Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Event: MNOC - Sunfish Lake Park
 

At work last week.....I was asked what we could do for "team building" in our small group.... immediately suggested we should go to the Night-O. In my mind, I would train people ahead of time and we'd all go out and race; if anyone wanted to team up they could.. and then we'd get together at the end.

Except only 2 others ended up thinking this was a good Friday night idea.
So we ran as a team of 3, and I wasn't too sorry about that because I'm not incredibly fond of NightO thus it wasn't a huge sacrifice.

The course was laid out as a butterfly loop and I really liked it. Perfect NightO mass start course. Very nicely done. Lots of trail running possible, but also navigation through the woods required. So the "team" (me, Rob and Nick from work) was able to follow along on the maps, we'd discuss route at every control and for the most part we weren't too bad.. And we ran at least on the trails, kept up a fairly decent pace except when we were standing around deliberating/planning. I think it was a really good exercise for me to articulate (or ask) exactly what we were going to do from each control (and get questions/suggestions) slowing down during the planning process, and actually saying it somehow made me really see it better.

We might have actually not DNF'd (90 minute time limit) if I hadn't done a map flip at control.6. I had a nice route planned, but then hit a trail (huh??) and fortunately my two teammates could tell me where the HECK I was..... so they picked a new route, I didn't know what they were trying to do exactly, but figured I already had my shot and now I'd follow and they took a long trail around but it had some weird splits and intersections and I didn't exactly understand the plan so I wasn't much help.
It took 16 minutes with the series of unknowns and ambiguities. Rest of controls were all quite good considering that we were training, discussing, talking, running. Generally around 5 minutes or less each, and 14 controls total.

In the end, we decided to go into cost savings measures (just run home before we got chewed out for being late).
Fun night, nice to be able to go out after and be close to home.

I believe I will actively not use GPS/watch for next couple of months; everything will be 10/mi. I'm sure it's close enough and I think a break from measuring might be good.

Lesson 5 of 22
We were informed that starting on lesson 7, it will be on snow, even if it is at Wirth or other man-made snow area. Unfortunately, I'll miss that one due to work. =(

Today:
Start with pole walking
More V1, V2 and V1 alternate work up a hill - working on technique and timing; still not quite natural but I think things are getting better.
some strength exercises.

In case anyone's looking.....I learned there is a HUGE ski swap at Dunwoody on 18th, 19th (bring a kid to get in first) and REI is selling all its rental classics from last year.