Training Log Archive: Sid

Second Day

Event: 2008 US Rogaining Championships
 

US Rogaining Championships at Allegany State Park, NY. The prime Silence Beckons team of myself and Ironwoman entered this race. We were injuried two years ago in doing this race and hoped to be more competitive. Arriving in the Salamanca area, the weather was intrepid, one minute torrential downpours and the next sunny skies. Weather mico cells could be seen over the park as hazy misty veils frolicking between the tree covered hills. The temperature was warm though over 80°F. Bunking in cabin 6 with fellow GTAers, the race has less of an international feel.

A lazy sleep in Saturday, morning was changed as the map distribution time was moved up a hour, better for planning but not sleep. SB had decided to aim for about 40km with rough plans to sleep in the woods. Heavy rain after the map distribution made racers leary. SB decided on a two loop course after map overview. Stringed routes were made and points per km calculated. Two loops totaling 1340 were chosen but one was reversed after some decision.

At race start, SB headed down the road to take the trail and traverse to CP 604 on a hilltop. Walking the ridgeline SB heads east up and down a river valley to CP 414. Leanimal and Slice and also Mr. Pither flash by us between 604 & 414. Heading northeast into the next valley the team headed for CP 504. Once in the valley, it was found that there were many more streams than on the map and it was difficult to discern the one with the control. A north correction did not help but heading south to bail, the trail on the east of the river was found and the control soon after though we went further on the trail than necessary to get a feel for the trail corners. In retrospect the were a road below CP 414 that connected to the trail. In an orienteering event one would have gone the much shorter direct route but the rogaining map is of different quality and larger scale so the surefire technique may be best.

It was decided to take the longer road and trail to CP 304. Following the river bed towards the control seemed good strategy but each stream junction was barren. We figured we were too high and were going to bail by saw groups behind us so continued and finally found the control. We were the first group there though and later discussion seemed to indicate the control was in the wrong place, too high. These 2 streams had shown us that water was not to be trusted just topography.

Climbing out of the valley, SB reaches Mout Onondaga and drops of the southwest plateau between the 2 streams to hit CP 703. A climb out of the valley to the next rise allows us to follow the ridge to CP 310 on a hilltop. A steep descent to the road and a more gradually climb leads us to approach CP 806. The rocky terrain makes for a ready stop for our first meal. After peanut utter bagels and tuna pitas, SB continues. The control is readily found judging the steep hill's shape. Heading northeast SB finds the ridge top trail and uses it to reach Mount Oneida. Dropping off the ridge here we reach control 302. Dropping to the road, SB follows it to a stream crossing and uses it to judge the valley location for CP 508. The plan is to walk the ridge to CP 705 but a misjudgement takes us down the hill to the ASP1 road which we follow to access point to the control. Going down the broad re-entrant looking for the sharp stream start seems a bit difficult but people are seen in the area. We soon hit the control though doubt has crept in. Later we hear teams have taken more than one attempt as this control as they do not believe it is that low.

Back to the road SB angles to hit the control in stream bed. It is suppsoed to be at a trail junction but no trail is found at the site, just a stretech of water ditches. We decide to cross a open clearing to access the next control CP 411. The sun is getting low and we are heading directly into it. After all the rain it would be nice if we could get dried off a bit. Climbing a hill we run a ridge to the control. It is getting dark though and we have three controls to hit before returning to the hash house. These are all on ridges.

We bear westnorthwest along the ridge to the next plateau. It is dark and foggy by the time we reach here ans switch to headlights. heading south off the plateau, I start to take us west to foolow the ridge to CP 605. However, the dense downfall typical in this region makes it difficult to follow the ridge and I find myself heading north. Reverting to south a significant drop off is difficult to discern. Night navigation seems to have become a problem. Assessing the situation, the best idea seem to be to head diirectly south to the road and hike back to the Hash House. We will be missing 3 controls but can start our second loop earlier. Heading south on a direct bearing at night is tough as we can not see far enough ahead to miss major downfalls but have the clamber over them. 1.5 hours later we hit the road and head for the HH. My right knee is sore which was not apparent earlier and I a cold from wearing O pants instead of my more typical A/R gear. IW seem sfine though the walks rapidly on. We pass a male team at the water station setting out to hit controls at night. In retrospect, we may be should have rest and eat before bailing. The area we were in had distinct features that would be apparent in light. Also the remedy was worse than the just camping out. Perhaps, the appeal of dry feet and bedding was too much. Myself in particular but Silence Beckons was carrying more gear than the British Expeditionary Forces. Camping out was a good option as I had 30' x 10' tarp on my pack and temperatures were above 50°F. Whatever, SB returns to the HH at 12:30 in the field and goes to bed. In bed I find I have one achey knee, gorgeous but abused feet, a light shoulder ache and slight muscle fatigue.






MORE TO FOLLOW!

MTC Swim with Coach Melissa. Warm up 300m 50 free/50 stroke, 100m kick, 200m pull and 6 x 100m on 2:15. Main - 5 x 400m free on 8:10. 100m easy, 2 x 300m paddle and pull, 200m swim. Cool down 100m fly/back.

Felt good but swim times were real slow. 100m times started at 1:57 and escalated to 2:10. 400m time was about 8:30. Was swim about 7:35 a few weeks ago. Felt like I could go forever though. May be swimming about 400m in Bass Lake last weekend throw of my style. Roll, head and legs did not seem typical.

Won another game. Arm and legs felt okay but did not warm up well.