Training Log Archive: maprunner

Day Two at A-B

Much better terrain, much better result.

I started off slowly, taking it very carefully until I felt comfortable with the map. I probably should have pushed the pace more, but I was afraid to loose contact.

The orienteering went very well until #4, a shallow reentrant at the end of a long, flat leg. I was with two other people and we all stopped at the same reentrant. No control. Ooops, time to relocate, but we're in a low flat spot. Walked up and down the renetrant in case I mised the flag. Stopped and looked at the map, was having a hard time figuring it out. Then 3 other poeple arrived, including Dick N. They were moving purposely towards another renentrant further east, so I followed. Even when we found the control, the terrain didn't make sense to me. Oh well.

Dick took off fast towards #5, and I figured I wouldn't see him again. Instead, we punched together at 5, 7 and 8. I inadvertantly helped him find some controls that he would have missed, so I guess I repaid the favor he gave me at #4.

I did a good job of picking up the pace after #4, while maintaining map contact. I was quite pleased with the second half of the race.

Note: My average HR seems way too low for my effort; and the curve does look funny in some spots. But, since I can't know what went wrong, I posted what the HR watch told me any way.

Maze O at A-B

This event was advertised as orienteering in a slot canyon, so I thought we would be running on the floor of the canyon, trying to squeeze through tight spots. And indeed, the walk to the start was just like that.

However, the actual event involved lots of climbing up and down steep cliffs. Ha! Not for me. I went to one control that was easy to approach, and then walked back to the finish. A very cool area; the map was difficult for me to intepret. I'm glad I got to do a "map hike" through here, and I'm not sorry that I didn't run up and down the hills!

Green - Splits

Event: Anza Borrego Desert O-Fest 2006
 

Day 1 at Anzo Borrego. Looking at the terrain near the start (very low relief) and the model map, I was nervous about making navigational mistakes here. It would be hard to relocate, so the key would be close map contact, so that relocation would not be necessary.

I was a little sloppy getting to the first control, so I took it slow to the second. Unfortunately, we had to climb a steep slope to get to #2. This slope was covered with loose rocks, so the footing was terrible. I started to climb, but was mostly slipping and tripping. Then I started to get nervous. I'm scared of steep, loose slopes. I decided to skip this approach, and climb the hill at a less steep spot. I slipped and slid my way back down the hill, then over to another spot. I was still scared going up, but I made it (mean while, several people are passing me, with apparently no major difficulties with the footing.) I got to the top of the hill, and looked down at my control. It was in sight, but I was practically hyperventillating at the prospect of going down a steep hill covered with loose rocks to punch. So I sat on my butt and slid down.

I took the trail part way to #3, then entered the maze of cliffs. The map showed a slight opening in the impassable cliffs, which would be the best route to the control. When I got to this "break" in the cliffs, it was steep compacted dirt, which required climbing. I could not see a way for me to climb it, so I started getting scared again. I continued up and down the line of cliffs, looking for a spot that I felt capable of climbing, and I couldn't find anything. I was incredibly frustrated, because I knew where I was, but I physically couldn't handle it. After a few minutes of moaning and groaning my self-imposed fate, (based on my fears) I decided to just skip #3 and move on.

I approached #4 via a stream bed. After a while, I was again faced with an impossible choice of a cliff taller than me, or a steep, rock covered hill side. That was it. I gave up and walked back to the finish, slogging into the wind on the sandy road.

Mike and I discussed ways for me to get over this physical problem. Obviously, I need to increase arm and leg strength, so I feel more comfortable climbing up and down steep hills. I'm also going to see if I can work on technique (perhaps standing more upright, to minimize slipping?) Finally, I plan to practice climbing in and out of some of the steep stream banks we have locally.

I was very frustrated. The course and terrain looked interesting, and I hated to DNF. However, when you're standing still contemplating a steep cliff, and your HR is 160, you know it's not going to work today.

Sprint at A-B

After the disaster in the morning, I was determined to get out there and complete a course. Fortunately, the Sprint was on gentler terrain (although there were a few ridges that were a bit nerve-racking).

I walked the whole course, because I didn't want to tire myself out before day 2. The navigation was pretty good, until #10. My concentration lapsed, and I was distracted by other people. As I had anticipated, relocation was difficult. Probably lost more than 8 to 10 minutes here.

It was a fun course, and good practice for day 2.

Met Mike, Nadim and Gene at SMP after work. They ran the course I drew (alternating memory legs).

Meanwhile, I walked/jogged around the fields. With the clear skies and full moon, I didn't even need my headlamp. I tried to jog 2 minutes, walk two minutes; my times were estimates since I couldn't see my watch.

Now to pack for the trip to San Diego!

C • Many thanks! 1

Back to my weight routine. I was lifting regularly until early December, then suddenly stopped. It felt good to lift again tonight.

My employer offers an annual $100 reimbursement for fitness gear purchases. I bought the weight set last year, and now I'm trying to decide what to buy in '06. Any suggestions?

C • How about a bike, given your d... 1