Training Log Archive: Gswede

Whoa. What the f***?

That was so much more difficult than I anticipated. Last time I was here I knew it'd be difficult, but I didn't expect that. I spent most of the course wondering where I was.

I can't bring myself to post my whole course. Too embarrassing. I will show the first four controls:


I still don't understand just what happened out there. Everything was making sense and then suddenly it wasn't.

Most of the forest was the same as Hickory Run (dense beech with approx. 20m of visibility). But there were also beautiful hemlock groves and then really fun areas of spruce.

I walked away from this course with the same feeling I used to get when I was younger at French Creek and Hickory Run: angry and frustrated.

But after loads of experience, I can say that I am stoked to have such an incredibly technical terrain. It's going to take some work to master this terrain, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Long run with the climb up Minsi taken at a hard effort. Since my long runs won't be as long for the middle and relay, this is a good way to make the best of the reduced climb.

Also about 50 seconds slower than my fastest time up Minsi. So not terrible, but I do have to gain back some fitness. Today was a step in the right direction.

Map: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TbuKftqN8QgHszf59

Checking out the area I mapped yesterday. Spectacular. Maybe not the most technical of places except at high speeds, but massively fun.

Unfortunately the bulk of the cool stuff is private land owned by a real estate company. And apparently that company has some agreement with a gun club, several hunting stands out here with signs saying, "(Person's Name) 2018-2019." So it's recent. There was also a shoddy firing range with one lane just west of my number 7. I've marked it on the map and will stay at least 300 meters away from there. Otherwise I'm happy to be out there on the other parts outside of hunting season.

I could describe the terrain, but I think your own eyes are better. So here are some pictures : ) The video is taken from the location of 14.

Running around the backyard testing this week's simulation exercises. Powerful stuff.

Mapped a new area just north of the boulder field at Hickory Run. It's only partly on state park land, the rest is owned by a real estate company. So it'd probably be somewhat difficult to hold an event out there. But not for Greg to go train : )

Gaining back the strength. I was feeling a bit out of shape in Michigan this weekend, but I felt the strength coming back to me on the climb today. Some high intensity orienteering for later this week.