Training Log Archive: AnvilIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2010:
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Saturday Jul 31, 2010 #
9 AM
Running 30:00 [3] 6.03 km (4:59 / km) +50m 4:47 / km
shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Quick and easy loop around the river with a few strides to wake the legs up for tomorrow, followed by an awesome ice bath in the shallows next to the camp ground.
Lost my HR monitor I think, if I only had a brain.
Lost my HR monitor I think, if I only had a brain.
Thursday Jul 29, 2010 #
7 PM
Running 28:16 5.33 km (5:18 / km)
ahr:137 max:148 shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Didn't spy a trail worth running on the whole drive, so just did an out and back along the Alaska Highway. Did find one trail on the way, but it just looped back to where I'd come from. Felt crap.
Wednesday Jul 28, 2010 #
12 PM
Running 50:01 9.35 km (5:21 / km) +250m 4:43 / km
ahr:152 max:178 shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Back at the Uni trails in Fairbanks. Had a choice of 2 loops, both 1.5km. Big Dipper, a broad Baker-esque circle on a flat plateau or Midnite Express, a S-bendtastic wriggle on the slope. Not hard to guess which one I picked (I hope).
Made it a progressive run, with 4 loops, each one increasing effort, tried to avg 140's, 150's, 160's and 170's with each loop. I'm sure if I'd been with the Tuesday Pain Crew there would have been a 180's loop as well, but I wasn't so I didn't.
Felt great, few fallen trees to vault over and noises in the forest to scare me periodicallty. WU and WD is in there too.
Made it a progressive run, with 4 loops, each one increasing effort, tried to avg 140's, 150's, 160's and 170's with each loop. I'm sure if I'd been with the Tuesday Pain Crew there would have been a 180's loop as well, but I wasn't so I didn't.
Felt great, few fallen trees to vault over and noises in the forest to scare me periodicallty. WU and WD is in there too.
Tuesday Jul 27, 2010 #
4 PM
Running 52:52 10.31 km (5:08 / km) +250m 4:34 / km
ahr:151 max:167 shoes: Salomens
That's more like it. Found a reference online to check out the trails behind the Uni of Alaska, when I get to the edge of the forest I find a trailhead, with fold out maps, with loops marked on it. Not only that, but in the forest the trails were marked constantly and were easy to see.
Did the Skarland 6 mile ski loop, mostly wide dirt trail but a few section of twisty, soft, woodchipped single trail through dense pine forest. Honestly, you'd seen photos of the trail you'd think it was somewhere Scandi-esque.
Felt OK on the run, nothing special - lots of variation underfoot to keep you honest.
Great day, will head back there tomorrow before I leave Fairbanks for another go.
Did the Skarland 6 mile ski loop, mostly wide dirt trail but a few section of twisty, soft, woodchipped single trail through dense pine forest. Honestly, you'd seen photos of the trail you'd think it was somewhere Scandi-esque.
Felt OK on the run, nothing special - lots of variation underfoot to keep you honest.
Great day, will head back there tomorrow before I leave Fairbanks for another go.
Monday Jul 26, 2010 #
7 PM
Running 42:02 8.47 km (4:58 / km)
ahr:153 max:168 shoes: 2010 Triumphs
After an aborted attempt at a trail run in Denali NP, I was champing at the bit to go for a run once I got into Fairbanks.
Since my track record with unknown trails isn't so good at the moment I just went for a jaunt in the streets, along a bike path that followed the river, over a bridge (there were kinds jumping off it into the river, it took every fibre of my being not to join them), through some bushland, got lost on trails, headed back across the bridge (kids gone), then back to the centre of town going a different way.
Was around 6 when I went out and place was a ghost town, don't know where everyone was. Was nice to have the streets to myself!
Since my track record with unknown trails isn't so good at the moment I just went for a jaunt in the streets, along a bike path that followed the river, over a bridge (there were kinds jumping off it into the river, it took every fibre of my being not to join them), through some bushland, got lost on trails, headed back across the bridge (kids gone), then back to the centre of town going a different way.
Was around 6 when I went out and place was a ghost town, don't know where everyone was. Was nice to have the streets to myself!
