Training Log Archive: Gswede

WOW! That was fun, even with all the snow and sliding. Pretty open woods, but not too open. With leaves out the vegetation will be cut down significantly. There was some rocky ground that was particularly tough to get over with all the snow.

But, regardless, this area is top-class. And the map is pretty good for being autogenerated. Generally accurate contours, good vegetation, I just need to add in some trails and a few marshes and streams to make it really good. I can probably start adding in cliffs and boulders bit by bit.

This was a middle style course at an easy with a sprint at a slighty faster pace. I couldn't run either all that fast because of the snow. I don't care. This was good old fashioned fun. I had to cut it short in the sprint because my friend Ian was waiting for me. Will be back though. Only 20 minutes from my house!
Middle: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ndgWqvmZRja735xKA
Sprint: https://photos.app.goo.gl/fcffw1VtzvtSq7j78 (put in the right link)

Event: Blue Hills Traverse
 

Checking out Whittingham. It did not disappoint. There were certainly quite a few areas that weren't too much fun because of all the barberry. But there was a lot that was really, really nice.

It was unsurprisingly slow going with the snow. I kept slipping and had one fall that hurt my knee a good bit. Feels fine now.

Also, loads more bear tracks. Seeing the tracks psyches me out a little bit, but, to be honest, how many times have I gone over bear tracks in the past with no snow and just not realized it? I imagine more than I could count. Ignorance certainly is bliss at times.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QiNSyfGEhEzMEnvo7

Back to the bodyweight workouts! Woo! I hurt!

First long run from the house exploring the trails on Fox Hill. At one point I saw some bear tracks, which was surprising for such a small area. But I suppose only hikers, runners, and mountain bikers aren't enough to scare off a bear from there.

The area isn't too great for orienteering. A bit too steep and full of rhododendron. But it has some really great trails with lots of climb. I was going very slow today because of the 6-9 inches of snow on the ground. It was slick enough that I went down a few times. But even with that, it's really sweet having an area like that so close.

On a bus going through the worst part of this surprise storm. So far I'm thoroughly impressed by how well our bus driver is handling roads that are essentially unplowed...so far.

Annnnnd we're almost back in Philly. Some pretty rough roads out there, but overall it was good.

Also, my friend Luis made a video summary of the important races/moments from this past season. (https://youtu.be/82vaIICclAI) The orienteering action starts with Tiomila at about 25 seconds.

This video really got me excited about elite competition in orienteering again. I felt the nervous excitement of being out there fighting for a spot among all the big names. I want to be out there. Obviously I feel a bit more of a connection since they're friends of mine in the video. But I like to look at Spain's team as a model for the US. They're not the favorites by a long shot, but they can still get out there and lay out the competition on special occasions. I think that's where we can be.

I was running on fumes by the end of this past summer, but I really am feeling ready to go now after a break to regroup mentally and recover physically.

And I hope this won't be just for me. I hope my juniors and anyone else interested in pushing their limits in this sport can watch this and feel excited. It's time to get serious and get to work.

Nice easy run on the Drive. Bumped into Dan while I was out there. Such a cool guy.

Moving tomorrow morning!

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