Training Log Archive: ernst

Troll Cup Day 2 - Chase Start. Cold with intermittent rain which was not in the forecast. I did not bring my usual for rain paraphernalia, so was a bit nervous. As a result I left my compass at the prep table at the start. Noticed its absence after running to the start triangle. I had a quite dysfunctional spare (full of bubbles !!).
But I kept running since I did not want to lose my place. So was extra careful reading every contour, every feature and aligned the map accordingly. That worked and I saw Carl C in the distance before # 1. I continued in that vein - slow going but still inching closer to Carl and passed him at 4. Then my glasses got quite fogged up and I had to second guess the map and thus kept within distance of Carl, but moved ahead on the long trail leg to 6 and moved up to Jim A. I apologized that I was following him to 7.
Then 50 m down to the water stop/trail crossing. I felt I could try to wipe my glasses - and it worked they ended up being about 75% clean. Also there was a break in the rain and it got breezy. So I dared to move ahead on my own. Still slow down battling my two handicaps. Jim caught up with me at 10, as my glasses fogged again. But I managed to forge ahead alone, more or less gaging my general directions on the mass of other competitors who seem to all follow the general direction for the last 3 controls. And I managed to nail them all. Ended up 4th, and could have easily passed Rick B had I not changed my plan from 12 - 13 as I was trying to go N via road, but could not find a way (on the map) to pass down the line of cliffs.
A goose chase, and adventure, thoroughly entertaining, and excellent courses. Thanks organizers.

GreenX2 - Splits

Troll Cup: Pretty dreadful race but understandable: First orienteering this year, 70 degrees at the end - body not used to this - quick starting after a 3 hour drive. 6 min mistake on 1, thought I did a parallel error, when in fact I did not - vege was not mapped accurately as per course notes, but it messed up my interpretations. Did not see the bridge to 3, so went around, parallel interpretation error (clerical) on the long leg to 4, so thought I was much closer to control, but kept running in disbelieve and found it, but lost ~ 2 minutes due to hesitation. Then , a 3 min bobble at 8 trying to correct my line of attack, but overcorrected. Other than that, felt like I was at high altitude not getting enough O2 on and after the 135 m climb from 4 - 6. Have to do better tomorrow. On the bright side: No vegetation, no bugs, nice weather!

GreenX1 Day 1 - Splits

From the Garage to the MUB. Saw the RedCross Bloodmobile parked outside, so decided to donate, since I had about and hour to kill. I gave my pint - they called me Speed-Damon as my blood gushed quickly - no time to waste.

From office to garage via town hall. Was not supposed to be strenuous according the the phlebotomists.

Run to work for an 11 am office hour. Usual trail route.

Then out to College Woods checking the general shape of the trails, anticipating possible map corrections for the CW event of May 6. Slowed to field-checking pace in the NW corner - trails becoming indistinct in places.
A heat wave today 70 F ! Where did that come from? Still pleasant for running though.

A nice figure-8 loop from SP to W Foss Farm shelter loop to John's bike trails and back via Troy's field. (Checked out the new house foundations in progress). Nice evening run - started slowly - faster during second half. A couple of off-trail cutoffs, including trying to locate a tentative trail from Adam's trails to the property line on the bike trails. Trails are nearly invisible this time of the year as there is still no green vegetation up yet. All is late this year!