Training Log Archive: Sandy

Hunting through my maps for a copy of Nockamixon (today's DVOA local event) I came across the map of the Andorra Natural Area which Jim Browne fieldchecked a couple of years ago. He's held a couple of beginner events there and I helped out at one so I knew about the map but just hadn't thought too much about it. It's a small section of the Wissahickon, at the north end of Forbidden Drive, on the hillside on the west side (my side) of the creek. I haven't gone up that way to run since I moved into my house a year and a half ago since it means going down to the drive and then crossing over the one road that allows through traffic across the valley and there are plenty of other trails that stay away from traffic. But I just didn't feel like making the drive to Nockamixon today and so decided I would at least run on an O map. It's a small area but there's enough of a trail network and plenty of hills to get in a good workout. I can see this becoming part of TNT so I need to look into getting a few more copies.

Normal 3 mile run on the drive, jog/hike down and back up. Still not feeling great but did 10 min. pace.

Hiked the hill loop (and then some extra) that I had planned to run on Wednesday. We had about 4-6" of snow and I was curious about the condition of the trails and the main drive for TNT. Some sort of ATV had been on a few of the wider and less rocky trails on the hillsides and a plow had actually gone down the drive so running won't be a problem but I think O shoes and spikes will probably be in order unles the sun really comes out in force in the next few days. Hiking with my heavy snow boots in fresh snow was actually a pretty good workout - I was dragging on the last hill home!

Had the time and was planning on a longer run but felt horrible so stayed on the trails on this side of the valley and cut it short. Not sure why I felt so crummy.

DVOA TNT - jog down to the drive, 20 min. warm up, 7 x 2min intervals with 1min recovery; jog home. Same workout as the inaugural TNT - picked a spot a little further for my 1min turn around spot and was able to do 2:00, 2:04, 2:01, 2:01, 2:01, 2:01, 2:04.