Training Log Archive: maprunner

2008 Summary

On January 1st, I set three "gradual improvement" goals for the year. How did I do?

Time Lost
2007, my median % time lost was 15; with a range of 0 to 57.
***My 2008 goal was to lose <15% of time in >80% of my O races.
RESULT: 83% of races <15%. Median was 9.85%. Range was 0 to 34.3.
Good!

Consistency
2007, median consistency was 20; with a range of 6 to 45.
***My 2008 goal was to have a consistency level <20 in >80% of my O races.
RESULT: 78% of races <20. Median was 17.10. Range was 8.4 to 45.
So-so

USOF Ranking:
2007 ranking points: 62.08
***My 2008 goal was to increase my USOF ranking points
RESULT: final ranking points 65.10
Good!

Some highlights:
1. I increased my total training hours 10% over 2007.
2. I increased my fitness. In January, I had to run 9 min/walk 1 min on my trail runs. Now I routinely do 60 minute continuous runs.
3. I beat Peggy in a race for the first time ever.
4. I cut way down on my "wandering when lost". I stop and relocate much sooner now.
5. I improved my consistency in USOF ranked races. The ranking scores that counted this year were: 61.28, 63.08, 63.71, 64.22, 66.02, 67.05, 70.37
7. I logged more training hours on AP than Mike.
8. I had a solid performance at the North American champs. If I had run the second sprint, I would have placed third in F45 for the weekend.

C • Highlights 6

The trails at SMP are closed, so I just ran around the fields tonight. It was supposed to be 50 degrees, so I had only brought a short-sleeved shirt and a light pair of pants. Instead, it was lower 40s with a _howling_ north wind. Good thing I had a jacket and gloves in the car.

Memory #10, Best Run, 18 May 02, Short O Champs (my route and the results )

Flyt. The Zone. Whatever you call it, I have experienced that feeling of everything going just right during an O race. Only once, at the 2002 short champs. I had been training fairly regularly, in order to try to win the US Champs in Nov '02. This was just one race along the way.

I had a lot of adrenaline at the start, but I also felt strangely calm. I thought: you know how to do this. As soon as I started, everything just clicked. I would glance at the map, look up, and think: I want to go _there_. And I spiked every control. I wasn't moving very fast, but I was absolutely clean. Everything made sense. I could read the map effortlessly.

During the run, I was vaguely aware that it was going well. But as soon as I finished, I knew. When Mike asked me about my race, I replied "I just ran the best race of my life". It was a great feeling. Bonus: I had also won my age class.

To me, this is my most meaningful US Champ title. And so far, my proudest O moment.

Memory #9, Oringen 2001

Almost as soon as anyone starts orienteering regularly, they hear about Oringen, and are incredulous. Attending local meets with maybe 50 participants, it's impossible to imagine that there could be 10,000 orienteers in the whole world, let alone in the same place at the same time. One has to see this to believe. I immediately promised myself that one day I would attend Oringen. It took 13 years, and marriage to a man fluent in Swedish, before I traveled to Sweden for my first Oringen. And it did not disappoint. I had the full range of experiences: long walks to the starts, being serenaded by bands along the way; sitting on a stool in a large field, eating lunch; having someone ask me for help; having someone offer to help me; and someone grabbing my map out of my hand at a control. But I have two favorite memories:

1. standing next to a thicket, knowing I was in the control circle but not seeing my marker. But I did hear repeated "beeps" as multitudes puched the control box just on the other side of the thicket. This was the only time that I found a control by sound!

2. Taking the time to stand off the trail near the finish one day, just to watch all the people run by in all directions. Young, old, fit, unfit, by the hundreds in just a few minutes. It was an amazing sight to see.

C • Oringen 9

It was not quite the Sprint-Middle-Long week that I had hoped, but I thought it would be good to try my SMP test loop today. Especially since my legs were pretty tired when I woke up. This feels like day two of a hard O meet, I thought. The weather was perfect, 30 degrees, sunny and getting warmer. There was just a dusting of snow, so I could see that I was the first human to leave footprints on the trails. I started off pretty well, moving smoothly, legs not too bad. I was overdressed, but it was easy to leave some clothes at the common control. As I was coming back up the hill to the common control (6) my left hamstring started to protest. I stopped and stretched it out, but it still felt funny. I decided to keep going as long as I could, especially to see if I could hit 9 cleanly this time. But my heart wasn't really in it, and I made a bone-head 180 on the trail towards 7. Recovered and made it through 12, when I decided to wimp out and head back to the car.

