Training Log Archive: Mona

little sleep again. Massage felt good. Cold is geting worse.

little sleep again. repeated racing in rain/rivers, and staying cold after do not help with my immune system.

NA Champs - Klondike State Forest - syracuse, ny - long - red X

I didn't exactly enjoy this event as much. I started again sleep deprived and not with proper nutrition the night before, which got me quite tired early in the run. Someday I'll figure out what it takes to be more dedicated to training and racing.

The day before I forgot to pick up my packet so I didn't have the clue sheet, so had to shuffle the map at each control to check the code.

I will skip little bobbles and go straight to big bobbles, as it seemed like the course today was simply a suggestion for me, not where I really should go.

Early enough I learned this is gonna be a marshy action, and that got me quite mad, especially for a long course.

Till no 12 I didn't have huge bobbles, but I was plenty tired and when I saw that for no 12 I had to cross a marsh just to cross it back out for no 13, I just did not have nice thoughts for the course setter. Now, with a more clear mind, I'm thinking maybe should have not rained that much it was not so bad, and also, maybe other orienteers actually enjoy marsh running. One fact is clear, my ankles hate it!

No 13 : first huge bobble, as my only goal was to get out of marsh and lost track of where I was pretty quickly. Went eventually to the lake to relocate.

No14: stopped short of control in similar feature and wandered a while till I decided to go further. Somewhere along, I actually had a big THORN in my eye! I was so happy to realize no damage was done!!

No 16: again stopped short, and I was so depressed that I didn't see anyone starting with control 11, that I really thought I was the last one in the woods and when I saw JJ I was quite happy. Even if I guessed his control was not mine, I still looked where he was going. Found a control and figured out what was on the map and easily found mine after.

Last 2 controls were ok, and I was so tired could not even sprint in the finish shute. I was pleasantly suprised not to be the only one at the finish.

The only thing that kept me from quiting a few times, especially at 12, for crossing that stupid marsh, then as big bobbles were coming one after the another, was the thought that as bad as I'll do, as much as I get lost in the woods (or relocate:) it will still feel better to finish and there will always be other people that did even worse. And guess what: it was true! I was kinda content to finish and there were several ladies that took even more time to finish.

Note for future: NEVER quit!

(ok, unless really injured, or some sort of danger)

NA Champs - Salmon river fish hatchery - syracuse, ny - middle - red X

These woods were just perfect! We did have to cross a creek a few times but after the practice a couple weeks ago in Chicago this was a "walk in the park".

Given the lack of sleep, diziness and lack of training, I was actually happy with my results. It probably had to do with the fact I really enjoyed the course too! Finally something that adds some challenge, that makes you read the map instead of trail running!

Lets review "little bobbles":

start - 1: usual time to find north, start, first control on the map and adjust to the map. I was already happy when I saw control description (all depresionns and renetrants, so I figured not too many boulders and nice terrain)

1-2: got over the euphoria. tried to avoid going up at all. quite successful for now

2-3: easy handrails through the valleys

3-4: first thing I see the marsh and then the river. So I minimized marsh crossing and the creek was not bad either. Easy handrail along the marsh again.

4-5: walked to the trail junction and took the trail to flat area, then straight to the control

5-6: Straight shot. Slightly to the left to make sure I don't miss it.

6-7: This leg my brain must have gone foggy due to marsh aversion. I went up extra contours just to stay away from the marsh (I had no idea that time waht was coming next day!!). Crossed the creek almost same spot, except that I did a face down in the mud right before crossing it this time. Give me mud or water and I will fall in it!! Took the trail to junction and then along the valley.

7-8: Straight shot. Slightly to the right to make sure I don't miss it.

8-9: Along the marsh, crossed the creek, trail along the marsh and lovely detail map reading to control

9-10: Getting abit tired now. Took a straight shot again, checked the little trail junction thing, then kept straight...and got lucky because I don't remember reading the map that much now

10-11: I remember this leg was very fun. I think must have realized I was on my way to finish, so I got excited. Hopped out of my strating depression and into the my control large valley-depression. This was an example of keeping control 100% and got to my depression just as I expected.

11-12: "quickly' to trail, I got confused for a little bit by a faint trail but "quickly" recovered and got on the right trail.

12-13: long way on the trail again to avoid marshes.

I knew my time was not great just as soon as I saw on my watch over 50 min, but I did enjoy the course and the terrain was lovely, so time was not exactly of the essence. Great job whoever picked the placed and designed the course, nice combo between slighly easy (but not trail running) legs and intense map reading. I only got dizzy real bad once and had to focus to run between the trees and not through them:)

If it was not of the gloomy days there, i would consider that to be a potential great spot to move for orienteering purposes.

Event: North American Championships
 

Down south

Biking at night again. tested new lamp. found some "interesting" trail, but not sure if we wanted to investigate at night...

Up north

Started out quite slowly. Ran into Mike, so the run up was not too boring. But then on the way down I try o "crank" it a bit, so it turned out t be a good workout. I need to start EVEN earlier!

