Training Log Archive: PG

Don't know if I'll still be alive a year from now, but might as well save the date.... :-)

Nice ride down the river, up the other side, very easy pace, trying to go with the least effort possible. Pulse mostly in the teens.

Stopped at the beginning at Mike's, nice chat with him, he's certainly happy having us there. Good way to wrap up the event.

Except I once again am an idiot. When I got there, he wasn't around, but there were a couple of women working on painting the big murals. They said Mike had gone to get them some cold drinks and would be right back. Cool, I'll wait.

Circled around the parking lot at about 0.1 mph, looking over at the maze, not paying any attention, hit a patch of sand, wheels went right out from under me, no time/talent to unclip the right foot, hit the dirt.

Mostly just dirt up and down my right side, but also an unhappy right ankle, it got yanked a way it's not supposed to be yanked, hurting on the outside just below the ankle bone.

Mike showed up in a couple minutes, we did our thing, then he was off to deliver the drinks. And I got back on the bike, pedaling seemed OK as I was just pressing straight down/up/whatever, no twisting. So I did the ride, just noticed it a few times.

But back home, it's not real happy.

I suppose the saving grace is that I'm not doing any orienteering or running or even strenuous walking right now. Or planning to in the near future. Because if I was, well, scratch that. Just hobbling around the house now....

Such a fucking idiot.

C • Ouch 2

Event: 2015 Corn Maze Champs
 

Corn maze champs. A full day. Things were nicely under control until about 3 pm, meaning a leisurely time in the morning setting out controls and getting things organized. Low stress, everything cool.

And then the rest of the time, well, everything went fine, mostly, but a little more stress than I'd hoped. Mainly, I think, because we had more people than last year and I didn't factor that into planning. Just always a little less time and a little more to do.

And also a little because I had 5 controls for the trail O instead of three, which meant the scoring took longer. So I was always a little behind.

But at least everything worked. Like the e-punch. You hope it works but you never know. This time no problems. No mistakes putting out controls, no bad screw-ups.

And the stress notwithstanding, I actually really enjoyed the afternoon/evening, lots of laughs. It's just that things were (a lot) closer to the edge than I really wanted.

Got home afterwards (such a nice drive, just over a mile), nice visit from Kseniya and Nadia. Did a little bit of work but just really tired. So the usual stuff you hope to get done that evening, posting all results and maps, didn't get done until the next morning.

Getting old, clearly slipping....

Corn ride. Nice afternoon. And looks like weather tomorrow afternoon and evening will be excellent. :-)

More good progress --

Had a nice chat with Mike down at the maze. It's quite something how the place goes from pure chaos to shipshape in a few days. I think he really does like having us a week before the season opens, gives him a deadline to get the place organized, and then another week to fine-tune things.

As I left he was chatting with a woman, Virginia, I hadn't met her before, about processing credit cards and on-line tickets sales and other such matters. I interrupted to ask a couple more questions. The first was where he wanted us to park, as the usual spot was now covered with greenery about 3 feet high. Usual place, he said with a smile, that's all being mowed tonight. And the second was, given the conversation with Virginia, was I still going to be able to settle up with him in cash. Oh, yeah, he said with a big smile. He's very cool.

Got the maps drawn and copied, one more thing done, then thought I might as well go and see about balloons. Got 5 very fine ones, now floating in the back of my Subaru. And decided, in the interest of more efficiency during the event, that there was no reason I couldn't pre-hang the balloons out in the maze, that would make it easier to get them out after the sprint. Just have to pre-hang them in the wrong places.... :-)

So stress level is still low. :-)

Talk about how to relieve stress. One of my worries is what if the e-punch system crashes, what then? Well, Giovanni is bringing along his display system, so there'll be a back-up, not to mention a real nice display. Sweet.

In the hills to the west -- Conway, Ashfield, Shelburne Falls, Conway, and home. Warm day, lots of hills, quite wasted by the end.

Made an art stop in Shelburne Falls, Gail has a couple of paintings in a new show at McCusker's, had to check them out. Looked good!

On schedule so far, and not stressed... :-)

Monday: Checked all the points, for all four events, plus where the temporary fences will go. I think the courses are all set, but will ponder them a little more the next couple of days. Still to do -- unpack the computer stuff and set up the software, input all the entries.

Tuesday: Do entry lists, e-mail to entrants (have to make up the master e-mail list) plus info about the event, FAQ format? Not that the ones who really need to read it actually will.

Wednesday: Long bike ride (no, not in the maze).

Thursday: Draw final copies of courses, get copies made.

Friday: Procure needed equipment (balloons, refreshments). Copies of start lists, meet info, etc. Sync controls.

Saturday morning: Put out controls, fences.

Saturday afternoon/evening: Have fun. :-)

Down along the east side river to Northampton, back on the west side, virtually flat, no wind. Just steady work, slowly getting better.

So, the goal this week is to do all the corn maze organizational stuff without getting stressed. I think I'm in good shape, but you never know.

Today: Checked all the points, for all four events, plus where the temporary fences will go. I think the courses are all set, but will ponder them a little more the next couple of days. Still to do -- unpack the computer stuff and set up the software, input all the entries.

Tuesday: Do entry lists, e-mail to entrants (have to make up the master e-mail list) plus info about the event, FAQ format? Not that the ones who really need to read it actually will.

Wednesday: Long bike ride (no, not in the maze).

Thursday: Draw final copies of courses, get copies made.

Friday: Procure needed equipment (balloons, refreshments). Copies of start lists, meet info, etc.

Saturday morning: Put out controls, fences.

Saturday afternoon/evening: Have fun. :-)

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We have an outstanding field. Visitors from Sweden and Canada. Some hot-shot juniors. Defending champ Ian (had to offer a substantial appearance fee to guarantee he would be here), plus a couple of rookies who think they can challenge him. And the power elite of WCOC, our host club, so what if it's not actually in Western Connecticut.

Not to late to get in, all you need is a good story....

C • Corn Maze 16