Training Log Archive: iansmithIn the 30 days ending Jun 30, 2012:
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Saturday Jun 30, 2012 #
5 PM
Hiking 1:30:00 [1] 22.5 km (4:00 / km)
Ali and I drove up to New Hampshire on Friday night and stayed at the Great Bear Cabin III near Moosilauke. On Saturday, we hiked the Tripyramids from Route 112. We ascended via Sabbaday Brook Trail, scooted up to North Peak, doubled back down to Middle and South Peak, then descended via the Kate Sleeper Trail and the Downes Brook Trail. The loop was about 14 miles in length. My Garmin has been gimpy lately - running through a full battery in a little over an hour, despite smart recording - so I only turned it on for part of the descent.
While the views were unremarkable, the excursion and its numerous stream crossings were great fun. I have not been diligent about making trips into the White Mountains, and day hikes are great opportunities to get away from the busyness of life and spend time at one (ish) with nature. I packed relatively lightly, with only three liters of water, a fleece, a rain jacket, some tortillas, and the usual set of hiking equipment - flashlights, matches, iodine tablets, first aid kit, and emergency blanket. Ali wore the boots she plans to use on Mt. Blanc, but eventually switched to her X-talons when her feet started to hurt. I wore some Asics running shoes which I had previously used as my day use shoes.
The day was sunny and bright, and the temperature on the ridge was around 60-65 F. We encountered around 25 other hikers, most of whom were on the ridge.
A few peaks that looked interesting for subsequent climbs: the Osceolas, Passaconaway.
Some pics:
A beautiful day - from Middle Tripyramid, looking West. The ski resort visible is Waterville Valley. The peak with Waterville is Mt. Tecumseh, the peak to the right (north) in the foreground is Mt. Osceola, and I think the peak between them in the distance is Moosilauke.
A beautiful day II
Team photo
While the views were unremarkable, the excursion and its numerous stream crossings were great fun. I have not been diligent about making trips into the White Mountains, and day hikes are great opportunities to get away from the busyness of life and spend time at one (ish) with nature. I packed relatively lightly, with only three liters of water, a fleece, a rain jacket, some tortillas, and the usual set of hiking equipment - flashlights, matches, iodine tablets, first aid kit, and emergency blanket. Ali wore the boots she plans to use on Mt. Blanc, but eventually switched to her X-talons when her feet started to hurt. I wore some Asics running shoes which I had previously used as my day use shoes.
The day was sunny and bright, and the temperature on the ridge was around 60-65 F. We encountered around 25 other hikers, most of whom were on the ridge.
A few peaks that looked interesting for subsequent climbs: the Osceolas, Passaconaway.
Some pics:
A beautiful day - from Middle Tripyramid, looking West. The ski resort visible is Waterville Valley. The peak with Waterville is Mt. Tecumseh, the peak to the right (north) in the foreground is Mt. Osceola, and I think the peak between them in the distance is Moosilauke.
A beautiful day II
Team photo
Thursday Jun 28, 2012 #
8 PM
Running 39:05 7.24 km (5:24 / km) +5m 5:23 / km
ahr:150 max:182 shoes: 201108 Asics GT-2150
Easy run around the Charles. Thought about a clustering problem on pairwise ranked lists. Also of note, today the Supreme Court ruled on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Cases (PPACA) including Thomas More Law Center v. Obama in a 5 to 4 decision that, among other things, the individual mandate is constitutional under the Taxation Clause of Article 1 of the constitution.
Wednesday Jun 27, 2012 #
Note
slept:8.0
Apparently there exists a lyme disease vaccine that was taken off the market because people are dumb:
WBUR: Why your dog can get vaccinated against Lyme Disease and you can't
While I'm always looking to move up in the attackpoint rankings, I recently discovered this (update) unpleasant surprise on the aggregate AP score. Note who is in 34th. I'm a solid point behind acjospe; it is an area in which I must improve. It occurs to me that split comments are the easiest of the seven metrics to adjust, and that a difference of 0.2 could be made up with about 10 split comments. This would inevitably spark an arms race, leading to total chaos and the collapse of our little society.
Update: it seems that the attackpoint total rankings fluctuate quickly, and in the space of a day, I was passed by AliC (probably due to her total number of visits). Rather than artificially trying to inflate my ranking, I will pursue advancement through conventional means - training, log hits, splits from actual races, and so on.
WBUR: Why your dog can get vaccinated against Lyme Disease and you can't
While I'm always looking to move up in the attackpoint rankings, I recently discovered this (update) unpleasant surprise on the aggregate AP score. Note who is in 34th. I'm a solid point behind acjospe; it is an area in which I must improve. It occurs to me that split comments are the easiest of the seven metrics to adjust, and that a difference of 0.2 could be made up with about 10 split comments. This would inevitably spark an arms race, leading to total chaos and the collapse of our little society.
Update: it seems that the attackpoint total rankings fluctuate quickly, and in the space of a day, I was passed by AliC (probably due to her total number of visits). Rather than artificially trying to inflate my ranking, I will pursue advancement through conventional means - training, log hits, splits from actual races, and so on.
Note
2012 Republican Party of Texas Report of Platform Committee
There are many comments which could be made about the above document; I find the ideological inconsistencies to be overt, particularly between the bounds of protecting individual liberties (deontological) versus banning actions because they are "detrimental to the fabric of society" (consequentialist). While I was a diligent student of Christianity, I can't recall where the Bible or reasoned analysis of Christian axioms yields a "God-given right to carry [a] firearm." I wonder what the appropriate course would be if data were to show that certain consequences of the right to carry a firearm were "detrimental to the fabric of society."
A few choice passages are being circulated in the blogoverse, e.g. the "Knowledge-Based Education" section and the section on homosexuality. As many have pointed out, the word "homosexuality" could be replaced with "interracial marriage" and be consistent with views in the zeitgeist that are now abhorrent but were common sixty years ago.
I find much of the document distressing not merely for its ideological content, but for the incompatibility of many of the views with compromise.
There are many comments which could be made about the above document; I find the ideological inconsistencies to be overt, particularly between the bounds of protecting individual liberties (deontological) versus banning actions because they are "detrimental to the fabric of society" (consequentialist). While I was a diligent student of Christianity, I can't recall where the Bible or reasoned analysis of Christian axioms yields a "God-given right to carry [a] firearm." I wonder what the appropriate course would be if data were to show that certain consequences of the right to carry a firearm were "detrimental to the fabric of society."
A few choice passages are being circulated in the blogoverse, e.g. the "Knowledge-Based Education" section and the section on homosexuality. As many have pointed out, the word "homosexuality" could be replaced with "interracial marriage" and be consistent with views in the zeitgeist that are now abhorrent but were common sixty years ago.
I find much of the document distressing not merely for its ideological content, but for the incompatibility of many of the views with compromise.
8 PM
Biking 50:00 [1] 22.4 km (26.9 kph)
shoes: Trek 7.1 FX
To/from Alex's for an undeserved post-training dinner.
Monday Jun 25, 2012 #
Note
slept:5.5
A report from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (through 2002) has some surprising data. Do you know what the average weight and height of the American population over 20 is? (See pages 8 - 17).
I was a bit shocked to discover that the average weight of American men over 20 is 189.8 pounds as of 2002. I can only imagine that circumstances have gotten worse.
Also, the Supreme Court recently declined to reconsider the 2010 Citizens United ruling.
I was a bit shocked to discover that the average weight of American men over 20 is 189.8 pounds as of 2002. I can only imagine that circumstances have gotten worse.
Also, the Supreme Court recently declined to reconsider the 2010 Citizens United ruling.
