Training Log Archive: vmeyerIn the 12 days ending Feb 7, 2013:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | |||||||||||
Thursday Feb 7, 2013 #
2 PM
Running (GW loop) 39:09 [2] 4.0 mi (9:47 / mi) +3m 9:46 / mi
shoes: Pink Saucony
"Lunchtime" workout on the paved ~.25 mile loop at work. Either that or the treadmill when I got home, and I was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen. In the low 40s, and I wore a loose long sleeve, long tights with short tights underneath. Perfect combination, since I could push the sleeves up easily enough.
Miles with 400-800 walk in between:
951 (400)
948 (800)
942 (800)
948 - felt like this one was really hard, and I almost stopped with 1.5 laps to go, but then I thought about it like it was the end of a race, and I really wanted to beat that person ahead of me, so I kept on going. More tired than suffering, so it was good for me. Lungs felt pretty darn good throughout!
Interesting how you can see the little dips when going into the wind or up the little tiny incline on each side.
Miles with 400-800 walk in between:
951 (400)
948 (800)
942 (800)
948 - felt like this one was really hard, and I almost stopped with 1.5 laps to go, but then I thought about it like it was the end of a race, and I really wanted to beat that person ahead of me, so I kept on going. More tired than suffering, so it was good for me. Lungs felt pretty darn good throughout!
Interesting how you can see the little dips when going into the wind or up the little tiny incline on each side.
3 PM
Walking 22:32 [1] 1.4 mi (16:06 / mi)
shoes: Pink Saucony
The walking bits.
Wednesday Feb 6, 2013 #
Note
Catching up on some random things from the NZ trip. Here is the "Good"
Besides the usual accolades about the scenery, and the people, or whatever, here is a varied list of other good things about the trip, in no particular order.
1. Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 3 Very Purple - size 10
I needed a pair of shoes with traction but without metal studs, and these seemed to fit the bill. Little did I know that the Very Purple color would be considered to be SO **bright**, but I guess it is, since the color has been much talked about, both here and abroad. After getting past the color, the grip was admired as well.
I wore them a half dozen times in December, so I knew I could stand them for the trip, and, indeed, they turned out to be the perfect shoe for the varied New Zealand terrain. I had taken my Ice Bugs but never took them out of the bag.
I should note that the Speedcross does not serve me as well on the steeper, leaf covered hills behind my house, so I still need the Ice Bugs for most of the local orienteering maps.
2. PSB Ankle brace - size L
After dealing with ankle issues for the last year, including nine months of physical therapy and four weeks in a cast, I knew that I had to be diligent about wearing ankle support while orienteering.
I have had pair of the PSB ankle braces for a couple of years now, but they were a medium. I was always getting a blister, or was in pain, where the hard plastic piece curved around the side of my foot, but I figured that was just me being a princess. And, despite the discomfort, they were 100% better than anything else I had tried, and I have tried at least six different models.
The PSB pair I had was getting pretty beat up, so I ordered a new pair and decided on a size larger, since I was between sizes and hoped maybe that would solve the discomfort issue. Though I thought I allowed enough time to get them before I left, with the holiday season, and shipment from the UK (VIVOMED), it didn't seem that I would get them in time. So, I was so excited when the package arrived the day before I departed.
And, the moment I put the larger size on, I knew they were perfect! So, I immediately packed the new pair and left the old pair at home. I wore them for almost every event, and they saw action on all types of terrain, including hillsides, rutted tracks, and a couple of muddy swamps as well. I taped my usual blister spots for the first couple of events, but then stopped after that, because there was no irritation anywhere from the braces or from my shoes, for a change. Yeah!
3. The Ankle
Well, actually both ankles were a concern, especially the right ankle, but there were no issues! Of course, wearing the braces was the key. I had a couple of times when I went partially over, so I was always relieved when I was upright again with no pain.
4. The Rest of the Body
When I decided to go to New Zealand, I said that I would either be whipped into shape during the trip, or it would kill me. OK, “kill me” was a bit dramatic, so perhaps something like “I would have to sink or swim” would have been a better phrase. And, swim I did! Along with the orienteering, helping with the event each day went a long way towards toning me up, especially the upper body. I felt pretty fit by the end of the trip - worn out, but fitter. I did have to slack off a couple of days when my back objected to all of the bending and lifting, but otherwise, things got easier to do as the days passed.
Another thing I noticed, that despite the rural nature of the events, I had little trouble with my asthma and allergies. I used the inhaler before I went out on a course, but I didn’t need it in between at all, and this was on the reduced dosage of Advair.
