods yet.
So this was like an encore.
I had two "hmmmm" moments, looking for a trail that wasn't a trail and can't remember the other... but otherwise it felt so good.

Ian assigned me four Southern controls, which was perfect because
1) There was lots of opportunity for a good trail run down, AND a good run straight through the beautiful woods back
and
2) One of the controls was 311, which was my boom control that I just skipped and so I got a retry (but from the other side).

pwentz3l joined me, we ran what felt like a really good pace over the muddy trails (but when I asked it was 7:30; felt faster... but fun fun fun), and he let me do all the navigating with some helpful hints along the way.
Good training and good company, thanks Pete.

All in all a perfect day, the weather was rainy but made the run that much more enjoyable, and rain disappeared right when socializing began.
Great food and lots of desserts-all with whipped cream.
I much appreciated my $20 REI card which will be put to good use (probably as an excuse to buy something much more expensive).
And I have to say, it was one of the easiest officer elections I have ever witnessed.
Fun to sit around the campfire and not drink beer, hear everyone's stories, eat more.
(Okay, I have overused the word "fun" today.... but it was!!!)

Maze-O - Splits

Sprint-O - Splits

My log is looking a little boring with all running, but I have to say I'm enjoying myself quite a bit with the summer weather, nice gentle runs all week... feels almost indulgent.
Looks like great weather tomorrow... except the slim chance of rain which could put a damper on camping plans....

Got a late start, but still got a few very nice miles in before dark. Mosquitoes were enjoying my run...

Lost and Found:
If you took a shower in my master bathroom lately, check to see if you lost your blue and white comb.

To the park, loop on the path, and back.
Lots of deer - unusually calm tonight. Nice scenic evening.

Down to the ASP beach, with Alice.
Felt good, attribute it to my two days of altitude training and refreshing afternoon nap. =)

Yellowstone National Park
I had a few hours to rush over to Yellowstone and run a trail this afternoon.
I was still a bit paranoid over bears so I brought some pepper spray. I was pretty much the only one on Howard Eaton trail; I had been told by the ranger's office that there might be grizzlies, bisons, and I thought there might be moose.
The trail was mostly flat, near the Yellowstone river... through some marshes, across some creeks, up and down some muddy areas, through large areas of snow, lots of burnt out woods for miles, up to tops of lookouts, along swaley trails. (I was also warned it might not be hikable, but I had my Inov8s so I wasn't worried).
But the whole time, I was watching for that a grizzly that might be right around a bend.....
And, since I was told to sing so as not to startle bears (the National Anthem was suggested), I sang whenever I couldn't see very far.
I noticed what looked like a bear prints in the snow, but at closer look it was VFFs, I did see lots of bison prints, newly made buffalo chips, moose prints (i think) and i could just imagine they were using this trail through the burnt forest as a super highway, and might come up behind me and track me down.
I was not entirely disappointed, I turned around at one point and saw four bison right where I had been (couple of hundred yards away by then).
The run wasn't particularly fast, deep mud and snow in points, and the altitude got my muscles a little tired near the end. I had hoped to go further, but wanted to get back before dark, and to catch the end of the barbecue so I could eat with my daughter.
Made it back in time.