Training Log Archive: cmorse

Event: Hudson Highlander
 

Two goals for this race (my second Highlander). A) Finish B) Navigate cleanly - ie no major errors.

First leg doesn't really count as I just joined the long train heading across Polebrook - my particular train went through a bit more laurel enroute than I would have liked, but arrived at #1 in good shape, wherein I started to navigate.

Hooked up w/ Bernie enroute to #2 and although doing my own thing, we appeared to be running about the same pace and chatted a bit through #3. Decided running with someone would make the day a lot more pleasant, and our abilities pretty well matched we decided to run together for as long as it was prudent, though I was still in full contact and navigating the entire way, we discussed our options as we went. We agreed on most route choices, a few I ceded that his were superior, and on a few mine were better, and some we didn't choose the best option, but navigated it well enough anyhow. And where we could keep her in sight, we agreed following Pavlina was the best route choice there was :-)

We stayed together through the first two maps and the trail run, hitting everything pretty cleanly, although better route choices might have avoided some of the blueberry, we executed our chosen routes just fine. Dismayed at the lack of salty foods at the aid station (and the gatorade was really, really weak) I went down to the bbq table to see about some chips and realized burgers were already coming off the grill. Grabbed a burger and a handful of cookies before leaving and told Bernie to go on, that I was planning on a purposeful walk for the next couple controls.

Burger did the trick and the energy picked up shortly thereafter and I caught back up with Bernie around control #23 even though I was still walking, my route choices were very fine and executed perfectly. Ran in sight of Bernie through 25 where he got away from me. Running solo and well up until #29, wherein I proceeded to spike the feature, check description (western foot) but failed to note that the cliff had a tiny hook to it and not seeing the flag, kept on going, losing a good 6-7 minutes before coming back and finding flag tucked around the end of the cliff. Chugged back in just fine after that.

So navigationally a very clean race for me, on almost all controls the flags turned up just when I expected them to. Admittedly I walked many legs, ran some and a mix on others, so my per/km times vary leg to leg. Also, in retrospect, I could have chosen better optimal routes on a couple controls, but I executed the intended plan on each very well.

Quite pleased with the effort overall.

Highlander - Splits

Nice day, didn't 'race' it, but ran pretty hard nonetheless. 6:15, 6:19 splits.

23rd overall.

C • Nice... I'm back!!!!!!... 1

Looking at old results:
2009 - 19:52, 18th
2005 - 19:35, 16th

getting slower with age I guess....

Treamill Stress Test at doctors. Estimated distance, last segment at 5mph, 18% incline. Sweating, but quite tolerable.