Training Log Archive: bill_l

Picked up a nail in a tire between Friday and Saturday night. Had to take car in, decided to run home.

Planet Adventure - part 1 - orienteering leg

Handed out the maps 30 minutes before start of race.

Choice between going further, but to fewer controls, or shorter and more controls.

Map was a USGS 24K blown up to 15K.

There were 15 controls varying in point value from 1 to 7 points. Needed 15 points to complete the leg.

Two obvious choices:
Long: 12, 13, 14, 3 - maybe 14K, at least 10 of it on roads. Out and back route. 14 & 3 on hilltops along the route. 12 & 13 on hilltops at far point.

Shorter: 4,5,6,8,9,10,11 - 12K, very little on roads. Circular route around Tipsaw Lake.

Both routes had lots of climbing.

Opted for the shorter route.
Woods were mostly wide open, but lots of thorns. Some areas had impenetrable vegetation.
Getting to first control was a problem. Creek was flooded from the rain, so we spent 25+ minutes pushing through thorns looking for a place to get across.
Bobbled control 11 for a 20 minute loss (lost contact with map). Took about 10 min to re-estab and 10 min to go back and get control.
Control 10 was mis-located. Spent about 10 minutes looking and went on. Absolutely certain I was standing on the control feature, but no control.
Several stream crossings, knee deep, fast, muddy water.

Both routes had lots of climbing.
With all the rain, I think the long route was probably the better choice. Lots of road = less mud, and there were no stream crossings.

Planet Adventure - Leg 2 - MTB

Not that much trail, but what there was, was extremely difficult to ride. By the time we came through, the trails were deeply rutted by prior teams. Anywhere from 2 - 6 inches of mud with running water on top. Spent as much time hike-a-biking as riding. First time I've ever had to peddle on a steep downhill.

Mech problems: I had a jammed chain. Had to break it and put it back together. Matt could 't down shift so he was essentially riding a 3 speed.

PA - Leg 3 - Trek

We abbreviated this section. THere were 2 controls with a lot of of trail before, between, and after.

Headed for the paddle put in. All on road.

Event: Planet Adventure
 

Leaving for southern Indiana today. Forecast for the weekend is looking bleak: 45/35, rain, rain mixed with snow, more rain...

Feeling better than I did yesterday, but still not 100%. Race Director has decided to hand out maps at pre-race meeting tonight, so probably won't get much sleep.

Trailer is ready to go with all the team gear, but I still need to pack my cloths and get my food together.

Hit the road at about 11AM. Pick up Matt. Stop for lunch. Arrive Tell City @ 3:45.

Gear check @ 5.
Pre-race @ 9.
Map is printed on tyvek. (I wish all race directors used waterproof maps!) The map is huge, at least 36 inches wide by 48 long. The whole course is on a single map.
Back to hotel @ 10.
Plot points, route, final gear selection.
Go to bed @ 1:30. I think I was asleep by 2:30.

I'm feeling run-down today. Hope I'm not getting sick. Could just be residuals from a poor night of sleep on Monday night. I've been sick just prior to my last 3 adventure races, so this could keep the streak alive.

Planned rest day but too tired to do anything today anyway.
Started focussing on sleep this past weekend to get ready for the racec but last night was bad. Allergies and too much stuff going on.