Training Log Archive: MJChildsIn the 7 days ending Oct 14, 2013:
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Monday Oct 14, 2013 #
Orienteering 1:30:00 [2]
Control pick up at Shelburne Farms w KH. Walked, talked, navigated, had fun in the rain.
Sunday Oct 13, 2013 #
Orienteering race 1:00:30 [4] 4.6 km (13:09 / km)
COCs Long Distance at Mineral Springs. I had one of the best races of my life. Yeah! Not perfect, but pretty darn good. It was my birthday and I was wearing my new jersey that Ethan gave me. I wanted to have a clean run.
#1 I took the trail into the woods, cut down to the switchback and was at the feature just off the trail. Clean.
#2 Straight down the reentrant to the stream trail, then north to the small waterfall where I jumped the stream and compassed NE to the reentrant, climbing the far side and following it up to the control.
#3. Long leg. CAR method, planned to get on the trail south of the control and along the stream, so my goal was the fastest, easiest route to the small pond connected to the large pond. To get there, I saw the series of trails leaving 2 that led to the road with the water stops. Easy to there, but the water cooler handle was hard to turn and after multiple attempts and a loud expletive, I noticed a volunteer who told me there was more water ahead. Rattled, I continued down the road, got water, and continued on the road to the trail junction where I headed west over the stream, up and over the large spur and down to the stream. I followed it a ways to make sure I'd hit the trail. When I crossed and climbed, I got on a trail which I could see forked and then saw the large reentrant beyond the hill and the small reentrant just below the control so I started to climb and encountered the real trail on the way. There were other people heading away from the area, so I felt confident I was right on the line. Nailed it.
#4. NW out of 3 through a perceived saddle on an elephant trail which dumped me out right at the trail junction. Headed west on the trail almost to the reentrant, but decided to contour around. When I got to the sharp reentrant, I continued to contour into the control.
#5. Headed down the spur, looked up and could see the well-defined saddle. Made a beeline for it. Loved the feeling of success.
#6. East on a rough compass through the saddle and down to the trail. Stayed north of the marsh until the end of the spur, then crossed the stream. Stayed low to avoid unnecessary climb later. Crossed the big reentrant, could see the top of the hill, so I slogged up trying to keep a steady pace. I skirted past the top and walked right into the control.
#7. Route choice decision. I took the safe, easy route down the reentrant and down the side of the big hill to the stream so I wouldn't have to read all the contours on the top. In retrospect, going straight across the top to the trail may have been faster. About this time I realized I was having a near-perfect race and realized that sort of thinking can be the kiss of death, so, it being my birthday and wanting to have a good race and wearing my new pink and gray jersey that Ethan gave me and being reminded of how I planned to have a clean race, I stayed the course, followed the stream to the trail then headed up to #7 on a compass, aiming off to the wetland below. It was visible 50 m away.
#8. Contoured around the big hill about 300 m to the large reentrant in the hill on my right, then crossed the stream. Overshot a smidgen judging by the marsh to my right, so I corrected to the left and spotted it in the distance.
#9. Climbed up the hill and decided to contour around which was a little slow. Going low may have been better here, but I hesitated only briefly at the reentrant before it, then continued with hope in my heart :). And there it was. Then it was just a matter of getting my tired body up the last hill to the field.
#10. Barely running after the arduous hill climb, I slogged to the last control, punched and then used the downhill finish to propel me into a sprint with all that I had left.
When I heard the announcer say I had moved into 1st place, I was thrilled. I had succeeded in reaching my goal of a clean run and it made me smile. I think it was the first time I've ever smiled in the finish chute and it felt great. Happy Birthday to me.
#1 I took the trail into the woods, cut down to the switchback and was at the feature just off the trail. Clean.
#2 Straight down the reentrant to the stream trail, then north to the small waterfall where I jumped the stream and compassed NE to the reentrant, climbing the far side and following it up to the control.
