Training Log Archive: Sid

ARC Midland Adventure Race. Boy was I rusty after the COC's. The area was relatively small so the race was not expected to be too long. There was a new wrinkle added to the race. We were just given brief instructions at the start area, no maps. The race started at 9:15 am with a run on a twisty green arrowed trail ending at the far side of a walkway over a large section of the marsh. Maps were stapled to a bridge. The first question was where were we? We received a local ski map and a more general topographic map. After much consternation, we desired the white line through the swamp was the broadwalk we were at the end of. CP 1 was on the topo map in an area of temporary swamp. We took trails to the ski trail leading to a river near the control. The plan was to follow the river to the marsh edge and walk along the edge to control. However, near the bottom of the river, the marsh edge was not apparent and we soon ran into a series of rivers and streams criss crossing. Thinking we had go through the temporary swamp into the actual swamp, we took a bearing along the edge but saw nothing and finally angled back to the original trail. The question was whether we were on the right river or not so it was decided to head further along the trail. Ian checked the parallel but higher Ganaraska Trails on an old rail bed and head a trail sign. It was apparent that the first river was correct so we back tracked. It was decided to take a bearing right at the control. On the bearing, we came to an orange ribboned cut through the dogwood and the control in the lush deep green on the other side. In orienteering this control would has been illegal, as not on a definite feature but A/R is different.

The next control was 2 km away and it was decided to go on a bearing past a series of trails and up a hill to a clearing marked on the top map. Going up the hill after the trails proved to be an error as to was not possible to get a good bearing through the dense bush and elevation. Also there was a series of trails going every which way that made navigation confusion. At one point we find a control but it is CP6 on the ski map and not on the top map. Finally coming out in a series of rugged fields we dried to locate the control to no luck. Finally we bailed to a road. Once there, it was seen that we had veered off our bearing to the east. Walking the road we easily hit the control though the open area on the top map was covered with sumac and other bush. That plus there was many stone and wire fence not on either map but that would have been on a O map.

On to control 3 and the canoe section, Silence Beckons takes a bearing to the rail trail, veers off on a snowmobile trail and follows the Wye Marsh property fence to the control. Again this was a bit intuitive as fences are not on topo maps. A cool swim across the river was required to reach the control and transition. In the canoe, SB heads north to CP4 and back to the start area. Many trees over the river required the team to limbo under them. A few minutes is realized as CP 4 has been moved but the original circle is still on the map. The new circle is further up with a badly drawn arrow to it. This is noticed on further examination. Without map preparation before racing, navigation tends to be point to point without looking ahead much. After CP4, the team cruises through many channels to a lily pad choked section of water and the canoe take out. Back to the start/finish line, the transition to bikes is made. The race director, BM is there discussing the early problems.

I overshoot the first trail required in the confusion of trails at the beginning. Only the ski ones are marked on our map but there are many others unmarked. The rail trail is starts out not bad but becomes deep in sand soon making uphill progress slow. Still we reach CP 6 though there is some issues as some of the trail junctions are not marked. The next trail junction leads to CP 7. Now we have no direction again, just know that CP 8 is on a road and trail junction. We decided that the extension of the rail trail on our map will get us there but pass a trail on our way. Of course the rail trail dead ends just after we get on it and with no other option go back to the other trail which of course leads to the control.

Returning from CP8 its just a matter of navigating the ski trails for one last control and on to the finish. A young team almost blocks the path in front of us but we just miss them at a junction. We finish 15 out of 20 teams, 3rd masters. Not bad but with over 1.5 hours of mistakes on the navigation not very satisfying. While have to think straighter in the future!!

MTC Swim with Coach Stephanie Warm up 10 x 50m pull turn and touch 25m, fist 25m. 10 x 75m Front scull 25m, 50m finger drag. 6 x kick with fins 25m right side, 25m left side & 50 m front 4 x 100m descenting by :05 starting at 2:20, 4 x 50m fast on 1:05 and 4 x 25 no breathe. 400m pull breathing 3, 5, 7 & 9. 4 x 50m back/breast. Back and double arm cooldown

Felt good after resting last night after the Wednesday morning swim.

Hot dusty game but we won though it was tight.

MTC Swim with Coach Ken. Make up swim for the Tuesday that the pool was closed. Warm up 200m pull, 200m BK/BS, 200 BS/FR and 8 x 25m 0:20 rest. Kick with fins or board 150m fly, 150m back, 150m breast and 150m free. 400m board vertical BK/FR and 200m IM. Board vertical 4 x 50m breast and 3 x 100m free. 200m swim back/free.

Pretty tired after this week's workouts. Cut routine down a bit.

MTC Swim with Coach Ken. 500 m pull warm up. 400 m kick with fins. 500m locomotive. 25 x 2:00 various lengths. Started with 100m, then switched to combination of 75 and 50 m, next a few 25's, a 100 m pull, 50 breast and finished with some 50 m backstroke.

Was generally slow with best 100 at 1:50, 50 m at :55 and 25 m at :20. Felt a bit weak in the core after a week of no swimming.

Legs were pretty tired after the COC's and Monday's work out. We got beat but the game could have gone either way.

Easier leg workout after the COC's.

Easier spin work out.

100 each of lower, middle and dips, followed by 50 back raises, all on the ball.

100 each of lower, middle and dips, followed by 50 back raises, all on the ball.

Balance on Bosu, followed by leg stretches.

The COC Long Course. Temperature was going to 37°C so carried a bladder pack and snacks. Very difficult terrain and took it easier than Saturday but stil had trouble hitting control 1. Under shoot and was going to bail for a trail and relocate but route took me to the control. Long overland route using trails to 2. A little of variation in my route ended up with me hitting the trail lower than designed. Hit major side trail and clearings to 3 and on to 4. For control 5 decided to go up the side of a dense vegatation area, cross one trail, angle up to a second trail, kitty corner it and access the control from bend in trail. Somehow went too far west and missed the second trail. Saw many people wandering through the dense bush and had people follow me out. Finally had to go straight east to hit the attack point. Hit the trail and ran to the corner. The AP was pretty evident as the SOA people had cut openings in the blow down. In to 5 and back to the trail for an easy run to acess 6. Had a little trouble with the features at the end though. On to 7 and 8 running hard through the spectator trail. Tied for fastest in my age group for these 2 controls, shows it is my navigation that needs work, not as much fitness

Then a major error!! The southern section of the map was very complex vegetation only. Tried to navigate by clearings to control 9 and can across many people wandering in circles and made the same mistake. Eventually had to bail to the road on the east but it was still tough to find attack points as the white was typical Ontario light green or worse. Found the control using a valley finally but it was kind of obscure. Navigated by clearings and bearing to 10. Saw the elites go by here. Up to control 11, overshoot trying to use distinctive trees but finally located it by a tree deer blind. The control was in a very dense thicket and near impossible to see the depression from the heavy vegetation. Had trouble to control 12 also but no big deal. Ran hard to the finish to try to beat Saturday's total but was 2 minutes over.

Afterwards found a lot of people had bailed from the heat and difficulty navigating. Going at A/R pace with water did not seem much of a hardship. Still to win, it seems one has to push the envelope. People commented that I looked fresh at the finish, yet others were near heat exhaustion. One having to be soaked in water after his finish. EM gets bronze today after a bad error in the same area as me.

All and all, a fun Canadian Orienteering Championship. Likely over my head in navigation skill but began to get the hang of using your left thumb to mark your position on the map. May be using a thumb compass is not far off.

Congratulations to the Saskatchewan Orienteering Association for their debut event in a very unique forest.