Training Log Archive: vmeyerIn the 7 days ending Jan 10, 2013:
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Thursday Jan 10, 2013 #
2 PM
Orienteering race 1:58:34 [3] 4.73 mi (25:04 / mi) +275m 21:14 / mi
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
Oceania Carnival Long Distance race today. Not many pictures for some reason.
(Courtesy of P. Herries.)
The wind from yesterday had died down, but the sun was pretty hot. The same routine as the other days - set up, hang out, go out on a course.
Terrain description: Generally fast open mature pine forest, with some patches of native Manuka trees. Several extremely step and gnarly gorges are crossing the area.
Today, I got a bit confused on what my start time was, missing it by 10 minutes, even after getting a ride from Jane to close to the start. Embarrassed myself by thinking I was just a minute late, even running up to the next line. Oops! It took them another two minutes to realize what had happened, and so I was pulled out, in the nicest possible way, and assigned the last start of the day.
Turned out to be a good mistake, because I got to chat with some other W55s, including Bronwyn for the first time. Just before Bronwyn's start, she discovered that the sole of her shoe was partway off. So, another woman offered up her wrist band, and I pulled off the headband, and we tied her shoe together and off she went. Headband to the rescue again!
Then it was my turn. This terrain felt familiar, so I was a bit ticked off at myself when I messed up the first control. Settled in after that, but took the really long way to #3 and a bit of an adventure in the scruffy part to #7. Had not had enough to eat that day, and I bonked and stumbled my way around to the finish.
Race stats: 4.5 km, 210 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 4.73 miles with 275 m climb
Place: 22/27
Time: 1:58:36
Time lost: 14:19 minutes
Time per km: 26:00
Jumped into the pool at the motel when I got back. Refreshing!
(Courtesy of P. Herries.)
The wind from yesterday had died down, but the sun was pretty hot. The same routine as the other days - set up, hang out, go out on a course.
Terrain description: Generally fast open mature pine forest, with some patches of native Manuka trees. Several extremely step and gnarly gorges are crossing the area.
Today, I got a bit confused on what my start time was, missing it by 10 minutes, even after getting a ride from Jane to close to the start. Embarrassed myself by thinking I was just a minute late, even running up to the next line. Oops! It took them another two minutes to realize what had happened, and so I was pulled out, in the nicest possible way, and assigned the last start of the day.
Turned out to be a good mistake, because I got to chat with some other W55s, including Bronwyn for the first time. Just before Bronwyn's start, she discovered that the sole of her shoe was partway off. So, another woman offered up her wrist band, and I pulled off the headband, and we tied her shoe together and off she went. Headband to the rescue again!
Then it was my turn. This terrain felt familiar, so I was a bit ticked off at myself when I messed up the first control. Settled in after that, but took the really long way to #3 and a bit of an adventure in the scruffy part to #7. Had not had enough to eat that day, and I bonked and stumbled my way around to the finish.
Race stats: 4.5 km, 210 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 4.73 miles with 275 m climb
Place: 22/27
Time: 1:58:36
Time lost: 14:19 minutes
Time per km: 26:00
Jumped into the pool at the motel when I got back. Refreshing!
Wednesday Jan 9, 2013 #
Note
Working on adding a bunch more pictures of the Middle from a couple of days ago. Sarah A was behind the camera lens for most of the day, that is why there are so many. She filled up the card...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576324...
Eddie, we taped this just for you. Pretty cool, eh?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/8361295168/in/...
Ah, a rest day! Feeling a bit worn out with the early mornings and late nights, coupled with more physical activity than I have done in a long time, so this rest day was well timed. I wasn't able to sleep in, so I sat under the trees and enjoyed the sunrise (and some free internet access).
Fish and chips for four. The fish was a bit tough, and Jane promised me the real thing once we were back in Hastings.
The leftovers before Callum arrived back from his run.
In the afternoon, we drove out to tomorrow's event site to setup. The heavy winds, promised for yesterday, were in full force today, so we dumped off the trailer but that was all.
Callum enjoying some down time.
A baby hedgehog. I was advised that they were disease carriers, otherwise I would have picked it up for closer inspection.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576324...
Eddie, we taped this just for you. Pretty cool, eh?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/8361295168/in/...
Ah, a rest day! Feeling a bit worn out with the early mornings and late nights, coupled with more physical activity than I have done in a long time, so this rest day was well timed. I wasn't able to sleep in, so I sat under the trees and enjoyed the sunrise (and some free internet access).