Memory #8, Speed

Whenever I had to participate in running sports in gym class, I always opted for the sprint event. I thought it was because I was basically lazy, and never played sports. But I've discovered that I must have a higher-than average percentage of fast-twitch muscles: I'm built for speed. As I got fitter, I found a finishing kick, and I actually love finish chutes now.)

In Ohio, I won an A meet by 11 seconds (9 of which I gained in the chute). Tom Carr once told me that he and I approached the GO control together, and he thought, I can out-run Mary to the finish. But when he punched and looked up, I was already gone. And at this year's NA Sprint event, I had a great finish. I ran 11 seconds; the best time for elite men was 9 seconds and the best time for elite women was 10.

Sprinting is really fun for me; my body gets totally relaxed and I feel like I'm flying. Thank you mom and dad :)

C • Twitch 1

long flats 3 - Splits

What a difference in weather! We had torrential thunderstorms all night, and awoke to icy conditions. Decided to go to the closest park. Mike printed off 2.5m Lidor contour-only map of Wyandotte. I carried this map, and the regular O map, and explored some areas that have some detail, and other areas I hardly ever visit in this park. The trails were complete mush, so I spent most of the time moving through the woods. I took it pretty easy most of the time, but I pushed it whenever I started to get chilled.

Memory #7, Practice Does Help: Night O Champs, Pinewood Farms, ME September 2004

When I first traveled to Sweden in 2001, I made sure to purchase a real orienteering headlamp. And I used it (and still do) regularly for winter training after work. I never thought of myself as a "good" night orienteer, until the 2004 Night O Champs in Maine. I finished the course in ~15 min/k, which was just the same pace I ran during the day. But when I saw the results, I was shocked to see that I had blown people away (Mike remembers that Erin O beat me by less than a minute, but I don't have access to the full results any more). I guess all my night O practice had paid off! And I think my ranking for that race was over 85 points, which is outrageous (but great fun :)

C • I remember it too! 1

Mike and I both had the day off, so we decided to find a new place to explore. When I stepped outside to check the temp, my body was struck by a wall of--warm moist air! It was 65 degrees out, and it was a real adjustment trying to decide what to wear :) We drove just a few minutes away to the Frederick Marshall conservation area, and walked around for an hour or so, just exploring the woods. Lots of neat little contour features, but the woods are typical Kansas City mixed junk, so this is not a map-worthy area.

Memory #6, Exploring New Places

I inherited my mom's wanderlust. I love to travel, to see and do something new, to explore. Mike also likes to travel, but he'd always rather be orienteering. So, we have taken a few international trips which have included O. My favorite memories are when we just went out on a map, exploring the area, instead of a competition. The first memory is of Fountainebleau, on the outskirts of Paris. Mike first visited this place as a child, and the woods left such an impression on him, that he always wanted to back there and orienteer. We borrowed some maps from Mathias and Abbey, and took the train down. The woods are filled with large rock formations, and the ground was covered with waist-high ferns. A magical area, and so much fun to explore with Mike. We also had a great time exploring the lava-field map in Iceland. This was the hardest map I've been on in a while, because the hills/contours didn't follow a regular pattern. Plus the footing was sharp! But, again, we were together, exploring a very cool area, so it was wonderful.

at Rockcrusher on a course drawn by Mike. This was the site of my first "travelling" A meet, in 1989, so it brought back good memories. Great day to be out, upper 30's, light snow (lots of opossum, turkey and raccoon tracks). I started off well, moving cleanly (although still slow in and out of controls; need to get sharper). But then I hit the wall at 1 hour (my stomach was growling, and my training began to resemble one of Eric B's exercises). Slowed way down and dragged myself back to the car a few minutes later than planned.

Then off to dad and Pam's for a great dinner. Talked with Stephen and they decided to name our niece: Vivian. He sounded very tired.