Saturday Jul 24, 2010 #
11 AM
Running 28:33 5.0 km (5:43 / km)
ahr:143 max:168 shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Can't remember the last time I've had such a prolonged case of DOMS. Due to this and the crappy weather, I canned my planned run in Kachemak State Park and opted for an easy out and back along the beach in Homer.
Unfortunately it was still pretty hard work; soft sand, pebbly rocks and slippery kelp. Fortunately the views across the inlet made up for it.
Quads were screaming the whole way, but some prolonged stretching and a quick dip in the sea afterwards seems to have abated them a little bit.
Unfortunately it was still pretty hard work; soft sand, pebbly rocks and slippery kelp. Fortunately the views across the inlet made up for it.
Quads were screaming the whole way, but some prolonged stretching and a quick dip in the sea afterwards seems to have abated them a little bit.
Friday Jul 23, 2010 #
Note
I can't walk after yesterday, so you get photos instead:
'Up' is straight up the ridge, 'Down' is the snakey trail around the side
In case you were wondering, that's the general gradient
Wonky summit photo with an awesome person on it and almost no view
Finally, most importantly, recovery drink at the bottom
'Up' is straight up the ridge, 'Down' is the snakey trail around the side
In case you were wondering, that's the general gradient
Wonky summit photo with an awesome person on it and almost no view
Finally, most importantly, recovery drink at the bottom
Thursday Jul 22, 2010 #
3 PM
Running 1:14:08 4.19 km (17:41 / km) +960m 8:15 / km
ahr:147 max:166 shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
Mt. Marathon ascent. A whopper of a mountain on the edge of Seward, bit of a local rite of passage and annual race. I figure it's an American mountain, how hard can it be? There'll probably be escalators and stuff for when it gets too hard :) Not so....
Got to the parking lot and looked at the grade of the hillside and seriously considered doing something else, but then 2 car fulls of fat tourists pulled up and started walking so I decided I had no excuse.
There's an 'up' trail and a 'down' trail, the up being more direct and quite firm, the down being through loose gravelly shale. Unfortunately I missed the turn off to the up trail and spent a very long time battling the first half of the hill through the shale - it was like going the wrong way up an escalator made out of tar...
The tracks cross half way so got on the right on for the rest of it, but running happened very rarely - this is one brutal climb, probably one of the toughest I'd done. But ground away and made it, got the obligatory mountain top photo and headed down. That's where the fun began - you don't so much run down and surf and slide on the rock, I'd say the most enjoyable descent I've ever done. Good day.
Got to the parking lot and looked at the grade of the hillside and seriously considered doing something else, but then 2 car fulls of fat tourists pulled up and started walking so I decided I had no excuse.
There's an 'up' trail and a 'down' trail, the up being more direct and quite firm, the down being through loose gravelly shale. Unfortunately I missed the turn off to the up trail and spent a very long time battling the first half of the hill through the shale - it was like going the wrong way up an escalator made out of tar...
The tracks cross half way so got on the right on for the rest of it, but running happened very rarely - this is one brutal climb, probably one of the toughest I'd done. But ground away and made it, got the obligatory mountain top photo and headed down. That's where the fun began - you don't so much run down and surf and slide on the rock, I'd say the most enjoyable descent I've ever done. Good day.
Wednesday Jul 21, 2010 #
1 PM
Running 40:07 7.48 km (5:22 / km) +200m 4:44 / km
ahr:142 max:167 shoes: Salomens
Woo, running again!
Thought this was gonna be tough given they usually are after a week off, but it wasn't too bad. Not great by any means, but not too painful.
Went to Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Was going to go to Far North Bicentennial Park, but a google search revealed this:
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=12653608
as the 7th most popular. Combining that with Marie-Cat's comment on my latest facebook update made me too scared to go there.
Then when I get to Kincaid there's a big poster board about the dangers of bears *and* moose. Turns out moose will kill you too if they get pissed off.
Anyway, picked a 5k loop followed by a 3k loops (gotta love lit ski trails), but got pretty lost. The 5k loop started off well and there were lots of people so I wasn't worries too much, but then it degenerated and I ended up not where I wanted to be. I suddenly felt very alone and was jumping at every sound from the forest. Finally made my way back and felt kinda stupid.
