Training Log Archive: Run_Bosco

Event: COC Winter O' Series/WIOL CHAMPIONSHIP: Pt. Defiance Park
 

My focus in orienteering lately has been to race with a "clear mind." This usually means running slower, so that my thinking isn't so frantic. And I think I accomplished that today!

1- Ha! I didn't even see the green circle until just now. First control was not a gimme! I ran to the bottom 'just to check' like many did, but then immediately turned around and ran to the top. (5/5)

2- I went in the wrong re-rentarnt, also like many others. Even if I didn't know exactly where I was on the trail before heading into it, the two re-entrants go different directions-- that should have tipped me off. (Side note: I've been noticing that I need to hold my compass super flat or I can get wonky readings.) (5*/5) Lost 2 minutes.

3- Fine. (7/5)

4- Opted to run along the trail for about 30 paces before ducking in. Not the straightest route, but a good choice for me. (4/4) Pulled ahead of Gina in the splits here, and held onto 3rd for the rest of the race!

5- In my mind, I was being indecisive (which usually ends poorly), but it panned out well. I went back to the established trail, but didn't get far until I saw what must be the indistinct trail, and I caught that, with unusual confidence, to whiter forest and the control. I'm also running neck and neck with Sue and Abra. It's like a Sprint Camp Chase all over!

6- I have to check GPS, but I think I actually backed out of this, took the trail to 11, then turned north on the other trail. I think this was an in-the-moment evaluation of the schwaking and it didn't look good. A trail-heavy option, but another decent split, so it didn't hurt me! (4/3)

7- Just hesitation and slowness. (7/3)

8- Stopped early, thinking about getting off the trail since the CD was re-entrant, but then Sue blew past me to the control right on the trail. Haha. There it is. (5/3)

9- Opted to go back to the road to attack from there. A decent split. (5/3)

10- Road, then cut through veg to run the trail, because it seemed easier to let the trail turn me than to jump in at a confusing intersection. Another decent split. (4/3)

11- I ran the road. A slower split. I'd like to know if it was slower because I was just running slower, or if it was not the best route choice. Maybe a bit of both, plus reading ahead on the map on a long leg. (9/3)

12- UGH. When I try to be fancy, it usually ends up being a poor route choice. Tried to cut straight through woods (seems fast, right?), but the way I popped out and the way the building/fence was oriented was a bit confusing, plus I had to schwak more. Sue went around on trails and dropped me here. (7/3)

13- Eh. Ran into the center, then backed out and attacked from the circle trail. (*7/3) Lost a minute. I'll pat myself on the back for going back to an actual attack point instead of randomly running around the center-ish, even though I could have found it that way.

14- Fine. (5/3)

15- Caught myself, almost ran on the diagonal trail and not the straight one, but it would have been fine. (6/3)

16- Hesitation before dashing through the woods at black X. (5/3)

17- Smooth. (5/3)

18- Fine (4/3)

19- Slow, but resisted going to controls that weren't mine! (8/3)

20- Fine (5/3)

21- Good, running with head up, sights up! (5/3)

22- Oops, went around to the left of the big fence glob. Right was better. (11/3) Lost 30 seconds.

23- Yep

F- Slacker! Usually I run this split a lot faster, but not feeling feisty today. That's fine for having been sick all week.


So, in an interesting development-- instead of running myself into frantic-mode and blowing up, I slowed down (mostly 5th place splits) and refrained from making dramatic mistakes and was able to run with a mostly "clear mind." Mission accomplished!

I've done this before, but I need to keep doing it. Then get in better shape (lose 10 lbs) and slowly push back on the speed.

I actually did well in the standings by attrition! Lots of 5th place splits, but ended up 4th.

Also- while my stomach didn't feel great, and I *just* got over my cold, my legs felt pretty decent. Sprint Camp + Rest = Fun legs! Also, I really enjoyed running in this forest. My Orocs were sticking well to logs and the recent rain/snow tamped things down to make it a bit more passable.

A pretty good race!

C • clear mind! 2

*sniff *sniff

Rode to Counterbalance on the Burke, got a new kickstand, rode home. A great way to move the muscles and 'recover' from Sprint Camp!

Chase: *SO FUN!*

Setup: Cruise mode. Not fast, but clean.

Bonus Event- loosening the legs before the long car ride home!