Training Log Archive: BigWillyStyle

The metaphor for 2016

C • 3

5x1k w/~3min rest

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Intervals at Ballard HS. Back on the track! First time seeing one of those in a while so wanted to keep it somewhat comfortable in the 320s and focus on good form, breathing, etc. without getting too intense. Left it a bit late so was pretty dark by the end.

Tip o' the hat to Nikolay, who left today bound for another shot at the most gratuitously sadistic race I for one have ever heard of, the Barkley Marathons.

The course was designed by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about Martin Luther King, Jr's assassin James Earl Ray escaping from nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Ray covered only 8 miles (13 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself, "I could do at least 100 miles." Thus, the Barkley Marathons was born.

C • Barkley 2

Joined in on the Street Scramble-type adventure run that Pink Socks set up for his Wednesday running group. Fun course (and fantastic weather); got food and beers afterward with the Sockses, Run_Bosco, and others.

I don't think I've mentioned the running bet I entered into a couple weeks back with my esteemed colleague Fer_Fun'k_Sake!, wherein a beer is owed by either party based on whether my time in any particular race is half that of hers or not. The bet has yet to be put into action, but I feel confident that I've swindled her I'll be competitive.

[Side note - I feel like I've talked about beer a lot lately, but don't worry - I actually drink very little beer. Though living in Seattle seems to encourage it.]

C • Beer 1

C • Bet 2

Some mountain biking in Watershed and Everest Parks in Kirkland, because it was too nice not to be outside. Almost crashed only once.

Was thinking recently about how beneficial it is to have guys like J and the Bonesaw (and Peteris and Nikolay) - i.e. guys who are better than you at various of the different orienteering skills and techniques - around. When you go up against them every weekend, you're constantly pushed to be better or be left in the dust, which (if you channel it the right way) gives you a consistent source of motivation and purpose, and you end up improving almost by osmosis. Then you go to a big national meet, say a Champs or a TT, and find that the competition isn't dissimilar to one of your local races - only difference is there are more J's and Bonesaws - so it doesn't psyche you out because it's what you see all the time. Not everyone has that in their local club, so I consider myself lucky.

P.S. I suppose this is why people move to Europe.

C • Completely agree. If I'm th... 6

Easy/short loop through Woodland, with some terrain running included. Legs not that stoked to take action today. Am stoked, though, to find myself learning about the nuances of crossing barb-wire fences. Riveting stuff.

http://5z.com/urban/gadget/cgi-bin/reitti.cgi?act=...

Cedar Mountain Nav Race, two-hour option. Route:

13 - 45 - 21 - 16 - 53 - 37 - 35 - 38 - 41 - 22 - 48 - 32 - 18 - 23 - 33 - 42 - 25 - 43 - 28 - 52 - 31 - 27 - 24 - 46 - 29 - 44 - 14 - 12 - 11 - 15

Didn't get: 17, 26, 34, 36, 39, 47, 51

I was able to complete my planned route with a minute to spare, despite spending five or six minutes looking for consarned 43, only to discover on the second go that it was plainly visible from the trail had I gone like 20m farther the first time. On the bright side, the woods are really nice and open in that area. Spent another couple in the wrong reentrant looking for 28.

Also, my trusty patella strap got ripped off without me noticing and is now just another piece of garbage in the forest, sigh.