Training Log Archive: JanetT

Event: EMPO - Mohawk River State Park
 

Saw this guy on the window last night and had to take his picture (which was a challenge in itself). My moving around, opening doors, etc., didn't bother him. About 1.5" across.

From Miscellaneous

View of underside

Woods were wet from overnight showers which ended before we drove to the event; temps into the low 80s by the time I went out after manning the registration table.

Nice score-O set by new-to-course-setting EMPO member Will (wwk on AP). 90 minute limit, 20 possible controls with values from 1-4 pts. Lost a bit of time of two controls in the first hour (a few minutes on one after attacking off the wrong trail jct, and about 45 sec overrunning another), and then when I had about 25 minutes left and 1km (3 more controls) to go, didn't find a control in a generally poorly mapped area (others had a lot of difficulty with this one too) so instead of relocating and trying again just bailed and headed on the last 3 and in, with almost 4 minutes to spare.

I course-set here once, and have run here numerous times; you'd think I could be cleaner. As it was, I got to visit a few areas I had not been to. Thanks, Will!

Distance is per my FR.
[EDITED] Straight line distance between controls is 5.04 km.

Control pickup

At the Y using bands. Seemed easier than other sessions. :-)

First mile at 4%, 0.5 at 2.5, 0.5 at 1, speed at 3.8mph.
Cool down 0.25 mi, 4:40

Took a jog / walk at the Powell Bird Sanctuary in Old Chatham. Temps in mid 70s when I went, but I went here because I know the trails are all shaded.

Jogged to the end of the trail/road over the hill, then took a few detours on the way back through the woods or exploring unofficial trails... so mostly walking there, though there were a couple nice climbs. Lots of relatively new deadfall making the going difficult in places. Finished up with another detour through the woods to the final trail.

Drove down to the bird blind at the far end of the pond afterwards to see what I could see. Not much action; some red-wing blackbirds; ducks at the far end of the pond; one turtle; some FDFs... (smashed 2 of them). Lots of tiny green vegetation on top of the water.

Back to the Y, using weights for a few things like hips and bridges.

Followed up with the Fitlinxx strength circuit since there's no class in Chatham this week.

Back is doing much better today.

I vaguely remember falling at one point yesterday but can't even recall which race, though I suspect the second one (as I was getting tired), or how I fell. By late in the day Sunday I felt tightness in my upper back, left side, particularly noticeable when I draw a deep breath. The strain seems to be in the middle to lower trapezius, towards the middle of the back and extending up towards the shoulder, instead of in close to the spine which I've experienced before.

Taking painkillers today, and hoping the achiness goes away soon.

Event: WCOC Osbornedale State Park
 

First of two Middle courses at Osbornedale near Derby, CT, set by Boris and Becks. Temp was in the mid 70s at start, and sunny. A good size crowd including a few from NEOC and HVO as well as WCOC (and EMPO).

Good navigation through 6, and good navigation to the circle to 7, but I ran right past the tree "hiding" the bag about 25-30 m before turning around and spotting the bag. A bit high to 9, but AliC was headed there too and followed her to the control. Wrong bearing? to 10; didn't see the small hill (next to pit) which isn't as distinct as mapped and drifted. Control flag was at the bottom of a slippery sided pit and punch box was too - ugh.

Good to 11, but then wrong bearing? to 12. I arrived at the cliff west of it (which had a flag but no punch, and was used on the 2nd course of the day) and couldn't locate myself and drifted down the cliffs as far as # 13, which I finally recognized as we had walked by it on the way to the start. Another ugh, and a climb back up to 12. Good from there.

Lost 8-10 minutes between 7, 9, 10 and 12 (most of it on 12).

I beat a few people, but being twice the time of the leaders was started in the mass start of the compressed reverse chase at 1:30, with 4 others.

FR = 4.88 km

My route --

From Track jpg files

Second middle course, low 80s and sunny. Started in the mass start with 4 others; passed one across the field, was with 2 others to 2, when I think they chose to head on the line to 3 (across green & marsh!) while I took the trail route.

I was alone through 7, and finally saw other runners catching up as I left to head to 8 (and lots of folks passed me on the climb up to 8). I warned the lady sunbathing at the end of the lot near 7 that many others would be coming behind me. :-)

Trudged up to 8, then a break with no more climb until after 12. Sam and 2 others passed me on the way to 11; Ross on the trail after 11. From 12 I chose to go around the pond on the S side and back through the start to the road. Kisenya was coming in to punch 12 when I approached the trail jct SE of it, and I saw her up near 13 attacking from the road, so I think my way was better than hers (I think she headed N of the out-of-bounds). Managed not to go down the hill at 15 (many cliffs) and saw Adam C-B several contours down.

I vaguely remember falling somewhere on the second course, and now my left shoulder/back is sore particularly when I take a deep breath or tilt my head to the right. Hope that heals up quickly. Rolled my left ankle going out to the trail after 11 but it's fine.

Found one tiny (pin-head size) tick, so far, on the back of the left calf, which I had help to remove. Must have been all the tall grass in the rough open that we went through. Will do a more thorough check in the shower. The tall grass also left its mark with multiple raised spots on legs and arms (I'm somewhat allergic -- not strongly, but I do react to grass pollen) so I took a Chlortrimeton (no Benadryl on hand) to head off any ill effects. Most of the raised spots have subsided.

A much better outing than the morning's run.

FR = 4.926 km

Route:

From Track jpg files