27min on the way up
19min on the way down

Men Falls

Bare footed (forgot shoes). Sleepy. I slept over 8h last night, but maybe I need more. Who knows. I'm not planning to do the overachiving Monday, but maybe a night road biking with my new light is due...

Big break: I have not done any BP in 2 weeks...But I did keep the weights almnost the same, except I used the light bar.

Up north - to Port Washington

Just trying to see if I can get some road biking in (= get my butt to hurt a lot!). I really find nothing exciting about road biking. I sometimes wander what other people find in this...

Anyways, at some point me and dragos colided our handle bars, and he managed to pull out... and I managed to fall on my knees. Without further complaining, I got a new road rash, now on my left knee, nice bump on my right knee and minor other bruises and scrapes. This will give a bit of work to my team mates to update the "Ioana's MTB Injury report"... oh wait, this is not even MTB.

I should also mention the weather was not greatest (so humid!). But, I was happy to do it, even with all this pessimistic tone.

John Muir - Orange Loop - distance/times are aproximate

MTB at night - with Scott, Greg and Gary.

I have done a few things which to some people seem weird, but this one is still plenty weird even to me!!
I really think I need to create a separate category for "crazy things Ioana does". I mean seriosly, MTB at night??! I get plenty thrill MTB in broad daylight! So, mostly, I'll try to stick to normal things...

Well, we made it, all in one piece, the big light did help a LOT. It seems it's all about equipment, as you go deeper in crazy sports. Ok...this was actually quite fun... I really should no say this, now, hmm...

So, anyway, given that we decided it was doable, I am, as it stands right now, planning to do the 18 hour AR.

Nordic trails - same team

Just to get a feel for night jogging/hiking. And just in case we didn't get enough exercise at night, we had to cover all bases.

Such a clear night.

Up north

I was initially planning to take it easy and do nothing, but then I just had to go stretch my legs a bit. Felt good. I really should start a bit earlier, as it was getting quite dark on the way back.

I went downhill quite fast and the hamstring I stretched kinda bad a few days ago complained again. otherwise, all good.

Up north - very approximate time and distance

I was sooooo ready for some biking!! I mean my butt didn't hurt in so long!

Night biking on same paved trail with Greg to test head lamps and potential towing :) It all worked out ok but we definetely need better lamps if we'll do the AR.

Weather was awesome. Clear night. I just missed a -8 flare! Went all the way to Grafton. Did not pay attention to some "closed trail" signs but with out knobby tires we could go pretty much over anything...or carry bikes across when that doesn't work.

Feeling so much better! Today I actually diversified my diet to toast, boiled rice and boiled carrots! Hey, not too bad, not too bad!

Riding was fun, a bit mellow, but probably just what I needed.

It was getting dark but I just felt I needed some more fresh air and stretch my legs a bit.

C • I like this sport "train pretend" ! 5

Stomach flu - definetely had better days

C • Sorry to hear your sick 2

Big WET Blues - "long" - Country Lane Woods - Chicago

Woke up in the morning, Ana: "it's pouring harder than yesterday!" I guess we just need to tough it up a bit more!. I was NOT looking forward to a long event in pouring rain and thorns... Fueled up and "off" we went. Aside from the fact I really didn't know where we were "off to" everything was fine. Natalia was already setting controls while us wimpy babies were still asleep! Luckily as we were heading appoximately south we were able to reach Charlie and Maricel to give us directions.

Got to start. First news: the red long course had to be cut short as the road was flooded. Hey, that was good news for me! But then I start getting warnings about this clearing from 3-10 that was a chest deep lake now. Well, now I have gotten a bit more carefull than yesterday so I asked about every single leg. This was probably the most studied course ever... before even taking off!

I kept off the deep rivers all the way to no 12. Right before 12, crossing the flooded creek! It was prime time to show that I am an experienced swimmer/orienteer now! I took a completely different approach than yesterday, so I start running and leaped as far as I could, expecting any depth whatsoever once I jumped in. And yes, this time I only went chest deep, so eeeeasy! However I got slightly frustrated to see Jeff there already. Ok, this guy did an ironman, and he is about 100 more times in better shape than I am...

The course overall was easier than yesterday (obvious by the time too). I also took very safe routes, which added quite a bit of running to my already wheezing chest. That was weird, never happened before, while running to last 2 controls I could not inhale as much air as I needed. Eh, who knows...

Overall, I was again happy I went and finished and was done with it :)

Footnote 1: Packers beat Lions.
Footnote 2: Rain stopped as soon as we headed out of Chicago. It must have been special order for the Big Blues

Big Blues Rambles - Chicago - Middle

Short story: wet, fun, finished, happy to be done.

For those with a bit more time on their hands:

Morning started good with this awesome omlete with asparagus Natalia made for us. So, now with full tumies, we head out to the site. On the way it's pouring rain,( which just to mention it started when we headed down there on friday and never stopped till we got back home!!!!), and Ana kept inquiring why exactly are we doing this and why didn't I pick as my favourite sport ping-pong, or racketball... or ...

