Training Log Archive: RLShadow

Event: 2010 US Rogaining Championships
 

Orienteering training event at Mendon, organized by Karl Kolva. The exercise involved using a map of the most detailed portion of Mendon, east of Calvary lodge. The map did not have any trails shown on it, so the point of the exercise was to navigate using mainly contours (with vegetation information also available, but there were few places where that was of significant help).

I found it very useful, and found that I was reasonably successful at keeping track of where I was using contours, more so than I normally am during any competition. I think there were at least 3 reasons for that: 1) The map was 1:5000 which made it possible even for my aging eyesight to read the detail; 2) Karl emphasized to not focus on speed, just on staying connected with the contours, and I followed his suggestion and really took my time, unlike during competition; and 3) Since the only goal of the activity was reading contours, it was easy to stay focused on that task, in contrast to a meet, where a lot of the navigation is done using trails at a much faster speed, so it is then necessary to shift gears to reading details when needed.

Excellent training activity.

Semi-long run to take advantage of a cool morning (around 64F when I started out, rising to maybe 70). Even had some light rain for the first couple of miles.

This was the first run of more than around 5 miles in a while, and it really showed. I felt pretty lousy for the about last half of the run, and took a couple of walking breaks (one of them fairly lengthy, near the end of the run). (Time and distance of walks not included in workout.) I didn't eat anything before I went out so that may have had something to do with it.

Mapping at Whiting Road.

Helping Anne with more rogaine training; her last training session prior to this weekend's rogaine (where she will be Stina's partner).

I wasn't energetic enough to accompany her on her entire training session this morning; she walked 4.5 miles (in Iron. Bay Park West) before I met up with her, and she was on her way to walking around the Ellison Wetlands (from Empire to Old Browncroft, then back on the Tryon Park side) when I bailed out on her. I'm guessing she'll wind up doing 14 miles or so.

Heard from Anne after she completed her training today. She covered 17 miles at an average of 24 min/mile (with lots of climb). Sounds like a worthwhile training session, which will hopefully prepare her to be able to keep up with Stina.

Last day in Fulton, MO. Actually just a partial day -- flight leaves St. Louis at 2:29 pm. No visits with relatives today, and I don't need to check out until 11 am, so I did another run through Fulton this morning. Not as hot as the last couple of days; 74 degrees with 70 deg. dew point.