Training Log Archive: PGIn the 7 days ending Sep 27, 2008:
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Saturday Sep 27, 2008 #
Note
So a change is clearly needed for today. How about -- let's have a plan for each leg. How about -- let's remember that there are things like attack points and handrails. How about -- let's try to know where I am and where I'm going 100% of the time.
And let's try to avoid the euphoria of just heading off in the general direction of the next point and winging it, and then inevitable consequences. Reminds me of the joke that seems to characterize my orienteering currently -- The pilot radios back to the passengers: I've got bad news and good news for you. The bad news is there's a terrible storm out there, and we have no idea where we are or where we're going. The good news is, we're making good time.
We shall see.
And let's try to avoid the euphoria of just heading off in the general direction of the next point and winging it, and then inevitable consequences. Reminds me of the joke that seems to characterize my orienteering currently -- The pilot radios back to the passengers: I've got bad news and good news for you. The bad news is there's a terrible storm out there, and we have no idea where we are or where we're going. The good news is, we're making good time.
We shall see.
Note
OK, so first things first. Highlight of the day without question was seeing Gail finish the Brown course in a decent time on a wet, slippery, hilly course, a couple mistakes to be sure, it's the first orienteering for her in probably two years, and it looks like she might have been 3rd in F60. Hooray!
C • Gail 4
Note
Next, in M21 and F21, seems like Canada whomped the USA (again). It would be nice to see a big rally tomorrow, but, seeing as how we last won the BK Cup in 1982 (when Gail was on the winning team!), I would not care to wager on it....
Results for M21 and F21 are in the discussion thread on the BK Cup.
Results for M21 and F21 are in the discussion thread on the BK Cup.
orienteering 41:09 [3] 4.1 mi (10:02 / mi)
shoes: integrators 2006
And finally, my run today. An improvement, for sure, but still a couple of brain farts. But progress nevertheless.
I'll post more later, plus the map, but we are heading off for dinner and maybe a beer or two, and then maybe raise a little hell, or whatever. Until then, I'll just say that before the start, besides reminding myself to have a plan, etc, etc., I was also, as I contemplated the gloomy day, the steady rain, and the task at hand, reminded of the following -- just think, I said to myself thinking back to 3 weeks ago, it could be Pawtuckaway (a really tough forest in NH), it could be raining a whole lot harder, and it could be dark. And that kept me smiling while I waited to go....
I'll post more later, plus the map, but we are heading off for dinner and maybe a beer or two, and then maybe raise a little hell, or whatever. Until then, I'll just say that before the start, besides reminding myself to have a plan, etc, etc., I was also, as I contemplated the gloomy day, the steady rain, and the task at hand, reminded of the following -- just think, I said to myself thinking back to 3 weeks ago, it could be Pawtuckaway (a really tough forest in NH), it could be raining a whole lot harder, and it could be dark. And that kept me smiling while I waited to go....
Note
So, my run today. I think I'll play a little game. I haven't looked at the map since I ran other than a few seconds looking at where Gail's Brown course. The game is to see how well I remember things, which will indicate how much I was paying attention. So I'll write the commentary, and then go add the map segments. We'll see....
