Training Log Archive: Swampfox

Looking at the JWOC Middle Final area, and looking over the brand new Granite Planite map we will be using for the Rocky Mountain O' Festival middle day, my overwhelming thought is we are way, way vegetation deprived. Maybe we need to send out an urgent plea for orienteers everywhere to send as much of their thorns, vines, and invasive thick bushes as they can possibly spare.

Even then, it might not be enough.

C • On it. 7

For alternative training today, I changed guitar strings. I also did some biking and running, and watched a formidable downpour come pouring down. So that's like four alternative training things in one single day! But the real training effect for sure came with the string change--the other things were just icing on the cake.

Also, I finished drafting up Granite Planite and did rough course designs for our Middle day at the Rocky Mountain O' Fest. To test my course setting skills, I tried to set a really good Blue Middle using only 4 controls. I don't think I succeeded. Some people maintain less is more, but in this case after studying the result, even they might conclude more would be better.

I think more would be better.

Rode down to the river today to examine the dropping water levels and expanding sandbars. Ran intervals in the early evening, and had the particular dirt road I was running on completely to myself. Mondays do tend to be somewhat less frenetic up there.

Ran trails, easy. Loads of dragonflies are out now, so I can put away the bug spray for the season. Happiness is a flying dragonfly.

C • Yes! 2

Test ran the Day 1 course. Even in the morning, it was already pretty warm by local standards, and with very little cover and no clouds while I was out, the sun was baking away the whole run. The fact that all the cattle were hunkered down in shady spots made it seem even warmer.

It was fun, but it will be more fun in late August, by which time things should be cooler, the sun angle will be lower, and the cattle will be feeling more playful and will probably select special runners to sneak up from behind on, which could cause some people who are not accustomed to cattle to start running a little fast than normal--which may improve their race result by as much as a dozen or so places.

I became soaked in sweat nearly the instant I stopped--unusual out in this low humidity country--and was pretty well toasted the rest of the day.