Training Log Archive: cmorse

Easy 2 miler w/ Jackson after school.

Total weekend accumulation of warming up, jogging out to catch Hayden on his first solo white course (photo ops) etc. Very rough guess on time/dist

Didn't feel like going out on a technical course (ie not fast), so opted for the Intermediate course so I could at least hopefully stretch my legs and really run in the terrain. Shooting for sub-30 for a sub 10min/km. Got it with a few seconds to spare.

A bit left up the wrong hill on #4 (45s?) and then wound up undershooting #5 and having to come back (maybe a minute or so). But a real fine run...

Event: UNO Pawtuckaway Camping Weekend
 

Opted for short advanced as I haven't been orienteering in quite a while. A little shaky on the first couple, then settled down to methodic pace counting in the really tricky stuff - clean, but not terribly fast - then the woods opened up and I was able to run some more. But it cost me as I mispunched on a similar type feature (dry marsh) on the last control, feeling good (aka cocky) and neglecting to double check the control code. A fine run even if officially a DNF.

Wore the new RocLite 285's - very nice fit and secure in terrain. Also had a new pair of O-Roc 340's along, but Jon was in need of shoes so I had him try them on and wear them. They fit, he likes. Early xmas present for my little brother. I'll order up another pair for myself.

E-punch Sprint - US Team Fundraiser. Ran sans compass for additional challenge. A little hesitant on #7, then completely fubar'd by going to going to #9 before #8 - punched then realized boulder should be below rather than above, looked at the e-box number and realized my error - up to #8, then very quickly back to #9 and in. Very high intensity and fastest time of the day for a while until Sam & Ross totally decimated my time...

Second sprint, which was the first 4 controls of the long version - so I had been to all of them once before. This time no map, no compass. Gasping a bit coming back up the hill to the pavilion but very happy with the time.

So I figure Ross would come in and blow this out by running 1:45 or something stupid (and ditto for Sam). But when Ross only puts down a 2:10 I start thinking that maybe there's room for improvement from the old Clintster. (Not 7s improvement mind you, but something).

Another hard run, on very tired legs gasping even harder on the final approach. And shaved a whole second! Enough for one day.

I think Sam finished up with a 2:21 best, Ross put down a 2:01 on his second one. Val put up $20 to the team for anyone who could break the 2:00 minute barrier - which eventually was done by Ethan Childs with a 1:57.

So only 20s back of a very speedy teen. Not bad for an old man... :-)

Did the last 3 controls of the Wicked Hard Night-O course with Uncle Jon and the boys. Hiked the whole way except the run-in.

Started out with the crowd, most everyone gone by the time we hit the road. No biggie since they went L toward #1 and we headed R to the Fundy Trail. Up Fundy to a good attackpoint before realizing there was actually a small trail going most of the way to #12 (hard to pick out the fine trails on a rock strewn map like Pawtuckaway - especially with my old-man eyes in the glare of a headlamp). Up the twisty mountain bike trail to our attackpoint giving us a bit over 100m off trail. Jon stayed on the trail taking a solid bearing while the boys and I trudged up hill - Jon shouting L or R as needed to correct our line. Reflector soon came into view, we punched, then turned off the lights for a bit to absorb the absolute dark of Pawtuckaway at night. Then back on with the lights and retraced our steps back to Jon's light.

Rather than trudge cross country like a true WHNO stalwart, we took the trails back to the road and took the shorter, safer attack to #13 - took it cleanly then due S to the road again, crossing over and heading for the final at #14 which was in a small depression. Good solid attackpoint as a trail led into a clearing with a leanto just on the edge of the circle, we get there and Jackson tears off to the reflector and punches us in - but I announce it can't be ours because this is a lean-to in a clearing, not a depression. But he says it has a #14 clearly marked on it. Hmmm. Go a bit further into the depression and sure enough, there's our marker (the first being control #14 from the Vampire O - running concurrently with WHNO) - do a double punch and head for the pavilion and s'mores.

What are the odds of hanging two controls, BOTH #14 inside the same control circle at Pawtuckaway, at night? Marginal at best I do believe. Lots of fun and our first run-in with WHNO. We'll be back.

Had to drop the car off for service, so took the headlamp and ran home from Doug's. Good to get it done, but not much fun on roads...