Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Event: MNOC MTBO River Bend Nature Center
 

Decided to try for 20k vs. 10k, with some misgivings due to very restricted calorie intake right now. Sure enough, no energy after first hill! That was okay, I had expected it but had to choose between diet or performance and I'm glad for my decision. Flats and downhills were no problem =)
Finished map one, but bailed on map two.
I really really enjoyed this. It felt a lot like a sprint... simple orienteering (all trails) but things coming up fast. Had some problems with compass/bike interference, and holding map in my teeth, but figured those were fine challenges too and since competitiveness wasn't a concern... just dealt with them.
BIG problem though from 3-4, when headed to 13 (intentionally-it was on the way), forget I was going to 4, punched 13, remembered I was NOT supposed to be at 13 yet, then headed back to 3???? Then saw the spring near 3, and thought... hmmm, that's odd that I'm back HERE!
On map... saw a nice path near the out-of-bounds area, near the prison. Ended up IN the out of bounds area, IN the prison area.... noticed it when I passed about 8 very scruffy dirty, infested looking workers right by the road... and one was urinating right about where I was passing. Rode a little further. Thinking. Hmmmmm....."Discover Orienteering..... Discover Prison"...... that doesn't seem right. Maybe I am in the wrong spot. I really didn't want to pass by the prison crew again; was worried they might be waiting to give me a Hannibal Lector moment, but there was no other way. Whew. They were gone.
Then was back on track again, and things were fine except had to walk up even the smallest little hill. And my world was getting dark and small. Was also slow and a bit cautious on the downhills. Despite all the excuses, there is no complaining. I really really liked it so I wish we had more of these.
Thanks Philip and Molly! Sweet course.

<60 degrees, sprinkling rain, evening run--my favorite kind of running maybe.

W Maika.
Decided to give some more effort to the weight loss thing so feeling sluggish. Then slipped on downhill mud. I'm always worried about falling when biking or skiing but reality is that I have many more careless running falls. Just was off in my own world.
Walked from that point on mostly.

Two loops on the way home from work.
First was a bit sketchy, second felt very good.
That makes four bike outings this year.... three of them this week. Should be ready for this weekend's MTBO; signed up for the 20k.