Think I'm gonna purchase some bear spray for peace of mind :)
Thought this was gonna be tough given they usually are after a week off, but it wasn't too bad. Not great by any means, but not too painful.
Went to Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Was going to go to Far North Bicentennial Park, but a google search revealed this:
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=12653608
as the 7th most popular. Combining that with Marie-Cat's comment on my latest facebook update made me too scared to go there.
Then when I get to Kincaid there's a big poster board about the dangers of bears *and* moose. Turns out moose will kill you too if they get pissed off.
Anyway, picked a 5k loop followed by a 3k loops (gotta love lit ski trails), but got pretty lost. The 5k loop started off well and there were lots of people so I wasn't worries too much, but then it degenerated and I ended up not where I wanted to be. I suddenly felt very alone and was jumping at every sound from the forest. Finally made my way back and felt kinda stupid.
Think I'm gonna purchase some bear spray for peace of mind :)
Tuesday Jul 20, 2010 #
Note
(rest day)
Made it. Zoinks.
Saw some absolutely ripper countryside, the section of road between Whitehorse and the US border wins hands down - was absolutely epic. Highway 37 in BC was pretty awesome too.
Will be moving at a much slower pace from here on in, which is good - don't think I can manage many more 600-700km days in a row!
Saw some absolutely ripper countryside, the section of road between Whitehorse and the US border wins hands down - was absolutely epic. Highway 37 in BC was pretty awesome too.
Will be moving at a much slower pace from here on in, which is good - don't think I can manage many more 600-700km days in a row!
Sunday Jul 18, 2010 #
Note
(rest day)
Decided to take the week off to let all the bruises and sore bits heal - first decent break since AnkleGate 09 so figure its about due.
Over half way to Alaska - this is one damn big country!
Over half way to Alaska - this is one damn big country!
Wednesday Jul 14, 2010 #
9 AM
Orienteering race 31:35 5.7 km (5:32 / km)
ahr:168 max:180 shoes: Adidas Adizero
Final race at Barebones - 1.5 x Sprint at UBC
Another good campus map, not at all dissimilar to the JWOC sprint map.
Nothing to complain about with todays race, a few hesitations in the circle - just getting the legs to turn over for a decent pace which was hard after so many days racing in a row.
Worked for me though, took 4th place and for once was at the front of a very tight pack instead of just at the end. 4, 2 and 1 minute behind Patrick, Rob and Mike. Closer than I thought I'd be, but still quite a way off - looking forward to doing some more structured speed work once I settle in Hamilton.
Another good campus map, not at all dissimilar to the JWOC sprint map.
Nothing to complain about with todays race, a few hesitations in the circle - just getting the legs to turn over for a decent pace which was hard after so many days racing in a row.
Worked for me though, took 4th place and for once was at the front of a very tight pack instead of just at the end. 4, 2 and 1 minute behind Patrick, Rob and Mike. Closer than I thought I'd be, but still quite a way off - looking forward to doing some more structured speed work once I settle in Hamilton.
Tuesday Jul 13, 2010 #
2 PM
Orienteering race 48:54 9.7 km (5:02 / km)
ahr:172 max:185 shoes: 2010 Triumphs
Barebones Day 5
Long sprint race in Stanley Park
Well, I can now add mispunching on a track junction to my repertoire of mistakes.
#6 was a the junction, but I felt the control 100m earlier on the track would be a better one to punch. I did notice that:
a) the junction was mapped strangely
b) the climb out of the control was unexpected
c) I was unable to work out where the feature was on the map of my actual control when I passed it (yes, I actually ran past the control I was meant to punch on the way to #7)
d) It seemed to take a very long time to get from the control to the end of the track
But at none of these points in time did I consider I'd punched the wrong control....
Pretty fun race apart from that, did manage 6 x 10-15 sec mistakes on other parts of the course - but with 42 controls over 10k it was gonna be tough to maintain concentration for the whole race
Long sprint race in Stanley Park
Well, I can now add mispunching on a track junction to my repertoire of mistakes.
#6 was a the junction, but I felt the control 100m earlier on the track would be a better one to punch. I did notice that:
a) the junction was mapped strangely
b) the climb out of the control was unexpected
c) I was unable to work out where the feature was on the map of my actual control when I passed it (yes, I actually ran past the control I was meant to punch on the way to #7)
d) It seemed to take a very long time to get from the control to the end of the track
But at none of these points in time did I consider I'd punched the wrong control....
