Training Log Archive: tinytoes

A new day and I was feeling quietly confident. Forest felt benign. Again the start was straight forward but I drifted too far south and relocated from a track to get #1. Ok concentrate girl!. But then a long track run and just a dash off to get #2. Felt good next 3 controls, but foot a little tingly - trying to ignore. I'd seen a "finish" control on the run through from 1 to 2 and so pretty much switched off and ran "towards it" but the more than head high stuff interspersed with "clearings" and some vague tracks weren't very helpful. Seemed like forever and then felt the track was looming - the result of drifting again. At least it was clear where I was as I could see the finish. Tried to take a bearing and back into the fray to find this *&^%$ termite mound - but I realised by now that the control I'd seen before wasn't ever mine. Wandered aimlessly around and then the pack descended - a sort of bolt for the finish but any thoughts of 3rd were all but gone.[Edit: consensus was last control - of which there were many - was a bingo control. I don't usually use this as an excuse - especially as I tend to do fairly well at Stanford Scrubs but I think I will agree this time. Still others found it easily so I'll just sulk] In the end I'd actually dropped more time, and from looking at the Results tonight even the last control debacle wasn't the real problem - I think. A bit slow. I am having a lot of problem in terrain, especially when it is lifting legs and scrambling.
Nice weekend - weather very kind. A mix of feelings about the weekend - need to work on some areas - and really need to work on the rest.

"Hard 8 Day 3" - Splits

A real mix of terrain - first several controls were possibly track runs if you chose to but then the rock appeared. Not going too bad, albeit slowly, until the long leg to #4. Broke it up quite well - got into the circle and was there for 5 minutes and was definitely "there". Then saw others searching, tried to ignore them but kept checking them and they were around where I originally thought the flag should be. Then there was a shift away and the thought was that we were all on the rock to the East (how I "agreed" with that is beyond me now). I took one last look from on top of the rock at the rock ledge below and decided it must be the rock to the West. Kept on going and going crossing a thick gully and taking FOREVER and then finding some rock but no bare rock and just wanted to go back to where I was. But ahead was a control so decided what the heck I'll check it out - yay it's mine - but it's my #5. So back again to the big rock through the thick stuff and back to the bare rock and back to the rock ledge and again I looked over but this time I decided to get down and check - and still no flag - so started a search and destroy activity and joined/followed a W16 who checked out the next rock ledge down and there was a flag there - damn!!! I was 5 m away 30 minutes ago! Charge on to #5 - well I knew where it was and then onward. Obviously getting a bit tired now and a bit sick of the crud and over- my- head saplings and broken sticks and everything. Made it to Finish - disappointed but more disappointed that I knew I was right but allowed myself to drift away and try to make things fit.
Lost a bit of time and now 4th (of those in with a chance of QBIII placing).

Hard 8 Day2 - Splits

Loved this course and while not as intricate as many of the other campuses we've had it still had some curly controls.My running was fairly good - not as fast at times as previously but faster throughout - so some improvement there. A couple of little misses - possibly due to rushing decisions and not seeing tiny tiny little cut throughs. Struggled about 1/2 way through to keep map contact for 2 controls and that was good work. A solid start to the weekend with a 3rd placing (I think). [Distance is obviously straight line]

Hard 8/9 Day1 - Splits

So I stayed together overnight and I can now lower my head without fear of gushing blood. Phew! It feels very odd being at home in the morning before 10:30. I'll see how much it affects the weekend's runs.

Targetted areas - good work.

Had time to kill while waiting for Dr and checkup so took the opportunity to practice relazation. This was about 10 minutes. The balance was when he told me I was having surgery - then! and I'd be having some "adjustments" to my face (temple and nose - again!). Unfortunately not the complete lift that might make a difference. So 2 lots of anaesthetic and given where the needles were inserted some more relaxation practice was definitely needed. Didn't initially react to the anaesthetic and emerged with 2 dressings. On way home I called in to Aldi for some comfort food - vegs and bananas and it was there that the reaction did kick in. Nothing for it but to make for home hoping I made it unscathed. First lot of dressings can come off Saturday and no gym tomorrow. I can't bend down but the scary thing was that when the anaesthetic wore off I might spontaneously start to bleed - depending on the strength/result of the diathermy. Good O! Think I'm through that now - so glad I didn't start gushing blood everywhere! Hand and back stinging as well - so much for a check up.

Rest Day by circumstance due to family crisis and shoe buying for QBIII at either end of the day when attractive gym classes are scheduled. Also have felt twinges in right Achilles on the outside so possibly no bad thing.

Really struggled today - very tired. Still pushed as hard as I could.

Struggled but I know it's just a passing phase - remedied by a decent night's sleep.
Looking forward to next Tuesday's Gala Day after today's theory lesson at Irrawang HS.