Training Log Archive: TomN

Event: QOC Patapsco Valley State Park, MD
 

QOC Patapsco/CCBC Catonsville Red. First time on some of this map, but we had used the western part in a meet last year. The new terrain was good, the old part was better than last year (because it was basically still winter this time).

Wow, full conditions. Pouring rain at 40 degrees F with 30 mph gusts, about as cold as you can get (paradoxically, it feels warmer when the temperature drops, and the precipitation is no longer wet). And then driving sleet during control pick-up, finally changing to wet snow.

I found that I wasn't hugely motivated for this run, but I tried to keep a steady pace and navigate well. Ted did a good job with the course, laying out some long, interesting legs. Mother Nature added some interest too. The steep hillsides were very hard to ascend and descend in the wet, even with spikes. Well, descending was fine, if you didn't mind a mud glissade with the occasional tree. The river crossings were scary and cold.

Some of the control placements were tricky. I had a few instances of standing less than 10 feet from the control, thinking it should be right here. It was, but it was hard to find. But basically I stayed in map contact, which was the goal.

And I appreciated all the rock detail, too. This is a hard skill for me, which needs work. I didn't handle the cliff control (#6 at the far west end) very well. Came down in between the rocky ridges and chose the wrong one. Something similar on #8, crossed the raging stream on a log with a death fall below, and then wasn't sure which rocky area I was in. All said, a tough course in difficult conditions.

Red - Splits

3x1000 at Einstein HS track. Goal was 4:21. Times were 4:19, 4:18, 4:21. A 400m slow jog (3:00) in between. It was drizzling the whole time, but no big puddles on the track. Not too unpleasant, though, with the temp. in the mid-50s.

Perimeter road at GSFC. Late afternoon run. It had stopped raining, and the temperature had come up. 64F, and pretty windy.

Early morning run, Barker St.-McKenney Hills. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6249605. 20 degrees and sunny, but no wind (yet). Not going to warm up much until late afternoon.

Easy run Drumm loop. Back to winter again. An inch of snow on the ground, temp. 27F, gusty wind blowing snow all around.

Situps, 3x20. Snow started at around 8 a.m., but I had already planned on a rest day, so no running this morning.