Pretty fun race apart from that, did manage 6 x 10-15 sec mistakes on other parts of the course - but with 42 controls over 10k it was gonna be tough to maintain concentration for the whole race
C • Oops 2
Monday Jul 12, 2010 #
9 AM
Orienteering race 24:15 2.6 km (9:20 / km) +140m 7:21 / km
ahr:170 max:184 shoes: Salomens
Barebones Relay @ Nesters Hill
First leg with Team Australia 1. No forking on the entire course!
Manic, crazy mass start - must have been about 50 people all going to the same control.
Was a long steep leg and people went in every direction. Couldn't keep track of who was where and had no idea where I was just followed the crowd and somehow made it to #1. The lead pack of myself, Wyatt and a couple of other blokes formed and we got through the early stages OK - I didn't do much navigating here as the other guys were doing just fine.
Then it all went to hell through the butterflies and the navigation could best be described as epileptic. We overran 15 by a significant amount which allowed the Louise train (that had been slowly closing the gap through the loops) to take the lead and it was a mad dash through the downhill controls to try and catch back up the lead.
Constantly passing people (the L-train had a long tail) through the final loop, punch 23 just behind Louise and Andy, do a quick check of the map. Hmm, I don't seem to remember punching #22 - I don't remember that clearing at all....
Rooted to the ground, continue? go back? continue? go back. Figure I've already lost the glory of coming back first, so play it safe and head back to #22 and punch it for good. Doesn't look familiar when I get there so happy with the decision... until the download - looks like I did punch #22 he first time I got there! Doh!
Anyway, not like it mattered, it was still heaps of fun, but the important thing was that we beat Australia 2!
First leg with Team Australia 1. No forking on the entire course!
Manic, crazy mass start - must have been about 50 people all going to the same control.
Was a long steep leg and people went in every direction. Couldn't keep track of who was where and had no idea where I was just followed the crowd and somehow made it to #1. The lead pack of myself, Wyatt and a couple of other blokes formed and we got through the early stages OK - I didn't do much navigating here as the other guys were doing just fine.
Then it all went to hell through the butterflies and the navigation could best be described as epileptic. We overran 15 by a significant amount which allowed the Louise train (that had been slowly closing the gap through the loops) to take the lead and it was a mad dash through the downhill controls to try and catch back up the lead.
Constantly passing people (the L-train had a long tail) through the final loop, punch 23 just behind Louise and Andy, do a quick check of the map. Hmm, I don't seem to remember punching #22 - I don't remember that clearing at all....
Rooted to the ground, continue? go back? continue? go back. Figure I've already lost the glory of coming back first, so play it safe and head back to #22 and punch it for good. Doesn't look familiar when I get there so happy with the decision... until the download - looks like I did punch #22 he first time I got there! Doh!
Anyway, not like it mattered, it was still heaps of fun, but the important thing was that we beat Australia 2!
Sunday Jul 11, 2010 #
10 AM
Orienteering race 51:10 [4] 4.1 km (12:29 / km) +92m 11:13 / km
shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
West Canada Middle Champs & WRE - Brandywine
Most unusual area I've run in for a while. Close as you can get to Scandi terrain without being in Scandi. Undulating with lots of little ponds/lakes and rock on the slopes - height variation across the map no greater than about 15m!
Started of hesitantly but was solid. Thomas came through near #3, plan was to back pocket the map and get on the train - which I did for 2 legs, one of which he stuffed up ;), but then I decided the terrain was so awesome it would be a waste to just follow someone else just for the sake of a good result (would have been 3rd if I'd hung on!)
Kept on, slowly but accurately until #11 where I increased speed a little and made a 2 minute parallel lake error, then did the usual 'run faster on the next leg to make up for the mistake', lost contact and then spent 10 minutes running round trying to relocate before bailing back to the powerlines.
Bah, was coming 9th before the mistake and was on target for a respectable 39-40min race (Thomas ended up doing 33), so 51 is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Still, these things happen - I just need to learn from them...
