Training Log Archive: D-MAN

AM Warm up jog to the start of the COC Long at Jackpine.

AM/PM COC Long at Jackpine, 26C. One of my best long distance races ever. The plan was to start out slower than usual in order to pace well so I have more in the last 20 minutes. Started out a bit shaky to #1 but didn't panic and figured out I was one hill south, 30 sec lost but no big deal, I was taking it slow anyways. Took the safe route around in the open to #2, it was really tough not to run too fast here but I knew I needed to ease off in order to finish strong. I caught Jon T just before #3 and after what happened yesterday in the middle when I saw him out there I knew I had to ignore him and it worked, he almost pulled me off to the left on the short leg to #4 but I kept my head up and stayed on my bearing. Knew the next loop from #6-#12 would be very important if I wanted a medal. Tried to take it safe and easy the whole way through these controls. I got carried off attacking #6 and figured out I was heading down the parallel re entrant right for #7 so I went to #7 first just to be sure and then back to #6. Went around again in the open to #9. Passed Graeme R going to #13, slow to #16 weaved across the stream twice not seeing it on the map; I was too unsure on this leg but made it work. I was leading from #15-#18. Started to feel tired going to # 18 and sure enough exited #18 in the wrong direction and by the time I noticed it was too late so I had to continue, probably cost me 1:00 or a bit more? This was the longest let from #18 to #19, going straight threw the green rectangle of death and after yesterdays experience in the middle in the green rectangle of death I knew I was going to run all the way around. Tried to keep my running speed up on this leg but was having a bit of trouble as the fatigue was setting in..that’s for sure. Even from #19-#20 I stayed out of the rectangle of death as much as possible. At #20 I had the feeling I was within the top 3 and I was only 0:43 behind Will C and I knew I just had to have a clean last loop and I would be in the medals. I maybe should have gone to the trail to #22 instead of straight through, the grass seemed really long here and the tired legs didn't help slogging through it. Just tried to keep moving to #23, the legs were starting to cramp a little. Little hook attacking #24. I knew if I got #25 clean I would have a medal, so I took it slow but I don't think I could have done it much faster because I was dying. From #25 to #26 I knew I had to give it everything, it was very similar to a leg in the sprint so I knew what to expect, again the grass was destroying me, I was so tired I avoided the climb and went to the right. Went hard to the finish from #26 to #27 and finish, heard Nevin say it was going to be very close between myself and Will C for the #1 spot as I was approaching the last control, didn’t hear the beep at the last control because it was actually quite loud in the arena so hesitated and re punched and then hammered it in to the finish to try and beat Will C only to find out I was in 3rd place and 3:18 behind Will C, what, thanks Nevin for the false hope, haha. Could really feel the cramps in the finish shute. Really happy with 3rd, really challenging course both physically and mentally, really happy with my navigation, could have won with an almost perfect race as I defiantly lost 3 minutes throughout the course. Winning times were a little long, no need for the extra loop at the end, paced well for a 90 min winning time so I did die a bit in the last 20 minutes on the final loop. Nice that they listened and got the start right, with the marked route to the start triangle and starting line. Placed 3/22 overall and 3/18 Canadians.

COC Long - Course 10 - Splits