Training Log Archive: BecksIn the 1 days ending May 26, 2012:
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Saturday May 26, 2012 #
Note
Feet's mention of mammals just reminded me that I managed to rescue a duck from an evil attack by a black squirrel on the way to number eleven. The squirrel was scared of me and ran off, while the duck stayed strong.
10 AM
Running 39:21 [0] 4.73 km (8:19 / km) +141m 7:14 / km
spiked:9/12c
Very happy with this course today, because for the first time in a very long time,. it felt like I ran faster than my brain could handle. Which was awesome. Unfortunately that meant there were a couple of ridiculous mistakes, and I threw away a win very easily. Loved the downhill start, and was spiking and reading well till 7. Just drifted, used a bit of rough compass, and found myself on a featureless slope with no idea whether the control was above or below. Went back to the track but then struggled to figure out if the thing below was actually the bend. It was, but I only believed it when Pam caught me up again. Then got the control, but one minute down. Felt weak up the hill but was doing okay compared to the others. Then at ten, went way way too high - another case of lack of compass? Realised I was at the bottom of the steep slope and corrected down into the control, but all that climb meant another minute lost.
Next came the real disaster. I tried to go the long way round without losing any height, and turns out this was a bad decision anyway. But even worse, I thought I was low and had hit the small path, when I was actually high and hit the big track. Managed to just about get off the map but was slow getting there as nothing was making any sense. Then finally figured it out and caned it back the right way. Eurgh. 3.5 minutes lose there. And then in. I should be mad with my silly mistakes, but I was actually really happy. My training is working, and I am feeling much better out there, despite the ludicrous heat and humidity. And anyway, there was still race two to make up for it...
Middle one
Next came the real disaster. I tried to go the long way round without losing any height, and turns out this was a bad decision anyway. But even worse, I thought I was low and had hit the small path, when I was actually high and hit the big track. Managed to just about get off the map but was slow getting there as nothing was making any sense. Then finally figured it out and caned it back the right way. Eurgh. 3.5 minutes lose there. And then in. I should be mad with my silly mistakes, but I was actually really happy. My training is working, and I am feeling much better out there, despite the ludicrous heat and humidity. And anyway, there was still race two to make up for it...
Middle one
2 PM
Running 40:39 4.68 km (8:42 / km) +135m 7:36 / km
ahr:178 max:191 spiked:8/12c
And make it better I did! Still not quite the right balance of control and simplification, but generally much better.
Went round the path to number one as legs weren't yet ready for the terrain (couldn't do a warm up really because stomach was meh, and the heat was very oppressive by then), but this gave me a good chance to look at everything and my split was fine, so no biggie.
Only lost 20 secs to Amber's time on 2, but was really over cautious, fretting about where I was on the slope. Then realised it was at the bottom of the really obvious steep slope again, so as long as I hadn't hit that yet, I was fine. But lost more than 20 in hesitating I think.
Went round to 3, dreadful choice, minute lost to Amber. Slope was loose and thick, and AP was none existent. Need to man up and go over these hills!
Pick loop to eight was great, smooth and reading detail well, planning ahead nicely. Then 9 hit a hill too early, and didn't see it under the line for a second. So a second or two of panic, then relief when I spotted the identical hill hiding under the line.
Ten was the attack of the vague slope again, and should have attacked from the hill the first time. Didn't, noticed everything was getting way too steep, went back to it and got to the control just as Pavi re-caught me (I had passed her at 6). Good after that, though Pavi was taking way better micro routes on the first half of the leg to 11.
A win that actually feels good today then! But still, a long way to go before I even get to sniffing distance of the mighty Ali-gator. This was a different person out in the woods today though compared to Georgia. I hope she's here to stay.
Middle Two
Went round the path to number one as legs weren't yet ready for the terrain (couldn't do a warm up really because stomach was meh, and the heat was very oppressive by then), but this gave me a good chance to look at everything and my split was fine, so no biggie.
Only lost 20 secs to Amber's time on 2, but was really over cautious, fretting about where I was on the slope. Then realised it was at the bottom of the really obvious steep slope again, so as long as I hadn't hit that yet, I was fine. But lost more than 20 in hesitating I think.
Went round to 3, dreadful choice, minute lost to Amber. Slope was loose and thick, and AP was none existent. Need to man up and go over these hills!
Pick loop to eight was great, smooth and reading detail well, planning ahead nicely. Then 9 hit a hill too early, and didn't see it under the line for a second. So a second or two of panic, then relief when I spotted the identical hill hiding under the line.
Ten was the attack of the vague slope again, and should have attacked from the hill the first time. Didn't, noticed everything was getting way too steep, went back to it and got to the control just as Pavi re-caught me (I had passed her at 6). Good after that, though Pavi was taking way better micro routes on the first half of the leg to 11.
A win that actually feels good today then! But still, a long way to go before I even get to sniffing distance of the mighty Ali-gator. This was a different person out in the woods today though compared to Georgia. I hope she's here to stay.
Middle Two
5 PM
Running 20:49 3.92 km (5:19 / km) +84m 4:48 / km
ahr:178 max:188 spiked:15/18c
Whoo, and onto Alex's UMass sprint. Stomach was very unhappy by then and legs were pretty knackered - my heart rate never got super high which shows I was pretty tired. A couple of bad route choice decisions - didn't read the whole leg to five and went right, then had to dog leg round the uncrossable wall. Had a little swear halfway when I realised that. No idea what the best routes are for 7-8-9 - Alex, Ali? I think probably not mine to 9. Then had planned to go the right way to 12, but was tired and forgot and went right, which was silly - smooth round the left is better.
Great map and fun course. I especially appreciated the tiny canopy mapped on the north edge of the building 10 was next to. That was cute.
UMass Sprint
Great map and fun course. I especially appreciated the tiny canopy mapped on the north edge of the building 10 was next to. That was cute.
UMass Sprint