Training Log Archive: Gswede

Karta run exploring a new area around San Martin de Valdeiglesias. This is a very good area because it has very extensive woods open to the public; it is lower than most of our mountain maps (600-800 masl instead of 1400-1800) so I can use it more during winter; and it is very technically difficult.

I got stuck in a parallel error in this course that took me way off course. I tried relocating on the hillside but I couldn't make sense out of anything. So, good place to train. I'm getting better at reading only contours and vegetation like this, but this obviously stretched my limits. I think this error, like most, was caused by lack of focus. I was hungry, I didn't take time to focus before starting, and I was letting thoughts crowd my mind. At the end of the day these sessions are for preparing my mental state as well as working on the techniques I need to in orienteering.

Once I relocated I decided to go to the finish control and then work back.

Planned on continuing with a longer course, but night was going to fall in an hour and I didn't have a headlight. That was a big screw-up on my part. I didn't think ahead. Think ahead next time Greg, especially in winter.

Map:
https://goo.gl/photos/NtLEdNXHzjtx4Dzu7

Pictures of terrain:
https://goo.gl/photos/ZwkVzLBzbHcWCdPG8
https://goo.gl/photos/TnJbCVQnA7HyZAN57

It got much greener than what the pictures show. This was the nice part.

5 minute warmup and 30 minute cooldown

I think my ankle was stung by some insect on Sunday. At any rate it feels bad enough that another day is definitely merited. Let's make some maps!

Right ankle is very, very sore without any apparent twist. Lots of TLC and rest on the way!

Prerunning the long for the Ciudad Rodrigo Cup. It's going to be very, very fast and very fun. This is a fake time. Although it'd be cool to be this fast.

Wow, 2015 is over and 2016 is beginning. I've been feeling a little lazy lately as I catch up on sleep and things I've put off for a while. But the new year is coming and it's not waiting for me.

A few reflections from this past year.

More orienteering than any other year in my life.
123 hours and 51 minutes
1043.1 kilometers
1589 controls (although I must admit that I'm quite bad at remembering to enter this)

I'm improving in this sport. But it's not just about time spent doing the activity. It's about focus and the fight.

So for 2016 I resolve to have a focus for every training session and to always fight through, whether it's training or racing.

An easy jog along Madrid Rio just to keep the legs loose for tomorrow. 15k longs are rarely easy.

15 minute warmup and 5 minute cooldown.

Overall downhill course in El Manchón. I continued until I hit a two meter fence with a "Private Property-Hunting Reserve" sign. A bit disappointing. The area is cool, but nothing to write home about.

I continually underestimated distances. The map was set in 1:10 but I must have gotten to used to covering map distance quickly in Portugal.

Getting better at reading these contours, but need to improve. More practice!


https://goo.gl/photos/mBgM2Yi2Hb9pLt6YA