Fish and chips for four. The fish was a bit tough, and Jane promised me the real thing once we were back in Hastings.
The leftovers before Callum arrived back from his run.
In the afternoon, we drove out to tomorrow's event site to setup. The heavy winds, promised for yesterday, were in full force today, so we dumped off the trailer but that was all.
Callum enjoying some down time.
A baby hedgehog. I was advised that they were disease carriers, otherwise I would have picked it up for closer inspection.
Tuesday Jan 8, 2013 #
Note
Day 5 - Tuesday 8th January 2013
1. -Oceania Sprint race, suburban Wellington
2. -Oceania Multi-day Series Event 4
3. -World Cup Sprint Finals, Government House, Wellington
Masterton, Acorn Estate Motel
1. -Oceania Sprint race, suburban Wellington
2. -Oceania Multi-day Series Event 4
3. -World Cup Sprint Finals, Government House, Wellington
Masterton, Acorn Estate Motel
Note
A few more photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576324...
I like the last two of the girls finishing.
And maps with tracks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576325...
Can you figure out why I decided to go for a swim?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576324...
I like the last two of the girls finishing.
And maps with tracks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/sets/721576325...
Can you figure out why I decided to go for a swim?
C • Swim! 10
4 PM
Orienteering race (Middle Earth - Sprint) 29:26 [3] *** 1.71 mi (17:13 / mi)
shoes: Black Brooks
World Cup Sprint Final followed by the Oceania Carnival Sprint in Wellington.
A great atmosphere with the spectators sitting on the built in bleachers facing the cricket pitch.
A hot day, and with a 4 pm start, I was suffering a bit in the heat. Thank goodness Jane was able to drive me to the start, otherwise, I would have been done before I got there. It was a long, uphill slog on pavement in direct sun. This wasn't the last time that Jane drove me to the start during the events, and it was much appreciated each and every time.
Terrain description: Parkland, playing fields and detailed school buildings.
First three controls in the woods, and then the rest were around the buildings. Lost a couple of minutes to 1, and then poor route choice/error to 4 and 10. Otherwise, I enjoyed running around the buildings and wished I were in better shape.
Race stats: 1.6 km, 40 m climb, 15 controls
Garmin distance: 1.71 miles with ? m climb
Place: 21/27
Time: 29:25
Time lost: 3:38 minutes
Time per km: 17:54
After packing up, Jane drove me to Mount Victoria for a panoramic view of the city.
Then it was off to the Acorn Estate Motel in Masterton.
A great atmosphere with the spectators sitting on the built in bleachers facing the cricket pitch.
A hot day, and with a 4 pm start, I was suffering a bit in the heat. Thank goodness Jane was able to drive me to the start, otherwise, I would have been done before I got there. It was a long, uphill slog on pavement in direct sun. This wasn't the last time that Jane drove me to the start during the events, and it was much appreciated each and every time.
Terrain description: Parkland, playing fields and detailed school buildings.
First three controls in the woods, and then the rest were around the buildings. Lost a couple of minutes to 1, and then poor route choice/error to 4 and 10. Otherwise, I enjoyed running around the buildings and wished I were in better shape.
Race stats: 1.6 km, 40 m climb, 15 controls
Garmin distance: 1.71 miles with ? m climb
Place: 21/27
Time: 29:25
Time lost: 3:38 minutes
Time per km: 17:54
After packing up, Jane drove me to Mount Victoria for a panoramic view of the city.
Then it was off to the Acorn Estate Motel in Masterton.
Monday Jan 7, 2013 #
Note
Day 4 - Monday 7th January 2013
1. -World Cup Sprint Qualification Race at Parliament, Wellington
2. -Oceania rest day Overnight: Johnsonville
We pulled into a new motel last night in Johnsonville, just outside of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
It took about an hour to get all of the sand out of my clothes. The antenna pole made for a fine drying rack.
No races for me today, though you wouldn't exactly call it a rest day. This morning, it was off to the Parliament grounds for the WC Sprint Qualifying races.
We set up in the pedestrian underpass but saw little action for the results screens,
since the real action was outside. It was good practice for tomorrow though.
(Courtesy of P. Herries.)
Here is the map from the second part of the women's qualifier.
Besides unloading, setting up, and loading up again, I took a few trips down the hill to the facilities, so I'll call that my hill workout for the day.