Most unusual area I've run in for a while. Close as you can get to Scandi terrain without being in Scandi. Undulating with lots of little ponds/lakes and rock on the slopes - height variation across the map no greater than about 15m!
Started of hesitantly but was solid. Thomas came through near #3, plan was to back pocket the map and get on the train - which I did for 2 legs, one of which he stuffed up ;), but then I decided the terrain was so awesome it would be a waste to just follow someone else just for the sake of a good result (would have been 3rd if I'd hung on!)
Kept on, slowly but accurately until #11 where I increased speed a little and made a 2 minute parallel lake error, then did the usual 'run faster on the next leg to make up for the mistake', lost contact and then spent 10 minutes running round trying to relocate before bailing back to the powerlines.
Bah, was coming 9th before the mistake and was on target for a respectable 39-40min race (Thomas ended up doing 33), so 51 is a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. Still, these things happen - I just need to learn from them...
Saturday Jul 10, 2010 #
9 AM
Orienteering race 17:27 2.9 km (6:01 / km)
ahr:170 max:181 shoes: Adidas Adizero
West Canada Sprint Champs - Whistler Village
Awesome area, going into my top 5 sprint maps. Lots of small irregular buildings at different angles with lots of sneaky alleys & staircases in between.
Not a bad run at all, was never at top speed but felt I kept a good flow.
Two route errors, though I saw a gap on #8 but there was an impassable fence so had to do a little dog leg around a building and a bad exit out of #12 had me take a slightly longer route to #13.
Slight hesitations on exiting #2 and #4 and on #19 - I always expect a small green blob to be a thicket, I forget it can also be a tree on a sprint map.
Was in the lead when I finished, was quite surprised as I never felt that fast! Bit was short lived when Mathias came in 90 seconds later, then Rob and Patrick not soon after that. But still, 4th is my best result so far of all these events, so not upset with that!
Route
Awesome area, going into my top 5 sprint maps. Lots of small irregular buildings at different angles with lots of sneaky alleys & staircases in between.
Not a bad run at all, was never at top speed but felt I kept a good flow.
Two route errors, though I saw a gap on #8 but there was an impassable fence so had to do a little dog leg around a building and a bad exit out of #12 had me take a slightly longer route to #13.
Slight hesitations on exiting #2 and #4 and on #19 - I always expect a small green blob to be a thicket, I forget it can also be a tree on a sprint map.
Was in the lead when I finished, was quite surprised as I never felt that fast! Bit was short lived when Mathias came in 90 seconds later, then Rob and Patrick not soon after that. But still, 4th is my best result so far of all these events, so not upset with that!
Route
Friday Jul 9, 2010 #
Event: Barebones 2010
4 PM
Orienteering 1:59:51 10.2 km (11:45 / km) +525m 9:21 / km
ahr:159 max:176 shoes: Salomens
Western Canadian Champs Long - Lost Lake, Whistler
That was tough - small steep hills, lots of green and rock detail and a vast network of mountain bike trails.
Unfortunately the course setter anticipated my 'take the trails wherever possible' plan - the course required a lot of bush bashing and straight lining and I'm just not strong enough / confident enough to constantly push.
Only a couple of mistakes, a fairly shoddy route error (taking the wrong path junction) at #5 then cocking up in the circle after a nasty fall (that blew a gel - GU Choc Mint, nom) at #6. Then solid, but unspectacular as far as I can remember until the penultimate control when my brain fell out and I just ran in circles till I found it.
About half an hour down on the leaders... damn. Still, hope I get to run in more of this type of stuff - it'll get me strong!
That was tough - small steep hills, lots of green and rock detail and a vast network of mountain bike trails.
Unfortunately the course setter anticipated my 'take the trails wherever possible' plan - the course required a lot of bush bashing and straight lining and I'm just not strong enough / confident enough to constantly push.
Only a couple of mistakes, a fairly shoddy route error (taking the wrong path junction) at #5 then cocking up in the circle after a nasty fall (that blew a gel - GU Choc Mint, nom) at #6. Then solid, but unspectacular as far as I can remember until the penultimate control when my brain fell out and I just ran in circles till I found it.
About half an hour down on the leaders... damn. Still, hope I get to run in more of this type of stuff - it'll get me strong!
