Training Log Archive: Funderstormin

Event: Eliminator Adventure Run (and O Cup)
 

I really enjoyed the Eliminator adventure run last year so signed up for it again this year. It was tempting to bail and join Timato and Mrs. Tiny for what could turn out to be the last awesome skiing day of the season but I get really mad at myself when I sign up for races and don't go, so I made the trek up to St. Catherine's.

Although not planned, my strategy for the day was to do the opposite of what I usually do, which is to convince myself I'll never find the harder controls and stick to the easier ones. I think because I had raced in the area the year before and felt like I knew it a little bit, I decided a few minutes before the race that I'd only go for the high point value controls. It was easier for me to do this because few of my friends were there so if I messed up I would feel less embarrassed about it! We got map 1 at registration, which had a series of controls around the campus as well as along the side and bottom of the escarpment. We could turn this map in after 30 minutes for the second map, which I imagined would take us on the other side of the road. I made a quick route for Map 1 that focused on the 75 and 150 point controls and figured it would take me at least half an hour. Found all the ones I wanted to without incident and fairly efficiently and traded my map in about the 37 minute mark.

Had a quick glance at map 2 and decided to head to the farthest controls first and again, focus primarily on the high point value ones. Did one intermediate control before the bulls eye (150 points) and then started Walk the Line, which usually scares me. Found all four controls on it (thanks 1:5000 scale map!) then cleared the rest of the controls on that side of the road before heading back over with about 35 minutes left. Thought I would try to get the rest of the 75 and 150 pointers on Map 2 and was able to do so with about 12 minutes from the last control to get back. Tried to get one last 20 point control on my way back in but made the only dumb mistake of the day and tried to climb up a cliff that I shouldn't have only to find myself hanging from a tree and questioning my life choices. Eventually managed to climb down and realized I was above the control but was pressed for time now and just headed straight back.

Aside from cliffing myself out at the end, I was pretty happy with how the race went and it was a good confidence booster in terms of my ability to get the harder controls, which were more far than hard. The race was small but I liked that as it meant I was usually running on my own and not second guessing my choices based on what others were doing. I ended up top female in the adventure run, which I fully credit to the fact that everyone was at Snowgaine or in the O-cup, but that's never happened before so I was still pretty happy about it!

C • Wowzer! 3

Puslinch trail run with Mrs. Tiny before dinner at the Old Marina. This might possibly be one of my favorite ways to spend a Friday night - it's such a perfect way to transition between work week Sally and weekend Sally!

Gym fail. Went after work with intentions of doing some strength training but got changed and realized I had no shoes. Hot yoga it is!

In my socks before hot yoga. Only one weird look. I blurted out, "I forgot my shoes!"

Basement treadmill session watching a Ginger Runner movie and the new one about Anna Frost.

CrossFit

Lovely morning ski at Highlands. I got out before the crowds and went at least 45 minutes without seeing another person on the far end of the red loop.

I had my skis waxed before I went out and that made a huge difference (thanks to OutdoorsMama for the suggestion!). Who knew you could wax waxless skis?

Skiied without gloves or a jacket. Such a glorious day! My downhill turny confidence is definitely getting better!

C • I think that Goose was some... 2