1. -World Cup Sprint Qualification Race at Parliament, Wellington
2. -Oceania rest day Overnight: Johnsonville
We pulled into a new motel last night in Johnsonville, just outside of Wellington, the capital of New Zealand.
It took about an hour to get all of the sand out of my clothes. The antenna pole made for a fine drying rack.
No races for me today, though you wouldn't exactly call it a rest day. This morning, it was off to the Parliament grounds for the WC Sprint Qualifying races.
We set up in the pedestrian underpass but saw little action for the results screens,
since the real action was outside. It was good practice for tomorrow though.
(Courtesy of P. Herries.)
Here is the map from the second part of the women's qualifier.
Besides unloading, setting up, and loading up again, I took a few trips down the hill to the facilities, so I'll call that my hill workout for the day.
Sunday Jan 6, 2013 #
Event: QOC Patapsco McKeldin
4 PM
Orienteering race (Middle) 1:20:53 [3] *** 2.95 mi (27:25 / mi) +5m 27:16 / mi
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
Today was the World Cup Middle Distance event followed by the Oceania Middle Distance Champs, so another early start to the day. Nice and quiet at this time of the day.
Monitors set up..
and tweaking things on the computer.
Magnus and Rob setting up the finish.
The country flags.
The SportIdent team, led by Rolf.
The large screen, part of the audio/visual package provided by (another) Phil. He had never been to an orienteering event, but he caught on quickly.
There was a great spectator area, though it was too bad that the spectator control wasn't actually out in the open.
Canadian, Carol Ross finishing the middle distance.
USA's Matt Scott running towards the finish.
The WC arena was wonderful with lots of open, flat area for the set up and spectating. Rick W. (USA) watching the action in the foreground.
Unfortunately, the start and finish area for the open races later on were across the river, so the action was more spread out. This allowed for some quiet time to refuel, and figure out was was wrong with the keyboard.
Terrain description: Complex Sand Dune terrain, including open dunes, both sandy and covered in marram grass and/or lupin, macrocarpa and radiata pine forest. Some areas of very intricate contour detail.
I missed my start and ended up going out near the end of the start window at 16:50.
Just a handful of W18 left besides me.
The start triangle
The first seven controls were in the sand dunes, and while I found #1 easily enough, I totally hosed #2, including having to make a steep ascent back up a dune to make matters worse. I pretty much was covered with sand by this time.
A torturous climb
Settled down for a few controls, and then had a mini adventure finding #7. At that point, I decided that I had sand everywhere already, so why not take a dip into the sea, and so I did.
Not wanting the news reports to talk about how I drowned while on an orienteering course, I only went in up to my hips and then let the waves splash up on me.
Post swim
Feeling refreshed, I headed off to complete the rest of the course. Unfortunately, I could not find #9, even though I tried to relocate from #10. Since it was getting close to the course closing time, I headed back in. I considered swimming across the river north of #12, but I sunk up to my knees in mud, so I abandoned that plan.
Failed to find all of the controls, but I gave myself a passing grade on the having fun part, finishing with a big smile on my face.
I have to admit that I was a bit smug when I saw the course distances for the events. I was relieved they were so short and with minimal climb, and I figured that I could finish that distance each day, even if I wasn't in top shape. Little did I know how the terrain would kick my butt each day!
Race stats: 1.9 km, 70 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 2.95 miles with 5 m climb
Place: MP
Time: 1:20:53 including walk to download
Time lost: 5 minutes to take a dip in the Tasman Sea, ~10 more at controls 1 & 7.
Time per km: n/a
I believe this is my favorite sequence of pictures - Jane, enjoying a hop and a skip.
Monitors set up..
and tweaking things on the computer.
Magnus and Rob setting up the finish.
The country flags.
The SportIdent team, led by Rolf.
The large screen, part of the audio/visual package provided by (another) Phil. He had never been to an orienteering event, but he caught on quickly.
There was a great spectator area, though it was too bad that the spectator control wasn't actually out in the open.
Canadian, Carol Ross finishing the middle distance.
USA's Matt Scott running towards the finish.
The WC arena was wonderful with lots of open, flat area for the set up and spectating. Rick W. (USA) watching the action in the foreground.
Unfortunately, the start and finish area for the open races later on were across the river, so the action was more spread out. This allowed for some quiet time to refuel, and figure out was was wrong with the keyboard.
