Training Log Archive: BorisGr

Put on a meet at Osbornedale yesterday. Some things worked well, others did not. Here are some notes so I can remember for the future.

What worked:
1) The race format. I think the reverse chase was fun, increased competition, and increased the excitement level of a regular local event. Most people who can handle an advanced course can run two 4km courses with a break in the middle, and there are more people to compare times with than with a separate green and red.

2) Control pick-up. This went smoothly and quickly, with great volunteers (Sam, Ross, Claire).

3) Beginner courses. I have been to countless events where the beginner and intermediate courses were too hard, and I worked hard to avoid this. In the end, I got compliments from people on each of the three lower courses and a very low rate of DNFs. Very good. There is nothing worse than turning people away from the sport by setting beginner courses that are above the appropriate difficulty level and, therefore, not enjoyable.

4) Beginner instruction. I provided instruction to a group of boy scouts, and Joe helped out by showing the basics to another group. Both groups finished their courses and had fun, some of them signing up for a second course. Thanks Joe!

5) Use of the map. I feel like I ended up doing a decent job of using the parts of the map that were good and avoiding most of the sketchy areas. Also, having different parts of the map utilized for the prologue and chase worked well.

What did not work:
1) Trying to run the meet as a one-man operation. I should have asked Becky formally to help me ahead of time, and not at the last minute. She saved my butt with hanging lots of controls, putting out units, and helping with whatever else needed to be done. I also should have secured someone ahead of time to help with registration. Donna was awesome and stepped in to help right away.

2) Trying to run a meet with only 37 controls and units. This is simply not enough. I would love for WCOC to buy another 10 flags and units to complete this kit. It was stressful and not fun to have to move controls between the prologue and chase and would have been nearly impossible without Becky's help.

3) Putting out control flags the day before the meet and SI units the morning of. I thought this was a good idea that would save time the morning of the event, but people were very unhappy about the SI units just lying on the ground under the flag, a practice I was used to in club events in Sweden. I got lots of complaints about this.

4) Map printing. I was rather pleased with myself for being done with courses and map printing well ahead of time, but I stupidly did not print enough prologue maps. A disaster! People graciously agreed to pitch in and return their maps to be reused by others, but this should not have happened. I'll know better for next time. Also, if anyone reading this wants a map, let me know, and I will send you a JPG. Also, people complained about the paper I used. I happen to like the card stock paper, but I guess I am in the minority.

5) Cups. Becky and I bought lots of water to bring to the event. On this hot day, I was surprised that all of the water jugs were still full with the event in full swing. I forgot to buy cups. D'oh!! Luckily, George had some.

6) The beer-O. It was going to be too much for one day, so I had to cancel. No one seemed too upset. Next time, I'll plan and advertise it more ahead of time. I still think it could be a lot of fun.

Overall, I thought things went well, but definitely could have been made much smoother with a bit of forethought on my part, as well as more flags/units available to me. Thanks to everyone who came and especially to the awesome volunteers who helped me!

C • It was a nice day (and I di... 23

After a lazy morning, went out with Ross and Sam to Ansonia. I shadowed Ross for a while (which was hard work for me, trying to keep up!) and made him say out loud the features he was seeing and what he was expecting to come up. He did really well as long as there were enough features, but tended to speed up and lose contact when there was less stuff to read. We then did a few distance estimation exercises and then a whole bunch of relocation, where I would run for a while, then stop, and make Ross tell me where we were and how we got there. I think these worked well. There is a lot more stuff I would love to do, just wish we had more time together.

Event: WCOC Osbornedale State Park
 

Hanging controls, moving controls, picking up controls at Osbornedale.

Went out to Osbornedale with Becky to hang flags. Much nicer out today than on Thursday when I could barely move in the stifling heat.

Running down to the New Haven Green for soccer

C • wtf? 3

Pick-up soccer with math grad students and others.

Nice easy run with Mike and Marie at West Rock. Saw a turtle!!
Thought about running more, but grilling awaited.

Hanging streamers at Osbornedale. Really hot and humid, could barely move. The woods were nice, on the other hand, just have to make a few map corrections. Sunday should be fun.

Just read Phil "The Head Goat" Bricker's Billygoat report. Enjoyable reading - always fun to see it from the event director's point of view. I read the report harboring some secret hopes that CSU would finally win the coveted club award but, apparently, a 1-2 finish and providing a bunch of dedicated volunteers (Ross, Gail, Peter) is not enough to even be in the running. Next year, we will have to resort to bribery for sure.

Intervals at Wilbur Cross with Becky. Did 800's, my goal pace was 2:50.
Very hot and humid, so felt like crap, but hit my pace ok.

2:48
2:46
2:48
2:47
2:45
2:44

On the last one, I gave Becky a head start and chased her. Definitely good motivation!

C • For me too! 3