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#1. Around the pond, headed up the hill SW, over a little spur, up past the top of a reentrant, turned right a little, climbing straight up, past a little knoll on the left, first plan was to head right up to the top of the ridge, then turn left and over the long knoll to the saddle, but cut the corner a little when the terrain became clear. Score on a scale of 1 to 10: 10
#2. SE, dropping a little, past a depression on the right, across a flattish area, heading for a ridge that had several knolls on it, plus a sharp drop-off on the right side. Over one knoll on the right side, then another a little left, then another back a little right, then down the hill almost to the bottom to the little reentrant. Score: 10
#3. Still SE, a little swing to the right to avoid climbing some of a cross-spur, then through some meandering terrain, not quite sure exactly where I was, hit the cross trail, right where it was depressed a bit, high ground ahead on the right. So I was a little right of the line, up the hill, a little right of E, across the north-facing slope to the control. Score: 9
#4. Just right of north, generally downhill, along the left side of a spur, picked up a vague trail. Came out at the bigger trail by the SW corner of the marsh. Along the west edge, around the corner, and then a little right of north over the high ground and down to the control on a left-sloping spur. Score: quite a bit of hesitation, but still 10
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#5. East, drop down to the lowlands, cross the stream, along the bottom of the ridge, east than more south. Cross the trail, climb a little too soon so have to traverse a bit to get on the main hill, then up and over the top and down to the control. Score: 8
#6. Down the hill SE, cross the trail, through the saddle and down a little more, pick up the small trail, past the first immediate reentrant on the left, another 100 meters, up the next reentrant and then turn right and up to the point. Score: 10+
#7. Due north, high ground, a couple rolls, down a slope, cross a small trail, across some flat terrain, cross a bigger trail, figure I'm pretty close to the line, also figure it will be easier to tell if I go a little farther. Keep going, small depression, see where I am, down, along bottom of a hillside going up on the left, and then just right of north to the control. Score 8 (too much uncertainty)
#8. People around, left too quickly, didn't read map well, heading NW to flattish area with boundary. Went down a bit, rough woods, not reading map any more, reached flattish area heading WNW, no sign of boundary, didn't see that I was farther south in flat area with lots of green. Reached the end of that, saw trail, hmmm. Found out from Charlie where we are. Head north, through some thick stuff, up to more open forest, then down a reentrant to the control. Yikes. Score: 0, just exactly what I was trying to avoid.
#9. Back up the hill, due west across the flats to the sharp spur heading down, SW, past a depression on the left, angled right along the contour to large trail, then straight across it, up over broad knoll and down, a little right of S to control. Score: 10+ (totally in control)
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10. Up a little left of north, through a shallow saddle, down across the large trail, across the marsh very careful on the compass, a little left of north, the control popped up right in front of me, nice. Score: 10 (plus lucky).
11. NW, short leg, pit, across the trail, on compass but not reading the surrounding terrain idiot!), saw control off to the left, not mine, on well, relocated, went back and got mine. Score: 0-
12. Safe route, back to the trail, to the start of the clearing, and then back into the woods to the right. Score: 10
13. Back out to the trail, to the last control. And then the finish.
Overall, most of the course was very good, but two times still just winging it. Damn.
Guess as to climb -- 150 meters (98 advertised).
So now I'll go post the map and insert above. Note that all the white woods have a yellow tinge. Very little actual yellow on the map....
And how'd I do? Pretty good. And I figure I climbed 160 meters. So certainly paying attention better. Just need to do it the whole time tomorrow.
#1. Around the pond, headed up the hill SW, over a little spur, up past the top of a reentrant, turned right a little, climbing straight up, past a little knoll on the left, first plan was to head right up to the top of the ridge, then turn left and over the long knoll to the saddle, but cut the corner a little when the terrain became clear. Score on a scale of 1 to 10: 10
#2. SE, dropping a little, past a depression on the right, across a flattish area, heading for a ridge that had several knolls on it, plus a sharp drop-off on the right side. Over one knoll on the right side, then another a little left, then another back a little right, then down the hill almost to the bottom to the little reentrant. Score: 10
#3. Still SE, a little swing to the right to avoid climbing some of a cross-spur, then through some meandering terrain, not quite sure exactly where I was, hit the cross trail, right where it was depressed a bit, high ground ahead on the right. So I was a little right of the line, up the hill, a little right of E, across the north-facing slope to the control. Score: 9
#4. Just right of north, generally downhill, along the left side of a spur, picked up a vague trail. Came out at the bigger trail by the SW corner of the marsh. Along the west edge, around the corner, and then a little right of north over the high ground and down to the control on a left-sloping spur. Score: quite a bit of hesitation, but still 10
#5. East, drop down to the lowlands, cross the stream, along the bottom of the ridge, east than more south. Cross the trail, climb a little too soon so have to traverse a bit to get on the main hill, then up and over the top and down to the control. Score: 8
#6. Down the hill SE, cross the trail, through the saddle and down a little more, pick up the small trail, past the first immediate reentrant on the left, another 100 meters, up the next reentrant and then turn right and up to the point. Score: 10+
#7. Due north, high ground, a couple rolls, down a slope, cross a small trail, across some flat terrain, cross a bigger trail, figure I'm pretty close to the line, also figure it will be easier to tell if I go a little farther. Keep going, small depression, see where I am, down, along bottom of a hillside going up on the left, and then just right of north to the control. Score 8 (too much uncertainty)
#8. People around, left too quickly, didn't read map well, heading NW to flattish area with boundary. Went down a bit, rough woods, not reading map any more, reached flattish area heading WNW, no sign of boundary, didn't see that I was farther south in flat area with lots of green. Reached the end of that, saw trail, hmmm. Found out from Charlie where we are. Head north, through some thick stuff, up to more open forest, then down a reentrant to the control. Yikes. Score: 0, just exactly what I was trying to avoid.
