Training Log Archive: maprunner

So glad I took today as a vacation day. We didn't get home last night until after midnight, so it was nice to sleep in. Spent the day sewing and consulting with my MIL on fabrics to be used in Christmas-gift projects.

US Champs Day 2, Bear Brook NH

My goal today was the same as yesterday: slow and steady with no big mistakes. I was worried about the bland contour detail and all the rocks (how can you tell them apart?)

The result? Total, complete and miserable fail. I DNFd for the first time in a long time.

Started out just fine (6th on the course to control 1 :) and was slow and careful on my way to 2. I wasn't sure what to expect on the yellow rides, and I did start up one different than I had planned. But I figured it out, and told myself I had to cross over two rides.

Around this point, I saw Mike (although he didn't see me, no more than 20 feet away in my hot pink and white shirt :). He was a bit hesitant, took a few steps in one direction, then stopped and changed direction, I thought to myself, ha, I know where I am and Mike isn't sure :) Famous last words; that's the last time I knew where I was.

I went across two rides to where I expected the control to be, didn't find it. Followed my relocation plan: stop, count to 10, think about what to do next. And I kept on doing this, over and over. I kept thinking I knew which yellow ride I was on, but then a few minutes later things wouldn't make sense. I even tried to relocate to the big marsh, but I never found it (obviously). I had shotblocks and water with me, took some of those, tried to feed my brain. Still couldn't make any sense of these damn yellow rides or the contours (didn't even try to understand the boulders). I eventually found another control on a hill. I stood there for the longest time trying to find it on the map, but I couldn't. Don't know how the brain can just stop functioning like that. Turns out I was about 75 meters from my control.

At this point, I decided to DNF, but I was not going in until I found the control. So I decided to bail out to the trail which was a long way away. Half way to the trail, I thought I knew where I was on the yellow rides, but I wasn't quite positive. As I climbed the hill to the trail, I began to feel like I could read the map again, and when I reached the trail I had correctly predicted where I would be. (Saw walk coming down form the trail, and I could tell we both had the same idea to use it for relocation)

Suddenly I could read the map again. Slowly made my way to 3 (still a bit confused on the rides, but mostly they were making sense). Decided to attack 2 from 3. As I was leaving 3, I saw Barb. She must have been very confused why I was heading in the wrong direction.

And lo and behold, I finally found 2. 59 minutes on this leg :( But I'm so glad I found it and regained my ability to read this map.

Decided to pick up 9 on the way in, mostly to make sure I didn't accidentally go through the out of bounds area. Jogged in on the road, just to get a bit more exercise in today.

my route

So frustrating. I've been very inconsistent this year, with some glorious days and some total disasters. Need to take a long hard look at the good and bad, try to figure out some root causes, then some improvement plans, then lots of practice.

Overall, though, it was a wonderful weekend in sense of great map and meet organization. Perfect weather and great conversations with friends. And even some friendly plank competition :) Ended with a nice beer and fine conversation with Chun and Charlie Bleau at the airport.

C • Lessons 2

Day 2 - Green Y - Splits

Event: UNO Boulder Dash
 

Day One US Champs, Bear Brook Park, Manchester NH

My goal today: no mistakes. So I started by walking and I ended up walking the whole course. I couldn't run through these thick woods, even if I felt confident enough to read the map on the run. I'm just not in woods running shape at this time of year.

Overall I was pleased with my day. Stayed in contact most of the time, and relocated quickly when I did make mistakes. I wasn't pleased when I did bone head things (like checking out an obviously incorrect not-my-control near 4 and not paying attention after being distracted by a chatty competitor on the way to 10).

I thought I was moving at a decent pace, until kissy caught me at 10. Ugh, she started 18 minutes after me. Didn't realize I had lost that much time.

Managed to nail it in the finish chute though :)

Great course, beautiful woods. So nice to face a true technical challenge for the first time in a long time.

Wonderful time socializing after the race.

My route

Day 1 - Green Y - Splits

Walking around on the model event.

Looking forward to the US Champs this weekend. This will be my 23rd consecutive champs!

Also, there's going to be a bodacious battle for silver in F50 :)

Just had to get outside during lunch on this beautiful fall day. I found that if I mix walking with jogging, I don't get sweaty, and I won't offend my co-workers when I return :)

At least I won't offend them with my smell. I may offend in other ways....