Training Log Archive: maprunner

Event: West Point A-meet
 

West Point Day 1
My goal for the year is to increase my focus. I tend to get distracted when I’m tired; or when other people are around. I've been practicing re-focusing when things go astray. I also worked on identifying the danger signs.This was going to be my first real test, since there would be lots of folks in the woods (way more than at our local meets). All I can say is: fail.

I did OK on the first few controls, not great, but kept bringing my mind back to the map. The woods were nice (no leaves yet) and the kept us out of the really junky areas. I was a little hesitant to 3, but after that I began to get into the groove.

I made a snap judgement to go to the road to 7. Not until I was running along the road did I notice the climb, and that I probably should have stayed up and contoured across. As I was approaching the end of the road run portion, another Green Y runner joined me, so I wasn't alone in the route choice! She and I stayed together for most of the rest of the course. We were joined by a third Green Y runner around 9. Now this was a real test; could I ignore them and focus on my own race? Mostly I did OK, but I had to do a lot of talking in my head to remind myself to look at my map and ignore them.

As we went towards 12, the first runner and I took the same route along the road and crossed into the woods at the end of the marsh. At that point, we went different routes. I met up with runner 2 close to the control, and we punched around the same time.

At this point, I looked at my watch: I had been out one hour. First warning sign: I start to get tired around one hour, so I stepped away from the control to eat some Clifblocks and take a drink. Then I looked briefly at the map, and started toward 13. After about 150 meters, I ran into runner 1, who was going back to find 12. In my head I said ”Aha, I beat her to the control!” Warning sign number 2: getting cocky about being better/faster than others. So I promptly started running faster to show her knew where I was going (ah, the gods are going to get even with me for this!). So I took a rough glance at the map, said to myself ”just follow the cliffs and cross the stream”. Warning sign number 3: letting go of the map, and having only a general idea of my route.

So, 1+2+3= epic fail. I turned off my brain; ignored all the warning signs, and had a huge blow up. Went all the way down the hill, wandered around, took forever to re-locate. And then had to climb all the way back up the hill. Why didn't I look at my map sooner, or more closely? Wish I could figure this out, I’m so frustrated with myself.

There were some positives today: physically, I was fine, and the hills were not a problem. I had some good legs, including 1, 8, 9 and the finish chute. My route

After the race, Mike’s brother, his wife and two kids joined us. It was fun to join the kids (aged 5 and 7) in the Maze O. We even did part of the white course together. I think they enjoyed playing in the woods with us. Finished with a nice visit with the grownups over a late lunch.

Saturday Classic, Green Y - Splits

Spent the day exploring some Rockland county parks with mom and dad, followed by a big lunch at X. Later, I felt like getting just a bit of exercise, so I ran across the street and explored parts of Rockland Lake park.

Heading to NY tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing everyone at West Point!

Ulrik's hill with Mike, Blair and Jenny. Started fast, and this time I expected to be breathing hard. Slowed down the pace as I went up the hill, but I was pulled along by Jenny (who was just ahead of me) for another PR.
6:11
Then a short jog over to Daisy Hill for some O training.

Did the short course from '13 NOW. Had to keep an eye out for pedestrians and cars. Felt smooth but not very fast. Legs are tired now from the hills. Once again, bogus HR data. This is getting annoying.

Mike and I went out to Rockhaven. I wanted a long day in the woods, so I ran the course I set for our event in February. Although I had set the course and hung some markers, I had never run it as a whole course. But knowing some things in advance did make it harder to maintain focus.

We parked closer to 3, so I did the course from there. I didn't push very hard physically, because my legs were tired from yesterday Only one big mistake was on the pit (5) where I forgot that it was a rocky pit and I was looking around for a hole in the ground. That mistake threw me a little bit, and I messed up the taking the correct trail as I left the control. Focus, Mary, focus!
route

After, Mike and I went for drive around Douglas county to see some areas I hadn't seen before. We went to Lone Star Lake, which was much different than I expected.