Training Log Archive: iansmith

Event: Blue Hills Traverse
 

I arrived two hours before the start of the Traverse to set the three controls I hadn't gotten to the previous day (10-12). Had I not injured my right leg, I think I would have had no problem finishing on Saturday, but I had plenty of time on race day. I was also quite pleased with the possibilities for 11-12; the vegetation was less thick than the map indicated. I enjoy the terrain in the narrow band south of the major hills (controls 12 and 13 on this year's course); I wish that region were much larger.

At 10, I got to Houghton's Pond, mingled with the racers, set the "go" control (or last control, if you prefer), and returned to drive Ross, Clem, Lori, Stephen, and Presto to the start. The orienteers milling about at the start were apparently waiting for me to give any final remarks; I mentioned the numerous rec controls near Houghton's Pond and the 23-24-25 colinearity so no one would accidentally skip 24. I probably should have mentioned the food stop, though I thought it was obvious on the map. The maps were passed out, and everyone took off. I was amused to learn later that the throngs messed up the first control, though the map isn't as detailed as it could be.

I drove over to the road crossing at 10, set water, ate my tortilla wrap, chatted with some horseback riders, and waited for the leaders to appear. Ross and Sergei showed up at about 37 minutes, and a few more people arrived before I left. I was pleased to see SGB in third, perhaps a minute behind the leaders.

I then returned to the finish and hung out with the crowd there. Boris showed up about an hour after the start, feeling sickly. I was getting worried - as I guessed the winning time would be around 95 minutes - when Ross triumphantly ran into the finish. I was very relieved - the course was set well enough, and everything would go smoothly. After lots of post-finish socializing and handing out t-shirts, I picked up eight controls from the WY course. The last runners showed up at about 4, and the doughty crew cleaned up and took off. I really enjoyed being a part of the organizers this year, though I should have been more on top of my responsibilities. If no one else is interested and there are no objections, I may set the course again next year; I have a few ideas to consider.

This year was the 39th BHT, and the diligence and hard work of the organizers year after year is very impressive. In particular, Jeff and Judy work hard to make this event happen, and it's a great activity for orienteering in New England. Ed, Ross, Sam, Jim Paschetto, and Joanne also put in consider labor making this year's event successful.

Control Count: 52/2000
Burrito Count: 37
Anna's, Saturday night

Today, I joined Jeff Saeger to set the controls for the Blue Hills Traverse. Ross set the recreational controls independently. My frantic busyness has mostly wound down; I finished what I needed to do at work this week, I finished designing the Traverse (with no time to spare), and my orchestra concert is tonight.

Unfortunately, while jogging downhill on a trail between 14 and 15, I tripped on a rock, hyperextended my right knee, and wiped out hard. As I was falling, I felt something pop in my right leg. After a minute of coping with the pain sitting on the ground, I stood up and walked around without discomfort. I walked for most of the remainder of my outing, but jogged at times.

Whatever I injured was very tight during the evening, after some walking about. Edit: Sleeping on Saturday night really loosened up my leg, and it feels ok. I'm still hobbling around, however. I conjecture that I pulled a ligament; the pain is manageable. I will ice it and take anti-inflammatories for the next few days. If the pain continues, I will go see a doctor.

To work and to and from rehearsal. It has been a stressful week; I am alive but for the grace of burritos.

Control Count: 28/2000
Burrito Count: 36
Anna's on Harvard St. in Brookline. I prefer my Anna's, though the quality was similar.

I was out for about 3.5 hours vetting controls for the Traverse. I had hoped to be at this level of completion at least a week ago, but the best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry. The preparation for the race itself is adequate, but as a consequence of my inability to get my tasks done in advance, walk and barb were unable to run the Traverse on Sunday the 14th. The taste of failure is ashen in my mouth.

From my adventures today, I noted the following:
1. The vegetation is in need of updating. There were scraggly areas mapped as white woods, and I ran through a dark green patch in shorts with minimal difficulty. With the exception of pine saplings, the vegetation is generally overmapped.

2. I think the two biggest problems with the Blue Hills maps are the 1:15 scale and the inconsistently mapped rock features. I noticed large cliff bands and boulders that weren't on the map. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the Blue Hills is suitable for an A-meet; there are too many trails, and the colossal hills significantly constrain course design. There are many interesting regions, and if the map was updated to high quality, perhaps more course setting options would emerge.

3. The "Boston left turn" really frustrates me. I define such a turn to be one in which a car turning left onto a major road inches into traffic until it obstructs the traffic coming from the car's left is completely obstructed, then waits until the traffic from the right breaks. I encountered three such turns today.

4. While running along a trail, a branch of a tree about ten to fifteen meters up broke. I turned to look at the branch, and just before the branch hit the ground, a squirrel leaped off the branch and scrambled along the ground to a new tree. The acrobatics of the squirrel were so impressive that it was clearly either a ninja squirrel or "The One" - the squirrel who would bring balance to the force. I envisioned the squirrel executing its death-defying jump in bullet time to my great amusement.

C • Vegetation is tough to judg... 3

Control Count: 28/2000
Burrito Count: 35
Anna's

Control Count: 28/2000
Burrito Count: 34
Chipotle