5. The Orienteering
Ok, my navigation wasn’t always good, and sometimes it was downright bad, but it was loads of fun. The varied terrain, the opportunity to run with the sheep :), no ticks or other bugs to worry about, the excellent courses, the lack of complaints from the other competitors - just excellent events put on by all of the New Zealand clubs. Thank you Red Kiwi Orienteers, Wellington Orienteering Club, Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club, and Sprint the Bay! It was a blast!
6. Being part of the Live Results Team
Since I am not very good with idle time, I loved knowing that I had something to do each day that was usually helpful. I learned a ton of stuff along the way, about O-Lynx, about working with others, and about myself. Could they have done without me! Absolutely! Especially the few times I messed up, but I think I still managed to contribute something.
Surprisingly, I did not miss the OE side of things at all, though it helped that I got an event backup after each event, so I could pore over the splits as usual.
7. Losing weight
Losing seven pounds was a pleasant surprise, for sure. I felt like I was always eating or being fed a meal. I think there was only one day when I realized that I hadn’t eaten enough, but otherwise there was always food to be had, either brought along in the cooler or bought from a vendor or cooked at the motel or at the homestead.
The home cooked meals were healthy and tasty! Loads of fruit and veggies of some sort were always available. I appreciated those meals the most, since I know how hard it was to squeeze in home cooking when so much other stuff was getting done.
8. The Shed!!
Enough said.
Besides the usual accolades about the scenery, and the people, or whatever, here is a varied list of other good things about the trip, in no particular order.
1. Shoes: Salomon Speedcross 3 Very Purple - size 10
I needed a pair of shoes with traction but without metal studs, and these seemed to fit the bill. Little did I know that the Very Purple color would be considered to be SO **bright**, but I guess it is, since the color has been much talked about, both here and abroad. After getting past the color, the grip was admired as well.
I wore them a half dozen times in December, so I knew I could stand them for the trip, and, indeed, they turned out to be the perfect shoe for the varied New Zealand terrain. I had taken my Ice Bugs but never took them out of the bag.
I should note that the Speedcross does not serve me as well on the steeper, leaf covered hills behind my house, so I still need the Ice Bugs for most of the local orienteering maps.
2. PSB Ankle brace - size L
After dealing with ankle issues for the last year, including nine months of physical therapy and four weeks in a cast, I knew that I had to be diligent about wearing ankle support while orienteering.
I have had pair of the PSB ankle braces for a couple of years now, but they were a medium. I was always getting a blister, or was in pain, where the hard plastic piece curved around the side of my foot, but I figured that was just me being a princess. And, despite the discomfort, they were 100% better than anything else I had tried, and I have tried at least six different models.
The PSB pair I had was getting pretty beat up, so I ordered a new pair and decided on a size larger, since I was between sizes and hoped maybe that would solve the discomfort issue. Though I thought I allowed enough time to get them before I left, with the holiday season, and shipment from the UK (VIVOMED), it didn't seem that I would get them in time. So, I was so excited when the package arrived the day before I departed.
And, the moment I put the larger size on, I knew they were perfect! So, I immediately packed the new pair and left the old pair at home. I wore them for almost every event, and they saw action on all types of terrain, including hillsides, rutted tracks, and a couple of muddy swamps as well. I taped my usual blister spots for the first couple of events, but then stopped after that, because there was no irritation anywhere from the braces or from my shoes, for a change. Yeah!
3. The Ankle
Well, actually both ankles were a concern, especially the right ankle, but there were no issues! Of course, wearing the braces was the key. I had a couple of times when I went partially over, so I was always relieved when I was upright again with no pain.
4. The Rest of the Body
When I decided to go to New Zealand, I said that I would either be whipped into shape during the trip, or it would kill me. OK, “kill me” was a bit dramatic, so perhaps something like “I would have to sink or swim” would have been a better phrase. And, swim I did! Along with the orienteering, helping with the event each day went a long way towards toning me up, especially the upper body. I felt pretty fit by the end of the trip - worn out, but fitter. I did have to slack off a couple of days when my back objected to all of the bending and lifting, but otherwise, things got easier to do as the days passed.
Another thing I noticed, that despite the rural nature of the events, I had little trouble with my asthma and allergies. I used the inhaler before I went out on a course, but I didn’t need it in between at all, and this was on the reduced dosage of Advair.
