Training Log Archive: vmeyer

I am entering all the trips at one time...
To work: 13 minutes 2.3 miles
To central office: 8 minutes 1.5 miles
To home: 20 minutes 3.9 miles [Edit: took a longer way home, and even "pedaled" ALL the way up the hill at the end!! And, all the lights were green (well, mostly green) on the way home. Only had 1 minute of stoppage time.)]

I had to wait about 5 minutes for lights today, more if I had waited any longer at the one by the high school. Even pressing the "walk" button wasn't getting it to change.

A refinement to the trip to work. I remembered that there is a open gate by the playground from the neighborhood, so I found that street and avoided the short, buy very steep hill behind the school.

I left my work keys at home, but I wussed out and took Roger's car back home to get them.

I have been carrying my camera with me for all of my workouts recently, but today I left it in the car because I needed the space in my little pack for the streamers I was hanging for Sandy to find on Friday. So, I whipped out the phone and took this photo at #4 - a humongous rootstock. Heck, I was going to hang it on this one even if it wasn't the correct one just because the size of it was so impressive! But, that was lost in the photo because the snake was so cool. I took three photos, getting closer and closer, until it started hissing (I don't believe it was rattling) and went back into it's hole.

Now, back to the streamer hanging...knowing that I suck on the art of precision control placement, I was extra careful, and took some really conservative routes. That didn't help me to #3 which was a shallow reentrant in a field of green - dumb control in February, and even dumber in June, especially with the additional blow downs which may have occurred between now and then. I circled around, and relocated twice, and finally slapped my streamers on a rootstock a couple of hundred meters away.

Took a really long way around to #4 so I could at least run on one of my favorite trails, and found the snake and rootstock mentioned above. After tying the streamers on the snakes tail, it disappeared into a hole. I hope he comes out next Friday in time to be found again.

Pleased with 4 to 5 after bumping off of a gully. I think the next control is greener than mapped in the area, but the streamers are within the correct vicinity. :)

Then my adventures to #7. I had read MW comment on RG from February about this control which was used on the Green course - the comment was not complimentary of the map in this area, so I should have given up sooner, but instead I bounced around for 30 minutes before picking a gully across the road to put the control in instead. Sorry about the extra climb, Sandy.

Enjoyed this in retrospect, especially after seeing my tracks and seeing that I was mostly in the circle.

C • uh-oh 6

Considered going to the DVOA meet today, but I decided 2.5 hours each way was a bit much, so I headed to Prince William instead. Out for the 10 mile loop at 8:15 with temps just hitting 70. Parked at the lower parking lot near the South Valley, and carried 2 20 oz bottle knowing I could refill at Turkey Run. Though TR is less than 20 minutes from the end, it was just the right place for a refill.

Carried a 1:10,000 to try out my new glasses, this pair with bifocals instead of progressive lenses. I think the bifocals are a big improvement when reading the map. I will try some off trail tomorrow when I do an old course at Prince William.

The trail was in decent shape with just one tree to climb over, and lots which had been sawed recently. The South Valley Trail through the green part was really green. I could not see my feet at times. I didn't like this at all.

Because I was slow through parts that I am usually faster on, I tried to run more of the fire roads, even some of the uphills. It actually felt quite good. From the Oakridge Trail to TR, I ran hard for 2 minutes and then walked 1 minute. It took 5 cycles to go the 1.4 miles. Very pleased with this effort.

Stopped at TR for water, and then chatted with Van and Marmie who were having breakfast, and then going out for a training hike. After this 10 minute break, I headed down the TR trail to the car. I still like this part the best.

There were groups of scouts out doing the permanent course. One wanted to know if I was alright, and asked if I needed help. :)

C • Me, too! 3

Event: Tahoe 3 Day
 

Beautiful morning with temps around 60. I weaved around behind the school neighborhood a bit, and then popped back out to Seminary to Beauregard to Rayburn to add some distance on.

C • Valmeyer, IL 9

Round trip to the central office for lunch with Roger. I won't whine about the 8 mph wind. :)

Trip home. Interesting how the reverse trip can be so different. Going back via Colfax to Seminary, I found that there is no light at Colfax, and no left turn onto Seminary (not that I would try that move without a light). I hadn't noticed this on the inbound trip. So, I turned right, and then I was able to get over and do a U-turn.
The next unexpected obstacle was going past the construction site on George Mason. It was quitting time and cars were pouring out of there. I was on the sidewalk which ended at the site, so I ended up in their parking lot dodging cars.
For next week, I will need to think about a better route home.

Home to track (3 laps in lane 6), and two laps at the end. Pleasant evening. I was a little nervous that I would feel as crappy as I did two nights ago, and though I wanted to walk, I decided to get a few laps running in and then decide on what to do next.

After the warm up, I walked a lap (358 lane 6), and then decided to run a lap. The walking laps in between were 358 L6, 402 L5, 351 L4, 354 L3, 333 L2, 330 L1, and walked the .3 home (450).

So, I have no idea of what time I should do, and the first "400" (actually in lane 6) I smoke (for me) in 206. Whoa, I can't keep that pace up, but I decide to try to keep the time up, but to do the laps in the descending lanes.
Times were:
206 L6
207 L5
205 L4
206 L3
205 L2
204 L1
Yeah, I "nailed" the time, but the laps were getting shorter each time.

Home, GM, Seminary, Colfax, etc. Had to walk up the hill from the tennis courts to the school.

C • 2 for 2 3

One round trip to the central office for lunch (8:00), and the trip home including a little extra in the neighborhood behind the school - a bit disoriented :) - (13:00).

Decided to try to ride my bike to work a couple of days a week. I am ashamed to say that I only live 2 miles from work, and I have only walked or biked it 2 times in ~10 years.

Motivation in the morning (or the evenings for that matter) is not my strong suit, especially when it requires a lot less effort and thought to jump into the car and go.

Roger called up on the way out of the house to let me know that my school was closed because of no power. I either have to report or take leave, and I was already dressed to go, so I followed through with the plan.

I tried a route this morning which has less climb, but is longer and busier than the straight shot on Beauregard. Route: house, to George Mason Dr, to Seminary, to Beauregard, to Rayburn. Distance was 2.5 miles. I jumped on the sidewalk partway down Seminary, and used the parking lot to go Beauregard to Rayburn. I don't like the riding with cars thing, even for such a short trip. Yes, I am the most major wuss out there!

I have thoughts of stopping at FT Ward for a run on the way home. We shall see.

C • Way to Go! 17

C • FT Ward 1

1.5 mile round trip to the central office for lunch with Roger.

1.5 mile round trip to the central office to drop off mail at the mailroom.

Power back on around 11:15.

C • ! 2

Straight shot home Rayburn, Beauregard (long downhill), Dinwiddie. Had to walk up the hill after turning for home onto 23rd ST. Probably would have walked up Dinwiddie also, but I didn't have to stop before turning left up the hill, so I had enough momentum to get me to the stop sign.

No Ft Ward today, but that is OK. I had a short nap, and then went out for a run, but legs & chest were feeling sluggish/heavy, and left knee a bit painful. I I need to take the Advil earlier. So, I walked a loop to George Mason, bike trail, Walter Reed, Dinwiddie, and 23rd. Breezy.