Training Log Archive: GlenT

Event: EMPO - Five Rivers EEC
 

EMPO local event at Five Rivers EEC. Time-O with 21 total controls but with only 7 available for scoring in each 30 minute window. Interesting way to get lots of distance on a fairly small map (and a couple of areas of the map weren't even used). Quite wet and muddy underfoot and lots of trail running on this map. One trail was OOB since it was so muddy but it was OK to cross it or run in the woods next to it. Course involved multiple crossings of the stream through the area (5 times on bridges, 5 times wading) plus plenty of other slogging through standing water. Visibility was good since since only a few species have leafed out (honeysuckle?). Some prickly vegetation in places.

A fairly intense run both physically and mentally. One of the more challenging aspects was being sure to find on the map all of the controls for a particular window before route planning. We had a minute to look at the map before starting which was mostly used to plan the loop for the first 30 minute window. Got done with the loop in about 27 min, so had 3 "free minutes" to get to the first control of the second time window (#50, which was my "non-spike", mostly because the features in the terrain were not as distinct as what was shown on the map - it ended up being a "bag in rough-open field"). Foutunately, from that control to the next was mostly a road run so I was able to plan the second loop. Got done that loop with a couple of minutes to spare. Just kept plugging for the third loop, making sure I was getting progressively closer to the finish area in case I ran out of time. Ended up getting all of them with a minute to spare.

Weather was overcast, breezy and in the low 50's, so very good for running, but a tad unpleasant for the meet workers. Thanks to Frank Boscoe for setting the course and Phil H-T for working the epunch system.

Control order: 31-32-33-34-35-36-37-50-52-53-58-57-54-55-102-107-103-104-106-100-105

C • Very impressive! 2

Picking up 5 fairly close controls. Walking.

Event: WCOC Macedonia Brook Meet
 

WCOC event at Macedonia Brook SP, Green course (5.7km, ~270m climb by my count). Map offset printed at 1:15000 with overprinted course (plus some overprinted vertical green where the barberry has taken over). Visibility excellent and runnability very good in most places. Nice course by George and Lyn with a set of 7 short control picky legs (mostly to charcoal platforms) after we climbed to the top of the ridge.

Would have been a decent run if not for one leg (10-11). Skirted the barberry but stayed between the trail and barberry rather than go all the way to the trail. Stopped short (forgetting it was 1:15 perhaps) and ventured into the barberry for a bit before bailing to the trail and properly locating myself. Probably lost ~7 min. This leg was similar to one on Red, but the Red leg started from the pit (Green #9). Off a little bit on a couple of the short legs but spotted the flag and corrected. Nice running weather with temperatures around 60F. Thanks George and Lyn.

Micro-sprint A. About 10 controls spread out in the field south of the pavilion. A blank map except for the controls (mapped as towers) with courses drawn using 7 - 9 controls plus S and F. Map scale unstated. No magnetic north lines but the courses did not follow the IOF/OUSA rule that control numbers be oriented to north. Route choice was minimal. I think I mispunched on this one.

C • Orientation 6

Micro-sprint B.

Micro-sprint C.

Green - Splits

A - Splits

B - Splits

Using bands - lots of hip work.

Whoa - 70+ degrees.

2 min warm-up, 3 min cool-down and 22 min of pedaling in between.