Training Log Archive: jjcote

Followed Stephen around the White course. He did quite fine for most of it, though at control #9, what I thought was successful execution of a tough leg turned out to actually be random wandering until he found it (there was a simpler route, but he made a wrong turn), and on the last control (#10), he did exactly the right thing, but the sketchy little trail had him skeptical because it appeared to dead-end, so he backed out to a place where he was sure of where he was, then got upset because things weren't working out. So I encouraged him to try again, doing what he thought was right, and he found that the trail contunued, and he didn't have much further to go to get to the control. There were streams in the way, though, and he didn't know how to get across, so I had to explain it to him. "You're a boy", I said, and with that he splashed his way right across.

Forest Park, Sprint #1. A little inefficient getting down the hill to #1, trouble seeing the flag at #8, and didn't attack too well at #10 (or maybe the map wasn't quite right). Pretty hot and humid, so it was tough to get up much enthusiasm for going fast.

Skipped Sprint #2 -- it was getting late, it was very hot and humid, and the Koehlers were enthusiastic about hitting the road, particularly Nicole, who had a birthday party to get to.

Sprint 1 - Splits

Valerie loaned me her old GPS (Garmin 301) a few weeks ago, and I finally got around to trying it out. Intended to do the standard Lane-Horse-Seaver loop, to find out where it actually goes. This was after a brief rain, so the ferns were all wet, and therefore soon so were my pants. No matter. But on the Horse Corral trail, I may have turned off into the woods a little early, and I thought I got to the top of the hill okay, but there are too many leaves out now to see the house, so there was some uncertainty. Then heading down toward the Friendly trail, I got off course somehow, and I was worried that maybe I was going too far to the left. Cloud cover kept me from being sure which way the setting sun was, and the next thing I knew I was going much too far, through some thickish stuff (lots of saplings, and laurel here and there. Nothing to do but forge onwards, and I knew I'd come out on a trail or road somewhere. Eventually I did, and it was a much bigger trail than I had been anticipating. Took only a few steps to guess that it was the powerline trail, which was confirmed very quickly when I passed the Snowmobile Dead-End (and that also confirmed my guess that the woods off the end of that trail are not much fun). That means I was actually much too far to the right, not the left. Just headed home from there.

The GPS made various beeping noises during my run. I looked at it the first time, and it seemed to say that I had completed the first lap (whatever that means). I suspect that the others may have been warnings about losing/acquiring satellite lock, or perhaps low battery. Guess I need to RTFM. Which will also be necessary if I want to download the track log.

Rode up into NH and back via a scenic route on the Incubus. Absolutely stunning day, perfect for a bike ride. Glad I brought a water bottle.

Decided I should do like Peter, and post maps from all of the races I've won, or almost won, outside of North America:

Okay, well, that was easy. I don't feel any lighter, though. Time for some Ben and Jerry's before bedtime.

C • posting maps 2

Followed Stephen around the beginner's course. He has two speeds: about as fast as I care to go, and stationary. So it's like running really short intervals, sort of. Gave him two hints: reminded him when he was near #5 that Sanna had said something about this one (that it was hard to see the trail, prompting him to turn around and successfully find it), and on the way to the finish, when he had managed to get himself pretty lost, I said that I hadn't even looked at the map, but I knew where we were. That prompted him to look around and realize that we were right next to his first control.

Pine Hill sprint. Not horrible, but could have been better. Two major (for a sprint) boo-boos: Bad route on #3, and blew the attack on #8.

Sprint - Splits

Drove up to Morningside to go hang-gliding, and found the weather conditions to be somewhat less favorable than the forecast had suggested. I therefore practiced one of the most important of pilot skills: the ability to shrug and say, "I guess today's not the day", then just turn around and drive home.

Left foot still bothering me. Can't feel anything just sitting still or walking around, but there's a spot on the inside of the heel that generates distinct discomfort if I press on it with my thumb.