Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

Event: Blue Hills Traverse
 

Traverse - Splits

Usual loop at Needham Town Forest. Many difficulties at beginning getting dogs to leave new playmates, but eventually a very acceptable run, aided by the fact that we were the only fools still left in the woods after dark. I was forced to run at a pretty good clip due to the need to get ready for work, and I kept having images of twisting an ankle in the dark and knocking myself out of the Traverse, but no such misfortune befell me. I was concerned when car would not start for about 3 min in parking area, but eventually it turned over. I continue to be mystified by the problem, which clearly is related to the cold, but was not improved by buying a new battery. I suspect it will motivate me to purchase a new car in the next week or so.

Event: 2008 UNO Club Championships - Beaver Brook -- Brown Lane Barn,
 

Wendy decided that I should be the one to take the early shift with house-training the new puppy (even though I also took the late shift), so I was up at 5:30 AM making sure Piper didn't soil her crate. She played a bit with Fonzie, but didn't appear tired enough to go back in the crate, so I decided to take both dogs out for an early run in the woods as a warm-up for the Beaver Brook event. Piper again was resistent at the start, but then seemed to get enthused, and we had a good run after the first 10 min. Perhaps the lack of other people/dogs at this hour was helpful. Fonzie again was slow, but he kept chugging along close enough to minimize the periods of waiting.

UNO Club Championships at Beaver Brook. Started 2 min behind Ernst (after advising the junior starter that 1 min intervals were generally frowned upon, even though it was not going to make a difference given the competition ahead). Was then quite surprised to see Ernst punching #1 when I got there. Weather was fine mist which appeared to wreck havoc with Ernst's glasses. In any case, had quite clean run for first ten controls, continuing to see Ernst frequently, although often choosing different routes. Was still with Ernst at water stop #11, before having my one real bobble, when I overran #12 which was on a small knoll on a spur, perhaps due to the fact that I was looking intently for a depression. Struggled through the next three controls tentatively but acceptably in the very technical area of the map where I had become so thoroughly lost on Day 2 of the A-Meet that I had questioned the sanity of my continuing in the sport. I was helped somewhat by missing #14 serendipitously in the vicinity of #11 which allowed me to correct without too much loss of time. Rest of race was solid but a bit slow as I tired. I also would have felt better if I had nailed the Go control or avoided running the wrong way when I hit the trail on the run in. The loss in time was not too significant, but the blow to the ego was notable.

Ross was leader in the clubhouse at 74 min. I am duly impressed. Ernst wound up 4 min ahead, while JJ was 9 min in front. All in all, I was happy with the effort. Now if I can only find a way to keep up the pace for another 4.5 km by next week, I should be ready for the Traverse.

Details of run to follow in Comments.

C • Did you ck the blue length?... 4

Blue - Splits

Another trip to the Needham Town Forest with the dogs, but this one was somewhat less satisfying. Piper spent much of the first half of the walk sitting or pulling back on the leash. It didn't appear related to the need to relieve herself, either. Perhaps she was trying to wait for Fonzie, who seemed slower as well on the second consecutive day. We all appear to have some work to be done to get back in shape.

Introduction to woods for new puppy Piper, a Puerto Rican mixed breed obtained from the Buddy Dog Shelter in Sudbury. I had no idea people were importing dogs from Puerto Rico for adoption. I any case have had her for the last 3 days, and she seems to be fitting in nicely. It was so uplifting to watch Fonzie and Piper chase each other about and wrestle in the back yard, as Fonzie has been visibly depressed since Sydney died in late August. As a family, we had been divided about whether we were sufficiently through the grieving process to justify another dog, and the deciding factor was our concern about Fonzie's state of mental health. The sight of them playing together removed the last doubts from the skeptics.

Piper was confined to the leash, as I am not at all confident in her willingness to stay close, as well as in my ability to run her down if she decides to make a break for it. She was fairly willing to run along with me, although often tangling her legs in the leash. Fonzie tried to keep pace, but he has certainly become deconditioned in the last year (not to mention five pounds heavier.)

Event: NEOC: Breakheart Reservation
 

Beaver Brook Run from horse barn. Unable to find anyone else to take Kyra to riding, so unable to go to Breakheart Reservation. Tried to compensate by running hard on road loop from barn. Solid effort approaching 7:30/mi and good enough to improve my PR by almost 1:00, although it must be recognized that the other 2-3 times I have run the loop took place in extremely humid conditions. Nevertheless, my best times for > 3 mi road courses have been in the 7:15 range, so I can't complain about the performance. Splits were 8:18/7:15/7:24/8:10.

In search of attainable goals, I revived my old run to the Needham Town Forest and back which I had originally run 7-8 years ago. All my times for the route were achieved towing Sydney on a leash, so I certainly saw some potential for achieving comparable times now that I was running without any encumberence. I was between overnight shifts, the first of which was extremely arduous and extended by several hours due to paperwork issues, so my motivation was low. Still, the weather was beautiful, and I obviously needed to push myself if I had any hope of reaching an acceptable level of conditioning for the Traverse, so off I went. Run was steady if uninspired, and time was almost 2 min off my previous best, but at least I did it. Hopefully, I can find the motivation to improve upon the performance tomorrow, although the weather promises to be considerably less inviting.

C • Taxing the energy out of you... 2

High Rock/Marked Tree circuit. Went out slowly, then able to pick up pace some. Still a lot of work to be done, but at least I got out today after failing to motivate myself yesterday. Splits were 12:22/24:04/34:56. Time for run-in 2:42, about 15-20 secs slow compared to best efforts in past. A bit disappointing, even given my recent lack of conditioning, as the weather could not have been more perfect.

Event: Nottingcook Forest
 

Welcome back, log, it's been a long time. I probably could have detailed all my struggles and insecurities setting the course for the recent A-Meet, but it didn't seem like particularly good publicity. I'm glad I can admit this now without too much fear of recrimination after what felt like a pretty clean event.

Anyway, now that I have spent a total of three days getting controls and water out of the woods, and another three days recovering (not to mention working two 12 hour overnight shifts), I am back hoping to get some exercise.

Meet at Nottingcook Forest was delightful place to reacclimate. Was not long or steep, and the thick vegetation generally played to my strengths (such as they are) as I seem to charge through it better than many others, although the issue of navigation does remain a distinct challenge for me.

Run was not crisp, but I think that is the nature of the forest, and was quite in contention with even PG until things started to get away from me on #11, before falling completely apart on #14. I'm really beginning to hate that hillside, which was undone me twice in two attempts. Nevertheless, happy with my effort, if not my ultimate results, and it's nice to be back as a competitor. WIth luck and a little perseverence, I may even be able to get in some reasonable shape before the Traverse.

Red course - Splits