Training Log Archive: the kempster

Event: OOC Cité des Jeunes
 

Ran a great race all except for one control. Started out well nailing the first two controls. But then I think I might've run off the map trying to get to 3. Couldn't figure out the features at all. I'd think I was in one spot, run to where the control should've been, and then...no control. Finally, after about 18min of wandering around, relocated off a giant boulder and then walked right into the control. Might've been a better route to 4 with less climb, but I found it alright anyways. 5 I was dumb and ended up on the wrong side of the stream, so had to cross it getting icky smelly mud all over one shoe before attacking the control from above (ahha, I did learn something from the training camp!!) Eric had passed me at 3 and then I caught back up to him going to 7 but didn't pass him till 9. Almost did a 90 degree error leaving 7, but caught myself in time. Was right behind Eric and another runner at 9, but I don't they looked at their control descriptions, cause it was at the top of the cliff and they went all the way around the spur and then into the re-entrant on the other side before actually finding the cliff and going to the top. Coming out on the trail after 10, Eric was right behind me, but then afterwards, I didn't see him at all. I think that he lost his concentration after he saw me and then it just went downhill from there. 11, 12, and 13 were all fine (sickest of all routes to 13 right down the re-entrant) but I fell off the hill a little bit on 14. Thankfully, the field was mowed so the long run around wasn't too bad, but the climb up to 15 was killer! Noticed how much faster I was running through the woods which has really improved since last season. Was absolutely exhausted when I got back which is good cause that means I am pushing myself to go faster enough. Fell on my wrist pretty hard twice, both on trails which is kinda weird. How is it that I'm a klutz on the trails, but not in the woods where there's a million different things to fall over?!?! Anyways, excellent race and it'll be interesting to see how everybody else did (I think that most people on both long and short advanced had some trouble on the 3rd control).

Was actually out there for close to 2hrs, but that was mostly just sitting around while my dad and went to check control sites for a small meet that he's hosting. When we actually were biking, we did a single track loop which was pretty tricky especially since I was still getting used to being clipped in. Not sure if it makes me feel safer being attached to the bike or not, but I definitely have more control. Didn't do any major wipeouts although I did catch myself on my bad wrist trying to 'pop' over a log...not a smart thing to do!!! After our single track adventure, we hopped onto the trail up to Pink Lake which was awfully grueling!!! Could definitely feel the lactic acid burn in my legs!!! The best part though, was coming back down!! Absolutely exhilarating!! Some parts, you didn't even have to pedal for ages since it was just all downhill. Definitely felt like a speed demon all the way back! Planning on playing rookie from jazz band on Tuesday (and yes, my band director said that I could miss Tuesdays if I needed to, just, he didn't specify what for...) and doing the same loop minus all the sitting around!

Long Advanced - Splits