Wednesday Jul 7, 2010 #
10 AM
Orienteering 1:14:51 5.3 km (14:07 / km)
ahr:154 max:172 shoes: Salomens
Middle Race on Edith Hill
Meh. Started so well, felt good while warming up (saw a moose running out of the forest as well as a bonus), the map looked interesting at the pre start.
Felt strong and fast on the way to the first control, everything appearing as expected, veg boundary, clearing, flat corridor, knoll, reentrant... but no control.
Look up and see Mathias (4 mins ahead) running round nearby so figure I must be close - he runs all the way down the hill and stands still, looking at the map. Hmmm, something is afoot. I run around a bit and everything I see confirms I'm in the right spot. Nickolay (4 mins behind) runs into the circle. We all run round a bit and decide it's in the wrong spot and continue.
But it was not so good after that - all motivation gone and every climb is a mountain. Make big blues at #6 and #7, consider jogging home after #8 except I know Mathias will tell me I'm soft and need to HTFU!
Worst km rate in a very long while (actually ran about 8ks), but I think Brandywine may break that record!
Edit: Seems attackpoint doesn't allow 'lots' in the climb field. wonder if it likes 'sh!tload'
Meh. Started so well, felt good while warming up (saw a moose running out of the forest as well as a bonus), the map looked interesting at the pre start.
Felt strong and fast on the way to the first control, everything appearing as expected, veg boundary, clearing, flat corridor, knoll, reentrant... but no control.
Look up and see Mathias (4 mins ahead) running round nearby so figure I must be close - he runs all the way down the hill and stands still, looking at the map. Hmmm, something is afoot. I run around a bit and everything I see confirms I'm in the right spot. Nickolay (4 mins behind) runs into the circle. We all run round a bit and decide it's in the wrong spot and continue.
But it was not so good after that - all motivation gone and every climb is a mountain. Make big blues at #6 and #7, consider jogging home after #8 except I know Mathias will tell me I'm soft and need to HTFU!
Worst km rate in a very long while (actually ran about 8ks), but I think Brandywine may break that record!
Edit: Seems attackpoint doesn't allow 'lots' in the climb field. wonder if it likes 'sh!tload'
Tuesday Jul 6, 2010 #
Event: SAGE
4 PM
Orienteering race 17:41 2.8 km (6:19 / km)
ahr:175 max:185 shoes: Adidas Adizero
Sprint Race in Kamloops
Stock standard uni campus. Didn't feel like I was pushing hard, but HR says otherwise. It was pretty hot though.
Absolutely ballsed up the first leg that was only 30m long. Oriented the map upside down and was super confused looking at some grass that was meant to be a path network. Then realised and turned the map around... and lost the start triangle and spent about 20 seconds to find it again. 50 seconds on a 20 second leg!
Nothing else exciting after that, Robbie Baker took a lot longer to catch me than I though after my appalling start. We ran together from about 17 onwards... well until the easier last couple of legs towards the end and Rob disappeared into the distance like a rabbit on crack (and I think were the only two who weren't naughty and jump the flower bed out of #20)
Stock standard uni campus. Didn't feel like I was pushing hard, but HR says otherwise. It was pretty hot though.
Absolutely ballsed up the first leg that was only 30m long. Oriented the map upside down and was super confused looking at some grass that was meant to be a path network. Then realised and turned the map around... and lost the start triangle and spent about 20 seconds to find it again. 50 seconds on a 20 second leg!
Nothing else exciting after that, Robbie Baker took a lot longer to catch me than I though after my appalling start. We ran together from about 17 onwards... well until the easier last couple of legs towards the end and Rob disappeared into the distance like a rabbit on crack (and I think were the only two who weren't naughty and jump the flower bed out of #20)
Monday Jul 5, 2010 #
Note
(rest day)
So it looks like I'm gonna be in Canada a little longer than originally planned...
Some of you may remember seeing this a few months ago.
As it was very similar to what I was doing in Tassie before I left, I thought it was such a good opportunity not to go for.
Applied, interviewed, got it (Thanks Hammer!), but I think it's only really sunk in now what I'll be doing and I'm pretty pumped about it and looking forward to it - much moreso than any other recent jobs that I've had.