9 PM
Strength training 15:00 [3]
(rest day)
Fifteen minute strength session; 5 of core, 5 of legs, 5 of core:
Tuckups, kayakers, plank, leg lifts, bicycles;
calf raises, squats, lunges, calf raises, deadlifts;
oblique crunches, 2x side plank, superman, oblique crunches
Tuckups, kayakers, plank, leg lifts, bicycles;
calf raises, squats, lunges, calf raises, deadlifts;
oblique crunches, 2x side plank, superman, oblique crunches
Sunday Jun 24, 2012 #
10 AM
Canoeing 2:06:50 [3] 16.0 km (7:56 / km) +9m 7:54 / km
19c shoes: 201104 NB 759
NE Canoe-O champs, set by Aims Coney, with Ali in a C2; we won the race!
I was very pleased that this was not the only NEOC Canoe-O event of the year - Keith's race at Cochituate last weekend was a great precursor. The attendance was respectable this year, especially given the remote location at Lake Tully, about 90 minutes from Boston. I raced at Tully Lake in 2008 with Jeff Schapiro, so I had some idea what to expect.
Aims graciously loaned Ali and I his fast Wenonah C2; after a short calibration paddle, we started the long course. Partnering with Ali was quite easy because we are well matched in terms of power and canoe experience. She had never really used racing canoe technique, and my grasp of it isn't sufficient to offer much instruction. I told her about the basic premise of short strokes and a fast cadence, and apart from occasional corrections to her cadence, she readily took to the technique.
We were slightly confused to 1 without a compass, but found it ok. At 2, I did a poor job anticipating the torque of Ali's mighty cross draw, and we capsized a few meters from the shore and control. We made a quick portage to 3, then a long paddle to 4. We decided to take 5 by running with the boat for a bit over a km along a trail (my Garmin died before we reached 5); according to my track, we were able to trot along at around 6-7 min/km - comparable to our cruising speed in the boat. We missed the optimal trail, though Ali pointed it out when we crossed the stream. After we reached 5, I learned that my partner was bolder than any previous canoe partner (with the possible exception of Jeff Schapiro) when we plowed through a section of marshy reeds to get to the river. It was very effective, and we lost very little time for our vegetation traverse. Controls 6-11 were typical canoe controls along the river, with a smattering on land; Ali was our runner, and I did get to paddle alone for a few hundred meters.
We elected to again portage the canoe along a trail to 12. While we had planned to portage a short peninsula to get to 13, I changed my mind (to our cost) at the last minute when it looked like the peninsula was shorter than expected - probably losing about a minute. We traversed the lake on leg 16, and the cross wind had picked up and made it difficult for me to keep the boat straight. I had to rudder once to correct, but only just managed to keep our bow on the control site. 16 was listed as a wet control, but it really was dry - on a peninsula; we lost at least two minutes checking both sides before Ali saw the flag. We finished nine minutes over our reach goal of 2 hours after a short hop over a peninsula to 17 and some quick paddling to 18 and 19.
We managed to edge out formidable nemesis boat of Schapiro and Keith by about fifteen minutes to win the long course and the New England championship. Had Andy Hall showed up, I'm sure he would have crushed us by at least 30 minutes, but the field was sparse enough for us to prevail. I estimate 25 or 30 boats were in attendance, most of whom raced the medium course. Ali and I fared reasonably well; we had the stamina to persevere through the race and were balanced. I could use some technique practice, and while my steering was adequate, I'm sure it could be cleaned up. Our line across the lake to 4 is pleasing.
I was very pleased that this was not the only NEOC Canoe-O event of the year - Keith's race at Cochituate last weekend was a great precursor. The attendance was respectable this year, especially given the remote location at Lake Tully, about 90 minutes from Boston. I raced at Tully Lake in 2008 with Jeff Schapiro, so I had some idea what to expect.
Aims graciously loaned Ali and I his fast Wenonah C2; after a short calibration paddle, we started the long course. Partnering with Ali was quite easy because we are well matched in terms of power and canoe experience. She had never really used racing canoe technique, and my grasp of it isn't sufficient to offer much instruction. I told her about the basic premise of short strokes and a fast cadence, and apart from occasional corrections to her cadence, she readily took to the technique.
We were slightly confused to 1 without a compass, but found it ok. At 2, I did a poor job anticipating the torque of Ali's mighty cross draw, and we capsized a few meters from the shore and control. We made a quick portage to 3, then a long paddle to 4. We decided to take 5 by running with the boat for a bit over a km along a trail (my Garmin died before we reached 5); according to my track, we were able to trot along at around 6-7 min/km - comparable to our cruising speed in the boat. We missed the optimal trail, though Ali pointed it out when we crossed the stream. After we reached 5, I learned that my partner was bolder than any previous canoe partner (with the possible exception of Jeff Schapiro) when we plowed through a section of marshy reeds to get to the river. It was very effective, and we lost very little time for our vegetation traverse. Controls 6-11 were typical canoe controls along the river, with a smattering on land; Ali was our runner, and I did get to paddle alone for a few hundred meters.
We elected to again portage the canoe along a trail to 12. While we had planned to portage a short peninsula to get to 13, I changed my mind (to our cost) at the last minute when it looked like the peninsula was shorter than expected - probably losing about a minute. We traversed the lake on leg 16, and the cross wind had picked up and made it difficult for me to keep the boat straight. I had to rudder once to correct, but only just managed to keep our bow on the control site. 16 was listed as a wet control, but it really was dry - on a peninsula; we lost at least two minutes checking both sides before Ali saw the flag. We finished nine minutes over our reach goal of 2 hours after a short hop over a peninsula to 17 and some quick paddling to 18 and 19.
We managed to edge out formidable nemesis boat of Schapiro and Keith by about fifteen minutes to win the long course and the New England championship. Had Andy Hall showed up, I'm sure he would have crushed us by at least 30 minutes, but the field was sparse enough for us to prevail. I estimate 25 or 30 boats were in attendance, most of whom raced the medium course. Ali and I fared reasonably well; we had the stamina to persevere through the race and were balanced. I could use some technique practice, and while my steering was adequate, I'm sure it could be cleaned up. Our line across the lake to 4 is pleasing.
4 PM
Orienteering 1:15:00 [2] 6.4 km (11:43 / km) +200m 10:08 / km
27c shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Orienteering exercise at Baldwin Hill with Ali. I suppose you could characterize the exercise as a triangle exercise - for each triplet of controls {1, 2, 3}, the two orienteers take them in order {1, 2, 3} and {2, 1, 3} respectively. At the first control, they leave a streamer, and they each retrieve a control at their second. The third is the finish.
Given all the activity this weekend, we did not have much stamina. The temperature was cool, but the numerous mosquitos and other insects made the session trying. While the Baldwin Hill map is very good, the undergrowth and deadfall are often frustrating, and I really don't like the use of dot knolls. My Garmin didn't acquire satellites until after I had started the exercise, and the last half hour was a battle of will against waning strength and focus.
That noted, it was decent training, and it is helpful to have these tests of concentration. I contend that training is not always about instantaneous pleasure, but is instead about pursuit of some larger goal. Still, I was quite happy when we finished. We did cut the exercise short by skipping 3 control triplets.
Given all the activity this weekend, we did not have much stamina. The temperature was cool, but the numerous mosquitos and other insects made the session trying. While the Baldwin Hill map is very good, the undergrowth and deadfall are often frustrating, and I really don't like the use of dot knolls. My Garmin didn't acquire satellites until after I had started the exercise, and the last half hour was a battle of will against waning strength and focus.
That noted, it was decent training, and it is helpful to have these tests of concentration. I contend that training is not always about instantaneous pleasure, but is instead about pursuit of some larger goal. Still, I was quite happy when we finished. We did cut the exercise short by skipping 3 control triplets.
Saturday Jun 23, 2012 #
8 AM
Orienteering 20:42 [4] *** 4.48 km (4:37 / km) +2m 4:37 / km
22c shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
Esplanade sprint with Ali, Barb and Dave. I got up at stupid o'clock and biked to the Hatch Shell for the first in a busy day of sprints. The first leg was a long trail run to the opposite end of the Esplanade. I started about a minute after Ali and could see her in the distance, but my efforts to reel her in were futile. The course was simple - particularly for me, as I know the Esplanade well. However, I think the map would be ideally suited for beginners - it would be a great introduction to ISSOM for school children, e.g.
