Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

I think I saw Ian S. quoting some expert regarding the need to assign every run a purpose. Today's run certainly had one. "OH MY GOD, is there no other way to get this overly demanding, overly aggressive, overly intrusive beast of a puppy off of me so I can get some sleep." I had feared that the overnight shift would be dreadful, and I was not disappointed, so I was not the least bit enthused about going out, but it seemed like the least of evils. My plantar fasciitis was worse following a misstep yesterday where I distinctly felt a tearing sensation, but it was not so bad as to make me think that I was going to have to shut it down for a while. Managed to plod around the full course without injuring anything more significantly, and considered it a major accomplishment.

Event: Club Champs Return to Mt Tom
 

Had been concerned that trying to find my controls was not going to be much of a challenge, and I was right. However, there were also 3 controls from Phil's courses, and most discouragingly, I wasn't able to find any of them in a timely fashion. Had some hopes of using my unfair advantage to grab title of M21 champion, and knew Ian F. had put up a time of 75 min to shoot for. Had fine effort and execution through 7, succeeding in navigating cleanly and catching Ian S. at 2 and eventually running away from him (well, maybe walking away from him is more accurate) on climb up hill to 5,6 and 7. Made first mistake after crossing marsh to hit trail on way to 8. Thought I had gone over small hill to hit trail, but when I turned L to look for the reentrant I planned to climb up, I wound up seeing the trail junction further on. Tried to take a straight line approach from there, but did not know where I was when I hit the reentrant (bumping into Ian again), and overestimated the amount I had climbed. Eventually I hit the winding trail beyond the control which allowed me to relocate. However, I now knew that Ian S. was ahead of me, and I took off like an idiot in hot pursuit without having any plan as to how to get to 9. If I had even taken a second to think, I would have remembered that I had vetted the control and that it was in a very technical and secluded spot. However, I simply ran off and hoped I would recognize something when I got there. I didn't. I am pretty sure that I was on the indistinct trail in the middle of the direct route, but I just wandered blindly from there, stumbling well past the control before bailing out completely in order to find the trail running parallel to the stream. Rest of the performance was solid but not spectacular. I took more direct line to 11 along the ridge, but hit the lower of the 2 cliffs, and then didn't see upper cliff immediately, so wandered aimlessly for another minute before coming back to the circle and seeing my control as Ian approached from the back side. Was happy I still had enough to pull away from Ian again, surely helped by the knowledge that the last controls were all my selections. On arriving home, I realized that I had failed to adequately activate start control, so first split is a guess. I will be interested to see splits from Ian F. and Andrew Childs. I suspect that my times will be competitive for the 13 controls I spiked, but that is hardly a consolation for being so inept on the controls I had not chosen myself.

Somewhat disappointed to learn that the 2008 Club Champs were going to be a remix of my control sites from the Heart and Troll. It has the feel of a can't-win proposition. Even if I do well, I'm only meeting expectations, and if I manage to screw up, then I'll really be embarrassed. Was hoping to have the opportunity to go to WCOC-Ansonia today, but was unable to find someone else to take Kyra to riding. Well, at least the dogs got a good run today. Decided to really push it today to see if I could get anywhere close to my PR. Managed to get within 1 min counting only the time I was running (28:13 vs 27:22), but did stop for 3:15 at midpoint to wait for Fonzie. Still, I felt as if I could have kept up the pace for the full run even without the break, so that was encouraging. Maybe I will try Blue course tomorrow to keep pushing my training.

Too hot today to consider a serious run, which was convenient as it allowed me to conserve my secondary rationalizations of being too tired or too sore for another day. Started off again at 9:00 min/mi clip as on Tuesday, but this time didn't try to pick up the pace. In fact, wound up having to jog in place for 2:30 total waiting for Fonzie to catch up. I think he may need a good brushing to help him shed more of his winter coat.

Just looking to get the dogs out for an easy run before my back-to-back overnight shifts, so had plans to run about 9:00 min/mile. However, legs felt somewhat better than expected, and temperature in woods was pleasantly cooler than anticipated as well, so picked up the pace a bit. Fonzie lagged quite a bit, taking over 4:00 to emerge after I had finished. Perhaps his middle-aged joints have an even slower recovery time than my middle-aged joints. On the good side, he does not appear focally lame, so maybe we will both enjoy a rest day tomorrow.