C • Niece details 1

C • They don't all end in misery. 3

Memory #5, Christmas

Christmas is a day for joy and fun. What better way to spend part of the day than orienteering? I used to go back to my parents house for Christmas in my early O years, and I started a tradition of orienteering in Harriman on Christmas day. Plus, I often received an O related gift. It was great, as a poor grad student, to receive a gift of a compass, gaiters or a SLOC O top (yes, I admit that I was/am a geek).

Now that Mike and I spend Christmas in Lawrence, we almost always orienteer at Clinton Lake. It's great fun to see the bald eagles, fight through the thorns, and then go to a warm house for great food and company. And I still get O presents from time to time :)

Memory #4, Rocks

Early on, I remember being so confused by all the rocks on the West Point/Harriman maps. I could hardly see the contours underneath, and the rocks all looked the same to me. But after a few years, it began to get easier. And then I had a breakthrough. Can't remember the year or the map, but I distinctly recall the leg. A long leg, contouring along a huge hill, and then we had to go up a specific rock/cliff lined reentrant to the marker. For the first time, I recognized the rock-strewn reentrant that I wanted, and I was confident to climb up several lines and pass through the cliffs to my marker. No hesitation this time, or hoping I was right. I was confident.

I was also confused by the rocks, and mapping style, in Laramie. It took several visits before I actually got it. One year, when we were there for a training camp, I approached the vetting tape at my "control" and suddenly knew it was hung in the wrong spot. I had the confidence to acknowledge it and move on through the rest of my course. Later, I felt even better, when I asked Mikell to look at the tape, and he agreed that he had inadvertently hung it on the wrong feature :)

C • I sure haven't figured it out yet 2

sprint training at JCCC. Mike drew me a short course. It was fun to run a course I hadn't seen before--it's been too long since I've really orienteered. Glad I had my spikes in the car, because we had freezing rain during the day, and the sidewalks were icy.

I gave myself a Christmas present tonight: I took down the "staged" kid room, and set up my sewing room again. And I'm off work for the next 5 days :)

Memory #3, Elites, 1993 and 2006

I was so excited to watch WOC93 in Harriman. But I had no idea what to expect. I was so amazed to actually watch the elites run, really run, over the wet rocky ground. I had no idea they could move that well. I especially remember standing next to the finish chute at the relay, and literally feeling the ground shake as a guy ran past. Amazing.

Then, during Oringen 2006, we went to watch a demonstration event. We found a back entrance to the spectator area, which happened to take us right through the course. This time, I stood on the road, watching the runners approach and then pass me. They appeared to just fly over the ground, mindless of the wood debris and fallen limbs. Inspiring.

C • Elite runners 2

Memory #2, Guys, 1992

Soon after I started orienteering in 1988, a female friend asked me if I was doing it to meet guys. I laughed so hard because the available guys in SLOC at the time had an average age of about 62.

Feb 1992, SLOC B meet: another SLOCer points out Mike Eglinski, who had just returned from Sweden. I barely glanced at him.

later in spring 1992, A meet at MNOC, course review at Saturday dinner: Mike was tapped to review the blue course. I was in the back of the room, thinking about leaving. I looked up, saw Mike, and thought: Who is he ??!!??. My hormone levels went through the roof.

July 1992, Forest Park meet, SLOC: Mike won the big silver trophy. I used this as an entry to start a conversation with him. I remember this; he does not.

01 Nov 1992, US Champs day 2, French Creek: When I got on the bus from the finish to the parking lot, I noticed Mike was also on the bus. I chose to sit right behind him, but did not get a chance to talk with him. When I got off the bus, he was standing next to Dick N, who was going to give me a ride back to the hotel. Mike also came with us, and we talked at the hotel, at lunch, on the way to the airport, and at the airport. He remembers this day :)

C • Of course we're all studly now 4

Wyandotte test loop. It was cold: single digit temps and strong winds. I put on lots of layers, and kept most of them on (only shifted from mittens to gloves to mittens during the run). Another day with no motivation to push the pace. Also, the conditions were not good: my body is run down this week, my feet have been hurting, and the woods had some leftover ice and snow. Still, it's depressing to take 5 minutes _longer_ on a test loop. Two highlights: going out with Mike, and seeing my first bald eagle of the season.

Need to find some training motivation again; I'm definitely in a rut.

In celebration of my 20th Anniversary of O, I decided to steal (part) of Peter's idea for a Top 10 List, and list my top O memories, in no particular order.