#9. Back up the hill, due west across the flats to the sharp spur heading down, SW, past a depression on the left, angled right along the contour to large trail, then straight across it, up over broad knoll and down, a little right of S to control. Score: 10+ (totally in control)
10. Up a little left of north, through a shallow saddle, down across the large trail, across the marsh very careful on the compass, a little left of north, the control popped up right in front of me, nice. Score: 10 (plus lucky).
11. NW, short leg, pit, across the trail, on compass but not reading the surrounding terrain idiot!), saw control off to the left, not mine, on well, relocated, went back and got mine. Score: 0-
12. Safe route, back to the trail, to the start of the clearing, and then back into the woods to the right. Score: 10
13. Back out to the trail, to the last control. And then the finish.
Overall, most of the course was very good, but two times still just winging it. Damn.
Guess as to climb -- 150 meters (98 advertised).
So now I'll go post the map and insert above. Note that all the white woods have a yellow tinge. Very little actual yellow on the map....
And how'd I do? Pretty good. And I figure I climbed 160 meters. So certainly paying attention better. Just need to do it the whole time tomorrow.
trail running 20:00 [2]
10 minutes warm-up, 10 minutes afterwards running back to get the car.
Friday Sep 26, 2008 #
Event: North American Championships
orienteering 13:02 [3] 1.8 km (7:14 / km)
shoes: integrators 2006
First sprint at the North Americans, not good, not bad. Ran ok, found the points ok, but seemed to keep getting tangled up in bits of bad vegetation. Not terribly satisfying.
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orienteering 16:41 [3] 2.3 km (7:15 / km)
shoes: integrators 2006
Second sprint. Just terrible. Missed the 3rd point, climbed too high, then really missed the 6th, bunch of overgrown clearings, took almost 3 minutes on a leg of 100 meters. Sad.
Don't know what is going on between the ears but it is not good.
Or, trying to think positively, maybe it was just another day in my normal manic-depressive cycle.
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Don't know what is going on between the ears but it is not good.
Or, trying to think positively, maybe it was just another day in my normal manic-depressive cycle.
trail running 15:00 [3]
A little warm-up before the sprints.
Wednesday Sep 24, 2008 #
nautilus 40:00 [1]
Last night's run really zapped me -- lots of lower GI distress plus sore hip plus dehydration plus didn't sleep well. Better today. Have a late afternoon run scheduled with Phil, probably not such a smart thing to do....
Note
It's good to see that at least one company in Corporate America has recognized the need for us to HTFU and is doing something about it. Wonder if we can get Nothing But Tears as a sponsor.
trail running 49:38 [3] 5.2 mi (9:33 / mi)
Pocumtuck Ridge trail with Phil, sort of. He ran most of the way out/up about 20-30 yards ahead of me, trying to send the message (I assume) that I should pick the pace up, sort like the guy who drives very close behind you to send the message that you are driving too slowly, and all he accomplishes is pissing you off.
But I tried. Not to run faster, because I was running as fast as I cared to given a tight hamstring that I didn't want to do any damage to by running aggressively. Rather, tried not to get pissed off, though at some point I was grading his antisocial behavior on a scale of 1 to 10 and he was very close to double digits.
