Training Log Archive: possum

Today was the middle course at the Ransburg Scout Camp. Although short, we had about the same gradient of climb as yesterday. My navigation was very good through control 11, then I made a huge mistake on 12. I'd forgotten that the course notes had talked about a trail that was not mapped, and when I saw the trail, I thought I should be north of it. This mistake cost me close to 10 minutes, because I ran almost to the finish, ran back to 13, then from 13 back to 12. I then had to run back up the very steep hill to 13, and in to the finish completely out of breath.

That was the bad news. The good news is that my navigation for this meet was greatly improved, and my breathing is also greatly improved. I had a good time. I also came in second in this race (out of a field of 4).

We left before before awards, but I got second place overall, and Sharon is picking up my medal. This has gotten me fired up to try the US Champs.

Ransburg_Middle_2013_Brown - Splits

The long race at the Flying Pig, held at Yellowwod State Forest. Besides the 230 m of climb, we had another 80 m of climb to the start. Very steep hills and three long legs. My mess-ups were controls 2, 6, and 8.

I did very well on the first long leg from Start to 1.. Saw the flag descending the hill and ran right to it. It was a long slog uphill from 1 to 2 in some very rough terrain, with lots of brush and down logs. Navigated well to the top of the descent, then went to far to the left, and had to go back up the spur and walk along it.

Everything went very well until I was to go to 6. I decided it would be good to go east about 150 m, hit the road, and follow it to a pullout, then go back west to a trail and the control. Good plan poorly executed. On the road, I didn't pay enough attention to distance, just looked for a creek. Missed the creek, and walked too far up the road. Had to backtrack. On the next-to-last flag, #8, I could see the control before crossing the creek. I walked back up the hill and had to spend a couple of minutes finding it, even though I knew exactly where it was.

Overall, I felt really good about my navigation and endurance through a really tough course, and ended up as second.

Yellowwood_Long_2013_Brown - Splits

Ran the sprint on campus at Indiana University during the Flying Pig. No problems navigating until control 10. I headed in the right direction, then thought it didn't look right and went back. Stood there a while and determined that I had headed correctly after all. Cost me at least 5 minutes--maybe more. No other problems after that, except for about a minute locating a control when I was standing in the correct place.

Even so, I got first place in my class. Didn't find this out until two days later--what a surprise.

Earlier, about noon , we did the model event at Yellowood Forest to check out the terrain. Seven controls. No problems finding any of them. The first few were in lots of nasty brush, and we sampled some steep hills. A good experience.

C • Splits 2

IU_Campus_Sprint_2013_4 5 Br Gr - Splits

Worked out with Jared. Lots of pushing the sled today. Hope it helps me to power up the hills over the weekend.

C • Weekend 2

Working hard--lots of good deep breathing.