Training Log Archive: kgeisen

Event: Alpine Shop Castlewood 8-Hour AR
 

Total time was 5:32:51. An hour of non-moving time...best I can tell from looking at the GPS track, we lost about 17 minutes to transition (5 from trek/paddle, 9 from paddle/bike, and 3 from bike/trek), so the remaining 40 must have been cumulative stop to look at the map or quick stops to punch? Seems high.

Bused to start, a first for me in AR.

Trek 1: Points 1-7, 1.7 miles, 30 min

Smoothly hit 2, 3, 1, 4 then punched 5 as 6 and then went the wrong way looking for "5". Lost about 5 min. total in wrong way/figuring out the issue/resetting. Found 6, headed back to punch 7 at TA.

~ 5 min transition to get onto water.

Paddle: Points 8-11, ~ 7.3 mi, ~1.27

We don't paddle well together. I'm fine with an experienced paddler who can tell me what to do, but I'm useless as far as knowing how to steer or anything. It was a gorgeous morning for a paddle, but I spent the entire time terrified we were going to tip. We didn't, but we were very tippy and couldn't steer for shit. We slalomed down the river. Like navigation, I think paddling is something I'm going to have to suck it up and actually work on, because I don't ever want to be an a situation with two novice paddlers in a canoe again.

~ 9 min transition including carrying up canoe, changing into bike shoes/helmet, and getting through gear check.

Bike: Points 12-22, ~10 miles, ~1:29

This was our strongest leg. The bike tow was a godsend on the hills, and we made smart, efficient route choices.

~ 3 min transition including ditching bike gear and changing shoes, switching passports, and looking at map to decide our route.

Trek 2: Points 23-34, ~5.6 mi

Mixed bag here. Pinged 25 and then headed off in wrong direction. Corrected pretty quickly and only lost about 2 min. Only minor adjustments to 27, 29, 31. Got sidetracked by the trails on the way to 33 and ate about 12 minutes going the wrong way and waiting too long to stop and think things through (not throwing my navigator under the bus here; he'd mentioned a few times he thought we were going too far, we just needed to follow through on the concern). We'd have greatly benefitted from red-lining it to CPs. Trails gave us trouble again on the way to 26 (I think), but we figured it out, and then AGAIN on the way to 30. Righted ourselves, punched 30, found 24 cleanly, and ran into the finish. First course I've ever cleared. :)

High points: bike and teamwork in general. Not only did he tow me on the bike, but Mickey also carried most of my stuff, which made it FAR easier for me to run. We ran more than what I typically do in races, and I still felt pretty good.

Low point: paddling. Uphill trekking was a huge weak area for me and something I need to do more of. I was pretty slow downhill off-trail as well because I was worried about falling and hurting my knee again. Overall it held up pretty well with ibuprofen.

In general, I should do a little bit better with taking some responsibility on nav and speaking up when something seems off, but we did a really good job of working together to correct any missteps that came up.

C • Awesome Job! 6

Low impact babying the knee.

Rode MCT Nature Trail to hike at the Big Woods. Took my old Hardrock 26er since it has flat pedals and wouldn't break my heart if it was stolen. Still locked it to a tree, but less paranoia with a less-loved bike.

Trail shoes still wet from yesterday. Oops, that's what I get for leaving them in the car after the O meet. My knee is really sore and stiff, so this was a VERY easy pace. Pedaling is a lot better than walking, and I didn't try running. Hopefully it gets better by Saturday!

Back from Big Woods in cold drizzle.