But things pass. And at the turn-around point he waited and we ran part of the way back together, until he could no longer keep the brakes on and was soon out of sight. But by then I was feeling more mellow and just glad that the run was about over and done with. And glad for the company, sporadic as it might have been, it certainly got me out the door.
26:02 out/up, perfectly respectable time, 23:36 back/down, slow.
Legs are sore but not terrible, gut is recovering. the G was at a temporary low of 135, got my monthly credit-card statement and we seem to have caught the short-term low in the Estonian kroon just right (not a big deal, but everything helps), well, life could be a lot worse.
But I tried. Not to run faster, because I was running as fast as I cared to given a tight hamstring that I didn't want to do any damage to by running aggressively. Rather, tried not to get pissed off, though at some point I was grading his antisocial behavior on a scale of 1 to 10 and he was very close to double digits.
But things pass. And at the turn-around point he waited and we ran part of the way back together, until he could no longer keep the brakes on and was soon out of sight. But by then I was feeling more mellow and just glad that the run was about over and done with. And glad for the company, sporadic as it might have been, it certainly got me out the door.
26:02 out/up, perfectly respectable time, 23:36 back/down, slow.
Legs are sore but not terrible, gut is recovering. the G was at a temporary low of 135, got my monthly credit-card statement and we seem to have caught the short-term low in the Estonian kroon just right (not a big deal, but everything helps), well, life could be a lot worse.
Tuesday Sep 23, 2008 #
yoga 1 [0]
So I went to yoga class early this morning despite (or maybe because of?) all the snide remarks. And I seemed to have survived. Though it was disappointing to find that the ratio was nowhere close to 20:1, more like about 6:4 (M:F), plus 0:1 for the instructor. Old as I may be getting, I have yet to find that I've tired of looking at pretty women....
And my self-consciousness was solidly under control despite not being able to hide away in a dark corner of the room -- first because I knew a couple of folks there, and one is as much a klutz as I am, second because my general conditioning is better than it might be due to the nautilus workouts I've been doing for the last 9 months so I wasn't inflexible and lacking balance and totally weak (just 2 out of 3), and third because at some point early on when we were on our bellies I took my glasses off for comfort reasons and then pretty soon my mind assumed that since I couldn't see much of what anyone else was doing, clearly no one else could see much of what I was doing. So no worries.
And I enjoyed it. The hour went by quickly, a little sad when it was over, just the way you want. I certainly could have done better about emptying my mind out, but maybe that will come.
And I really need it. Will have to see if I can make a habit of it.
And my self-consciousness was solidly under control despite not being able to hide away in a dark corner of the room -- first because I knew a couple of folks there, and one is as much a klutz as I am, second because my general conditioning is better than it might be due to the nautilus workouts I've been doing for the last 9 months so I wasn't inflexible and lacking balance and totally weak (just 2 out of 3), and third because at some point early on when we were on our bellies I took my glasses off for comfort reasons and then pretty soon my mind assumed that since I couldn't see much of what anyone else was doing, clearly no one else could see much of what I was doing. So no worries.
And I enjoyed it. The hour went by quickly, a little sad when it was over, just the way you want. I certainly could have done better about emptying my mind out, but maybe that will come.
And I really need it. Will have to see if I can make a habit of it.
Note
Finished reading Siddhartha, it got handed to me on the plane ride home, I think Barb probably read it in under an hour, all 120 pages, took me over a week of very concerted effort to make it to the finish, usually no more than 4 or 5 pages at a time was all my attention span could handle.
Now I'm certainly glad I don't have to write a paper on it, or take a test, but it was good to read. Got me thinking more about my own life, where it's been, where it's going. Not that anything is figured out, especially as to the couple of great scary unknowns, growing old and death, two losing battles where the figuring out has to do with how much you fight (in vain) and how much you accept, and where my guess is that this never comes close to getting figured out, in my case at least.
In meantime, you take pleasure out of small bits of progress. And twice in the past couple of weeks I have spoken up when something quite trivial bothered me, when it took all my courage to do so, since for as long as I can remember I have held my tongue in such situations, letting the proverbial molehill become a mountain, at least as how it affected my psyche. And the process was very stressful but also positive. We shall see if I can continue.
