Training Log Archive: Sid

Event: Giant's Rib Raid
 

Giant's Rib 2007 Interesting course set by Griz. -5°C start temperature with snow in the air all day. Silence Beckons starts strong with the usual loop running order, KS, myself and TD. Still there is a backup at the stile crossing the fence to the Bruce Trail. Teams all over the BT as teams head for the first control at the bottom of the escarpment by a pond. Straight forward trail running to control 2 and down the road, under the 401 into Kelso for the Walk the Line section.

Teams are having trouble following the line but SB does okay. TD has a slight muscle pull but the team makes good time. SB sticks religously to the line but other teams skip sections but no penalies as controls are not in avoided section. Hitting all controls and getting their picture taken, SB heads up the Glen Eden Ski Hill. There is a slight delay for a team space blanket gear check. The hill is quite icy with a light snow covering from the flurries.

On the top, SB uses TD's local trail knowledge and hits control 4. at the edge of the open field. Bearing across 2 fields, down a spur and to the bottom of a ski hill, brings the team below the cliff surronding control 5. QuantiGHO Queen Bees follw SB to the control and to the first aid staaion. SB has a bit of discussion as Sid is want to run road to 6 or back to 12 km short cut. The others prevail and cross open hills, up a hill to a series of open fields and control 6 adjacent to the rod & gun firing range. Crossing a second field, SB begins the second road run to the Bruce Trail leading into Rattlesnake Point.

It is decided to do the optional controls in the order C, B & A. The open sections between pine plantations make navigation easy. The traverse to A is through a swampy sections and the teams soon has wet feet though all tried to avoid that. After 6A, the group see "The Merge" with Ray, Laura and Tim. They are going the wrong way to 6A but SB does not correct them. Later it is learn that they lost their bearing trying to keep dry feet. Hitting the Bruce Trail, SB follows it down a ravine through a series of switchbacks to a swampy section with wooden walkways. Not wanting to slip into the drink on the snow covered boards, SB takes it easy and TriHarder comes up behind. After exchanging pleasantries, the group comes to a trail junction. It is realized that the route is to the right off the major Bruce Trail section, leading to Walker's Nassagaweya Line southern terminus. Later it is learned some team have trouble here going straight through. In particular, the Tragically Quick with Eugene make a 20 minute error. With their superior speed they still make up the time beating SB by a minute for the section and an excellent finish.

Hitting the road SB runs the final road section, under the 401 to Campbellville Road and back on the trail to control 7. A quick refuel is had at the aid station with smarties for all. Discussion on the way to 7 is on whether the controls must be done in order. Sid prefers random but the instructions are specific. 7 and A are straight forward but B proves to be elusive in the Microbe section with no contours. SB goes too far south first, corrects poorly and then ends to far west near the hydro lines before hitting the trail and finding the control but no SI unit. A group of 4 or 5 teams have caught SB with the mistake as the group heads to C and the first SI unit. People are alround as the group heads to D and E, then F. Sid seems to take interesting routes compared to others. Still not luck means G is likely the last SI. KS and Sid spied H from afar and feel that there is no SI there. Teams get flustered with the unusal terrain at G. SB tries to use subtrafuge to confuse teams on finding the SI but it backfires as KS does not realize they have found it and wonders on the weird bearing.

Heading north, the group comes to a major water crossing. After being dainty and getting wet, SB just walks across. Sid realizes a navigation error once on the other side. Switching back to the bigger map it is realized the water did not have to be crossed. SB has to cross back for 10. Group slowly are getting confused and SB drops some as it heads off the trail on an obtuse angle for 10. Crossing the river between the swamps, 10 is quickly found and back across the river. The last crossing is dry, of course.

Running up the trail, SB cross the river above the Hiton Falls on the narrow wooden foot bridge and runs trail to 11. GHO Slow is passed on a slight hill before veering into the bush for 11. Though cautioned as to not approach 11 without a full team, of course there is no one there. The team splits for the Matrix. KS does B, TD D and Sid A & C. TD gets a bit cool with the wait for Sid but the team is off on a bearing for 13 & 14. 13 is a tricky crevasse on the escarpment edge. KS finds it as SB overshoots slightly but realizes the error with the control 1 pond below. TD quickly finds 14 behind a rock outlier. Very scenic spot but SB is trying to maintain a good pace as it is realized other teams have been passed in the Matrix. GHO Slow can be heard discuusing navigation above. Climbing the cliff, SB heads for home. Scrambling over the moss covered limestone highway, the group reaches the Bruce Trail and speeds for home though no pursuit is in sight. The trail is muddy and slick. It winds a bit and SB thinks about taking a short cut as the golf course and parking lot can be seen. Around a Bruce Trail corner, SB heads over the stile and bridge to 15. A quick run over another bridge and they are finished.

Good race time with no major navigation errors though 20 minutes or more could have been trimmed. First and only Coed Master team, 3rd of 4 Masters teams. The Foreigners win in just over 3 hours but Tree Huggers with Richard are not far back. As always, a great race though the designer was in Hawaii. Snow flurries added to the atmosphere.

C • Great Race Report! 1

MTC Swim with Coach Stephanie. 200 m warm 50 m free/50 m fist, Golf 10 x 25 try to reduce total of strokes per length plus time in seconds.500m locomotive breathing 3, 5 and every 7 stroke. 5 x 200 m with :20 rest. 400m kicking with fins, front, side, back and dolphin. 8 x 25m :30, :35, :40, :45, :40, :35 and :30 pace time, 200 m breast/back and 5 x 25m no breath, 25m choice.
Felt fatigued after weights Tuesday, especially in arms - triceps. 200m swim times ranged from 3:55 to 4:05. Was fighting the backstroke a bit. Lower intensity workout before the GRR.

MTC Swim with Coach Ken. Warm up 400 m pull board long turn and touch double knock, 400 m pull breath to one side and 400 m swim breathing every 3, 5, 7 & 9 strokes per 25m. Second set, 400 m swim with fins right hand only, 400m left hand only and 400 m locomotive. Main set 300m pull board long, 6 x 100 on 2:15 pace and 7 x 50 with :30 rest. Cool down 2 x 25m breast and 25m back. All the drills early on throw stroke off. Never felt my body alignment cameback. Likely was not relaxing enough in the pull drills. 100 m times were about 1:55. 50m times got a bit better at :50 typical though got 1 down to :45. Legs may still be tired from Sunday.

Warm up for weights.

Doubled up this week. Did 1 set maximum, dropped weight 1 level and did another set. Strength feels pretty good.

Ball crunches trying to hit lower, middle, high and back abs. A little tired after weights but came back quick.

Bossus balance getting better. Full body stretch. Quads are starting to looser so I can get reach foot with hand.

Swim was canceled due to excess chlorine in pool so we spun longer. Cadence was low as right hip was still a bit stiff. Last indoor class for this season. Need to switch to mountain bikes outdoors before the Pars to Ancaster. Did not run in the rain, using the rational that I was tapering for the GRR.

C • Photo Contest 1