Terrain description: Complex Sand Dune terrain, including open dunes, both sandy and covered in marram grass and/or lupin, macrocarpa and radiata pine forest. Some areas of very intricate contour detail.
I missed my start and ended up going out near the end of the start window at 16:50.
Just a handful of W18 left besides me.
The start triangle
The first seven controls were in the sand dunes, and while I found #1 easily enough, I totally hosed #2, including having to make a steep ascent back up a dune to make matters worse. I pretty much was covered with sand by this time.
A torturous climb
Settled down for a few controls, and then had a mini adventure finding #7. At that point, I decided that I had sand everywhere already, so why not take a dip into the sea, and so I did.
Not wanting the news reports to talk about how I drowned while on an orienteering course, I only went in up to my hips and then let the waves splash up on me.
Post swim
Feeling refreshed, I headed off to complete the rest of the course. Unfortunately, I could not find #9, even though I tried to relocate from #10. Since it was getting close to the course closing time, I headed back in. I considered swimming across the river north of #12, but I sunk up to my knees in mud, so I abandoned that plan.
Failed to find all of the controls, but I gave myself a passing grade on the having fun part, finishing with a big smile on my face.
I have to admit that I was a bit smug when I saw the course distances for the events. I was relieved they were so short and with minimal climb, and I figured that I could finish that distance each day, even if I wasn't in top shape. Little did I know how the terrain would kick my butt each day!
Race stats: 1.9 km, 70 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 2.95 miles with 5 m climb
Place: MP
Time: 1:20:53 including walk to download
Time lost: 5 minutes to take a dip in the Tasman Sea, ~10 more at controls 1 & 7.
Time per km: n/a
I believe this is my favorite sequence of pictures - Jane, enjoying a hop and a skip.
Saturday Jan 5, 2013 #
10 AM
Orienteering race (Oceania Day 2) 1:15:06 [3] *** 3.57 mi (21:02 / mi) +3m 20:59 / mi
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
OK, I am pretty sure I was mocked when I broke out the camera to take pictures of the milk cows crossing (blocking) the road on the way to the meet, but, hey, I can live with that.
The tent setup.
The frog pond at the Finish.
Me, showing the run in to the Finish, and practicing not falling in when I finish later for real. There was speculation on whether someone (me) would end up in the pond.
Tim, whom I traveled with as well, getting the video camera set up.
The event director, burying cable.
Phillip and Tim consulting.
Tim's daughter, Sarah, who was there for the weekend events, but had to work the week in between. She was missed when she wasn't there, and not just for the fact that she was another set of hands.
Two Junior Girls finishing strong - note the extra arm on the right.
And, the two girls separated.
The Live Results - looking great!
Terrain description: Generally fast open mature pine forest on flat to rolling sand dunes. There is a coastal strip of macrocarpa trees (low visibility), and coastal dunes with mixed vegetation and variable runability, but good visibility. Parts of the forest were used for filming Ogiliath Wood scenes for the ‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003).
Traded in the Moscow compass from yesterday for a Silva. I am used to the angle of the Silva. Didn't drift to the right as much today, and the error to 6 was because I went into the area with no real plan - well, I had a plan - just not a good one since the plan was that I would surely find the control someway, somehow. I knew that 8-11 would be tough, and I didn't give it enough respect and paid the price from 9-10 - I had no real plan which = Bad plan!! I eventually found a control, which was not mine and was additionally on the ground about 2 feet away from the control stand. Since I was not in the money, I stopped and removed my headband and secured the control to the stand. I found my control soon after, in much denser woods then I expected it to be, and finished strong after that. Tore around the finish on the inside lane, passing at least one, an maybe two other ladies, and I didn't even come close to falling into the water! Later on, I retrieved my headband from the control collectors, and it would be used for good on another day...
Race stats: 3.7 km, 35 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 3.57 miles with 3 m climb
Place: 25/28
Time: 1:15:01
Time lost: 14:24 minutes
Time per km: 20:22
At the end of the day, we showed that the monitor stand could be dismantled in about 90 seconds. Very cool!
The tent setup.
The frog pond at the Finish.
Me, showing the run in to the Finish, and practicing not falling in when I finish later for real. There was speculation on whether someone (me) would end up in the pond.
Tim, whom I traveled with as well, getting the video camera set up.
The event director, burying cable.
Phillip and Tim consulting.
Tim's daughter, Sarah, who was there for the weekend events, but had to work the week in between. She was missed when she wasn't there, and not just for the fact that she was another set of hands.
