Training Log Archive: iansmith

Run home.

Event: UKR Gators O Cup #5
 

Johannes Klaebo is a monster. I highly encourage watching the men's 4x10 km relay; on the anchor leg, Klaebo skis a brilliant tactical race, casually hanging on to France and then OAR, then absolutely obliterating both of them in the last 2 km. A total assassin. Special shoutout to the Norwegian wax techs, but I feel bad for anyone in a head-to-head race with Klaebo. I wish Klaebo had started a minute back of the lead, because it would have been amazing to see how much time he could have made up. Watching all this skiing makes me wish I were more competent at skate ski; these skiers can fly.

C • assassin mode 1

I watched the CBC coverage, and while the Canadian announcers were enthusiastic, it paled to the ecstasy of the US commentators. I can't watch the NBC coverage directly from Canada, but the audio of the last 100m is spectacular.

C • Do you believe in Miracles?! 5

Interesting commentary on the Dutch speed-skating programme:

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-dutch-own...

In terms of the US and orienteering, geography is our biggest challenge. A thought: what if we tried to build our elite program on both a breadth level and a depth level. This is a rehash of ideas from many others.

1) Breadth: having regional training, introductory clinics around the country, and mechanisms to engage enthusiastic youth. Ideally we have a sufficient density of quality maps around the country (even 2-3 sq km) so that if you're a youth in Podunk Junctionville living in the vicinity of a club, you can get on maps and get training. Ideally, every interested youth would be able to interface with a coach on some level - for instance, the regional coaching that Boris and Becky do. A 10-14 year old might only need a few conversations with a coach every year and enthusiastic participation in a club's events to advance.

2) Depth: build 1-3 locations in the country where we can develop elites at the highest level. New England is one spot due to its density of universities, clubs, maps, and events. A dedicated training group of 20-30 high school and college level athletes could dramatically advance our fortunes, and there are jobs in Boston and New York that might enable promising orienteers to keep training into their 20s. DC, BAOC, and Seattle (despite meh terrain) are also interesting possibilities. That way, if you're a Kempster-esque young person thinking about college, you can know that there is a place where you can pursue competitive orienteering and get a good education in the States. Ideally, such a center would have staff - a coach or two, a few support people to help with transportation - and some money for transportation, food, etc. One full-time-equivalent salary could be adequate - pay someone like GSwede 1/2 time or 3/4 time to organize programming (possibly while also training the JWOC team), pay someone to help drive to events, and give the kids a small stipend to maximize participation in the program, help with food, equipment, and travel. A dedicated college student could easily spend $2000 on equipment, entry fees meets, and food just going to regional events.

C • Training Centres 1

Run into work this morning. To try to address my pathetic running training, I'm experimenting with running home on the night of day N, then running to work on day N+1. Between these sessions, I will commute the usual way (subway in the winter given the snow/ice, bike all other times) with an extra change of clothes. My legs feel a bit trashed, which I suppose is unsurprising given 20 km of running in a 12-hour span.

I haven't watched much Olympics, but the cross country races have been a highlight. The men and women in the sprint are like locomotives; the longer races are epic. Klaebo in the Men's Sprint final was an unstoppable force.

But the World Cup is coming. Get excited!

C • Klaebo 3

Ultimate Frisbee with the MBP team at the U of T bubble. The opposing team forfeited because they only had either 4 people or 1 girl (5 and 2 required respectively), so while we officially won in a forfeit, we played a fun scrimmage with a few bystanders filling out their roster. We weren't keeping score, but I suspect we lost a close game - maybe 20-15. I'm a tenacious defender and speedy on offense, but my disc handling is lackluster. My signature offensive play is the DeSean Jackson - to take off down the field at full throttle and catch a long pass. I scored thrice (?) today. Unfortunately, the opposing team had 3-4 ringers who were taller than I, fast, and had good disc handling. I got burned a few times on defense, though in general I was one of our better defenders.

I wore my Garmin for the match, though it wasn't running the whole time.