Training Log Archive: vmeyer

OK, it was official - there was no way I was going out on a course today, neither the sprint or the farsta. With Ed handling the results operation for the sprint at Cemetery Hill, I had the opportunity to take a few pictures and do a little childcare as well.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Don't think I got my hug from Charlie this weekend, but I'll post his picture anyway. Finishing strong.



An exciting finish sprint from Carl and Giacomo.



Alex and some young admirers.



Samantha documenting dad's punch technique.

And, then off to Mount Tom for the Farsta, the last event of the weekend. So happy that Earl's and Mount Tom weren't reversed, at least in terms of the infrastructure available.

For this event, we had the use of a large shelter to setup under and were able to drive right up to the shelter and unload. We also had picnic tables and plenty of power. Yeah for a power source! No schlepping involved. Yeah again!

Set up the O-Lynx radio controls for the map exchange controls and the Finish controls, and a couple of monitors on the ledge of the shelter. Ed set up a third laptop for the results upload to the internet, and everything went flawlessly. Nothing like practice makes perfect.

On the road about 4 PM and to Sandy's around 9. The drive home was uneventful except for a VERY close call with two cars playing games with each other at about 80-90 miles per hour, and darting between me and another car. Luckily I happened to be glancing into the mirror, somehow anticipated a problem, and veered onto to the shoulder.

Other then that, there wasn't a lick of backup the whole way to Philadelphia.

Unwound doing some post meet results work, and then crashed around midnight or maybe later, after a copious amount of wine. A nice way to end an excellent weekend.

Event: Western Mass 5-Day
 

I was in enough pain yesterday, that I was sure I wasn't going to do anything this weekend, but I decided I would do what I could today and nothing tomorrow.

Last starter by a bit, but I wasn't too concerned since I was only doing a Yellow course.



Toured around this fun Yellow course, taking some short cuts when it made the most sense to cut off distance. This helped me close the gap on the speedy M-14s, finishing in a tightly packed top 3, one minute behind John U and Ethan H, the future of US orienteering.

Two hundred pounds of happiness at the finish. I sucked it in for a photo op (Thanks, Jim P).

Another last start after waiting for Valerie M2 and/or Sandy to return to assist with the download operation.

Round 2 in the opposite direction this time. Another fun little course. Played it safer this time around because I was tired and didn't want to mess up in the trail network. Fourth, sandwiched smack in the middle of the M14s again. Young Liam T, clearly recovered from the morning heat, took the win, five minutes clear of me.

Packed out of Earl's Trails in record time with a huge assist from many hands to carry stuff back up the trail.

Then it was off to UMass Ahmerst for a sprint course. Stopped in town for an iced coffee for Alex on the way.

With temps in the 80s, and the bright sun, and the pavement involved, I probably should have passed on this race, but I so like the urban sprint, and we don't get to do many of them.

So, I hydrated and then un-hydrated, and was actually ready to go when my name was called.



By the time I ran up to the start triangle, I was ready to stop, but I'm glad I didn't. This was lots of fun with runners from the other course criss crossing my course. Some trickier areas which I didn't always execute very well, but this was lots of fun.

Afterward, some quiet time with Ed, topic of conversation unknown, but I have to say we never lack for conversation. Between us, Ed and I provided live results for display and for the internet for all five events this weekend. Too bad I look so goofy.



Note on the table are the black shorts I contributed to the Lost & Found. Didn't even claim them the next day when they were held up for review right in front of me. Oops.

And the duck family who reclaimed the area where the finish controls were immediately after the controls were removed.

Event 1 - Middle Yellow - Splits

Event 2 - Middle Yellow - Splits

Event 3 - UMass Short - Splits

Road trip!
Left the house at 5:08 AM and headed to Philadelphia to pickup Sandy. Two stops - second of the Maryland rest stops and at the McD's near Sandy's. About 5 minutes of slow traffic the entire way. Good way to start off a weekend of lots of driving.

About an hour break, and then back on the road to the Western Mass 5 Day. Sandy drove the next section, and I think we stopped once when we got to the end of the Garden State, or was that the second stop? Lots of diet coke = lots of stops. ;)

Lunch at a Subway, and then a final stop at a Barnes and Noble, before stopping by race headquarters for a visit.

Checked in at the organic farm B&B. While the whole area smelled of manure, the inside was blessedly fragrance free. Set up was great with two bedrooms, so I was able to set up my computer and work on meet stuff each evening without disturbing Sandy. Liked the roomy arrangements and the availability of the kitchen.

Dinner at Applebee's. Had a pasta which wasn't half bad.

It doesn't really hurt while I am running, especially after Mike loosens me up, so I hit the treadmill.
15 minutes (5 minutes each at 4.5, 4.8, 5.0 mph)
break
15 minutes (started at 4.8 and worked up to 5.4 and then back down)

Heels, especially the right, are still very painful after Sunday's event. Right hip is also a major pain these days. Hate feeling lame. Of course, losing 10-40 pounds would probably go a long way towards improving the pains.