Now I'm certainly glad I don't have to write a paper on it, or take a test, but it was good to read. Got me thinking more about my own life, where it's been, where it's going. Not that anything is figured out, especially as to the couple of great scary unknowns, growing old and death, two losing battles where the figuring out has to do with how much you fight (in vain) and how much you accept, and where my guess is that this never comes close to getting figured out, in my case at least.
In meantime, you take pleasure out of small bits of progress. And twice in the past couple of weeks I have spoken up when something quite trivial bothered me, when it took all my courage to do so, since for as long as I can remember I have held my tongue in such situations, letting the proverbial molehill become a mountain, at least as how it affected my psyche. And the process was very stressful but also positive. We shall see if I can continue.
trail running 1:43:40 [3]
Tuesday late afternoon Mt. Toby run, even though now it's more an evening run, last 30-40 minutes with the lights on. Average energy, usual left butt/hamstring soreness towards the end. Entertained (I hope) the group with tales from Estonia for the first 45 minutes, then we turned uphill seriously and I had not much more to say....
Good to get out. Start of training for the next rogaine (whenever and wherever that might be)?
Rob, Donna, and Rick --
Good to get out. Start of training for the next rogaine (whenever and wherever that might be)?
Rob, Donna, and Rick --
Monday Sep 22, 2008 #
nautilus 40:00 [1]
weight:137lbs
Also inquired about the yoga class at the gym. Tomorrow morning at 7:15, see if I can get there -- have get up early enough and also overcome my self-consciousness.
biking 1:16:40 [3] 21.4 mi (3:35 / mi)
Lower Road - Upper Road in Deerfield.
Sunday Sep 21, 2008 #
orienteering 1:22:24 [3] 7.5 mi (10:59 / mi)
shoes: integrators 2006
EMPO local meet at Grafton Ponds (between Williamstown and Albany).
So I was playing golf yesterday afternoon, special event at the club, playing mainly for social reasons to meet a few more people, and at some point after I crushed another drive deep into the trees, one of my partners asked me if I had similar directional problems in orienteering. Oh, no, never I said. I know what I'm doing there. Or something like that.
Is there some universal law that I am unfamiliar with that decrees that when you claim that everything is going really well, or is totally under control, then all hell is guaranteed to break loose before long? Apparently so. Last month my statement of pride that the Subaru has been 145K miles with not really any problems was followed 2 days later by the car breaking down.
And today it seemed to be penance time for yesterday's cocky statement. Blew the second control, maybe 6 minutes, an eternity or so it seemed, except when compared to the 8 minutes lost on 15.
Funny, the first one didn't piss me off at all, the second one did while it was happening but then not much thereafter. I think because I had a plan for the day, and the plan was focused on my running and not my orienteering. I'd been quite distressed at how slow I'd felt a couple of weeks ago at Pawtuckaway, walking at the slightest provocation, so this time I just wanted to be able to run more. Which, harking back to my run a couple of days ago, meant paying much more attention to my breathing, and then trying to keep moving even in a forest that had its share of rocks and deadfall.
And the verdict was that I did well on that, moving Ok the whole time, putting out a decent effort, breathing well. So even though my orienteering sucked, I was quite pleased with the run. And, if this makes any sense, quite pleased about being pleased, rather than sitting and fuming and pouting all the way home. Progress.
My routes.
So the first disaster was #2 --
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And here I think it was just a matter of mental laziness, I just sort of headed over to the general area and figured I'd find it. Came up a little short, didn't figure it out right away, couldn't make the rock features to match. So I went up the slope a little and relocated, still having to take the rock features with a grain of salt, and dropped back down to the fault. And then moved on, a little annoyed but no big deal. And kept the focus just where it was supposed to be, on my running. :-)
On the way to #5, didn't see the first trail, crossed the second thinking it was the first, correcting pretty quickly.
On the way to #11, missed the trail junction, meandered up to the general area of the control.
