Training Log Archive: Tundra/Desert

Ran the event called Rendezvous in the Fall, in Romashkovo, same place as two weeks ago. It was a mass start with a handicap, according to the Soviet, er Russian, sport ranking system. As someone whose current Russian rating is I (first), I started in a group five minutes ahead of those who were rated Candidate Sports Master. Those rated II and III started earlier than me. There was another start time reserved, seven minutes later, for those ranked the highest, but no actual Sports Masters (roughly equivalent to USOF Gold Patch) showed up.

It was pleasant in the woods and we all made it out before the rain started. I felt slow after last week's adventure, was barely able to keep up with the group, and kept slowing down. Got passed by quite a few Candidates. I was navigating by myself towards the end and caught up with a large part of the group who had run away from me earlier, but ended up being passed by most of them just before the last control. I found out that I tend to go straighter than most Moscow runners, more through the woods vs. staying on trails, and about two thirds of the time that helps. Most people were faster than me, some a lot faster, even 50- and 55-year-olds, but I'm sure a lot of that was the fact that I'm still on the recovery curve from last week.

The HRM transmitter battery died and the altitude reading was erratic again.