Training Log Archive: kissy

Helped at the start for today's mini-rogaine and then couldn't find the gumption to go out on this cold, windy day. After hearing the tales from the other runners when they got back, it doesn't sound like I missed much.

After the rains were done, Jan, Brooke and I went for a little hike in Saguaro National Park. It was an easy hike...just what we all wanted. We were a little concerned that Jan was going to get us lost, but we found our way back. It was nice not to have to run through the cactus!



Earlier today, I attended an All-Hands call with NPR to learn that there will be a 10% reduction in force, with the final announcement coming on March 20. So, a month to wait around to hear about my future. Not so much fun.

Training event at Ironwood. I'd never been on this map before, but had heard good things about it from last year. And it was a lot of fun. Still plenty of sticking things, but they were easy to avoid. Just one cholla attachment, after passing by the bush and thinking "those things can't really jump!" And then it did. Luckily I had a comb with me for easier removal. I used the comb again on the way to #5 when I came across a young man with two cholla clumps attached to his back. I volunteered to help remove them with the comb, along with picking leftover cactus spines from his back. Not pleasant but helpful.

I walked this whole training course because my right knee was quite sore from the past few days of running. But I think the walking helped me to stay on course and not wander too much. Good thing because if you did get lost, it would have been very difficult to reorient yourself. Got back just in time before the rain rolled in.

Advanced - Splits

This was a lot of fun. I messed up the trails on my way out of the box, and then on the way to #4. But I crushed it on my route choice to #5 and pulled ahead of some folks.

After the event, we stopped by the gift shop and I think I found my guy.

Chaser - Splits

Today was much better. It's open terrain (although with lots of rocks under foot) and almost no stickery things. This was a goat-style race, so mass start and lots of following. I tried to do my own race, but with so many people around and it being so open, that was a little tough.

At #9, which was in a more wooded area, many people were too high, looking all around the hillside. So I snuck in and punched and got right out of there. The route to 10 was along a dry creek bed, so I skedaddled down that before anyone could see me. I stayed ahead of all of them but 1, so that was good.

Short - Splits

Event: Southwest Spring Week (SWSW) 2023
 

That was a bit of a disaster. I had to remember how to avoid all of the stickery things -- I didn't do a very good job of it. At one point, there was a stream of blood pouring down my arm, over the back of my hand, and dripping off my fingers. Fun! It was also very obvious that I haven't orienteered for 3.5 months.

Green - Splits