#3. Long leg. CAR method, planned to get on the trail south of the control and along the stream, so my goal was the fastest, easiest route to the small pond connected to the large pond. To get there, I saw the series of trails leaving 2 that led to the road with the water stops. Easy to there, but the water cooler handle was hard to turn and after multiple attempts and a loud expletive, I noticed a volunteer who told me there was more water ahead. Rattled, I continued down the road, got water, and continued on the road to the trail junction where I headed west over the stream, up and over the large spur and down to the stream. I followed it a ways to make sure I'd hit the trail. When I crossed and climbed, I got on a trail which I could see forked and then saw the large reentrant beyond the hill and the small reentrant just below the control so I started to climb and encountered the real trail on the way. There were other people heading away from the area, so I felt confident I was right on the line. Nailed it.
#4. NW out of 3 through a perceived saddle on an elephant trail which dumped me out right at the trail junction. Headed west on the trail almost to the reentrant, but decided to contour around. When I got to the sharp reentrant, I continued to contour into the control.
#5. Headed down the spur, looked up and could see the well-defined saddle. Made a beeline for it. Loved the feeling of success.
#6. East on a rough compass through the saddle and down to the trail. Stayed north of the marsh until the end of the spur, then crossed the stream. Stayed low to avoid unnecessary climb later. Crossed the big reentrant, could see the top of the hill, so I slogged up trying to keep a steady pace. I skirted past the top and walked right into the control.
#7. Route choice decision. I took the safe, easy route down the reentrant and down the side of the big hill to the stream so I wouldn't have to read all the contours on the top. In retrospect, going straight across the top to the trail may have been faster. About this time I realized I was having a near-perfect race and realized that sort of thinking can be the kiss of death, so, it being my birthday and wanting to have a good race and wearing my new pink and gray jersey that Ethan gave me and being reminded of how I planned to have a clean race, I stayed the course, followed the stream to the trail then headed up to #7 on a compass, aiming off to the wetland below. It was visible 50 m away.
#8. Contoured around the big hill about 300 m to the large reentrant in the hill on my right, then crossed the stream. Overshot a smidgen judging by the marsh to my right, so I corrected to the left and spotted it in the distance.
#9. Climbed up the hill and decided to contour around which was a little slow. Going low may have been better here, but I hesitated only briefly at the reentrant before it, then continued with hope in my heart :). And there it was. Then it was just a matter of getting my tired body up the last hill to the field.
#10. Barely running after the arduous hill climb, I slogged to the last control, punched and then used the downhill finish to propel me into a sprint with all that I had left.
When I heard the announcer say I had moved into 1st place, I was thrilled. I had succeeded in reaching my goal of a clean run and it made me smile. I think it was the first time I've ever smiled in the finish chute and it felt great. Happy Birthday to me.
Saturday Oct 12, 2013 #
Orienteering race 41:08 [4] 2.3 km (17:53 / km)
COCs in Hamilton. Great event. Middle Distance Race. Was happy with my race except for #8 which I blew. I recognized the safe route as the base of the big white hill to the left, but then just headed off in the general direction of,the control. When I lost contact with the map, I should have gone black to my plan, but fumbled forward I stead, encountering another control and the totally losing contact. I was afraid of all of the out-of-bounds areas, is I had to bail out to the road climbing 7 contours. Arghhhhh! Came out by a house! Followed the edge of the woods easterly to the road by the parking lot, then ran down to the control and back UP AGAIN. Too bad.
Took the trail around on #6 which was safe but a little slow. Except for #8, I'm happy with how I did.
Took the trail around on #6 which was safe but a little slow. Except for #8, I'm happy with how I did.
Wednesday Oct 9, 2013 #
Trail running 39:40 [3]
Ran Catamount, hill side. Perfect running weather, 65 degrees, sunny, no significant wind. The woods smell wonderful with the leaves falling and turning to humus. Love it.
Tuesday Oct 8, 2013 #
Walking 35:00 [2]
Went to East Haven, VT today w Carl to see a job site. He met w contractors, I went up the road for a walk. Foliage there is almost gone, but it was still pretty and smelled like late fall, which I love. At the half-way point, I suddenly realized I was famished. Moments later, I discovered wild apples on a tree within reach. I grabbed an apple and satisfied my hunger in the most wonderful way. How nice of Mother Nature to provide just what I needed. Made my day.