I was hesitant at the beginning - I hadn't checked whether a wall from 2-3 was uncrossable far enough ahead. I think I made the correct route choices apart from going around the wrong side of a building to 16. Controls 19 and 22 were rendered somewhat inaccessible because of construction. Finished about 1:30 back of Ali.
I was hesitant at the beginning - I hadn't checked whether a wall from 2-3 was uncrossable far enough ahead. I think I made the correct route choices apart from going around the wrong side of a building to 16. Controls 19 and 22 were rendered somewhat inaccessible because of construction. Finished about 1:30 back of Ali.
C • Map 1
Biking 20:00 [1] 8.0 km (24.0 kph)
shoes: Trek 7.1 FX
Commute to and from the Esplanade; I didn't do a running warmup.
11 AM
Orienteering 20:04 [3] 4.21 km (4:46 / km) +3m 4:45 / km
12c shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
Ali and I continued the Tour de Park-O by running the 2012 Mystic River Park-O. We biked with haste because we were short on time and needed to meet the gang at Tufts. I started after Ali. It had occurred to me that a bout of sprints after a week of inactivity might be challenging, but it felt good to run. It should be unsurprising that I felt tired. I had acceptable flow and executed the sprint reasonably well, but I lacked the stamina and speed to really push hard. Mystic River, like the Esplanade, is a neat little reasonably contained park (as long as you don't cross the street), and would make an excellent sprint training area for beginners.
I had some problems getting into the circle at 2, where the pit that had the circle was completely overgrown with bushes. The locations for controls 6 and 8 weren't obvious, but I think I was at the correct locations in both cases. I had a few sloppy hesitations that must be trained away if I hope to be good at sprints. Finished about 2 minutes back of Ali.
I had some problems getting into the circle at 2, where the pit that had the circle was completely overgrown with bushes. The locations for controls 6 and 8 weren't obvious, but I think I was at the correct locations in both cases. I had a few sloppy hesitations that must be trained away if I hope to be good at sprints. Finished about 2 minutes back of Ali.
Orienteering 11:53 [5] 2.28 km (5:13 / km) +64m 4:35 / km
17c shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
We met Giacomo, Eric, and Ben about ten minutes later than we planned at Tufts for a pair of sprints. Brendan designed a "qualifier" and a "final," each of which was a little less than 2 km. We were warned that he had designed the control locations to be particularly tricky and had changed some of the walls on the map from passable to impassable. I started a minute back of Ben and a minute ahead of Giacomo.
I approached the course as a race, and ran as hard as I typically would; however, since I was very diligent and cautious, I started hemorrhaging time. I double checked the wall crossability at 2, then confused myself with the control description at 3 (though I made the correct decision). I saw Ben and Eric at 5. At 7, the control description of south side of a thicket confused me, and during my approach from the right, I hesitated on a lower section. I caught sight of Giacomo as I was leaving 8 and turned up my intensity to try to stay ahead, though he cruised past me on the way to 12. I made what would have been a bad route to 13 by running right and ignoring what was mapped as an impassable wall in my route decision, but it turned out the wall did not exist in the real world, and everyone crossed it on their exit from 13.
I caught that control 14 was placed under the bridge, but only after I was already on the leg and so missed the optimal route. The rest of my pack went to the top in their haste. The remaining controls were straightforward.
Between the activity earlier in the day and my general weakness, I am not too displeased with my performance, but I lack speed and smoothness, and my map-reading and decision-making processes are both inadequate for sprint competition. I must practice more, partly because that's what Philippe Adamski would do.
I approached the course as a race, and ran as hard as I typically would; however, since I was very diligent and cautious, I started hemorrhaging time. I double checked the wall crossability at 2, then confused myself with the control description at 3 (though I made the correct decision). I saw Ben and Eric at 5. At 7, the control description of south side of a thicket confused me, and during my approach from the right, I hesitated on a lower section. I caught sight of Giacomo as I was leaving 8 and turned up my intensity to try to stay ahead, though he cruised past me on the way to 12. I made what would have been a bad route to 13 by running right and ignoring what was mapped as an impassable wall in my route decision, but it turned out the wall did not exist in the real world, and everyone crossed it on their exit from 13.
I caught that control 14 was placed under the bridge, but only after I was already on the leg and so missed the optimal route. The rest of my pack went to the top in their haste. The remaining controls were straightforward.
Between the activity earlier in the day and my general weakness, I am not too displeased with my performance, but I lack speed and smoothness, and my map-reading and decision-making processes are both inadequate for sprint competition. I must practice more, partly because that's what Philippe Adamski would do.
Orienteering 10:51 [5] 2.32 km (4:41 / km) +15m 4:32 / km
17c shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
Final sprint at Tufts. We started at 20s intervals in reverse chase order - I was behind Ben and ahead of Ali. I began by not reading the route to 2 well, and made a bad route choice to 3. A 20s start interval was a bit too tight - the pack had completely bunched at around 6. I initially worked hard to chase down Ben and Eric, then fought to stay with Giacomo and Ali for the rest of the course. Giacomo bobbled 8 by about 5s, and I briefly took the lead. Controls 9-12 were straightforward; Giacomo and Ali had built up a fifteen second lead as I left 12.
I plodded on alone to 15, and had planned my route around the north side to 16. En route to 16, I noticed that 17 appeared to be outside of the stadium (the CD was a little ambiguous), and the finish was on the inside. Giacomo and Ali cruised past me out of the dogleg at 16, but apparently in their rush to compete thought the finish was accessible from the outside. After punching 17, I found myself a few meters ahead of Ali and, like any sensible competitor who finds himself in this situation, put on the afterburners. I think she was tired from smoking me earlier in the course and chasing down Giacomo, and I managed to hold her off for the victory (i.e. the loss by < 20s).
The Tour de Park-O was great fun, and running sprints with company was exhilarating and undoubtedly drove me harder than I would have been able to do alone. I skipped Danehy to get home and visit an apartment.
I plodded on alone to 15, and had planned my route around the north side to 16. En route to 16, I noticed that 17 appeared to be outside of the stadium (the CD was a little ambiguous), and the finish was on the inside. Giacomo and Ali cruised past me out of the dogleg at 16, but apparently in their rush to compete thought the finish was accessible from the outside. After punching 17, I found myself a few meters ahead of Ali and, like any sensible competitor who finds himself in this situation, put on the afterburners. I think she was tired from smoking me earlier in the course and chasing down Giacomo, and I managed to hold her off for the victory (i.e. the loss by < 20s).
The Tour de Park-O was great fun, and running sprints with company was exhilarating and undoubtedly drove me harder than I would have been able to do alone. I skipped Danehy to get home and visit an apartment.
Biking 30:00 [1] 14.4 km (28.8 kph)
shoes: Trek 7.1 FX
Biking to Mystic River, Tufts, and home.
Friday Jun 22, 2012 #
Note
slept:9.0 (rest day)
Interesting article about the selection criteria for the US Track and Field Olympic team.
Thursday Jun 21, 2012 #
Note
slept:7.0 (sick) (rest day)
My Lyme-imposed week of respite continues largely uneventfully. I have been diligent about taking my antibiotics, and the pounding headache and fever which plagued me last week have blissfully abated. The bullseye rash has also disappeared, though the bite is still somewhat irritated. Apart from weakness - whether due to the weekend, the doxy, or my resident population of bacteria - the only anomalous symptom has been back pain. A muscle - I think my lower right trapezius - was irritated on Monday and Tuesday, and breathing and ranges of motion of my right shoulder caused great discomfort. I'm fairly sure the pain was localized to an area to the right of and far behind mind sternum. I suppose it's possible that kayaking on Monday coupled with my depleted condition were the cause. A dose of ibuprofen and sleep on Wednesday night have alleviated most of the pain.
