Training Log Archive: Bash

Thomass Chase - Fun, challenging (physically and navigationally) course. For my handicap, it wasn't obvious which controls to drop. If I were dishonest, I would say that I blew this race because my legs were tired after last weekend's 82.4 km spin through the Marin Headlands. But the truth is that my body felt good, if not super fresh. It was my brain that let me down!

I think this terrain was the most challenging for my ankle of anything I've done since the injury. Much of it was rock hard, recently frozen mud, which was unnerving as I hurtled down high, steep stream banks, careening from sapling to sapling. The flat areas were blanketed with dead leaves and fallen logs with areas of mossy rocks. Even with spikes and ankle brace, I could either focus on my footing or the map, but not both at the same time. And hey, it turns out that makes a difference! :) By the next race, my ankle will be ready for prime time and I *will* stay focused on the map the entire time. Grrr.

'Bent set what may be a new record by losing two $75 SI-6 cards in one day. The first was his own, which was missing from his O kit on arrival. The second was the one he subsequently rented from the club. I'm not sure we can afford for him to keep orienteering. We have confirmed that Hammer will carry the SI card when they do the Snowshoe Raid together next month.

Great day to be in the woods, awesome organization and fun GHO club party afterward. Thanks to Hammer, Etoile, Baloney and all the volunteers.

Huge congrats to Tiny on winning Athlete of the Year honours! Well deserved.

Easy run in Palgrave West with both dogs, attempting in vain to tire them out before today's Christmas party. Lots of brief "sniff & explore" stops. I'm cutting BazingaDog lots of slack this weekend since I feel kinda bad that he's losing some of his boy bits on Monday. 'Bent is looking a little nervous! ;)

Very cool Christmas event in Caledon East this Thurs. Dec. 15.

We're regulars at Caron Shepley's core and yoga classes which are aimed primarily at triathletes and runners. For her Christmas yoga class, she is once again teaming up with talented jazz pianist Patrick Dilkie for a special yoga class with live music (not the same old Christmas carols!) They tried this last year and it was awesome. To get an idea of Patrick's style, listen to a bit of Georgia on my Mind, which he played last year. People will likely bring treats for a little post-yoga socializing.

It's free and yoga novices are welcome. Just bring a yoga mat or towel to the Caledon Community Centre on Old Church Rd., 1 km east of Airport Rd. between the police station and the hockey arena entrance. Yoga concert starts on the main floor at 7:30 p.m. If you want the 20-minute core class too, it's at 7:10 on the lower floor.

LosDobos has started a Google map showing locations of races in northeast North America where runners can earn points for the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. The list will grow since UTMB is willing to add events that meet their distance/elevation criteria. This is something you can initiate yourself for a particular race.

The organization offers several events in the Mont Blanc area at the same time. The more of us who go to France, the merrier! :)

UTMB (166 km, 9500 m elevation gain)
CCC (98 km, 5600 m)
TDS (109 km, 7100 m)

To do CCC, runners need 1 qualifying point. Funderstorm and Hingo each earned 1 qualifying point at the 50K in San Fran last weekend so they're good to go for 2013.

To do TDS, runners need 2 qualifying points which is what I got for the 50-miler.

For UTMB, runners need to earn 5 points in no more than two races, e.g. TNF 50-miler + Death Race.

For all events, points need to be earned in 2011 and 2012 for a 2013 race.

Video about last weekend's TNF Endurance Challenge in San Francisco and the appeal of ultrarunning in general, featuring the Salomon international running team. Mostly worth watching for the great shots of the race course if you're considering doing it.

Moab last week of March. Who else wants to go for a ride or run in the red rock? :)

Funny, I had expected to take December off running but the snow is so gorgeous that I have to get out into the woods instead of sitting on a bike trainer or something. BulletDog preferred this plan too. Hope it'll be deep enough for skiing soon.

I'm surprised that recovering from 12 hours, 83 km and 3100 m of elevation gain has felt about the same as recovering from Run for The Toad - 5.5 hours, 50 km, not very hilly. I'm sure there's more going on in my body than I know, e.g. this new study talks about right ventricle performance decreasing for a week after 5-11 hour races.

But I was only aware of the usual two days of sore quads, plus I'm also catching up on two nights of terrible sleep before and after the race. I wouldn't want to do a big race this weekend but I'm feeling energetic and keen to get out. Yahoo. Too bad I'm so far behind on all my Christmas stuff; I won't be getting out a lot until I've made some progress!

(Overly long) race report for TNF 50-miler is posted now.
http://www.attackpoint.org/viewlog.jsp/user_920/pe...

Easy run in the snow with BulletDog. Felt pretty good! (Distance estimated.)