But still doing just fine, happy with my running. :-)
And then #15 --
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A boulder up a contour from the rocky flat, a couple of cliffs on the slope to the right. Saw the steeper slope, saw the general extent of the rocky ground. Went to where the control should be, lots of fallen trees in the areas. Wandered around the area, nothing. Checked a little one way, a little the other. Thought about just heading in. Eventually at some point spotted a control off in the distance, down on the flats. Hmm, wonder if that's mine. Went to check it out, right number! Hmmm. "x" marks about where it was, not so far off, but no reason to look there as it was supposed to be up the slope. Oh, well.
So headed off to finish the course. To #16, cranked up the running again, no idea where I was most of the way but read the terrain right at the end and dropped right on to the control. Ditto for 17. Ran fine to the finish, pleased with the run.
So I was playing golf yesterday afternoon, special event at the club, playing mainly for social reasons to meet a few more people, and at some point after I crushed another drive deep into the trees, one of my partners asked me if I had similar directional problems in orienteering. Oh, no, never I said. I know what I'm doing there. Or something like that.
Is there some universal law that I am unfamiliar with that decrees that when you claim that everything is going really well, or is totally under control, then all hell is guaranteed to break loose before long? Apparently so. Last month my statement of pride that the Subaru has been 145K miles with not really any problems was followed 2 days later by the car breaking down.
And today it seemed to be penance time for yesterday's cocky statement. Blew the second control, maybe 6 minutes, an eternity or so it seemed, except when compared to the 8 minutes lost on 15.
Funny, the first one didn't piss me off at all, the second one did while it was happening but then not much thereafter. I think because I had a plan for the day, and the plan was focused on my running and not my orienteering. I'd been quite distressed at how slow I'd felt a couple of weeks ago at Pawtuckaway, walking at the slightest provocation, so this time I just wanted to be able to run more. Which, harking back to my run a couple of days ago, meant paying much more attention to my breathing, and then trying to keep moving even in a forest that had its share of rocks and deadfall.
And the verdict was that I did well on that, moving Ok the whole time, putting out a decent effort, breathing well. So even though my orienteering sucked, I was quite pleased with the run. And, if this makes any sense, quite pleased about being pleased, rather than sitting and fuming and pouting all the way home. Progress.
My routes.
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So the first disaster was #2 --
And here I think it was just a matter of mental laziness, I just sort of headed over to the general area and figured I'd find it. Came up a little short, didn't figure it out right away, couldn't make the rock features to match. So I went up the slope a little and relocated, still having to take the rock features with a grain of salt, and dropped back down to the fault. And then moved on, a little annoyed but no big deal. And kept the focus just where it was supposed to be, on my running. :-)
On the way to #5, didn't see the first trail, crossed the second thinking it was the first, correcting pretty quickly.
On the way to #11, missed the trail junction, meandered up to the general area of the control.
But still doing just fine, happy with my running. :-)
And then #15 --
A boulder up a contour from the rocky flat, a couple of cliffs on the slope to the right. Saw the steeper slope, saw the general extent of the rocky ground. Went to where the control should be, lots of fallen trees in the areas. Wandered around the area, nothing. Checked a little one way, a little the other. Thought about just heading in. Eventually at some point spotted a control off in the distance, down on the flats. Hmm, wonder if that's mine. Went to check it out, right number! Hmmm. "x" marks about where it was, not so far off, but no reason to look there as it was supposed to be up the slope. Oh, well.
So headed off to finish the course. To #16, cranked up the running again, no idea where I was most of the way but read the terrain right at the end and dropped right on to the control. Ditto for 17. Ran fine to the finish, pleased with the run.
Note
Nice drive over to Grafton with Phil, catching up on things. And then a pleasant surprise to see Pat and Heather there, missed them at Pawtuckaway (they passed on account of the bad weather), catching up with them too. And then a chat with Tori Borish, now a freshman at Williams, nice girl, can run, should get a lot better at O' as the years pass.
A good day, worth the drive.
And if my left hamstring and butt weren't complaining a little more than I would wish, then it would have been a really good day. Though I did pass on the planned jumping drills, just one halfhearted attempt before sanity asserted itself.
A good day, worth the drive.
And if my left hamstring and butt weren't complaining a little more than I would wish, then it would have been a really good day. Though I did pass on the planned jumping drills, just one halfhearted attempt before sanity asserted itself.