Training Log Archive: Jerkface

Event: ROC - Rotary Sunshine Camp
 

Horrible run, zero energy, and unfocused.

I waited for the splits to be posted before I wrote more. I really only had problems with 2 areas on the map. Since the map was set up as two giant loops that meant I botched 4 controls not 2.

Controls 3, 9; were both in the boulder field to the north. I lost large chunks of time each time passing through here. I even punched 9 instead of 3 the first time though. Luckily I figured it out before I moved on.

Controls 7, 13; were both in the south. I think this really comes down to lack of map time and the fact that I still try to run my way out of mistakes instead of slowing down and thinking.

Looking at winsplits, 3 of my splits were the 2nd fastest behind William and I was in a solid 2nd place until I blew control 7.

(1) 4:43(6th) Took the paved paths most of the way to the control. I kept looking for the other more direct trails but they were indistinct and covered with leaves. Didn't know at this point how easy the woods were to run through. If I had looked at the clue I would not have been on top of the ridge which caused me to blow by the control. Came back to it from above.

(2) 4:06(2nd) Straight north. The nice thing was all the swamps were dry and there were deer paths everywhere. I ended up to the right of and past the circle but turned around to see the control behind me.

(3) 2:31(13th) Ran straight to control 9 and punched it. The thick underbrush and boulders left me dazed and confused. Took me some wandering aimlessly to find the control.

(4) :53(3rd) Straight shot west. Fallen trees forced me to the right of the circle which also made the control visible from a long distance.

(5) 2:17(6th) Again I was far right of the control. More wandering led me to it. If the features were more defined this one would have been easy.

(6) 3:08(2nd) Should have just ran to the field and then South. Instead I took a heading and punished my legs in the woods. 75% of the way there I realized there was a nice path on the field edge that went right to the control.

(7) 6:41(16th) My heading took my too far to the right I didn't miss it by much, but then I wandered around south of the control for 4-5 minutes doing nothing but ducking as the gunshots got closer and closer.

(8) 5:53(8th) After feeling lost on 7 I took the trails all the way. This was a much longer route. I still managed to run past the control and had to go back for it.

(9) 4:06(13th) Now remember I already punched this one. I ran straight to control 3. From there it should have been easy, but I still couldn't find it. Just not focused. I am still not sure if it was the boulders or what was confusing me.

(10) 3:09(5th) Once again I was frustrated so I found the closest trail and took it till I could see the control. No map skills really, but I had energy since all I did for the 4 previous minutes was stare at pretty rocks.

(11) 2:54(2nd) Maybe the easiest control. Could almost see it once climbing out past 10. I pushed the legs a little too hard on 10 and 11. The combination of trails and flat terrain let me think I could make up time.

(12) 1:48(6th) Didn't pick the best route. Went straight south, then took the trail east to the control.

(13) 12:34(19th) Sigh. I still am not sure where I went. I must have past near the control 5+ times. I finally used the trails to attack it coming in from the north. This entire area gave me a hard time. The subtle features made me think I had lost map contact, when I am not sure now that I did.

(14) 5:53(4th ) Just wanted to get it over with now. Took trails all the way back into the camp and then north to the control. Lazy route choice, but the legs seemed to be working better than the brain.

(15) 2:07(6th) Should have been an easy one. No real mistakes other than I didn't think that was a real control.

(Finish) 1:04(18th) So I couldn't find the finish either.

The course was too short for my liking, but well designed for sure.

Red - Splits

Score-O at Emory Park.

3-1 work out. Nice and cold, but wasn't snowing like last night.

Got home, it was snowing. I lost motivation and picked today for a rest day.

Warm-up at Letchworth.

8X hill. Picked a steep one, very close to the limit with normal running form. Legs still felt good.

Took the road back out of the gorge to the car.

Legs felt way better than I thought they would. I thought about going farther, but really want to get a hard hill work-out in tomorrow.