Training Log Archive: maprunner

Day two at West Point. I did not want to spend any time just wandering around. My goal was to read ahead, and orienteer as well as I could.

I messed up on the second control. First, I went up a parallel reentrant, which I quickly figured out. Started to contour over to the correct area, and was distracted by other runners. Stupidly followed them, and found a control. Wrong code. Where was I?

This time at least, I stopped and relocated. Started again, confirmed a few other features, and slowly made my way back to the same "wrong" control. Started to think they had put out the wrong marker, which caused me to say "The problem is you, not the control". Took a long look at my map, and noticed that I was looking at the circle for #3, but expecting the code for #2. Damn! I was at #3!!!!! Quickly ran the ~100 meters back to 2, then back to 3 again. At least I had a quick split to #3 :(

After that, I settled down. For the first time on this trip, I was orienteering, knowing what to expect, reading ahead, letting go of the map when appropriate, reading details when necessary. I was motivated by all the men running past me; I tried to keep them in sight for as long as possible. I pushed myself, since there was no reason not to try as hard as possible. Still couldn't run over the rocks or up the hills, but I moved quickly without stopping.

So, overall, I was satisfied with this run.

I was 1.57X the winner.

Green-2 - Splits

Event: West Point A-Meet
 

Day One at West Point. Plan was to go slow, read the map, minimize the mistakes, try to be <1.5X green course winner.
Slow: yes
read the map: usually
minimize mistakes: one huge one
winner's time: unknown

I started out OK, reminding myself to take it one control at a time. Fine until #3, a 4m boulder. First boulder I looked at was not it. Instead of stopping to figure it out, I wandered around to every large boulder in the area, completely ignoring all other signs (such as contours and a big lake). I estimated that I wandered for 5 minutes. When I looked at splits, I wandered for nine minutes. Nine minutes!!! Ugh!!! Must get this wandering under control....

When I finally located #3, I was punching at the same time as Acampbell (although I did not know it was her at the time). We were together the rest of the course. It was very interesting; we were often walking side by side, or two feet apart. But we both evidently navigating on our own. We would occassionally split up, but never for long. I thought she had dusted me on the trail run from 6 to 7. But as I approached, I could see that she had left the trail early, and was pushing through the woods. I stayed on the trail longer, and caught up to her. She finally ditched me on the trail run into the last control. It was very motivating to be with someone the whole course; kept me sharp, and forced me to move a bit faster. Thanks Alison!

C • Mary it was great running with... 1

My time versus the winner: 1.63

Green-1 - Splits

A little O training on the Surebridge map. It was raining and foggy, very cool to be out on the map. Good practice remembering how to read the rock features and how to relocate. Also, I have to remember to trust myself--I do know how to orinteer here, when I concentrate and read the map.

Followed by the requisite visit to Campmor before returning to Mom and Dad's. The week went fast.

C • West Point 1

short jog around MIke's brother's house in Clinton Corners NY. This nephew is not so tiring to chase around, since he's only 10 months.old. But still lots of fun :)

C • Tough duty... 1

on the beach near my brother's house on Long Island (see Mike's blog for the map). Also, various times of running around after my niece (almost three) and nephew (almost five). Lots of fun :)