Training Log Archive: PG

Picking up all the controls in the west half of the map, plus cleaning up the three water stops. Took a little longer than expected, but policing the water stops wasn't quick. But a beautiful day and I wasn't hurrying.

One mistake -- left my map at 4, didn't realize it until I got to 3. Didn't really need it, but went back to fetch it on the slim chance that someone might find it.

And picking up the last loop. Had Dave for company, so a mellow walk. Had a map but didn't need it, it stayed in the pocket.

Event: The 35th annual Billygoat Run
 

Well, glad that's (mostly) over. Got out of there about 4:30 after the last person showed up -- no watch, no phone, enjoyed herself, didn't realize it was so late (course closed at 3 pm). Didn't really need that, but on the other hand a whole lot better than someone getting hurt someplace. Seemed little or no injuries which was excellent.

Results were a nightmare, but I resolved to be as mellow as possible, do the usual, figure out what plan B was so I could pull off awards on time, and that worked well enough.

As far as the course, worked just about exactly as I had hoped. And no controls pilfered.

And the weather was perfect.

Now really tired, still have to head off to Litchfield. But then there are others with 8-hour drives home, so an hour and three-quarters isn't much.

Thanks to JJ for all his drafting work, Jim Paschetto for registration, the O'Leary's for handling the rec courses, and Gail and Ian and Phil for all sorts of things. And lots of people for helping to carry stuff to and then back from the finish area. Made it all work. So #35 is in the books. Who will do #36?

C • All in all... 22

C • THANKS, THANKS...I had a gr... 1

Checking controls that could be seen from bike trails (not that bikers look anywhere other than straight ahead), just to be sure they were still there:

Checking a few controls that were visible from bike trails, just to be sure they were still there (not that bikers look anywhere but straight ahead): 10, 1, 18, 17, 16.

Hauling water. Two trips up to 16 and one to 10.

Entertained myself quite successfully on each climb by remembering various events over the past 4 years where my take on the success of our current ED is so at odds with T/D's. And it reminded me of a saying I've heard a few times in the world of politics -- you're entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts.

C • Interesting comment 3

C • ED 1

Hanging controls for the Billygoat, three loops. Still have to haul a bunch of water (Saturday) and do the Wihte course (Sunday morning).

Smashed my left ring finger when I was trying to move a big branch, didn't realize it was anchored at the other end and it whipped back and nailed me. There goes golf for a while, hopefully not too long.

I wish I could say I am enjoyed organizing the BG. It's really just work I could gladly skip.

C • Thank You! 4

87-2-0-1.

Re the issue that Eddie raises annually, questioning the performance of OUSA's Executive Director --

In terms that I know j-man and randy understand and I'd assume T/D does too, what sort of return have we gotten for the roughly 400K we have invested in the ED position?

I would surely expect that it would be easy to point to "some" return on investment, as T/D does with his examples from the Flying Pig. That's setting the bar awful low.

I would also not feel a need to be able to pinpoint 400K (or more) in the way of return, though you could make a case that's where the bar should be set. Some accomplishments are hard to monetize.

But my own sense is that by this point, 4 years in, there should be a much more obvious and substantial return that what I have seen.

For what it's worth, I have tried to be as supportive as possible, but my own personal experiences have been someplace between disappointing and distressing.

As a way of backing up that last statement, I will tell a little story. At the Classic Champs hosted by EMPO at Moreau in October, 2010, roughly 18 months into Glen's tenure, I met with him for perhaps 20 minutes to present him an offer that, as the saying goes, he couldn't refuse.

I was aware that someone, not me, was willing to make a five-figure donation as a show of support for the Federation in general and for Glen in particular, with the general goal of helping him be more successful in making progress on the goals in the strategic plan.

The potential donor was very flexible. Glen was asked to propose how the donation could best be used. The assumption was that the donor would approve most anything reasonable.

That was in October. The first response from Glen was in December, saying that he hadn't forgotten about it. And it wasn't until January, 3 months after the original discussion, that he produced a letter with some possible uses for the donation.

3 months. I would have thought there would be a detailed proposal in a week. I mean, there was a live, willing donor happy to write a check.

A donation was eventually made. The execution was shoddy. The benefits were minimal. The donor was distressed, as was I.

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I sure hope there is an evaluation done on a regular basis. I have suggested such. I am not sure it is being done.

There is an absence of leadership from that position, an absence of enthusiasm, an absence of communication.

It's all rather sad. I don't see how anything will change.

Note that none of this argues against the ED position. It is just a commentary on missed opportunity.

C • 401K 1

Sugarloaf is starting up its weekly track sessions, so I thought I'd give it a try, with the intent to do a little bit of faster running without taking it too seriously.

Seven laps easy.

The plan was 1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1 minutes "comfortably hard", with a minute easy jog recovery. Normally I don't care for this sort of workout, but tonight I was going with the flow. And actually seemed to do the workout about right.

And a couple more laps. Plus a lap before the faster stuff of skipping and running sideways, plus three very short hill bits. Whatever, I was mellow.

Tax season is over (except for the stragglers) so time for golf season.

Actually very glad that I'm able to play. Hurt my right shoulder in a fall at the North Americans in October, after which there was no way I could swing a club, and I was wondering if my golf days were over. Which was not a happy thought. It's said that orienteering is a lifetime sport, but I'm pretty sure you can play golf for a lot longer. And, at least in my case, the age-based deterioration in ability comes significantly later.

So, having not hit a ball for 6 months, I went out this morning out with a group of retired guys that I join up with from time to time. My game was surprisingly good, took just 4 holes to get the first par, 13 to get the first birdie, and 14 to hit the first ball out of bounds.... :-)

A lot of good shots. My short game lets me down as usual, so the plan this year is to see if something can be done about that. I've totally changed my swing on full shots (for the better) over the last year or so, so it ought to be possible to do the same thing for the rest of my game. I'll still always be a hacker -- is there a similar wonderful term to designate a mediocre orienteer? -- but there is great pleasure in a well-struck shot.

Anyway, today's number are 85-1-1-1, where the numbers are score, number of rounds this year, number of birdies today, number for the year. Last year's final numbers were 82 rounds and 66 birdies (and I think 1 eagle).

And played with a new fellow today, one of his kids made the Olympic Trials in the 1500 a few years back, and son-in-law missed the Olympic team in the mile by 1/100 of a second. I didn't know them, but knew of them, and he knew of me. A bunch of pleasant conversations during the round and then in the bar afterwards. Though the part about how such a couple's only kid could be rather severely autistic, life being full of the unexpected and not all of it is good, was hard to swallow

And then off to the gym for a little real exercise. Though I think a hilly walk of 4 or 5 miles with a bag of clubs over one shoulder does count for something in preparing for an ultra. I certainly feel it in the legs.

C • Golf 7

Legs very tired....

Also no ticks, no snakes, no new trails, no recent logging, no grizzly bears, no mountain lions, and, did I say, no energy. :-)

And only lost a little blood.

C • I have to be at Deerfield a... 3

No problems, no skips, no water, no energy, 2 phone calls, a dozen falls, maybe a couple non-optimum routes.

C • +506m 4