I lacked motivation and energy on Tuesday and Wednesday, but today, my competitive drive is returning to me. My yearning to go running is increasing with time, and soon I shall be restored to full health. This case of Lyme, just like the plantar fascia tear, is a setback. Perhaps they both could have been prevented through greater diligence and discipline, but I cannot change what has happened - all that remains is to deal with their consequences and adjust my life and training strategies to be better prepared to deal with these difficulties. I am very excited about Fall 2012, and I hope to acquit myself well. The next 10.5 months are full of promise and possibility, and I am undeterred.
Catching Features and German training both await my attention, and I must do a better job integrating both into my daily routines. I am closing on 50k hits on my AP log, and I am in undeclared competition with AliC (who has 90k) for the higher rate of hit accumulation. It doesn't help that she keeps setting PRs, is more popular, and generally a more exciting person. I will rise to the occasion!
Currently listening to: The Four Seasons
Adamski's speed astonishes me - French long race trials for 2012 EOCs. Note that red is 6 min/km.
I lacked motivation and energy on Tuesday and Wednesday, but today, my competitive drive is returning to me. My yearning to go running is increasing with time, and soon I shall be restored to full health. This case of Lyme, just like the plantar fascia tear, is a setback. Perhaps they both could have been prevented through greater diligence and discipline, but I cannot change what has happened - all that remains is to deal with their consequences and adjust my life and training strategies to be better prepared to deal with these difficulties. I am very excited about Fall 2012, and I hope to acquit myself well. The next 10.5 months are full of promise and possibility, and I am undeterred.
Catching Features and German training both await my attention, and I must do a better job integrating both into my daily routines. I am closing on 50k hits on my AP log, and I am in undeclared competition with AliC (who has 90k) for the higher rate of hit accumulation. It doesn't help that she keeps setting PRs, is more popular, and generally a more exciting person. I will rise to the occasion!
Currently listening to: The Four Seasons
Adamski's speed astonishes me - French long race trials for 2012 EOCs. Note that red is 6 min/km.
Tuesday Jun 19, 2012 #
Note
slept:6.5 (sick) (rest day)
I found a tick nymph on my left ankle on Monday night, probably > 24 hours after attachment. The little buggers are numerous, and let's face it: ticks suck. Hopefully my course of doxycycline will prevent further problems, though I don't know what else to do unless symptoms reappear.
I do want to get well as quickly and completely as possible, so I will refrain from much activity of any kind this week and increase my fluids and sleep. Even the mighty Hood needs a refit from time to time.
I do want to get well as quickly and completely as possible, so I will refrain from much activity of any kind this week and increase my fluids and sleep. Even the mighty Hood needs a refit from time to time.
Monday Jun 18, 2012 #
Canoeing (Kayaking) 45:00 [1] 6.4 km (7:02 / km)
I ambled over to Charles River Canoe and Kayak for an easy outing, my first of the year. I set out in a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 model - no rudder, sort of a tub - and cruised up the basin past Mass Ave before turning back. While mingling with the sailboats, I imagined I was the mighty battlecruiser HMS Hood, the pride of the Royal Navy, cruising among the flotilla of lesser ships.
Sunday Jun 17, 2012 #
8 AM
Orienteering 57:13 4.0 km (14:18 / km) +122m 12:24 / km
ahr:121 max:165 8c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
Hanging controls for the control pick.
10 AM
Orienteering 57:57 5.58 km (10:23 / km) +168m 9:01 / km
ahr:139 max:175 19c
Running the control pick + line-O + control pick that I designed.
Orienteering 32:00 4.0 km (8:00 / km) +92m 7:10 / km
ahr:154 max:182 17c
Ali's O-tervals; my watch died shortly after the first, so the time and distance data come from Ali's data. I tried to take the O-tervals gingerly and slow, but it's hard to run at an easy pace, even if you position yourself in the start order so that you don't have to run head to head so regularly. I was tired by the end.
Saturday Jun 16, 2012 #
Running warm up/down 6:00 [1] 1.0 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
Jog to the start of the three sprints at Fairfield University.
Orienteering 10:30 [4] 2.04 km (5:09 / km)
6c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
First sprint with Ali and Izzy. We thought Andrew, Ethan, and Giacomo had already started; they showed up shortly after we began. I started first, with Ali thirty-ish seconds behind. I was trying to find the balance between not running hard given my Lyme and facing the competition. I ran aggressively, though I felt like I had more to give.
The first sprint was made more tricky because of new campus construction and and Irish festival that made areas around the stadium inaccessible. We astutely avoided both, but I made one suboptimal route choice when I allowed myself to be distracted by the construction.
I botched finding the path between two buildings en route to 4, and took the slower route around to 6.
The first sprint was made more tricky because of new campus construction and and Irish festival that made areas around the stadium inaccessible. We astutely avoided both, but I made one suboptimal route choice when I allowed myself to be distracted by the construction.
I botched finding the path between two buildings en route to 4, and took the slower route around to 6.
C • Lyme 2
Orienteering 11:00 [4] 2.4 km (4:35 / km)
9c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
For the second sprint, we joined Giacomo and the Childs Bros and set off for the best location we could use for the start given the Irish festival. To avoid protracted discussion, I started first and just held off Ali to finish first. I think I took the incorrect route to controls 7 (my second control) and 12 or whatever; I will post routes later. I ran these three sprints without my Garmin because Ali left hers at the car, and I figured with WOC and my Lyme, she needed it more.
Orienteering 17:00 [3] 3.1 km (5:29 / km)
14c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
For the third sprint, we were able to run the entire course, although we used a modified start location. I started after Giacomo, Andrew, Ethan, and Ali and ran gingerly as I lacked pressure to avoid being caught. I ran an optimistic route to 2 via a stream, even though I knew it would be thicker than running straight. Unlike the majority of our crew, I didn't disqualify myself running from 3-4. I may have at 9, however; I'm not sure I visited the correct fountain, though only one was mapped. The outing was good fun, and I felt generally good by the end. Today's effort is not to be matched in intensity for some time, though.
Running warm up/down 6:00 [1] 1.0 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
Run back to the cars, where Barb was stalwartly guarding the fleet.
Orienteering 7:24 [2] 1.0 km (7:24 / km)
10c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
After lunch, we rendezvoused with Neil at SUNY Purchase and ran a few sprints from the HVO meet. Unfortunately, the map has changed somewhat since the 2011 team trials, so rerunning those courses was deemed impractical. I led the first sprint start and was passed by Andrew at the fifth control.
Orienteering 9:00 [2] 1.5 km (6:00 / km)
8c shoes: 201206 Inov-8 X-talon 212
The division between the first and second sprint was arbitrary - little more than a spectator leg in the middle. After a short break, I set off on the second sprint and ran alone. I decided to punt the third sprint and instead cheered and spectated. Giacomo amused himself with high grass in a planter.
Friday Jun 15, 2012 #
Note
(sick)
Update from Gimpyville, population: me
A spot appeared on my back on Saturday, blistered, grew, and developed a bullseye on Thursday night. I visited my doctor on Friday; he diagnosed me with lyme disease and prescribed a 21-day course of Doxycycline. The pounding headache I have had since Sunday appears to be related; I have taken a mix of ibuprofen and acetominophen for it.
So, it turns out this wasn't the best week for me. I followed up five days of general malaise with an attack of the time management knucklehead on Friday. I have elected to continue on my journey to Connecticut and New York for the training, for the socializing, and to get out of my apartment. Hopefully I can get some work done while spectating Jukola and watching the clash of the titans between DVOA and CSU.
A spot appeared on my back on Saturday, blistered, grew, and developed a bullseye on Thursday night. I visited my doctor on Friday; he diagnosed me with lyme disease and prescribed a 21-day course of Doxycycline. The pounding headache I have had since Sunday appears to be related; I have taken a mix of ibuprofen and acetominophen for it.
So, it turns out this wasn't the best week for me. I followed up five days of general malaise with an attack of the time management knucklehead on Friday. I have elected to continue on my journey to Connecticut and New York for the training, for the socializing, and to get out of my apartment. Hopefully I can get some work done while spectating Jukola and watching the clash of the titans between DVOA and CSU.