Memory #1, Contours, late 1988 or early 1989, Greensfelder Park, SLOC:
I remember walking along a trail, looking at my map, and suddenly _getting_ the contours. I knew what I would see as I turned the next bend (up or down, no fine details yet). I was so excited.

C • contours 2

short hills 3 - Splits

moving around the woods at SMP after work, nominally looking for a few control locations. I suppose it's good training to move around the woods at any time, but when does "taking it easy" turn into "junk" training? I have taken it easy lately, due to various aches and pains, and trying to avoid the perpetual office cold. I looked at my training for Dec 1-19 for 2006, 2007 and 2008. I have done the most "minutes X effort" this year, but I've only been in the woods three times this year, compared to 6 in 2007 and 4 in 2006. I feel like I'm wasting precious opportunities to do real O training.

at SMP after work.

at SMP after work. I really debated whether or not to train outside tonight. But then I heard there was a big accident on my route home. Also, I had already bragged to some co-workers that sure, it was 12 degrees and dark, but I was going for a run in the woods after work. And so I did. The fresh snow was fun for running and I had the park to myself.

I was inspired by walk to dig out my step and some old tapes. This was just right for cross-training on a 10 degree day. It was more fun than I remembered (and my step instructor _did_ try O, and introduced to her husband to it, too).

C • Good for you. Maybe with a ... 1

C • Good for you. Maybe with a ... 1

C • Good for you. Maybe with a ... 1

C • Good for you. Maybe with a ... 5

along the trail from my sister's house in Sausalito towards the Golden Gate. First I went for a jog by myself, then we went for a group hike. First time that I was one of the fittest in the group, and thought the pace was ridiculously slow. We covered 7K in three hours! I figured I can count the uphill sections as part of my training for the week. Didn't reach 5 hours this week, but had a very nice weekend.

Life has been a bit blah lately, so I few weeks ago I went to Southwest to look for "wanna get away" fares. We're getting away to SF tomorrow. Hopefully I will hang with some sibs for a few days, eat good food, drink good wine, do some hiking, and get an attitude adjustment.

House Update:
weeks on the market: 10
total number of showings: 7
decision: take it off the market until spring

at SMP after work. This felt like more work. Body was protesting the whole way. I took several walking breaks, which I don't usually need. Not too surprising, after a long weekend with lots of standing and too little sleep. I was supposed to be out for 60 minutes, but as I approached the trail head around 50 minutes, I decided it was a sign to pack it in.

At least it was a beautiful night. Of course, the day _after_ the Trot, the temp was over 50 :)

Event: Possum Trot XII
 

Twelfth Possum Trot race. As usual, I took splits at the first water stop. This year I could sit in the car, which was nice. It was low 20s and sunny, and warmed up at the day progressed. Another exciting race, where Eric B finally prevailed. Poor Mikell had leg seizures and had to stop after 4.

I decided to get some time in the woods, so I grabbed a map and visited some of the PT controls in random order. Pleasantly surprised when I ran into Mike at 15. The woods are pretty thick (underbrush) in some places, so I was grateful to find so many deer trails. Good physical training, but my mind was not focused. Need to start getting serious about O training soon.

Hanging markers for the KS champs. Clear day, a bit windy but not too cold. We had great attendance this year. Lots of kids, too, which is always nice to see. Lots of good comments at the end, so I think folks enjoyed the event. Thanks Gene, Dick, Mike, Fritz and Pete for all your help.

Oh, no! The 2009 Relays will be part of the Flying Pig. Guess I won't be on the team this year.

C • Bad timing? 5

House Update
Weeks on the market: 9
Total number of showings: 6
Number of showings since we lowered the price: 0

C • Would it help... 2

at SMP after work. First fairly cold night, where I sat in the car and had to talk myself into starting. Had to run on the south side, since the MTB trails were wet and closed. The south trail runs right along the lake edge, so it was windy. But nice to run on different trails, for a change. And no mountain bikers allowed on this section, so I was completely alone.

The new OK tops arrived tonight. They look better than I expected, and are certainly unique. Check out kupackman's log for photos (from the BAOC meet).

C • OK jerseys 3

Moving around a bit in the woods at SMP after work, including some hill repeats. Good practice for moving through the woods, but I don't think it worked well for hill climbing efficiency.