Training Log Archive: FoxShadow

Event: MNOC Nerstrand Woods SP
 

Nerstrand Score-O! Good times. Great course by Tom Martineau.

I worked the registration table until about 5 minutes before the start. Then I ran to my car and got ready, grabbing my control holder, clue sheet holder, and got changed. I ran to the start, and the gun went off.

Of course, in my hurried delerium, I forgot my damn compass. I checked out the course quick and realized I'd want it on the open south area. Andrei was headed that way, so I quickly ducked in behind him hoping I could get a sense of scale and direction behind him and see what happens. We grabbed 321and 301 at a fast pace and he headed towards 309, which made sense to me, so I continued to follow. I didn't have my compass so it was blind faith that I'd agree with his route (in terms of control order strategy mostly, and also in terms of route). I had no other choice across with completely featureless expanse. Next thing I know we are at the trail junction near 303. My plan failed! I was kinda pissed but more at myself then for andrei for not following his needle. I left him to run his own race because at that point I don't think either us us wanted me following him.

I readjusted my strategy and ran to 311 with a quickness. I was really happy with my navigation to that control and the next few, my confidence growing. I thought to myself "I'm doing this better without a compass than I would with one".

I saw a bunch of other MNOCers bombing through the brilliant open woods at Nerstand over the next 20 minutes on the south loop and it was a blast. I was feeling pretty good after the first 20 minutes or so. This seems to be a theme, it takes me much longer to get warmed up the older I get. Thankfully I still feel pretty good one I get the old legs and back into the swing of things. I know you guys might think I'm kidding but really, my back it so stiff that it takes a hell of a long time to get it going.

I conservatively skipped 316, which I likely would have had time to get, but I usually come into these Score-Os late, and I didn't want to do it this year, so I repeated to myself that it was the best skip, and made my route east picking up 318, 314, 317, 323, 306, 320 and 324 with almost no problems at all. It was an awesome north side for me. Unfortunately I did not notice that I needed to grab 319, I inadvertently skipped it. It was a combination of map folding error as well as just not being meticulous enough. I came in with 6 extra minutes thinking I had skipped only one, but my punch card showed, accurately, that I had not visited 319.

It was a great run. The sprints afterward tore up my hams and glutes a little, but speed work is good for me. Maybe not the night before an olympic triathlon, but you can't have it all.

Two other sprints, control retrieval, warming up for all three events, cooling down.

Felt like the Mtn. bike with Reed was a bit less than what I wanted to do so I headed out on my Road bike for a fast ride. Was able to average over 20mph around the lake (20.2,mph), which is fast for me (the stop signs mostly are the problem, there are not too many hills).

That is my fastest average of the year around the lake so far, but I know I can go faster. I'll try to hit 21 this summer, which may call on as much rolling/blowing stop signs as it may increased fitness.

Got a loop in at Mammoth during some very light sprinkles. Rode with Reed for the first 45:00 but since Meghan was there walking the trails (can't ride because she is 8 months pregnant) and wanted to leave, he had to bail early. I did another 30:00 loop before heading home. Skull loop is awesome.

The activity is swimming, not "wimming", but I don't know how to edit that field...

Signed up for the Buffalo Triathlon this morning, so I figured it was time to get my yearly swim training in tonight. I planned on picking up Biz's wet suit but could not get over to his place in time, so I swam a mile without it. That kinda sucked. I think it took me about 40 minutes, which is terrible considering the good guys can do it in 18 minutes.

Chris Legh, the pro that will be at the Buffalo tri usually comes out of the water in about 18:30 before averaging 26.6 on the bike for 25 miles and then running 5:20s in the 10k.

Regardless, it was a nice sunny night and this was the perfect time to get to Nokomis before heading over the Wentzel's awesome backyard for the MNOC board meeting.

C • wimming 2

Slept in and did not quite get enough work done, so I had to miss OTNT for the first time I can remember. I'm sore as heck from soccer and everything in moderation is the way I like to live, so I'm taking it easy tonight.

The turtles were out in droves laying their eggs in Murphey. Biz and Molly and Kelly and I did a 47:00 jog to loosen up sore soccer/marathon muscles.

A fun loop around Murphey with Dan and Biz and Molly and Kelly. Saw two studs out training, Brendan Moore (best rider in the Midwest and current Trek Pro Team rider) and Larry Sauber. I tried to keep Brendan's pace. I was able to do it for 15 minutes. He was at the end of his third lap. He went back in for one more that I saw, and who know how many more after that. He is the chosen one. It was fun to check out his bike when he laid it down by the water fountain.

Kelly signed up for this morning's very hilly Stillwater marathon about 10 days prior to the gun. She had a very smart, very awesome race. As if she'd raced competitively before.

43:00 (in 2nd by 3 minutes) at the 10k, 1:34:00 (in 2nd by 3 minutes) at the half, 2:25:00 (in 2nd by 2 minutes) at the 20 mile mark, 3:11:00 in FIRST PLACE BY FOUR MINUTES AT THE FINISH! Incredible. Despite having a comfortable lead all day, the lead woman never had a chance. Kelly is the chosen one.

C • Excellent 9

Played a really fun game as a sub for my friend's NSC tourney team. We got rolled by a very skilled team that came in for the weekend from Iowa. They spoke English and Serbian and they were angry, constantly yelling at each other about how each other made the wrong choice. But they got along just well enough to bury us 6-0. I am really sore from the effort.