Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

Event: A-meet and 2nd Annual Gateway Grunt & Runt - Hawn
 

The overnight shift was rather more busy than I had hoped, and I had some minor concerns about getting my paperwork done before my 9:15 AM departure time, but the actual trip to St. Louis proved very easy, and I did get a couple hours of sleep on the plane. I had been worried about possible commuting delays, so had asked for a late start. When the commute went so well, I had plenty of time to warm up and watch the early runners. It was clear that at least one of the courses had an option to run along the road before entering the woods in a thick but apparently passable area.

I had thought that this sprint was a single course with results broken down into the standard course color of the various competitors, but it turned out that this information referred to the second sprint at Hawn. As a result, I had chosen to run my official Green class for the first time. The course turned out to be fairly straightforward with only 2-3 real chances to miss a control. I had a lot of trouble seeing the large trail markings which seemed easily confused with the contour lines or vegetation boundaries, but nevertheless navigated quite cleanly, notwithstanding a few slightly questionable route choices. As I neared the end, I recognized the route option along the road and took it with the confidence that the mapped thick woods would be manageable. When I hit this penultimate control cleanly and looked up to see that the roof of the Go Control location was already visible, I had a real sense that I might actually be in contention for an award, and I pushed with everything I had to the end. I was rewarded with a second place finish, kept only from ultimate glory by an M-18 runner. It was a very satisfying start to the weekend.

Forest Park: GrBrOr - Splits

I didn't want to shortchange the dogs before abandonning them for the weekend, but neither did I want to risk turning an ankle before the event this weekend, so I went back to the Needham Town Forest where the frost damage was less severe. Wouldn't you know it, but the Animal Control Officer was waiting for me again in the parking lot. But this time I was prepared, and I proudly pranced into the woods with the dogs on leashes. I wonder if the fact that the dogs kept wrapping the leashes around my legs was a giveaway that they were unaccustomed to this approach? In any case, we got out of sight before they succeeded in actually tripping me and then had a pleasantly slow and uneventful jog.

The plan was to run a very comfortable loop in the Needham Town Forest just prior to picking the kids up from school. But then I arrived in the parking area to find The Heat just waiting to harrass the owners of unleashed dogs. And, silly me, I didn't have the leashes in the car, so I couldn't even pretend that I was going to keep them leashed until I got out of sight. So I did an abrupt (and surely conspicuous) U-turn feeling surprisingly anxious even though I am pretty sure you can't be fined or arrested for conspiring to commit an act of unsecured canine ambulation.

In any case, I drove over to Caryl Park, but now the run wasn't as comfortable because I was threatening to be late for the kids. And yes, of course, there are plenty of ways to shorten the route, but I am compulsive enough that I wanted to do one of my measured loops so I could properly record it. At least the run itself was uneventful, and I don't really feel that I stressed myself unduly. I'm pretty sure the fact that I have chosen to work an overnight shift immediately prior to the event will have a much greater likelihood of affecting my performance than the extra 1-2% effort I put out today.

Finally, a not-unpleasant day. It seemed like the perfect time for one last hard effort before the A-Meet. I took care to sleep well last night, then took an extra nap for good measure. I hydrated well, stretched carefully in the bathroom before the dogs realized we were about to go for a run (and thus prompting the standard apoplectic reactions that render attempts at proper preparation unfeasable) and carefully double-knotted my laces. I did stop short of taping them. Then dressed in my finest summer running shorts, I went back to the Needham Town Forest to have another go at my 30:00 demon. Not surprisingly after all the preparation, I started out too fast, but even though I had to back off after the first mile, I easily met my goal while still carefully avoiding all opportunities to fall, twist an ankle or pull a muscle that might hinder my efforts in St. Louis. All in all, my conditioning feels quite acceptable. Now if I can only navigate.

Another day when I just didn't want to get started, likely related in no small part to a difficult overnight shift. Went back to Needham Town Forest when I couldn't put things off any further and just tried to get the legs moving. Happily, I again felt better once I got started, and the standing water was only an issue at one point. I actually entertained thoughts of trying to break the 30:00 barrier after completing the first "mile" in an acceptable time, but decided to back off over last "mile" when my splits made it clear that this goal was impractical. I may try again tomorrow as a last serious run before tapering down before the St. Louis meet.

C • Consistency 5

Feeling quite drained from yesterday's workout notwithstanding a substantial and quite delicious pancake brunch (perhaps proving that my cooking skills have been improving even if my orienteering skills have not.) Put the run off as long as possible, but still took a lot of motivation to get out of the car even after I had arrived at Caryl Park. On the other hand, it did not take long to recognize how much better it was yesterday with both dry clothes and no active precipitation. Even the damage to the trails had seemed to improve somewhat, although it still seemed likely that it might take several months (or some concerted effort from the Trustees of Reservations) before the yellow trail was back in reasonable shape. Was happy to be able to put out enough effort to complete run in under 30:00.

Weather had not improved, but I decided that this was the best opportunity for me to get back to Hammond Pond course, so braved the cold wet rain and considerable standing water to return to the site of my recent navigational crimes. Snow was not a factor, but mud and expanded water features probably made speed just slightly slower than on first run. Effort was solid, and I made some definite improvements, but disturbed by two moderate mistakes at #9 (again) and #12. I would have definitely liked to have a clean run considering the fact that it was a rerun still using the full-details map.

Was cold and miserable but still feeling obligated to take the dogs out for some exercise, and I didn't see any point to getting another set of clothes dirty, so I just collected the dogs and returned to Caryl Park to run the short loop. Still some snow in places, but mostly slowed by the massive amounts of frost and flood damage making trails quite a challenge in many areas along the initial climb. Second half wasn't so bad as the trail near the chain of ponds was not nearly so eroded. Still, was more than happy to be done at the finish.

CSU Feb. Semi-permanent course - Splits