Will defo miss the some of the o people and races back on Oz (but not you Smythie) and I'm a little nervous about the winter (my last was the quite mild 07/08 one I did in London and I still complained heaps about that), but from what I've done so far over here - there'll be a lot more fun stuff to make up for for the tiny negatives.
Off to (hopefully) stinking hot Kamloops tomorrow for more races
Some of you may remember seeing this a few months ago.
As it was very similar to what I was doing in Tassie before I left, I thought it was such a good opportunity not to go for.
Applied, interviewed, got it (Thanks Hammer!), but I think it's only really sunk in now what I'll be doing and I'm pretty pumped about it and looking forward to it - much moreso than any other recent jobs that I've had.
Will defo miss the some of the o people and races back on Oz (but not you Smythie) and I'm a little nervous about the winter (my last was the quite mild 07/08 one I did in London and I still complained heaps about that), but from what I've done so far over here - there'll be a lot more fun stuff to make up for for the tiny negatives.
Off to (hopefully) stinking hot Kamloops tomorrow for more races
C • New job 13
Sunday Jul 4, 2010 #
9 AM
Orienteering race 15:38 3.2 km (4:53 / km) +65m 4:26 / km
ahr:172 max:184 shoes: La Sportiva Cross Lite
North American Sprint Champs - College of the Rockies
Gave myself a good talking to last night and decided it was HTFU time. Even if I still felt crap, I was gonna go balls to the wall, screw how I felt during or how I might feel after.
Felt that familiar, hand of god holding you back, lethargic feeling during the warm up but pushed it into a box underneath the basement and forgot it was there. Slammed a Hammer Time and Mother Shot and headed to the start.
Paul P. (who won!) had warned of the terrain, a bland light green hillside dotted with clearings and a control basically on every worthy feature. So I was going to be very careful with the codes.
Bang, off, up the hill, first control on some pebbles in a clearing. Spike. Done.
Rinse and repeat 17 more times.
I was on fire. The course wasn't by any means difficult, but I was doing everything right - reading ahead, sometimes even 2 controls and even venturing into the 4th column of the control descriptions at times. Exiting correctly ('cept 15, but quickly corrected). Felt really good and strong for the most of it, actually had to remind myself to go faster a couple of times. Did feel a bit wheezy and heavy chested on the climbs though.
Spy Wyatt (1 min) coming through the spectator control, try to chase him down through the 2nd part, but he was always just that bit too far ahead.
Thomas makes me go in the basement in the finish chute. Unfortunately there was a fat guy sitting on the trap door to my basement. I struggle to push him off and get down there and make the last bit count.
The first words I hear from the announcer are 'not fast enough, but 4th for now', but that's music to my ears compared to yesterdays 'Patrick Saile from New Zealand'.
It was as perfect a run as I've gotten orienteering, only a 5 sec loss too far to the left on #6. I'm trying not to speculate how I could have done had I not been sick the previous week or if I totally hadn't abandoned structured speed work in the past 2 months and just being happy with a good race.
Still a great end to the weekend of races. Really liked the arena and spectator set up today - the 'red group' seeding worked really well. I think I'm coming round to the idea of finishing a carnival on a sprint.
Gave myself a good talking to last night and decided it was HTFU time. Even if I still felt crap, I was gonna go balls to the wall, screw how I felt during or how I might feel after.
Felt that familiar, hand of god holding you back, lethargic feeling during the warm up but pushed it into a box underneath the basement and forgot it was there. Slammed a Hammer Time and Mother Shot and headed to the start.
Paul P. (who won!) had warned of the terrain, a bland light green hillside dotted with clearings and a control basically on every worthy feature. So I was going to be very careful with the codes.
Bang, off, up the hill, first control on some pebbles in a clearing. Spike. Done.
Rinse and repeat 17 more times.
I was on fire. The course wasn't by any means difficult, but I was doing everything right - reading ahead, sometimes even 2 controls and even venturing into the 4th column of the control descriptions at times. Exiting correctly ('cept 15, but quickly corrected). Felt really good and strong for the most of it, actually had to remind myself to go faster a couple of times. Did feel a bit wheezy and heavy chested on the climbs though.
Spy Wyatt (1 min) coming through the spectator control, try to chase him down through the 2nd part, but he was always just that bit too far ahead.
