Training Log Archive: W

Cycled post shop and nap. Watched hockey. Trainer seems fixed. So... I guess I can keep riding my trainer.

Awesome.

Went for another run, around by Hawrelak and through the university. Foot didn't really feel any better or worse, though I wouldn't say the pain ramped up as much as it once did during the last few minutes of the run. Felt sore afterwards, for sure, but maybe not so bad? Perhaps if I keep logging as being super positive it eventually will come to pass. The electronic placebo effect.

Okay peeps, new HPP fundraiser idea.

It seems to be established that it doesn't really matter what type of event the HPP fundraiser is. I am still resolved to do it at the legislature, because its scenic and it'll be a draw for local clubs members too since no one will have been on it, except for me. I am somewhat resistant to doing some sort of wagering, or auctioning, or something of that type that milks money from the same people over and over for generally intangible things. If it were up to me I would've raised the price for the race itself and just made it kick-ass instead.

But, since that's already set, my new idea is for the HPP to set up a mini-camp of its own for people to have something to do during the week. There are plenty of maps right in the city. For some fee (something that factors in expenses, of course), we could plan and organize two courses on Tuesday and Wednesday. They would be untimed, with ribbons (tapes), so super easy to set-up and take down. There would be two a day, that would be available all day. People could register for the maps ahead of time, so that no one necessarily needs to man the parks all day. Not unlike a model event.

We could easily set them up in the morning, and then take them down in the evening, and people could show up on their own time and do it through the day whenever is convenient. We could very easily have some sort of training course at Terwilligar and Laurier on Tuesday, followed by Kinsmen and Queen E/Mill Creek/Muttart or wherever on Wednesday.

It would give participants some more orienteering to do during the week, and a reason to come up to Edmonton. Further, it would potentially draw club members who aren't planning on doing COCs as something to do in the evening, since our standard Wednesday club event is cancelled for that week.

Granted, I envision most people would want to stay in the mountains for Tuesday-Thursday, but the hope would be that something like this would entice people to come up to Edmonton during the week.

This would be in addition to the HPP fundraiser event. Which could then just be a simple fun event, where no one feels obliged to race hard, or perform to any standard beyond their own expectations of that race.

Well, today kind of stunk. Attempted to ride my trainer, but it was making some horrible grinding noises. So, I had to give up since I couldn't fix it, and went to the legislature and did some mapping. Managed to fix my trainer later (only kind of), so continued on where I left off. First day off in something like 4 weeks, and I did jack squat.

Hopped on the trainer for a brief spin, not great, but it'll have to do. My foot today was a split of dull aching, occasionally stabbing pain, and some lengthy periods of just fine.

Hard to read into that.

Well, that was my longest running workout in quite some time. And it felt... okay. I'm pretty sure hills are the last thing you're supposed to do with PF-itis, so we went and did hills. Still, my legs were super happy to be out, and it was a delightful day for a jog.

Happy to be out, hopefully a sign of things to come. Working on race schedule. Have decided against Hamilton (sorry). Thinking on Edmonton Police Half, St. Albert 10 Miler, Mother's Day 10k, Sage, Canmore camp, BB, more Canmore Camp, San Fran +?, K-100, and then the real races begin.

Let's get this party started.

Popped out to Goldbar for another last ditch ski. Could probably still ski again, but the loop is getting shorter and shorter. Goldstick is over for the season, the switchback up woodcutters is sun exposed so its almost done, can't do most of the lake, and the 180 at the end of 50th street is almost entirely grass. Seasonal purgatory sucks!

Headed out to Goldbar to do a ski in the sketchy snow. Rapid melting has left it in pretty tragic state, though still skiable. It hadn't really melted or anything yet, so it was super icy and rocket-ish fast. Its nice though to have the entire park for myself. Jerkwad truck owner decided to go do a little 4x4-ing all over the trails. For a minute there I thought we'd go an entire season without that happening.

Hopped on the trainer after soccer to do a little spin. Managed to make my trainer stop making that grinding sound, at least while riding. If I get off, it shifts back and grinds again. I have to pull the roller as far as it can in one direction to make it stop. Seems like its on its last legs. Oh well, its given me many a workout over the years.

Went for a jog today for the first time in a while. Foot was taped up, but I was modestly pleased with how it felt. Less pierce, more of a dull ache. Immediately going home and doing some strength, exercises, and icing kept the pain away after the run as well. Again I am hopeful. But, I anticipate it'll be quite some time before I can get back to all running. With luck the snow will rapidly melt and I can get out side on the bike.

Okay peeps, question time:

My plan for the HPP fundraiser (which is, painfully, on a thursday afternoon), is to race around the Legislature grounds. I want to do an elimination micro-sprint, something along the lines of the London Ultra Sprint. Short courses, small scale map, many single trees, maybe a little man-made maze, etc. Sample Map

It would be a total of probably three races, of 4-5 minutes, with a qualification, then the let's say...top 12, running a semi-final and final. We could have a women's or veterans semi- and final as well. Everyone else can also do the courses, and will be ranked by cumulative time. In the knockouts, it would be maybe 2 heats of 6, where the top 3 from each heat go to the final, the other's being eliminated. I haven't 100% fleshed it out, but you get the idea. Head to head stuff, butterflies.

Now, here's where I get doubtful. I have heard directly from not a singular person that they would not be interested in participating because its not what orienteering should be. Would this be the resounding opinion? Will no one show up because they don't like the idea of the event?

The reason I ask is because it is seeming to be a considerable amount of trouble to convince the Legislature Grounds to hold the event here, and the map is kind of small for just a straight sprint. So, its either this, another idea, or something more straight forward somewhere else.

But, its hard, because while the Yukon week was fun, it was also super tiring. 3 races, Camp TWR, Fundraiser Wednesday, then three more races. Its not a helpful schedule for people who actually want to race well. It'll be the same this year, as well as adding a four hour drive from Canmore to Edmonton. I want the fundraiser to be a race and interesting, but I don't want to run the rest of my competitors into the ground.

No, wait a minute, maybe I do.....

C • Nationals 18