Training Log Archive: Harps

Event: 2012 Salomon Raid the Hammer
 

Another RtH with Leamer and Relentless. I hadn't done any sort of orienteering/Thomass race since late winter so I was a little worried if my navigation rust would show. It showed immediately in the first controls as I thought we had completed all 4 punches and my teammates thought only 3. We got the one we assumed we missed (losing ~5mins with some backtracking) then punched back to CP1. I was doubtful we even got all the 4 proper CPs. Off to the matrix, I did the long technical one and running there we passed near the CP I wasn't sure we got; my doubts increased as the terrain seemed unfamiliar. I punched my matrix CP and headed back to the meeting area only to see a fleet-footed Hansel in front of me. Redlined trying to catch him and ask him about the CP of concern since we raced with them there - he thought we were good. OK, no point worrying about it since it was too late anyway to go back. Met with the team and off we went to the Brant Hills section in about 11th or so. Managed to pass a few teams on the road run but once again I screwed up another CP in Brant Hills - and once again completely missing a CP and having to backtrack losing another ~5mins or so. So far I was having a bad race navigationally but we moved well between the long stretches of Bruce Trail linking the O-sections. Finally onto the last map and most of the nav was clean in here and into the end. It was shorter than the recent RtH races (time-wise) but as usual we were gassed at the end. Note to self: next time try and get out and do some o beforehand to get rid of those cobwebs. Great race put on as always by GHO, great to see so many of our outdoor/endurance loving friends.

After listening to a hardcore commuter (i.e. 300+ days/yr of commuting by bike 60km for 20 years) Monday at the Halton Active Transportation Meeting I figured I'd better not give up on cycling in due to miserable (typical) fall cold weather/darkness just yet.

Made full use of the cx tires by going through Yaremko doubletrack (a little dicey in the darkness of 6:30 with only a PT commuter light) across Limestone Rd and cut through Kelso on Appleby. From there onto Steeles through suburban Milton (heart of darkness) and Steeles all the way into work. Was worried about Steeles (more traffic, construction, trucks) but wasn't too bad - I could dodge into the construction cones blocking the new lanes and definitely less hills. It felt a little too easy, probably a decent tailwind. The way back won't be as nice I am guessing - less shoulder, evil wind and typically more traffic at 4pm then 7am.

C • Nice! 3

Scorcher in there, I think I lost a gallon of sweat. Feels great after the sweating stops (20mins later). Positive note: first time being able to do all poses with no back pain. Only took almost 2 yrs ugh.

C • Shirt or no shirt? 9