Thomas makes me go in the basement in the finish chute. Unfortunately there was a fat guy sitting on the trap door to my basement. I struggle to push him off and get down there and make the last bit count.
The first words I hear from the announcer are 'not fast enough, but 4th for now', but that's music to my ears compared to yesterdays 'Patrick Saile from New Zealand'.
It was as perfect a run as I've gotten orienteering, only a 5 sec loss too far to the left on #6. I'm trying not to speculate how I could have done had I not been sick the previous week or if I totally hadn't abandoned structured speed work in the past 2 months and just being happy with a good race.
Still a great end to the weekend of races. Really liked the arena and spectator set up today - the 'red group' seeding worked really well. I think I'm coming round to the idea of finishing a carnival on a sprint.
Saturday Jul 3, 2010 #
8 AM
Orienteering race 2:00:07 13.8 km (8:42 / km) +475m 7:26 / km
ahr:158 max:182 shoes: Salomens
North American Long Champs - Double Duck Flats
Unfortunately was still not better, though not as bad as the day before - around 80%.
Very, very average run. Had to be accurate to have any sort of decent time as I was basically jogging the whole way, but made around 15 minutes of mistakes - haven't done the full tally.
Real shame to be under the weather for these 2 races, the forest was generally super open and nice to run fast in, the rock detail was tricky, the randomness of the land shapes gave continual macro/micro route choices. A really top notch area.
Unfortunately was still not better, though not as bad as the day before - around 80%.
Very, very average run. Had to be accurate to have any sort of decent time as I was basically jogging the whole way, but made around 15 minutes of mistakes - haven't done the full tally.
Real shame to be under the weather for these 2 races, the forest was generally super open and nice to run fast in, the rock detail was tricky, the randomness of the land shapes gave continual macro/micro route choices. A really top notch area.
Friday Jul 2, 2010 #
Orienteering race 42:05 [3] 4.7 km (8:57 / km) +235m 7:10 / km
North American Middle Distance Champs - Double Duck Flats
Awesome area, but relatively easy course.
Got sick last week after the US Champs and still feeling a bit under the weather and wasn't able to push hard. 2 small mistakes, but nothing over 30 secs.
First half of the course was in lots of detail, but the 2nd half was surprisingly bland. We had a massive leg that took us to almost the top of this hill that had heaps of rock, then we just ran around the edge of the detail to another control and then had lots of easy legs taking us to the finish. Shame. Hopefully I'll feel better for the long tomorrow.
Awesome area, but relatively easy course.
Got sick last week after the US Champs and still feeling a bit under the weather and wasn't able to push hard. 2 small mistakes, but nothing over 30 secs.
First half of the course was in lots of detail, but the 2nd half was surprisingly bland. We had a massive leg that took us to almost the top of this hill that had heaps of rock, then we just ran around the edge of the detail to another control and then had lots of easy legs taking us to the finish. Shame. Hopefully I'll feel better for the long tomorrow.
Thursday Jul 1, 2010 #
1 PM
Orienteering race 34:13 4.34 km (7:54 / km)
ahr:147 max:165 shoes: Salomens
THOMASS event - pre-NA Champs warm up.
I was in no state to do this, but I wanted to try and purge whatever had taken hold out of my body.
Only wanted to do half an hour, so just self handicapped myself.
Picked up 7/16 controls in the box (was meant to get them all), took myself on a scenic jaunt over and around the hill.
Jogged the final sprint section, was a bit worries about getting back first, but there were heaps of kids surging through the changeover so didn't have to worry about that.
Really fun format, the mass start with everyone aged from 8-88, I could see it fitting in well as one of the mid week races post Schools Champs during the Aus Champs carnival.
I was in no state to do this, but I wanted to try and purge whatever had taken hold out of my body.
Only wanted to do half an hour, so just self handicapped myself.
Picked up 7/16 controls in the box (was meant to get them all), took myself on a scenic jaunt over and around the hill.
Jogged the final sprint section, was a bit worries about getting back first, but there were heaps of kids surging through the changeover so didn't have to worry about that.
Really fun format, the mass start with everyone aged from 8-88, I could see it fitting in well as one of the mid week races post Schools Champs during the Aus Champs carnival.