Training Log Archive: maprunner

Classic distance at NAOC. As I was warming up, my quads let me know that three days in a row was too much. So I didn't have to worry about running too hard today. I only jogged a few times (and always downhill).

Concentrated on being steady and consistent. Goofed a few times (drawn to the wrong control at 2; wandered a bit at 6) but always corrected quickly. Physically, though, I was beat. Started to stumble over my own feet every other step, so I took so crazy routes on trails to avoid the woods. Glad to just finish. Happy to have done three days with no major mistakes.

Some fun notes:
Susie started two minutes after me. My goal was to make it to the second control before she passed me. Just missed: she punched just ahead of me. Never saw her again; she had a great day.

A bunch of us were wandering around looking for 6. Suddenly I heard JJ (in my head) saying "if a bunch of people are looking all around, you're not in the right place". So I promptly stopped, turned around, and went back towards my last known location. Thanks JJ!

When I came out of the woods onto the main road at one point, I looked up and saw about 50 people moving in both directions. I did a double take; thought I was at an European O meet. Don't remember ever seeing so many people at a meet in the US. It was great.

Sandy and I were together for the last four controls. There wasn't much route choice, so we went the same way. She laughed at one point when she realized that WinSplits would show us as following each other!

Overall a great weekend. Met my O goals, and had a fabulous time visiting with lots of good friends.

Time lost: 3.8 Consistency: 13.0

C • we did see each other 2

Middle distance race. I was nervous before the start, because it has been about 6 months since I had orienteered in the woods. I wasn't sure I would remember how to read the map. Turns out the hardest thing (for most of us) was just _reading_ the map. It was pouring rain, and my sports glasses and magnifier kept fogging up. Plus it was dark in the woods. I had to stop often to read the map.

Started out clean, then a small bobble on the way to 4. Wasn't sure where I was the whole time, but recognized when it was time to stop and determine exactly where I was.

Biggest mistake was 7, where I missed it the first time. But I had a plan, and I followed it, for once. Back to the trail, attack again. Got it the second time.

Tired and sloppy towards the end, but no major mistakes. Overall, a decent day.

Time lost: 6.7% consistency: 19.2%

Event: North American Championships
 

First sprint at NAOC. My goal was to be clean and consistent. I pushed pretty hard, but reminded myself to pay attention to the map, and ignore the running. It worked. I had a very clean run.

And a miracle occurred: Peggy made one mistake, which allowed me to beat her by 11 seconds. First time I ever beat Peggy.

My goal for the weekend is three clean days. Since I make mistakes when I get tired, I knew I had to pace myself this weekend. I decided not to run the second sprint.

Time lost: 0 % Consistency: 7.2%

C • And 2

Spent a long time talking to the realtor tonight. The good news: he agreed that the house looked ready to sell (his only suggestion: power wash the deck).

The bad news: we have some "mushy" siding (T11 ???) that will need to be replaced. Now we have to decide to either fix it ourselves or lower our price expectation about $10,000. Either way, the money is gone :( And we can't put the house on the market as soon as I hoped.

But for now, I'm going to relax in my weirdly impersonal home, and look forward to a great weekend of O and friends.