Orienteering 48:07 [3] *** 4.0 km (12:02 / km)
shoes: 200712 NB Absorb EX 11.5
A tricky line-O set up by Brendan as part of the CSU summer training sequence at Middlesex Fells reservation. I had never before run a line-O, and I found the whole experience intriguing and challenging. Rather than conventional waypoint navigation, the objective is to follow a particular path through forest terrain and locate a set of streamers along that line. Brendan used the park well, particularly given the plethora of paths. I encountered 11 of the 12 streamers Brendan placed, overlooking one in a depression.
I debuted my knickers on orienteering terrain, and while my knickers were mauled in places by the flora (thankfully not the fauna), I have retained far more blood than expected. I was equally grateful for my gaiters.
The interesting twist to this particular event was that my friend Peter Chikov did not return to the start by nightfall. We started running at c. 7:15, and the park was plunged in total darkness by about 8:45. Peter is relatively new to orienteering, and the navigational demands of the line-O were extensive. To complicate things, it started raining heavily as night fell. Alex drove around roads along the border of the park, Matt, Sana, and Lori waited at the finish, and Brendan and I ran along trails to try to find him. It turned out that he had been lost, he wandered, and eventually he relocated. He then proceeded along a trail (in darkness and rain) until that trail intersected a road. He then followed the road back to the start. Given the size and complexity of Middlesex Fells, I am extremely relieved he came back so promptly. Apart from the urgency of the situation, I did enjoy making trail loops in the rain, calling for Peter. Glasses are useless when wet; most of us do not have the benefits of "Impervius."
Running 16:00 [3] 3.14 km (5:06 / km)
max:170 slept:0.0 shoes: 200803 NB MT800
Run home from work. While it's not long enough to be a meaningful workout, it was nice to get my heart rate up for a bit and save me some time on my commute.
Strength training 5:00 [3]
A weak mix of abdominal work - 32 crunches, 32 leg lifts - and 32 push-ups. I am not strong.