Training Log Archive: Work4justice

Event: Python Rogaine - Cuyahoga Valley N P
 

NEOOC, 2nd Masters Women...not sure OA

The Michigan gang (I still count the Fishers :)--sorry WPOC) snagged first and second OA, 1st Vet Women, 2nd Masters Women and 1st Elite Women.

Decided to head to this because one of my winter goals is control count and really working on navigation (hint hint igor and Mr. Wonderful, if you are ever bored...Marshall Park, Bishop, ILRA, Peach, Maybury Huron Meadows...even 5-7 controls at a time)

Anyway, signed up for this and was not in O shape so to speak, but gotta start somewhere. Got our maps and quickly realized that this would be difficult. There was a lot on the map to consider. I decided on a quick west jaunt and the 3 controls there and was able to mark a route that cleared 75% (?) of the East map, and some options for the west map. There was a 4k run to get from the planned last control on the east to the first on the west. Oy.

Got going, and fortunately/unfortunately it was slow going with lots of mud and a bit of climb. I was executing kinda well (no major excursions) with bobbles here and there for the first five, had a little trouble pinpointing a subtle spur on my 6th, exectued well for the next six excepting going to fast on a trail. Coming out of my 11th control, I executed it very well, and thought I had bombed it, which led me to bushwhack off and wound up on the road. Darnit. Got back on track to my 12th, 13th and at about 3ish hours in I lost my compass.

Nooooooooooo!

Went back and forth several times looking for it. I only had 4 controls before being able to cross to the west map. I felt so deflated. Decided to run back to the start finish, grab my wrist compass that I keep in the car and continue on. I felt crushed. I also got some water while there and gave myself a good talking too because I got mad that it was warm and so many briars and no thumb compass. But, had to move on. Ran back to where I left off, I wasn't thinking too clearly and see now how I could have done better, but hindsight is 20/20. Finished the last nine executing the way I planned, but again later seeing how I could minimize climb, etc.

I did assess whether I could manage a straight up 4-6k road run and nav a few points, but decided that I could finish the east map, and while I might have had an hour on the clock at the end, it was a safer bet--wasn't jazzed about running on the road in the dark in penalty time.

Definitely can improve on route planning, seeing flags (I had 2 right in front of me that I didn't see, bugger) and operating with more confidence. On the flip side, There were a few I absolutely spiked side hilling right on the contour line, used streams and reentrants well, and not bad on the pace considering I had a bit of time back at S/F doing things.

Early morning trot with Sara. :)

Finished race report for WT.

Core, lats, shoulders complained...but otherwise feel remarkably good!