Training Log Archive: revy

I rode out to Macpherson on my own to add some distance and met Courtney and Milo for the rest of the ride.

COC Middle on the Ramparts map. I really enjoyed this map and course. Interesting terrain, very runnable and I could read the map;) I forgot to start my GPS and had no control holder though I managed the latter by simply holding the control sheet in my non map hand (which was fine). I had a fairly clean run with only a couple errors... went too far right at 4, and went up a parallel feature going to 11 and lost a minute but recognized the mistake and relocated quickly. A few other spots where I could have saved 10-15 sec with better micro route choices. Physically I also felt about as good as I could expect (though my left knee is definitely sore afterwards). 2nd in my category (and on the map) and 1st Canadian.

C • Congrats! 4

COC Long on the Eager Hill map in Cranbrook. A few weeks ago I wasn't sure I would make the trip out as my running was going so poorly but things had improved enough that I figured a trip was worth it. The terrain here is so nice for orienteering...

I ran M35 which unfortunately used a 1:15,000 map. My first leg was terrible as immediately I was confused by features not showing up when I expected them to due to the smaller scale. It didn't help that a major catching feature I was using (a track) was extremely indistinct when I hit it. Doubt set in and of course that took me down a path of wondering if I was somewhere else than I thought I was... a subsequent detour confirmed that I was exactly where I though I had been but cost me 5 minutes and 500m of additiional distance. The next couple controls were still shaky due to the scale issues but things improved over the course of the event. I could have taken a better line across the open ground on the way to 3 as I ended up too close to the big hill. I ran into a friend (who was mountain biking) between 3 and 4 and stopped for a minute to talk. My route to 6 could have been better and stopped short of 17 (this area makes way more sense in 1:10,000) but otherwise the rest went pretty well. I had a couple controls where I did the old wise guy thing where I hiked directly to the control beating a couple younger guys who ran but took less direct routes. Physically I felt OK though not surprisingly started losing steam towards the end (plus it was getting warm). Nice views of the rockies from various viewpoints today.

C • Old Wise Guy 1

Control pick up on a hilly section of the map. It was very warm so mainly hiked rather than jogged. My legs were tired so not that keen to run anyway. I really enjoyed this outing as the slower pace let me enjoy the map and forest more (plus the master control map was 1:10,000).

Steady pace paddle with Courtney on the Columbia with a few additions.

Event: Canadian Orienteering Championships (COC)
 

Ski jump with Courtney.

Black Forest and Stimulus with Milo and Courtney.

Airport with the flats flooded. 4 x 6 min tempo in the Allwater.

Hip physio.

Lookout/Backside/Bluff/Quarry with Milo. Ran into an old co-worker and stopped for a short chat.

Morning ride with Courtney and Milo trying to avoid any potential crowds. We took a route that I more often run than bike... need to mix things up periodically to avoid always riding the same trails.

A great morning run in Campbell River to Elk Falls along the Provincial Park trails. The river runs through an impressive canyon and there is a cool suspension bridge across the river. Hip felt pretty good (fingers crossed) but my left knee was sore during the drive afterwards.

Event: Canadian Rockies Orienteering Festival
 

Last day of paddling - we broke camp and paddled east towards Mound Island. With the low tide we could again see lots of clam beds. It took a lot of work to move all those rocks. The conditions were quite misty but a nice temperature. After a nice loop we finished back in Farwell Harbour where the water taxi picked us up and took us back to Telegraph Cove.

C • Photos 7

Owl Island to White Cliff Islets and south to Swanson Island. Again the conditions were very calm though misty. Cool to be able to paddle in the more open waters again. When we rounded Swanson there was current in Blackfish Sound. Curiously it seemed to be ebbing when I expected it to be flooding. Currents in a complicated archipelago seem quite confusing...

We used the back eddies along the shore which allowed a normal paddling pace. Upon arriving at Flower Island two paddlers were leaving and we scored this prime site. A really nice sheltered beach for landing and a great perch to sit and watch Blackfish Sound. A couple humpbacks were feeding in the sound and we also saw an orca. The humpbacks came close a few times but since they were actively feeding they did not stay on the surface for very long.

Afternoon paddle to Maggy Point and around Compton Island. Got a ride out to the main sound with some tidal rapid. Saw three cruise ships go by within 20 minutes. They certainly move fast...