Two Junior Girls finishing strong - note the extra arm on the right.
And, the two girls separated.
The Live Results - looking great!
Terrain description: Generally fast open mature pine forest on flat to rolling sand dunes. There is a coastal strip of macrocarpa trees (low visibility), and coastal dunes with mixed vegetation and variable runability, but good visibility. Parts of the forest were used for filming Ogiliath Wood scenes for the ‘Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003).
Traded in the Moscow compass from yesterday for a Silva. I am used to the angle of the Silva. Didn't drift to the right as much today, and the error to 6 was because I went into the area with no real plan - well, I had a plan - just not a good one since the plan was that I would surely find the control someway, somehow. I knew that 8-11 would be tough, and I didn't give it enough respect and paid the price from 9-10 - I had no real plan which = Bad plan!! I eventually found a control, which was not mine and was additionally on the ground about 2 feet away from the control stand. Since I was not in the money, I stopped and removed my headband and secured the control to the stand. I found my control soon after, in much denser woods then I expected it to be, and finished strong after that. Tore around the finish on the inside lane, passing at least one, an maybe two other ladies, and I didn't even come close to falling into the water! Later on, I retrieved my headband from the control collectors, and it would be used for good on another day...
Race stats: 3.7 km, 35 m climb, 12 controls
Garmin distance: 3.57 miles with 3 m climb
Place: 25/28
Time: 1:15:01
Time lost: 14:24 minutes
Time per km: 20:22
At the end of the day, we showed that the monitor stand could be dismantled in about 90 seconds. Very cool!
Friday Jan 4, 2013 #
11 AM
Orienteering race (Fusilier) 1:15:43 [3] *** 4.9 km (15:27 / km) +45m 14:46 / km
shoes: Another pair of new shoes!!
On the road to the event site early. I don't remember the time each day, but it was usually between 5 and 6 AM. I really enjoyed the quiet time at the event site each day before the crowd showed up.
Once on site each day, the trailer was unloaded, the master radio was set up and Phillip would go put the radio controls out, while the rest of us would get the computers and monitors set up. Then the tweaking would begin.
Not many pictures from the first day. The 1st and 4th are courtesy of P. Herries.
Terrain description: generally fast open mature pine forest on flat to rolling sand dunes. There are some large open clearings plus some areas of marshes which can vary in runnability.
I started out poorly, not in tune with the map scale, and drifting to the right. Found 2 before 1, then navigated well from 2 to 1 and back to 2 again. Drifted to the right going to 4, so purposely adjusted when going from 9-10. Happy to quickly recognize where I was on the trail between 9 and 10, and was fairly clean the rest of the way. Really pleased with this effort, considering the few advanced events I have done in the last year. Also glad that I went with W55 and not W50.
Race stats: 4.9 km, 45 m climb, 14 controls
Garmin distance: 3.91 miles with 11 m climb
Place 21/27
Time 1:15:43
Time lost: 6:42 minutes
Time per km: 15:27
A long day after breaking down the live results setup and moving it to the site for the next day. However, so happy to be traveling with such a fine group of people.
From here, we drove to the Welcome Inn Motel in Levin.
Once on site each day, the trailer was unloaded, the master radio was set up and Phillip would go put the radio controls out, while the rest of us would get the computers and monitors set up. Then the tweaking would begin.
Not many pictures from the first day. The 1st and 4th are courtesy of P. Herries.
Terrain description: generally fast open mature pine forest on flat to rolling sand dunes. There are some large open clearings plus some areas of marshes which can vary in runnability.
I started out poorly, not in tune with the map scale, and drifting to the right. Found 2 before 1, then navigated well from 2 to 1 and back to 2 again. Drifted to the right going to 4, so purposely adjusted when going from 9-10. Happy to quickly recognize where I was on the trail between 9 and 10, and was fairly clean the rest of the way. Really pleased with this effort, considering the few advanced events I have done in the last year. Also glad that I went with W55 and not W50.
Race stats: 4.9 km, 45 m climb, 14 controls
Garmin distance: 3.91 miles with 11 m climb
Place 21/27
Time 1:15:43
Time lost: 6:42 minutes
Time per km: 15:27
A long day after breaking down the live results setup and moving it to the site for the next day. However, so happy to be traveling with such a fine group of people.
From here, we drove to the Welcome Inn Motel in Levin.
C • Woohoo! 13