Training Log Archive: CleverSky

NAOC Middle distance, Oak Hill, Red M35, 4.6 km, 165 m, 7th in class and 22nd on the course. Mostly very good, but when it wasn't good, it definitely wasn't good. My thumb slipped (mentally) on #6 and I was looking at a parallel trail to the one I was on, which ultimately led to things not making sense, and recovery was a little slow. Then on #7, a short easy leg, I was okay most of the way there, but when I spotted a patch of green ahead, I determined where it was on the map and went around it to the left. If I had gone right, I probably would have tripped over the control, but as it was I wandered around for a bit. Then on the long leg, #15, everything was okay most of the way there, but then I think I misidentified what was a trail and what was a ride and things quickly turned to mush. Comparing splits, I was surprised at how much time I lost, so maybe my route was bad as well. In all, I'm guessing I lost 9-10 minutes (confirmed by SA). I'm not old and slow, I'm just old and hapless, and the end result is pretty mediocre. One bright side is that the slope of the hill leading out of the control was rather to my liking, and I was really able to hammer down the finish chute. I'll be interested to see how that split compares (turns out to be tied for 9th, 27 s compared a best of 24s).

And of course, with the SML format, I get an entirely separate chance to to be lousy tomorrow.