Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

Event: Summit to the Stars
 

Still feeling pretty crappy but wasn't going to miss the opportunity to do a race so close to home or take advantage of the nice warm weather. Nearly choked myself coughing once I finished but didn't feel that bad running - just a little winded.

I was quite worried about making an ass out of myself in what used to be my own backyard and knew that the course today was going to be challenging. After managing to get myself lost in there last weekend I vowed never to lose contact with my map today. As most of my orienteering races, it was a mixed bag. There were times where I felt really confident and like I knew what I was doing, and other times where I considered less cognitively taxing hobbies like stamp collecting. Stuck to trails I knew I could count on as much as possible, but could have taken some more risks in going off trail. Had a couple of major bobbles and a few minor ones but generally happy enough with how it went. I thought the course design was very creative and made the most out of the space. Yummy post-race lunch at Old Marina afterwards!

Have been completely floored by a nasty cold this week...this was the first day I could consider doing anything remotely mobile.

Went to bed last night with a nasty cold and didn't get much sleep, but still heeded the 5:00 a.m. alarm to get up for this on the belief that I could sweat the cold out. Not sure if it worked yet or not but the warm and wet air did feel nice on my lungs. My goal is try to do this 2x per week until January.

Headed out for a run on the Puslinch trails with a 2013 o-cup map in hand. While I should know those trails inside and out, most of my runs or bikes in there followed a similar route, and I remember seeing how crazy the last o-cup map looked. Terrified of getting lost in what was once my own backyard, I wanted to re-familiarize myself with the trails so I don't make a fool out of myself this Sunday. The verdict: I still think I might!

Started out just running my regular route but backwards but realized that wasn't going to help me, so started stopping and looking at the map periodically to see how it translated. That was fun so I abandoned the straight run and tried to explore sections of the tract I was less familiar with. About 30 minutes in, managed to get myself completely turned around, reinforcing the need for the activity in the first place!

Ran into Tiny at one point who was out testing the course (and said it was challenging) and explained my misadventures to him. Spent another hour or so running around testing out what was and wasn't on the map. Elapsed time was nearly two hours but logged Ambit time. If I had the chance, I'd get out one more time but it's not likely so I will just hope for the best this weekend!

RPM class.

ARK cancelled (and rightly so) but was craving a bit of running so once I managed to get myself home in one piece hit the treadmill instead while watching a documentary about the John Muir Trail which is high high high on my bucket list!

TRX workout.

Event: The Kick-Off (Gators) - O-Cup #1
 

First o-cup of the season. I was excited and a bit nervous to see what DD11 had in store for us as he has long legs and goes very fast. As expected, course was long but lots of fun. DD11 did a great job making use of all of Kelso. Manage to bobble 7 pretty badly, had a bit of trouble locating 8 and now question my decision to go to 13a before 13b, but didn't feel any of those errors were disastrous. What might of been disastrous was if the course setter had let me pursue my intended route from 15 to the d on the second box...I know my Fellcross are good shoes but probably not that good! ;-)

Really fun day and perfectly magical conditions for the first race of the winter series with light snow falling during the race.

C • Thanks for coming out! 2

Bikram 60-minute express class. Not done this one before and really liked it...great way to start the day!

TRX workout in the basement.

Treadmill run to test out some new road shoes after leaving mine in a hotel room in Toronto. Don't need road shoes often but good to have a pair on hand.

C • Welcome Home! 2

Nice little recovery run around Linn Park in Glasgow.

Tinto Hill Race. 4.4 miles and 1500 ft of climbing. You basically just run / power hike all the way up, circle the cairn and run back down. I was hoping to do it in under an hour and just missed it! Felt way more confident in this hill race than in the last one I did in February and love my new Fellcross shoes for this type of terrain. Ran more of the up than I thought I'd be able to and absolutely loved the downhill! Rain held off until partway through the race and there were amazing views on the descent.

Super fun day and as last time, gave me tremendous respect for these tough hill runners! Will post a couple of photos on Facebook!

Results: http://carnethy.com/ri_results/tinto/t_2014.htm

Up and out of the King's House early to drive south to Bridge of Orchy for a couple more Munros. These hills really teach you patience! Felt like I could see the coll were aiming for for hours before actually reaching it! Conditions were great with lots of fresh snow up on the ridge. Compared to the day before, these summits came a bit easier and I can definitely feel how addictive this can become. An out and back from the coll in either direction and then a nice long descent in the sunshine back to the car.

A long day for two hard earned Munros and two subsidiary tops in Glencoe. Started up something called The Lost Valley then scrambled up some scree to keep climbing up to a ridge. Experienced the true meaning of the joke "if you don't like the weather in Scotland, wait five minutes" as we had the waterproofs off and on about five times. By the time we were up on the ridge though they stayed on for good as we were pelted with hail and the craziest winds I've ever seen (which apparently were only around 30 miles an hour but felt a lot stronger to me!). Moved quickly up and down and up to the two summits as we were losing daylight and wanted to get out of the hail and wind. Amazing how quickly it calmed down once we got off the ridge. A couple of hours to get back out to the van finishing the last hour or so in the dark. A tough but great day - those Munros don't come easy! Spent the evening at the King's House hotel in Glencoe.

Part of the timing for this trip to Scotland was to be there for Graham's last Corbett summit. A group of about 20 friends and family (including a piper!) met at the bottom of the Devil's Staircase in Glencoe to climb Beinn a' Chrulaiste and celebrate his completion of all 219 Corbetts. The ages ranged from 10-75+ so it was a good last choice as the climb was relatively easy. The weather also played nice with the rain holding off until we were all at the summit. Graham was piped onto the top where a special bottle of whiskey was consumed before the rain and wind motivated everyone back down the hill. Most stayed over at the Claichaig Inn where there was a great evening of festivities and many pints of ale!

C • cool event 3