5. The Orienteering
Ok, my navigation wasn’t always good, and sometimes it was downright bad, but it was loads of fun. The varied terrain, the opportunity to run with the sheep :), no ticks or other bugs to worry about, the excellent courses, the lack of complaints from the other competitors - just excellent events put on by all of the New Zealand clubs. Thank you Red Kiwi Orienteers, Wellington Orienteering Club, Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club, and Sprint the Bay! It was a blast!
6. Being part of the Live Results Team
Since I am not very good with idle time, I loved knowing that I had something to do each day that was usually helpful. I learned a ton of stuff along the way, about O-Lynx, about working with others, and about myself. Could they have done without me! Absolutely! Especially the few times I messed up, but I think I still managed to contribute something.
Surprisingly, I did not miss the OE side of things at all, though it helped that I got an event backup after each event, so I could pore over the splits as usual.
7. Losing weight
Losing seven pounds was a pleasant surprise, for sure. I felt like I was always eating or being fed a meal. I think there was only one day when I realized that I hadn’t eaten enough, but otherwise there was always food to be had, either brought along in the cooler or bought from a vendor or cooked at the motel or at the homestead.
The home cooked meals were healthy and tasty! Loads of fruit and veggies of some sort were always available. I appreciated those meals the most, since I know how hard it was to squeeze in home cooking when so much other stuff was getting done.
8. The Shed!!
Enough said.
Tuesday Feb 5, 2013 #
Walking (Treadmill) 1:00:00 [1] 4.06 mi (14:47 / mi)
shoes: Black Brooks
All walking, some with incline, in 10 minute hunks:
Warmup at 3.5-4 mph
At 4 mph with 5/10 incline level
At 4.5 with no incline
At 4 mph with 5/10
At 4 mph with 7.5/10
At 4.5-4.1 to cool down
Shins muscles a little tight the first 20 minutes, but then they were fine.
Warmup at 3.5-4 mph
At 4 mph with 5/10 incline level
At 4.5 with no incline
At 4 mph with 5/10
At 4 mph with 7.5/10
At 4.5-4.1 to cool down
Shins muscles a little tight the first 20 minutes, but then they were fine.
Monday Feb 4, 2013 #
Misc (The DVD) 40:00 [2]
Since I could take a deep breath again without my abs screaming from doing this last week, it was back to core work. Felt a little harder in parts, like the regular situps. Also, the rolling planks were modified. Otherwise, a good effort.
Sunday Feb 3, 2013 #
3 PM
Biking (Out to East Fall ChurchS) 38:37 [2] 6.16 mi (6:16 / mi) +121m 5:54 / mi
shoes: Shimano Bike
Today, my at home plan was to get the electronic equipment sorted out for the event in two weeks. Partly successful - at least the O-Lynx is sorted and charged, and the new QOC controls have been unpacked. They are just more BSF-7s, but they are so shiny new looking. :)
So, I had decided that I would wait until about 3, and then go out for a bike ride. The most snow we got today was a slight dusting, and since it had reached 37 F, I guessed correctly that the bike trails would be clean and dry.
Still kind of shocked that I left the house. I guess this is a good sign. Felt like I struggled the whole way out though.
So, I had decided that I would wait until about 3, and then go out for a bike ride. The most snow we got today was a slight dusting, and since it had reached 37 F, I guessed correctly that the bike trails would be clean and dry.
Still kind of shocked that I left the house. I guess this is a good sign. Felt like I struggled the whole way out though.
Biking 36:29 [2] 6.73 mi (5:25 / mi) +54m 5:17 / mi
shoes: Shimano Bike
And, then the fun part - the return trip. Fun, fun, fun, as long as I ignored my painful thumbs. Was pretty sure that I was going to have to take the walk of shame up the hill, but I took the first third after a "running" start, and then a short break, and then up the rest of the way.
But, dang, it was cold, and the little wind there was blew right in my face! I wanted to turn around within seconds, but I decided this would be a good exercise in HTFU. Well, with four light layers on the top, and good bike pants, most parts were fine, though I really needed more on the hands. And, I thought my toes were fine, but taking a shower before they had thawed out was very painful.
But, dang, it was cold, and the little wind there was blew right in my face! I wanted to turn around within seconds, but I decided this would be a good exercise in HTFU. Well, with four light layers on the top, and good bike pants, most parts were fine, though I really needed more on the hands. And, I thought my toes were fine, but taking a shower before they had thawed out was very painful.
Saturday Feb 2, 2013 #
Event: QOC Wheaton Regional Park
9 AM
Orienteering race (Wheaton) 1:26:00 [3] *** 6.1 km (14:06 / km) +201m 12:06 / km
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
Garmin distance 5.02 miles with 201 m climb.
