Training Log Archive: Ricka

2 warm-ups again.

Great course design - but very physical (lots of thick rose) on steep galacial terrain. Cautious on 1-3; surrised to catch Rob at 1. Medium leg to 4 - trails very confusing - lost trail in dark pine forest. PUshed west - okay pace; little map contact or confidence. Hit trail in big field - relocated, but still not confident. Got to N end of pond - 'hope its mine' - it is - see Rob again. 5-10 orienteered very well - read and used map features well - things coming up fast and accurate. See George Walker at 10 - he'd gained only 3 minutes on me. Toward 11, felt good, suddenly hit trail - well beyond 11 and extra up and down. Weird. Bounced back and finished okay. Lots of good map reading - #11 was disappointing (right was safer and less climb) 1st M55; 9th on course - 10 min behind 8th. Tired!

Sat next to #2 female US pole vaulter, April Steiner, on plane ride to STL. On way home from 2nd in meet in Osaka - fun chat - she signed my O' map :). She works and trains in Arkansas.

Two warm-ups - first with Zan to Start; then 3 hours later for my start.

Green/Blue course at Michigan. Steep ridge re-entrant terrain. 5m contours on 1:10000 map. Even with late start, spent much time with Rob, George, and others - they pushed my pace which pushed me to limit of map reading and dcdision making. Still 1st in M55, but 11th on course. Pretty good map contact, but 3-minute error at 7 (stayed low on flats, but didn't stay in contact with re-entrants on right - drifted left - used trail twice to re-locate). #11 - poor route choice; should have done second half direct - looks pretty clean. Trail run and big uphill led to good attackpoint, but got very sloppy. Stopped in flats well before/above control. re-attacked 3 times - very tired, not very focussed. 7-8 mintues lost?

Event: US Team Trials
 

Warm-up for sprint. Went into woods south of sheep barn to see the ups and downs.

Short Sprint in Michigan. Clean run - felt I lacked paced espcially as Charlie quickly caught and passed me (twice:)). Very pleased with 5th on course; only 25 sec out of 3rd. Mostly, point & run but did look ahead, maintained map contact, & chose good routes.