Got to start and had such a hard time gettings started as I kept dry till the last second. I have also been warned that a "creek" I was supposed to cross was waist high. So, I was quite "excited" to get going.

By first control I was plenty wet, so I didn't care anymore about puddles and such. Now, between 1 and 2 ther's the creek I've been warned about. Need to specify I am NOT big fan of crossing rivers, swamps and mostly do not like much water on my course (except when I'm thirsty!!). So, got to the rushing "creek", I looked to the left, can't see a better spot, look to the right... nothing. So, I carefuly start going, and apparently not carefully enough, cause in a split second, I was completely under water, head and all, with my eyes wide open under and with the only concern that I NEED to keep my map dry. So I didn't freak out one bit, just popped out and checked real quick if I can still see the course on the map!! ........ Big relief, my map was as dry as ever, yes! Now the stumbling up the muddy, slippery, steep bank was just plain joy!

With that on my record, I figured nothing can be worse on that course, and I found all my controls in pretty safe fashion, except 11 where I just kinda knew where i was, too lazy to get back and relocate 100%. Oh, need also to mention this was the least runnable forest of all, with burrs, and plenty poky things even if the "white" areas, so you had to minimize and extra walking. I had scratches even on my tummy! I mean by the end of the weekend, running through the river or in a washed out trail was the best choice. Plus a chnace to get the mud out off your shoes. Anyway, ended up loosing a good 7 min at 11.

Then everything went pretty smooth (you wouldn't say by my time, but looking at everyone's time on red, I'd say it was OK). One little bobble at 15 where I wasn't 100% which creek was but then quickly corrected. Oh, one last dip, as Natalia's swiftly jumping over the creek at 14, I somehow got out of balance, slipped, and there I am in my knees down to my waist in this creek. I was just laughing at this point... well, she was laughing too, so not much choice there ;)

Anyway, all i all, I had plenty fun, I was so very happy I went...and came back, and that my map was dry... and so very gratefull for people that made this happen!

Oh, very important detail, natalia made for dinner this awesome "mamaliga cu brinza de burduf in coaje de brad". Which could pottentually be translated something like "polenta with some strong tasting romanian cheese that's stored in pine bark"?

Event: Chicago's Big Blue O Fest
 

"Travel day" - the long way from Thiensville to Chicago :))

Normally 2 hours, Friday a lot longer, so we got to the sprints start just before dark, and decided not to run, but only to model the new orinteering fashion = my work clothes, long black slacks and bare footed in the wet grass.. Oh, and in the rain (hmmm...such a small detail ;)

Dinner at Ram brewery with a fun group of orienteers.

Up north to C and back

I still left too late. But was cloudy so I couldn't see those planets anyways.

I really put some umph into it, greg would have been so proud of me! the only time I just had to play a bit is when i crossed bonywell cause they resurfaced the road and it's so unbelievably soft. Ok, yesterday I can blame it on chit chatting with mike!

My shins are tight, and I think the time today will be hard to beat, unless I really-really work up a sweat!

Up north

I gotta start just a bit earlier so I can catch the sunset!

21.22 up, 18.50 down

Up north - beautiful clouds - excellent temps

I think I never added my new, now old, shoes NB. I kept logging on my really old now NB shoes. Eh, oh, well, is not like I was making a big science out of it. But I ran today in my old junkers and i could tell right away there's not much spring into them...

Happened to see ebone's comment on boredom while running and that got me thinking about it. I'm not 100% sure I buy it, but it's enough it got me thinking. Unrelated fact: today I was not bored.

http://www.attackpoint.org/discussionthread.jsp?me...

Underachieving monday. Packers game.

Up north - beautiful day! (sunshine:)

Energy level quite low, I guess not much was expected after fiesta last night (= too much fun!). Guys beat gals in pictionary this time, but I'm sure it was only cause they actually had a girl in their team!

Anyway, no pain, didn't really push so that was expcte too.

Gotta go to doctor for this slight dizziness + pulse in ear thing. It's been going too long.

Up north, all the way to cedarburg.

I have no exact idea on the time and mileage.

As night fell I wasn't paying attention too much where I was going and ... sure enough fell on my face! Not too bad, maybe couple bruises. But then I really had to slow down (cloudy = no moon, and pretty much pitch dark). This AR with MTB in the middle of the night sounds less and less exciting! :))

TODO: add times, distances when I get my watch back

Men Falls

I had this amazing energy and big smile all the time (not sure exactly where this is coming from). I mean we always have fun and shout, but tonight, even when the instrcutor said something like,"now relax and stretch whatever", I went "all right!" like I was gonna do 20 pushups in a row!

FUN-FUN-FUN

Registered to NA Champs.

Not even sure if I should mention rest day, as it has been a whole lot of rest days...ha! will kick it in gear real soon. But today work (or fun at work) is to blame!

Up north

No gadgets. Hot. Not humid. But the "HOT" fact was still there :)