Wheaton Regional Park - Ah, a return to orienteering, in the cold, at one of my least favorite parks. At least registration and results were in the Party Room at the Train Station. Considering that it was 18 F when I left the house, I was happy that we were going to be inside today, despite knowing that I wouldn't be able to hear myself think at some point.
With the addition of a light pair of gloves, I was perfectly dressed in long sleeve, short sleeve, tights and headband for the 20 F that greeted me at 9:45 AM.
Today's format was a mass start at noon for the advanced classes, but I was happy to go out early and work the epunch shift during the mass start. Based on your normal course, you were supposed to do from 0 to 5 of the windows, taking the controls within the windows in any order. I guess I could have done 0, since I am Brown W now, which meant that I didn't have to do any of the windows, but just traveling between the windows didn't look like much fun. Or, I could have done 2 as a Green W. But, after turning over the map, I decided to see how much of it I could do, though I immediately eliminated the second window. It just didn't look too appealing to me.
The path out of the Start.
The miniature train tracks.
The trails were in good shape with just a light dusting of snow.
The woods were a bit scruffy in places, but very runnable in general, especially for Wheaton.
A huge rootstock coming out of 21.
With a bit of whimsy stuck in it
Considered doing a gratuitous culvert crawl just before 27 but thought better of it.
This was a fun course, especially for Wheaton. I felt fit, and the only real error was losing concentration a bit and turning left instead of right when going from 7 to 14. After this error, I kept running into the same guy with his little dog as I looped around the next window. It was pretty amusing but getting old, so I was glad to shake him after M.
Enjoyed my stint at the computer, especially after a large number of people exited the building for the mass start. :) Thanks go out to Sam L. for going to the office supply store for more printer paper, as I left the resupply at home by the front door.
Later, I was awarded the style points award from David (course setter) and Heidi (meet director), supposedly for making the whole windows think happen. I think this was just their way of saying that they missed me last month. I guess I better get those results done before I eat the rest of the candy.
Then we tried to arrange a Fab 50 portrait after noticing we were all in red. It didn't go so well at first, as the lineup toppled over.
A pretty good one,
and, then it started going downhill again after that.
Thanks to everyone for a fine event at Wheaton. It may have to move up a bit on my list after today.
It was a good day. ;-)
Wheaton Regional Park - Ah, a return to orienteering, in the cold, at one of my least favorite parks. At least registration and results were in the Party Room at the Train Station. Considering that it was 18 F when I left the house, I was happy that we were going to be inside today, despite knowing that I wouldn't be able to hear myself think at some point.
With the addition of a light pair of gloves, I was perfectly dressed in long sleeve, short sleeve, tights and headband for the 20 F that greeted me at 9:45 AM.
Today's format was a mass start at noon for the advanced classes, but I was happy to go out early and work the epunch shift during the mass start. Based on your normal course, you were supposed to do from 0 to 5 of the windows, taking the controls within the windows in any order. I guess I could have done 0, since I am Brown W now, which meant that I didn't have to do any of the windows, but just traveling between the windows didn't look like much fun. Or, I could have done 2 as a Green W. But, after turning over the map, I decided to see how much of it I could do, though I immediately eliminated the second window. It just didn't look too appealing to me.
The path out of the Start.
The miniature train tracks.
The trails were in good shape with just a light dusting of snow.
The woods were a bit scruffy in places, but very runnable in general, especially for Wheaton.
A huge rootstock coming out of 21.
With a bit of whimsy stuck in it
Considered doing a gratuitous culvert crawl just before 27 but thought better of it.
This was a fun course, especially for Wheaton. I felt fit, and the only real error was losing concentration a bit and turning left instead of right when going from 7 to 14. After this error, I kept running into the same guy with his little dog as I looped around the next window. It was pretty amusing but getting old, so I was glad to shake him after M.
Enjoyed my stint at the computer, especially after a large number of people exited the building for the mass start. :) Thanks go out to Sam L. for going to the office supply store for more printer paper, as I left the resupply at home by the front door.
Later, I was awarded the style points award from David (course setter) and Heidi (meet director), supposedly for making the whole windows think happen. I think this was just their way of saying that they missed me last month. I guess I better get those results done before I eat the rest of the candy.
Then we tried to arrange a Fab 50 portrait after noticing we were all in red. It didn't go so well at first, as the lineup toppled over.
A pretty good one,
and, then it started going downhill again after that.
Thanks to everyone for a fine event at Wheaton. It may have to move up a bit on my list after today.