C • Lyme 3
Thursday Jun 14, 2012 #
Note
I have registered for the Swiss 5-Day, acquired housing in Lausanne, and procured plane tickets to Switzerland. Now, I just need to cling to life long enough to enjoy the trip.
I had a routine physical yesterday that fortuitously coincided with me being ill. The doctor concluded my fever and wicked headache were due to a spider bite on my back, and that the best course was to wait for it to heal and take NSAIDs. I was given a doxycycline dose for the tick bite from a deer nymph I found on Tuesday, and I was shot with a TDAP tetanus booster. My body is having a rough week.
Most of the other results were normal; I'm 185 lbs, 72.5", and in good health. As soon as I am done being sick and dying of the plague, I will have blood drawn for a routine set of tests.
Update: The bite on my back, which had previously developed a few small blisters, appears to have a bullseye-shaped rash. Uhoh.
I had a routine physical yesterday that fortuitously coincided with me being ill. The doctor concluded my fever and wicked headache were due to a spider bite on my back, and that the best course was to wait for it to heal and take NSAIDs. I was given a doxycycline dose for the tick bite from a deer nymph I found on Tuesday, and I was shot with a TDAP tetanus booster. My body is having a rough week.
Most of the other results were normal; I'm 185 lbs, 72.5", and in good health. As soon as I am done being sick and dying of the plague, I will have blood drawn for a routine set of tests.
Update: The bite on my back, which had previously developed a few small blisters, appears to have a bullseye-shaped rash. Uhoh.
Wednesday Jun 13, 2012 #
Note
An interesting New Yorker article about the relationship of cognitive ability and the susceptibility to bias.
One of the papers the New Yorker cites.
It should be noted that the article is from the New Yorker, which I guess is like a ghetto survey paper. The original papers are psychology papers and may ironically fail to perceive their own bias to positive results.
One of the papers the New Yorker cites.
It should be noted that the article is from the New Yorker, which I guess is like a ghetto survey paper. The original papers are psychology papers and may ironically fail to perceive their own bias to positive results.
Note
7 PM
Running 44:27 7.46 km (5:58 / km) +30m 5:51 / km
ahr:150 max:169 (sick) shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
Despite still feeling unwell, Magnus convinced me to go for an easy run by telling me that I was "weak" and reminding me of various motivators. I started very slowly - left calf felt unpleasant, the burrito I had just eaten didn't sit well, and my head hurt. After a time, I loosened up and started to feel better, though I didn't ever get fast.
Update: 5 hours after the run, I am dying.
Update: 5 hours after the run, I am dying.
Tuesday Jun 12, 2012 #
Note
(sick) (rest day)
Found an attached nymph tick on my left shoulder today. Two weeks ago, I scheduled a physical for Wednesday; it seems prescient given that I now have a fever, a tick bite, and what appears to be a spider bite.
I recently acquired plane tickets to Switzerland, so it is only a matter of time before at least one of my bones breaks. Perhaps I should have anticipated this illness when I clicked the "purchase" button.
I recently acquired plane tickets to Switzerland, so it is only a matter of time before at least one of my bones breaks. Perhaps I should have anticipated this illness when I clicked the "purchase" button.
Monday Jun 11, 2012 #
Note
slept:8.0 (sick) (rest day)
Message from body, post-Skyline: Ow, ow, ow. GimpyFoot feels ok, lending credence to my guess that the ball-of-foot pain was from impact trauma rather than inflammation. Oddly enough, right arm hurts just above the elbow - perhaps from canoeing on Saturday.
Notes on Ponkapoag/Houghton's Pond meet:
This is the first meet I have directed this year (or the second if you count the Blue Hills beginner training camp on 5/12), and I specifically did not delegate it because I wanted to use and investigate the Ponkapoag map south of I-93. As has been noted, the map and terrain turned out better than expected, and despite its age, the map was suitable for orienteering. The Green and Brown courses were challenging, and a number of people didn't finish. I believe the remote start wasn't too onerous, though it turns out the walk to the start was about 800m along a street.
The white and yellow courses were somewhat too difficult; I got overly creative in my control placement and had not visited W8/Y10 before the meet. It's important to remember to make the white course as easy as possible, and this is not a new error for me. That said, despite the difficulty, people seemed to have fun and were generally forgiving.
I worked harder to delegate the work than I have in the past. Ben Gallup and Richard Powers hung the WYO controls on the morning of the event, and I had an excellent group of meet workers including Pete Lane, Andy McIlvaine, Marcie Berkley, Aims Coney, Mika Latva-Kokko, Jeff Schapiro, and Joanne Sankus. Linc Berkley was particularly clutch and worked the results computer - giving Jim Paschetto a well-deserved break. Giacomo, Magnus, Ed Despard, Ben, and Earl LaVallee picked up and organized controls, and Ali was helpful throughout the day - hanging two controls and assisting with control pickup after everyone had left.
One area I can really improve is to have a second principal organizer. I designed all the courses, carried out the water, and printed the maps; having a second person to split up the work and take care of details (e.g. cutting the route on Green, which I overlooked) would have been very helpful. Since I also had board/VP responsibilities at the AGM, having a second person to wrap up the meet would have been useful. It was encouraging to receive such a warm welcome when I was introduced at the AGM.
While there were some mistakes, the meet went reasonably smoothly. The day was a bit demanding for me, for Ali, and for one or two of my volunteers (Ben in particular), but there will always be ways to improve.
Notes on Ponkapoag/Houghton's Pond meet:
This is the first meet I have directed this year (or the second if you count the Blue Hills beginner training camp on 5/12), and I specifically did not delegate it because I wanted to use and investigate the Ponkapoag map south of I-93. As has been noted, the map and terrain turned out better than expected, and despite its age, the map was suitable for orienteering. The Green and Brown courses were challenging, and a number of people didn't finish. I believe the remote start wasn't too onerous, though it turns out the walk to the start was about 800m along a street.
The white and yellow courses were somewhat too difficult; I got overly creative in my control placement and had not visited W8/Y10 before the meet. It's important to remember to make the white course as easy as possible, and this is not a new error for me. That said, despite the difficulty, people seemed to have fun and were generally forgiving.
I worked harder to delegate the work than I have in the past. Ben Gallup and Richard Powers hung the WYO controls on the morning of the event, and I had an excellent group of meet workers including Pete Lane, Andy McIlvaine, Marcie Berkley, Aims Coney, Mika Latva-Kokko, Jeff Schapiro, and Joanne Sankus. Linc Berkley was particularly clutch and worked the results computer - giving Jim Paschetto a well-deserved break. Giacomo, Magnus, Ed Despard, Ben, and Earl LaVallee picked up and organized controls, and Ali was helpful throughout the day - hanging two controls and assisting with control pickup after everyone had left.
One area I can really improve is to have a second principal organizer. I designed all the courses, carried out the water, and printed the maps; having a second person to split up the work and take care of details (e.g. cutting the route on Green, which I overlooked) would have been very helpful. Since I also had board/VP responsibilities at the AGM, having a second person to wrap up the meet would have been useful. It was encouraging to receive such a warm welcome when I was introduced at the AGM.
While there were some mistakes, the meet went reasonably smoothly. The day was a bit demanding for me, for Ali, and for one or two of my volunteers (Ben in particular), but there will always be ways to improve.
Sunday Jun 10, 2012 #
Event: NEOC: Houghton's Pond
Event: Skyline Trail Race
7 AM
Orienteering 15:00 [1] *** 2.0 km (7:30 / km)
2c shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Hanging two orange controls, including the water control.
