Training Log Archive: JonD

Event: QOC: Happyland - so happy!
 

Ex2 - BYB race 1

Happyland PWF NP. Sunny and 50's. Well, the plan was go cautiously and maintain total map contact - and I'd say I did about 80-85%% of the time. But that of course - along with the infamous thorns in this area - contributed to slow movement and an excessive finish time. On the other hand - finally got out in the woods again for some seriously challenging terrain and had fun.

1. Proceeding carefully (slowly) SE around the Large Ditch then SW along the top of the ridge. Drifted down the ridge close to the stream then counted cross ditches. Saw the green area, but even so, diverted toward the field on the left just to be sure. Saw Ted G. looking in the same area and assumed he had already hit the control but he was a bit past it.
2. SE across the stream, up the reentrant and over the hill intending to go by the rock, but did not see it. Followed a ditch up the slope but somehow got too far E of the control. Used the ditches to follow back to the control. Saw Ted again but he was way ahead of me now.
3. Straight, but slow. I was apprehensive about the short legs through the brush – having messed those up before.
4. NNE along the brushy slope and W to the first stream. NNE up the stream to the end then NW through the open slot to the next stream. Followed a compass bearing toward the control, but lost confidence in the heavy brush, and diverted NE to the stream again. Followed the stream to the end, then went W toward the green where the control was. Plan was to go to “edge” of green, but this was too difficult to find, and ended up just hunting W along the top of the hill for the ditch till I hit it. Saw Peggy D. here hunting slightly lower downslope.
5. WSW to the Large Ditch again (my favorite landmark) then across the top of the hill using the reentrants as guides.
6. E to the Large Ditch, SE across the first stream, then SSE to the end of the second stream. Why? I wanted a clear landmark before heading to the control and I knew what that area looked like. NE up the reentrant to the earth wall then head E for the control. Missed it right, then back to the to earth wall and try again. Hit it the second time.
7. I could not figure out how to approach this leg and spent several minutes considering. Set off NNE but soon diverted NE then E across the white to hit the road near its prominent Westward bend. Followed a draw N down to the stream but spent a few more minutes stopped and considering how to approach. Nadim passed me here. Finally ended up going NNE (slowly) through some complex brushy terrain and trying to micro nav but not having success. In retrospect this was a waste of time. Came out at the big reentrant to the E of the control and then just followed the stream NW to the correct one – which should have been the plan all along.
8. Followed the stream SE to the large confluence, then NE along the second tributary to its head then up the reentrant to the control.
9. Losing some concentration here just struck out vaguely SE at the control w/ hopes that it would be an obvious reentrant. Predictably got confused and diverted E to the road, then SW to the control.
10. Straight
11. WNW across the reentrant, seeing the large ditch to the left, cross the stream then N up the reentrant and across the hill.
12. N across the stream, up the reentrant, past the rock, and over.
13. This leg looked familiar from prior runs. The obvious choice (for me) was W to the Park Road, S to the parking lot, W along the other road, then NW along the winding trail. Started out going W to the road, running only by compass and heedless of the map, then S to the parking lot, then W along the other road, but some memory of Francis H. saying that was the “sucker” route slowed me up. I changed my mind and headed NW through the green intending to cut off the bend in the road. Came out in the marshy fields by the stream (again, keeping to recognizable landmarks) but this was a big mistake because it was surrounded with a thick undergrowth of willow saplings (or some such small bush). Changed my mind again to follow the stream SW to the trail, and encountered more willow bushes. Turned my left ankle in here and started feeling an annoying hotspot on my right heel. Changed my mind again, and went NW up the steep hill to the rock cairn. Then hopped from rock pile to rock pile to the control. Not thinking real clearly during this dumb leg and should have just stuck to the trail – especially because I was tired at this point.
14. Straight, but slowly, as my ankle is now painful and prone to turning again.
15. Straight.
16. Straight ESE, counting the ditches for guidance.
17. Back across the marshy fields and S along the stream aiming for the a white slot through the green on the map, which I hit sort of. Vague E-ward trek across the woods not paying much attention, and predictably missed the control. Passed a large stone new-looking grave marker which I didn’t see on the map. S out to the road, NE to the bend, then down NW along the ditch to the control.
18. WSW along the steep brushy slope, which hurt, then to the control.
19. Stream, trail, little bridge, road, big bridge, control.
20. Limp up the road to the finish.

C • #7 2

Blue - Splits

yay! first test of bike commuting is successful. not very fast, but used the MTB and had traffic stops etc. URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3522112

return trip a bit slower, maybe due to it being more uphill

worked on technique today (but I am not sure it helped . . . . )

yay - got my bicycle parking permit so ready to try this: URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3513973

C • Congratulations on the Permit 5

low 40's, constant head wind and sprinkling rain on the Mall today. a bit too raw for my liking. running felt sluggish today. URL for this route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3513699