Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Event: A-meet and 2nd Annual Gateway Grunt & Runt - Hawn
 

I've been looking forward to running the SLOC event in Forest Park. I've been around the park many many times on the bike trail, haven't run a race there in 30 years, and virtually never ran off the path since then either...... so this event felt like my old life colliding with my new orienteering life. Very fun. And, it gave my parents a chance to tag along and see what I've been up to lately.... as they bundled up in heavy winter clothing while everyone else was running around in short sleeves.

I had the third start time, which kind of ruined my hopes of getting comfortable and familiar with people running off; on the other hand, it was nice to get out early instead of wondering what to expect.

The course was fun. I didn't get "lost".... it's still on my mind as a distrinct probability, even on a sprint (my Mom assured me that if I got lost, I should definitely be able to find my way home which is 1/2 mile away, so I shouldn't worry. HA!)

Made a strong finish, and then relaxed on the picnic table by the finish, got to meet Rick Armstrong who was chatting w my folks (Dad was his old prof), enjoyed seeing others come in....... whooooopssss.... what's that control they seem to be checking by the building??? the go control???? was that on my map? I missed it? OK.... ran back and got it. Only lost 5 minutes or so in the process, and intend not to make that mistake again!

Forest Park: GrBrOr - Splits

I went back to see Optometrist Tran regarding my O-lens, see if perhaps we could get something even better then my bifocal reading/short range lens in my left eye. I suggested it might be better in my dominant eye, rather than the submissive one....then was told it's actually illegal for him to prescribe a reading lens just for the dominant eye. (So of course I clarified, aha... but not for me to use it in whichever eye I choose).
I explained again, how I was having trouble with the orienteering map and compass..... and here we found the problem..... he had actually given me a prescription for geocaching not for orienteering and once he understood the difference and why I wanted such clarity.... he came back with a second lens. Now I have some magical combination that makes it possible to read from either eye and still the distance seems pretty good. YAY.
I gave it a test run today on my five mile loop with a map. The reading seems good.... now it's just figuring out the route choices etc. etc. But the seeing part is huge. Hope I'm still happy with it this weekend, but for now... it seems like an answer.
I also ran into Avi --the receptionist from Sweden, who told me that he bookmarked the mnoc.org website.
All is good.

Warm up jog to Afton Hills Rd. (1.5)
Hill work.
3X up with effort up steeps and back down at recovery jog (4.5 m total)
Jog back home (1.5)

Warmup
Road run on as flat a road as I could find in Afton
3 miles, aimed for 7 min/mile, first mile in 7:02 then apparently picked it up a little although I felt like I was dragging the entire way and really had to keep pushing myself. Finished in 20:28.
8 minute warmdown.
Funny part about the route... when I was mapping it out, and looking at the mile marker... and wondering if I would be able to remember where it was while I was running (zooming in to see what was around it), I said to myself....Oh, there's a good catching feature, the big Airplane in the yard just beyond the mile point. THAT would be hard to miss!