Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Event: MNOC - Lake Elmo
 

Set controls on the North side of the park.

My kids are in town, oldest one (Kels-22) stunned me by saying she'd do whatever I wanted today. (even orienteering? Yes.) She even offered to accompany me on setting out controls, but I suggested we do one of the courses instead.
And then, even more surprising, the younger one (Tay-20) decided to come along too.
We did white/yellow. They each had a map, did NOT want my help (it's been pointed out that stubbornness runs in the family), and they took off fairly confidently and in the right direction.
After control 1, they said... "I think it will be quicker if we go through the woods". YAY.
They kind of split up at that point, slightly different routes to two, and Tay ran on ahead. I stayed w Kels, who is a fast walker, and did much better than I expected. Even seemed to like it. She took lots of "short cuts", followed lakes, tree lines, etc. but at one point missed a turn off.. went way too far and we lost a lot of time there. Tay made it back first, mostly on trails I believe.
Then... we decided to try orange. That was also going very well but Tay was tired of reading maps (she has decided she doesn't like compasses, or maps). My achilles was feeling poor, and Kels didn't want to continue alone. So we quit after 6.
Kels said she thinks all her time in parks makes it pretty easy for her to follow the trails or think about where she's going (I forgot about all that horse time we used to do, and we'd also pick and memorize routes at the trail signs). But it seemed to me she was very comfortable with the whole thing and she loves hiking (hates running though) and wilderness, so maybe she'll do it again.

First MB and I listed it as "easy tentative" ride on my meetup but it wasn't too sissy of a ride after all. I didn't lose too much of my newly acquired skills. Had fun with Chris and new guys Keith and Dave and looks like Friday rides may be standard. I love getting good exercise without really thinking of it cause mind is on trees or turns or obstacles, fun etc.

In Mountain View, CA on another work trip. Only have one meeting today, but I'm traveling with others. Not sure what else they have planned for the day. So I figured I'd better get a couple of miles in just in early.

Short meeting went well, so I took a drive out to the "South Skyline Region" Open space preserves and ran at Russian Ridge. It had amazing canyon oaks in one section, prairie type hillsides in others, lots of ravines, springs. I saw what I thought was a large fox up ahead on my trail... turned out to be a coyote. Not sure if they're ever dangerous but I had my RoadID on so I was invincible and not too worried. I read later (in the brochure, which has a handy map for next time) that there's also mountain lions in the ravines. THAT might be actually a little scary to run into. I'm sure people aren't attacked often 'cause I never hear about it.
I also ran up to a peak with a sign that said "Borel Hill" and brochure states that it's the "highest named peak in San Mateo County". I guess that means there's higher, unnamed peaks. I think I'll go find one and name it. Plant a flag. Linear Ice Peak.

Rode my MB cause the other ones still attached to an (unused mostly) trainer.
Late ride, so I decided to do some hill repeats to get a good short workout. After one , I decided that I could do just one more and it would count as "repeats". Or maybe it's just hill repeat at that point. Anyway, it was dark, getting cold, I had promised Alice I'd come back for her and a short bout around town.
Alice was appreciative... we did dog striders, sniffed around the town park, rode along the dike and came home. (My theory is that dogs run in bursts to chase prey.... and so fast short 200m sprints followed by very very slow jog must be a great exercise for a dog.) Very easy going and not part of my workout but I don't have a separate log for Alice, nor even a Facebook page.

Snowshoe loop and then inside of park, w Alice.
Quit when I realized after achilles starting twinging up again and walked back.

Last race of the MSMM serires.
There were a couple of ways for me to "win the Pig", including beating or coming within 2 minutes of Chiori..who was in close second place (she skipped one race and needed a score that beat mine by about 25 points)
or...
Kathleen could beat Chiori and keep her below 975 or so. Kathleen was out of contention for first, due to a very bad control on day one (#2, which also gave me trouble). Because she skipped a race on day 2, she was stuck with that bad score.

OR another way to win the event..... and this is what happened and I found out before my race even started...... Chiori could MP. Whew. I won before I even started. Got a cute piggy medal to prove it. =)

And it was a good thing because I ran a fairly dismal race. Had a hard time finding Control 2... and then at 6 (I think) also, where I had to bail out almost off the map to make sure I knew where I was.
Why so bad? A bit of tiredness, maybe mental laziness, but I also think a big factor was the late start time (with last handful of orienteers.) Woods were empty and while I claim (even to myself) that I don't follow, it's a lot easier to find controls when there are people running to and from them.
I did have a number of elephant tracks for company but mostly the woods were empty... other than a friendly face here or there near a few of the controls. The day was very muddy due to rain and I hear Big Bone Lick is a generally muddy area anyway.
After first couple of botches I was a little discouraged.... just when I was thinking I was getting good! Hahahahahhhaaa. ARGH