It was a good day. ;-)
Thursday Jan 31, 2013 #
12 PM
Walking 4:00 [1] 0.25 mi (16:01 / mi)
shoes: Z Hiking Boots
Thought to myself, 20-30 mph wind, hah, that isn't going to stop me, so I headed out of the back door of work for an hour walk, and I walked back into the front door four minutes later. That was not fun.
5 PM
Running/Walking (Treadmill) 1:00:00 4.6 mi (13:03 / mi)
Warmed up running from 4.0 to 5.9 mph increasing .1 every minute (20 minutes)
Then walked 10 minutes.
Ran 6.5 down to 5.6 (10 minutes) - happy that breathing was so good at the higher pace.
Walked the last 20 minutes. Wanted to run 10 more, instead of walking 20, but I ran out of steam.
Then walked 10 minutes.
Ran 6.5 down to 5.6 (10 minutes) - happy that breathing was so good at the higher pace.
Walked the last 20 minutes. Wanted to run 10 more, instead of walking 20, but I ran out of steam.
6 PM
Note
weight:187lbs
I should lose 40 pounds according to my doctor, but that is totally mind boggling, and seemingly impossible, so I decided to start with 10, which would get me back to where I was a year ago.
December 30: 198
January 30: 187
Oops, overachieved. ;) OK, New Zealand was good for me - orienteering along with bonus orienteering, helping to load and unload the trailer every day, eating lots of healthy stuff and not eating when bored, and drinking lots less after the first week.
New goal - lose 10 pounds.
January 31: 187
December 30: 198
January 30: 187
Oops, overachieved. ;) OK, New Zealand was good for me - orienteering along with bonus orienteering, helping to load and unload the trailer every day, eating lots of healthy stuff and not eating when bored, and drinking lots less after the first week.
New goal - lose 10 pounds.
January 31: 187
Wednesday Jan 30, 2013 #
Misc (THE DVD!!!) 40:00 [2]
HAH, hills yesterday and core today!!! So, there!! And, I did it all except for 5 of the rolling planks! Did not do it even once in 2012! WooHoo for me!! ;-)
Tuesday Jan 29, 2013 #
5 PM
Running/Walking 27:00 2.6 mi (10:23 / mi) +2m 10:22 / mi
shoes: Black Brooks
Something like 70 degrees, so despite a nap after work, I had to get this in. Was planning on working out at lunchtime, but I got sidetracked...
Down to the track while it was still light enough and did 3 run/1 walk after running the first seven minutes. The plan was an hour, but my left hip was stiffening up a bit, so I decided to walk the rest of the hour.
Down to the track while it was still light enough and did 3 run/1 walk after running the first seven minutes. The plan was an hour, but my left hip was stiffening up a bit, so I decided to walk the rest of the hour.
Running/Walking 33:00 2.24 mi (14:44 / mi) +35m 14:03 / mi
shoes: Black Brooks
But, once I got out to the sidewalk, I thought I would add some hill repeats to follow up on the fitness I gained in NZ. Instead of slogging up one of the big hills, I picked the little one (about 330 feet) and ran up it as hard as I could 5 times. Kept telling my legs that they needed to get some Billygoat in them.
Haven't done hill repeats in forever - 10 years? It was sort of fun and definitely satisfying.
Speaking of NZ, I finished all of my entries about as much as I am going to. Might be easier to read at vmeyer.net. Now, to get my clothes put away next would be good.
Haven't done hill repeats in forever - 10 years? It was sort of fun and definitely satisfying.
Speaking of NZ, I finished all of my entries about as much as I am going to. Might be easier to read at vmeyer.net. Now, to get my clothes put away next would be good.
Sunday Jan 27, 2013 #
3 PM
O Training 1:04:00 3.91 mi (16:22 / mi) +103m 15:08 / mi
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
Not getting too much accomplished today on my projects:
finishing the New Zealand logs
getting SI equipment ready for shipment to 3 places
Sort of disappointed in how scattered my concentration has been. Usually I wouldn't run when I feel this way, but something came over me, and I suited up, went out the back gate and tromped around the back woods, ran a bit on the trail, and finished it off with a strong walk. As long as I don't think too hard ahead of time, ~38 F is when I like to run.
finishing the New Zealand logs
getting SI equipment ready for shipment to 3 places
Sort of disappointed in how scattered my concentration has been. Usually I wouldn't run when I feel this way, but something came over me, and I suited up, went out the back gate and tromped around the back woods, ran a bit on the trail, and finished it off with a strong walk. As long as I don't think too hard ahead of time, ~38 F is when I like to run.