Training Log Archive: Gil

Felt lazy today and I was even considering to skip today's run but at last minute decided to do 3.05M look from home. Garmin lost battery power within mile. Times estimated.

Event: ROC - Black Creek Park [2012 Sprint Series #3 Score-O]
 

Fast course.

I was able to execute it fairly well. There is nothing what I could have done regarding lose dog but I could have been more decisive going to #9. I still lack finishing speed. It's something I was excellent at and it's something I should improve it.

#1 Going to first I was reserved. My goal was to read into map before letting it lose. I double, triple checked where I needed to go, how it looked on map.

#2 Could not let lose on second yet since it was through woods with too many fallen trees to my liking and skill level.

#3 - Taking wide right seemed the only option. There was one option to cut corner just before flag but I decided to stay on groomed/mowed path.

#4 - Bushwhacking/grass-whacking through the field. Little hesitation once I got on trail how far I needed to go to on trail. Flag was behind the tree however I knew exactly where it should be since I spotted rock from 30 yards out.

#5 - going back on trail on the right till parking lot. It was easy to stop building where flag was located

#6 - run to next building. Straight forward

#7 - Just before flag there was unleashed dog that run towards me. Lost unnecessary time till owned leashed dog. I told owner to expect more runners coming through soon. Delay reflected in splits. Probably lost about 10 seconds or maybe more.

#8 - Left route choice. Straight forward.

#9 - Decision point - bushwhack/grass-whack through the field or go around. Somehow I did not have a desire to go straight even according to map it would have been the right thing to do. Run around on trail and cut the corner where it seemed appropriate. Once I got into grassy area I fell. Now looking back I would have run even more on trail and cut through grass closest to the trail.

#10 - pretty straight forward choice

Finish - Remembering that last time I lost a lot of time going from last flag to finish I tried to master all the speed what's left in me. It was still not fastest split time, so, I need to work on my finishing speed.

Sprint - Splits

Got to resume core exercises

Event: Niagara Ultra 100k, 50k, Marathon & Half Marathon
 

Niagara 100K/2. Somewhat disappointing exit at the half distance. My back started to have issues around mile 20. By 40K mark I was done for the day. I thought I'd at least finish the half regardless how long it will take.

Lesson (maybe) learned. After somewhat disappointing 2011 season when I'd have back issues here and there I did regular core exercises from December till Spring season during which I had few decent races. Somehow I stopped doing core exercises and I paid for it.

Otherwise - race venue was really nice. I certainly plan to come back next year. Also strategy I developed for the race was working out very well. From now on I should let others lead the race at the beginning. I was not too far behind them at turn-around points while my back was holding up. I was tempted to run faster however I thought I'll have enough time to catch race leaders.

Almost 5K loop from home. 1K almost fast