8 AM
Running 1:13:50 12.12 km (6:05 / km) +632m 4:50 / km
slept:6.0 shoes: 201110 Inov-8 Oroc 280
2012 Skyline Trail race. I had never run the Skyline race before; I was broken in 2010 and conflicted (with a canoe race) in 2011. As my fitness and general health seem to be on the mend, I was really looking forward to the race, though the past two months of training were curtailed due to Gimpy Foot. I had the added challenge of also directing the NEOC local meet at Houghton's Pond/Ponkapoag today, and the start times for the respective races narrowly allowed me to run the Skyline at 8 before assuming director responsibilities at 10.
I showed up at the start feeling reasonably good - my legs were spry, and both feet felt good. Unlike an O-race, a running race has minimal logistics (it turns out). I brought my older pair of X-talons, which were in a more advanced state of disrepair than I expected. The right shoe was particularly shredded, with a three inch gash on the inner edge above the sole.
I had hoped to hang with Ali, though I recognized that this was unlikely. I was in the second group out of the start, and settled into a comfortable groove behind Giacomo and Ali. I was feeling optimistic about my stamina and speed when Ali kicked in her afterburners on the first downhill; she was in sight for the first fifteen minutes, but quickly gained ground and disappeared.
I ran the rest of the race with Giacomo and guy I didn't know; I figured Giacomo was holding back (or it was too early). We rotated the lead, and I milked my comparative speed advantage on the downhill to pull about 50m ahead from 30 mins through the ascent up the hill at 40 min. Giacomo was very strong on the uphills, and while we broke away from the third guy, I couldn't lose him. The ball of my right foot started hurting at around the halfway point - I think due to terrible shoes and rocky impacts rather than ligaments, and my endurance waned. I had eaten a bagel for breakfast, but a Gu would have been very useful. Giacomo finally pulled away on the ascent after the road crossing at min 53, other guy passed me, and I just struggled on by myself in a death slog to the finish with painful foot. My calves tightened up, and I felt pain along the bottom of my right foot at the downhill at 70 mins; I slowed to a controlled, less painful descent to try to prevent lasting damage and was nearly overtaken.
Not a bad effort; I finished in 7th about three minutes back of Giacomo, and decisively nemesis'd by Ali's tremendous performance (68 mins). Stephen carried the day in 63 minutes.
Comparison to Ali's splits:
I showed up at the start feeling reasonably good - my legs were spry, and both feet felt good. Unlike an O-race, a running race has minimal logistics (it turns out). I brought my older pair of X-talons, which were in a more advanced state of disrepair than I expected. The right shoe was particularly shredded, with a three inch gash on the inner edge above the sole.
I had hoped to hang with Ali, though I recognized that this was unlikely. I was in the second group out of the start, and settled into a comfortable groove behind Giacomo and Ali. I was feeling optimistic about my stamina and speed when Ali kicked in her afterburners on the first downhill; she was in sight for the first fifteen minutes, but quickly gained ground and disappeared.
I ran the rest of the race with Giacomo and guy I didn't know; I figured Giacomo was holding back (or it was too early). We rotated the lead, and I milked my comparative speed advantage on the downhill to pull about 50m ahead from 30 mins through the ascent up the hill at 40 min. Giacomo was very strong on the uphills, and while we broke away from the third guy, I couldn't lose him. The ball of my right foot started hurting at around the halfway point - I think due to terrible shoes and rocky impacts rather than ligaments, and my endurance waned. I had eaten a bagel for breakfast, but a Gu would have been very useful. Giacomo finally pulled away on the ascent after the road crossing at min 53, other guy passed me, and I just struggled on by myself in a death slog to the finish with painful foot. My calves tightened up, and I felt pain along the bottom of my right foot at the downhill at 70 mins; I slowed to a controlled, less painful descent to try to prevent lasting damage and was nearly overtaken.
Not a bad effort; I finished in 7th about three minutes back of Giacomo, and decisively nemesis'd by Ali's tremendous performance (68 mins). Stephen carried the day in 63 minutes.
Comparison to Ali's splits:
| Split | Ali | Ian | Notes |
| Start to first road crossing | 21:59 | 22:35 | Running with Giacomo, holding back a little |
| Road to halfway | 12:38 | 13:20 | I was pushing hard; hard to believe I was 5% back. Mostly ahead of Giacomo on this leg. |
| Halfway to Road | 14:29 | 15:25 | With Giacomo, still running hard. 6% back. |
| Road to finish | 18:54 | 22:31 | Completely spent, just a struggle to the end. Took the big downhill gingerly |
10 AM
Orienteering 20:00 [1] *** 3.0 km (6:40 / km)
2c shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Streamering the walk to the start of the advanced courses, carrying two gallons of water out to each of the two advanced water stops (which were already equipped with cups and bags), and placing the start and finish punches.
3 PM
Orienteering (Control picking) 30:00 [1] 3.0 km (10:00 / km)
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Picking up seven advanced controls, including two water controls.
Saturday Jun 9, 2012 #
7 AM
Orienteering 45:00 [1] 5.0 km (9:00 / km) +180m 7:38 / km
11 AM
Canoeing 1:30:00 [1] 13.25 km (6:48 / km) +122m 6:30 / km
shoes: 201104 NB 759
Vetting controls for the Canoe-O with Keith. Total time was 2:30, but some of that was idle or spent concentrating on verifying the map; 1:30 is probably more accurate. Boston folk should plan to come to the race; the Canoe-O at Lake Cochituate on Sunday, 17 June will be excellent, and a great precursor for the New England Canoe-O champs on Sunday 24 June. Check out the NEOC website for more information.
If you decide to come, definitely show up before 10:30 AM, as they close access to the park when the parking lot fills up. Father's Day will probably be a busy one. It would not be unwise to arrive by 10, and the race starts then.
If you decide to come, definitely show up before 10:30 AM, as they close access to the park when the parking lot fills up. Father's Day will probably be a busy one. It would not be unwise to arrive by 10, and the race starts then.
Orienteering 34:31 [3] 3.0 km (11:30 / km)
shoes: 201104 NB 759
Friday Jun 8, 2012 #
6 AM
Orienteering 1:00:00 [1] 9.43 km (6:22 / km) +127m 5:58 / km
slept:5.0 shoes: 201110 Inov-8 Oroc 280
Running around on Ponkapoag in advance of my meet on Sunday. I vetted the control sites more aggressively than I typically would, both because I have never been on the map before and because the map is very old - apparently older than I am. That noted, the terrain is very impressive. The running is delightful; while there are some dense areas of knee high vegetation, there is very little green briar or other blood-drawing plans, and the woods are generally passable. I found some delightful areas, and most of the 15 controls on the 4.8 km green course are in clear, pristine woods. The map is clearly outdated - it would be wonderful to remap it. It was originally mapped at 1:15, the contours are crude, the vegetation has changed, and some of the rock features are inconsistent.
While the map is basically as-is (though I changed a few minor details), the terrain is delightful, and I think the course should be straightforward.
The Garmin gave up on life near the end of my excursion, and I shortened the time to reflect a better measure of the fitness and technical benefit I received.
ARDF results posted
While the map is basically as-is (though I changed a few minor details), the terrain is delightful, and I think the course should be straightforward.
The Garmin gave up on life near the end of my excursion, and I shortened the time to reflect a better measure of the fitness and technical benefit I received.
ARDF results posted
Thursday Jun 7, 2012 #
Event: CSU Park-O 8: Long Pond
6 PM
Orienteering 19:39 [3] 2.83 km (6:57 / km) +96m 5:56 / km
12c slept:5.0 shoes: 201110 Inov-8 Oroc 280
Long Pond Park-O. I wasn't really focused when I started the race, and it showed in my execution. I lost about two minutes to hesitation and general confusion at 5; it looks like I questioned my location and aborted my plan prematurely. I chose a bad exit from 5 punching through green, and tried to attack six far too early even though my attack was the combined top of hill and curve in trail. I started sluggishly, and didn't really sustain an aggressive pace until the end of the race.
I lost by three minutes to Dancho, and by 11 seconds to Giovanni, who audibly "beeped" instead of pin-punching. Not a terrible effort, but not particularly productive either. Good course by Brendan.
