Training Log Archive: guerfondler

PT appointment.

Event: MNOC - River Bend Nature Center
 

Glad to have a large crew at the MNOC AR tune-up. Gnome Hunters (Rick, Corey in her premier with the main team, and Aaron in his first AR); Two Gnome Hunters (Dave and Chris); and Gnomads (Heather and our team entomologist, Jeff). Though all had fun despite cool rainy weather, the results once again proved that navigation rules. Dave was kind in not gloating, at least in front of us.

(All times and distances are guesses, except for the bike.)

Event stared with a run to a couple CP's an then on to the boats. I immediately noticed I didn't much energy in my legs. I was wondering about this, given my effort in yesterday's half. Loaded up on lasagne last night, but guessing glycogen still low.

Short trek in to the woods to find the CP at the huge boulder. I took a bearing and led us (and several other teams) directly to it.

On the O section at Big Woods we were keeping a good pace and hitting most CPs dead on when we missed a reentrant and became unsure of our position. Of course the CP wasn't where we expected. Finally found edge of private property which enabled us to realize our error. Lost a rediculous 30 - 40 minutes on this one control. This score-O took us something like 1:55.

Started out a little slow on the bikes with a new team configuration. Corey was wearing mittens at first, which were not conducive to towing, and Aaron didn't have a tow. But we adjusted and before too long were keeping a good pace.

Rick was doing a good job on the nav after the O and we were making up for lost time in passing several teams. At one point our train was cruising at 27 mph down a long gentle slope with the wind at our backs. The speed at which we blew past CP 20 was impressive... and we kept on going. For another 4 + miles. We had been watching for the RR track, which wasn't there. (Yeah, further west on the map it noted the track had been removed. Why would USGS add such a note instead of erasing the track?) So we weren't thrilled to turn around and ride into the wind. We were now racing against the mandatory 4:00 finish.

Final section on River Bend map went ok. At one point on the single track Corey yelled "off!" and I assume she meant "off-tow". I turned back to see she meant "off-bike" as well. Had one point of trail confusion but working together Rick and I quickly figured it out. Aaron's quads unexpectedly cramped up approaching the final CP. But we towed the final yards on the paved road to beat the clock, and I'm counting that as a victory.

C • see...if you guys hadnt blo... 2

Uneventful. Corey and I didn't have any trouble keeping up. Glad the paddle wasn't longer as we had a slow leak in the starboard compartment.

Official race results posted: 1:33:33, for 5th in my division, just ten seconds behind 4th. 36th of 469 men. 41st of 928 overall. I am happy with the result.

There was a guy I worked to pass just after mile 6. He appeared to be in my age group, perhaps a little older, and he clung to my heels to finish just three seconds later. He is 60 years old!

C • awesome job....PR at the ha... 2

Get in Gear Half Marathon: Rained the entire course, with big wind in sections. Nonetheless, PR'ed. Splits:
7:02 miles 0 - 4 (started with Sam and Corey)
7:06 miles 4 - 6 (still with Corey, bit hilly)
7:07 miles 6 - 7 (Gu)
7:12 miles 7 - 8 (into big wind)
7:14 miles 8 - 9 (into big wind)
7:09 miles 9 - 10 (wind at back)
7:16 miles 10 - 11 (loosing focus)
7:21 miles 11 - 12 (will this never end)
6:25 miles 12 - 13 (finish line pulling me in)
Unofficial time indicates I shaved 1:28 off of previous best at Frozen Half. That, despite all of my grumbling about the PT stuff.

C • Nice effort 4

Jog with crew to/from the race start.

Family swim. Kids had a lot of energy.

Morning run with the 3BMV crew. Mid 30s but sunny. I bailed after two lakes on my taper.

PT stuff. Not so fun.

Did the loop at Leb with OTNT'ers. First time there this year -- what a blast. I was getting a little cocky near the end, launching off some downhill ledges. Upon landing one of them my front wheel went straight into a big tree. I went over the bars and to the side, laughing as I got back on my bike. Must do again soon!

Run from parking lot to O start, and back.

I found Mike's "hub and spoke" course at Leb rather challenging, and I made slow progress. Wearing shorts, I tried to stay to the trails as much as possible. Other times it was really slow picking my way through raspberries and buckthorn. Legs still got bloody. Also found my first ticks of the season.

Control retrieval.