Quickroute
I lost by three minutes to Dancho, and by 11 seconds to Giovanni, who audibly "beeped" instead of pin-punching. Not a terrible effort, but not particularly productive either. Good course by Brendan.
Quickroute
Running warm up/down 5:00 [1] 1.0 km (5:00 / km)
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 Oroc 280
Quick warmup.
Running 8:00 [1] *** 1.0 km (8:00 / km)
2c shoes: 201110 Inov-8 Oroc 280
Control pickup and easy trail running; before picking up controls, I backtracked on the course to check on a man and his daughter who were still out and had been seen by many competitors making their way along. They had just passed control 11 and were steadily on the way to 12. I stayed out of their way, circled behind them and picked up the last two controls. I didn't do enough enough warm up and cool down today. I debated going for a short run after getting home, but Tre Kronor Cooking with Magnus Bjorkman had too much allure. Today's lesson involved preparing a tasty pasta salad.
Wednesday Jun 6, 2012 #
9 PM
Running 49:11 8.9 km (5:32 / km) +80m 5:17 / km
ahr:159 max:194 shoes: 201108 Asics GT-2150
Easy-ish run around the river. Either my HR monitor or my heart appears to be malfunctioning. I did not feel well earlier today, and I ate about 4 oz of Gruyere cheese before going for a run. Perhaps those factors could explain, but I'm reasonably sure that my heart rate wasn't as high as the monitor suggests. To verify the validity of the HR signal, I kicked into a fast stride and took a split at 5:24.
I ran without an audiobook, in quiet contemplation. I hope that increasing my running time will both improve my physical fitness and give me a degree of mental serenity; there are few better opportunities for reflection.
I ran without an audiobook, in quiet contemplation. I hope that increasing my running time will both improve my physical fitness and give me a degree of mental serenity; there are few better opportunities for reflection.
Tuesday Jun 5, 2012 #
7 PM
Running 49:58 9.49 km (5:16 / km) +52m 5:08 / km
ahr:155 shoes: 201104 Mizuno Waverider 14
Easy run around the river. I briefly ran into my friend, David Stair. Heart rate data is clearly nonsensical; I estimate my HR was in the neighborhood of 150-155. I started relistening to the audiobook Deep Survival; it came up in conversation with Joseph Huberman in San Diego.
Monday Jun 4, 2012 #
8 PM
Running 22:55 [1] 3.83 km (5:59 / km) +28m 5:46 / km
shoes: 201108 Asics GT-2150
Easy run around the block with Magnus. We stopped at Chipotle midway through the run, and I taught him the ways of the burrito.
Woo Canada! - Canada abolishes the penny.
Sergei Shtanko. "No, maybe I can't win. Maybe the only thing I can do is just take everything he's got. But to beat me, he's going to have to kill me. And to kill me, he's gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he's got to be willing to die himself."
Woo Canada! - Canada abolishes the penny.
Sergei Shtanko. "No, maybe I can't win. Maybe the only thing I can do is just take everything he's got. But to beat me, he's going to have to kill me. And to kill me, he's gonna have to have the heart to stand in front of me. And to do that, he's got to be willing to die himself."
C • Woo! 1
Sunday Jun 3, 2012 #
Event: NEOC: Nobscot
9 AM
Running 6:00 [1] 1.0 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
ARDF 1:12:10 [3] 9.08 km (7:57 / km) +359m 6:38 / km
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
The 80m frequency has always appealed to me more than 2m. Because the signals always indicate the true direction of the transmitters and lack spurious reflections, the 80m competition is more like a race and less like a crapshoot game of 3-card monty. I had a solid race and took a comfortable victory over Brad, a newcomer from LAOC. Grant and his wife went home on Saturday night, depriving me of more competition.
I struggled with the altitude - Mt. Laguna is at about 6,000 feet, and the vegetation and climb were unforgiving at times. I took the controls in the correct order - 1, 3, 2, 4, 5. I estimate that I lost about 10 minutes relative to a perfect race - one cycle on control 2, at around km 5, and one on control 5 at km 8 on my track. With a strong push at the beginning of the race and good fortune finding the controls off cycle, it might have been possible to get to control 3 at 18-20 minutes instead of the 23 it took me. Vadim was running faster than I at the beginning of the race; his time of 52 minutes was impressive, though he didn't have to get control 2.
I am quite happy that I had a good race - though it wasn't quite as dominant as my 2010 result. I easily qualified for the world championships team (unsurprising, as there are two open M21 slots besides mine), and I hope to face my Ukrainian nemesis, Sergei Shtanko, in Serbia. Provided I have enough vacation time, I will train aggressively over the summer with Lori (who had two very good races and is better at putting her equipment together).
My fitness is always an area that warrants improvement, and if I hope to compete with the Shtanko and the speedy Czechs, I will need to be faster. I have hopes that my orienteering background and fearlessness in the face of difficult vegetation will prove useful in competition. I have unusual ARDF technique; I remember rather than draw bearings, and thumb my map rather than mount it on a board. I haven't decided if I should revise my technique, but I am inclined to practice memory for bearings simply because the improved ergonomics of thumbing are far more comfortable and expedient for me. I am also hopeful that I can psych out my adversaries with my lack of drawn bearings without losing any pertinent information.
Results main page
2m Results, aw
80m Results, yay
I struggled with the altitude - Mt. Laguna is at about 6,000 feet, and the vegetation and climb were unforgiving at times. I took the controls in the correct order - 1, 3, 2, 4, 5. I estimate that I lost about 10 minutes relative to a perfect race - one cycle on control 2, at around km 5, and one on control 5 at km 8 on my track. With a strong push at the beginning of the race and good fortune finding the controls off cycle, it might have been possible to get to control 3 at 18-20 minutes instead of the 23 it took me. Vadim was running faster than I at the beginning of the race; his time of 52 minutes was impressive, though he didn't have to get control 2.
I am quite happy that I had a good race - though it wasn't quite as dominant as my 2010 result. I easily qualified for the world championships team (unsurprising, as there are two open M21 slots besides mine), and I hope to face my Ukrainian nemesis, Sergei Shtanko, in Serbia. Provided I have enough vacation time, I will train aggressively over the summer with Lori (who had two very good races and is better at putting her equipment together).
My fitness is always an area that warrants improvement, and if I hope to compete with the Shtanko and the speedy Czechs, I will need to be faster. I have hopes that my orienteering background and fearlessness in the face of difficult vegetation will prove useful in competition. I have unusual ARDF technique; I remember rather than draw bearings, and thumb my map rather than mount it on a board. I haven't decided if I should revise my technique, but I am inclined to practice memory for bearings simply because the improved ergonomics of thumbing are far more comfortable and expedient for me. I am also hopeful that I can psych out my adversaries with my lack of drawn bearings without losing any pertinent information.
Results main page
2m Results, aw
80m Results, yay
C • Nice! 20
5 PM
Note
After the awards ceremony, I helped the Hubermans consume their leftover food. I hadn't made concrete plans for how I would spend the afternoon, so when it was brought to my attention that the late WWII-era aircraft carrier USS Midway was in San Diego, that the last tour started at 4 PM, and that the museum closed at 5. I made haste on the drive, losing a few minutes to a wrong turn and to delays finding parking. I arrived at the Midway at 4:05 PM, and despite repeated efforts, I was unable to persuade a rather contrarian museum employee to let me on board. I would have happily paid the entry fee just to stand on the flight deck. I have read about aircraft carriers all my life, but never have I been aboard one. To come so close to fulfilling a childhood dream and fail was devastating; I gazed longingly upon the hull from about 30m away for a while before departing. In an unexpected treat, the Nimitz-class USS Carl Vinson was moored across the channel.
The Essex class USS Intrepid is a museum ship in Manhattan; I will have to visit her sometime soon. My favorite aircraft carrier is unquestionably the USS Enterprise of World War II fame, but she was sadly scrapped in the late 1950s.
I stopped by a restaurant in Little Italy and ate a tasty plate of Fettuccine Alfredo with a glass of wine before retiring to the airport. While the wine instantaneously enhanced the dinner, I had some head and stomach discomfort that I attribute to the wine. I am a lightweight.
At the competition, I got a hearty laugh out of the suggestion that I (and Lori) get my ham radio license. I race ARDF for the competition, not the radio aspect; while I'm happy that some people enjoy radios, I have absolutely no interest in amateur radio.
The Essex class USS Intrepid is a museum ship in Manhattan; I will have to visit her sometime soon. My favorite aircraft carrier is unquestionably the USS Enterprise of World War II fame, but she was sadly scrapped in the late 1950s.
I stopped by a restaurant in Little Italy and ate a tasty plate of Fettuccine Alfredo with a glass of wine before retiring to the airport. While the wine instantaneously enhanced the dinner, I had some head and stomach discomfort that I attribute to the wine. I am a lightweight.
At the competition, I got a hearty laugh out of the suggestion that I (and Lori) get my ham radio license. I race ARDF for the competition, not the radio aspect; while I'm happy that some people enjoy radios, I have absolutely no interest in amateur radio.
Saturday Jun 2, 2012 #
11 AM
Running 15:00 [1] 2.5 km (6:00 / km)
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
Warmup and drills before the 2m race.
ARDF 2:44:12 [3] 15.0 km (10:57 / km) +364m 9:46 / km
shoes: 201110 Inov-8 X-Talon 212
The 2012 US ARDF Champs were at Laguna Village near San Diego this year. After some reluctance, I decided to attend the event because I want to make the team for the 2012 World Champs in Serbia, and I didn't feel comfortable accepting a slot without showing up and earning it.
My attempt to avoid sacrificing a work day led to crazy logistics; I left Boston at 5 PM on Friday, landed in San Diego at 11 PM, and after a quick nap to avoid dying on the roads, arrived at the meet site at 3 AM (PST). I sleepily put my receiver together at about 8, and we were ferried to the event start at 8:45.
There were problems with the event organization immediately. For each race, five transmitters (with an e-punch at each) are set in the woods. Unlike in O, their exact location isn't that important; it takes a lot of effort to set a transmitter wrong. The information about their location isn't on the map, so they really can be anywhere without affecting the legitimacy of the race, as long as they are audible from the start location (as per the rules). Despite only having to set five transmitters, there were problems with two of them at the scheduled start time, so we waited for two hours while the organizers went into the woods to change the batteries or some such nonsense. Despite these efforts, transmitter #1 was off for the duration of the race, so we only raced with four controls. Fail.
My Garmin died midway through the race because I had turned it on at my scheduled start and forgotten to turn it off while we waited. In an idiotic oversight, I had put my yagi antenna together incorrectly, swapping the long and short elements. I haven't worked out exactly what that did to the signal and the relative phases of the components, but what I was hearing was garbage. While I could hear the receivers, my direction-finding ability was totally shot, and I had trouble localizing anything. The antenna was held together with screws, so even had I figured out the error, I could not have fixed it mid-race. By some miraculous confluence of good fortune and geographic reasoning, I found control #4 on a hill. I didn't want to give up, so I ran around for three hours searching in vain for the other four transmitters. My attack of the knucklehead was entirely my fault, and clearly I should have spent a non-zero amount of time with a 2m receiver in the past year. Poor preparation will lead to failure.
There were 3 M21s competing. Brad made the same mistake I did - incorrectly assembling his antenna - and found no controls. Grant, the Canadian, found two before encountering a mountain lion at 10-20m distance running at full speed. He made noise and shook his receiver to scare it away, but discovered shortly afterward that his radio had flown off his antenna into the woods. He searched for a time, but eventually had to bail out. He doesn't use his map, so had no idea where he was; he apparently got a ride back to the finish and so DQ'd himself. As a result, in a pitiful demonstration of 2m proficiency, I won the race.
Words cannot express the frustration I felt during the race; I haven't been out on a course that long in many years, and I have never failed to find all the transmitters in an ARDF competition. Three hours without any water and the technical difficulties at the start of the race did not improve my mood.
My attempt to avoid sacrificing a work day led to crazy logistics; I left Boston at 5 PM on Friday, landed in San Diego at 11 PM, and after a quick nap to avoid dying on the roads, arrived at the meet site at 3 AM (PST). I sleepily put my receiver together at about 8, and we were ferried to the event start at 8:45.
There were problems with the event organization immediately. For each race, five transmitters (with an e-punch at each) are set in the woods. Unlike in O, their exact location isn't that important; it takes a lot of effort to set a transmitter wrong. The information about their location isn't on the map, so they really can be anywhere without affecting the legitimacy of the race, as long as they are audible from the start location (as per the rules). Despite only having to set five transmitters, there were problems with two of them at the scheduled start time, so we waited for two hours while the organizers went into the woods to change the batteries or some such nonsense. Despite these efforts, transmitter #1 was off for the duration of the race, so we only raced with four controls. Fail.
My Garmin died midway through the race because I had turned it on at my scheduled start and forgotten to turn it off while we waited. In an idiotic oversight, I had put my yagi antenna together incorrectly, swapping the long and short elements. I haven't worked out exactly what that did to the signal and the relative phases of the components, but what I was hearing was garbage. While I could hear the receivers, my direction-finding ability was totally shot, and I had trouble localizing anything. The antenna was held together with screws, so even had I figured out the error, I could not have fixed it mid-race. By some miraculous confluence of good fortune and geographic reasoning, I found control #4 on a hill. I didn't want to give up, so I ran around for three hours searching in vain for the other four transmitters. My attack of the knucklehead was entirely my fault, and clearly I should have spent a non-zero amount of time with a 2m receiver in the past year. Poor preparation will lead to failure.
There were 3 M21s competing. Brad made the same mistake I did - incorrectly assembling his antenna - and found no controls. Grant, the Canadian, found two before encountering a mountain lion at 10-20m distance running at full speed. He made noise and shook his receiver to scare it away, but discovered shortly afterward that his radio had flown off his antenna into the woods. He searched for a time, but eventually had to bail out. He doesn't use his map, so had no idea where he was; he apparently got a ride back to the finish and so DQ'd himself. As a result, in a pitiful demonstration of 2m proficiency, I won the race.
Words cannot express the frustration I felt during the race; I haven't been out on a course that long in many years, and I have never failed to find all the transmitters in an ARDF competition. Three hours without any water and the technical difficulties at the start of the race did not improve my mood.
Friday Jun 1, 2012 #
Event: US ARDF Championships 2012
Note
(rest day)
I signed up for the Blue Hills Skyline race on 10 June today. It will take a bit of scheduling prowess to race at 8 AM and have the controls ready for the 10 AM start of the orienteering event at Houghton's Pond, but I think I will manage. I'm not in any kind of racing fitness, but it should be a fun excursion.
I'm traveling to San Diego today for the US ARDF champs, so training will be difficult to schedule. A rest day will also be good so my legs are fresh and peppy. I haven't touched a receiver in over a year; while I'm not worried about the straightforward 80m race on Sunday, the 2m race could be a challenge. I shouldn't have trouble getting lots of O this week, but ten miles of running is disappointing. Resting Tuesday (after WeMa gauntlet) and today seems reasonable; maybe I can get some easy running in this weekend.
Incredibly, probably due to application of Wyatt's Boot of Asclepius, GimpyFoot did not hurt at all when I got up this morning.
I'm traveling to San Diego today for the US ARDF champs, so training will be difficult to schedule. A rest day will also be good so my legs are fresh and peppy. I haven't touched a receiver in over a year; while I'm not worried about the straightforward 80m race on Sunday, the 2m race could be a challenge. I shouldn't have trouble getting lots of O this week, but ten miles of running is disappointing. Resting Tuesday (after WeMa gauntlet) and today seems reasonable; maybe I can get some easy running in this weekend.
Incredibly, probably due to application of Wyatt's Boot of Asclepius, GimpyFoot did not hurt at all when I got up this morning.