Training Log Archive: PGIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2011:
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Sunday Jul 31, 2011 #
10 AM
trail running 7:42 0.84 mi (9:10 / mi) +46ft 8:43 / mi
ahr:126 max:138 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Warm-up on the way to the start.
I'd been somewhat distressed to wake up Saturday morning with my left heel hurting a good bit and my right heel a little. The pain disappeared when running yesterday, but was back worse afterwards. No idea why it suddenly flared up. Took a couple of ibuprofen in the evening, then 4 more when I got up this morning. Was a little better this morning, but still limping when I walked, and then again, no problem running as the mind is engaged elsewhere. And now in the evening, they're a little sore, but not near as bad as last night. Would be nice if it mended as quickly as it appeared.
I'd been somewhat distressed to wake up Saturday morning with my left heel hurting a good bit and my right heel a little. The pain disappeared when running yesterday, but was back worse afterwards. No idea why it suddenly flared up. Took a couple of ibuprofen in the evening, then 4 more when I got up this morning. Was a little better this morning, but still limping when I walked, and then again, no problem running as the mind is engaged elsewhere. And now in the evening, they're a little sore, but not near as bad as last night. Would be nice if it mended as quickly as it appeared.
orienteering 49:17 3.78 mi (13:02 / mi) +249ft 12:16 / mi
ahr:154 max:171 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Well, today was a lot better. Actually did what I planned.
Day 2, 5.7 km straight-line, so just about the same length as yesterday but 9 and a half minutes faster. And yesterday I only had a couple of minutes of errors.
The plan was:
-- simplify the orienteering.
-- be very accurate with the compass.
-- don't stop so much out of caution, rather have confidence and keep moving.
Executed all three very well. Only problem was getting a little tired the last 15 minutes and feeling like I was slowing down, but there was also a little thinking along the lines of -- you've had a good/great run so far, don't blow it at the end.
I remember at about 30-35 minutes into the course looking at my watch and looking at what was left of the course, and thinking, wow, I'm going do this thing in 45 minutes today. It turned out I was a little optimistic, though I thing I could have been 47 with a little more aggressiveness at the end. But still just totally pleased. Did some really good orienteering.
I also enjoyed today's course more, not sure why, maybe it just suited me. Or maybe I was just reading the terrain better and so felt more comfortable. In any case, would gladly come back here again.
Some comments on my route, and then hopefully I'll get around to posting the map.
1. First test of the plan, Down the road, into the woods, cross the wall, down the hillside, and within 100 meters my brain was calling out for me to stop and check the map just to be sure. Took a lot of willpower, but I just kept running, and within another 30 meters I could see the root stock dead ahead. See, there was no need to stop. Just 10-15 seconds, but they add up fast.
2. Across the stream and up the hill. A little confused, but finally got in contact with the wall and up to the end of it. Compass from there, over the small knoll, no stops, spiked the control.
3. Across jumbled terrain. Saw one larger (i.e. 2-line) knoll midway, right on the route. Perfect compass again, one quick stop at the knoll, spiked the control.
4. Again, right on line, marsh, reentrant, diagonal hillside, reentrant, just one quick stop, spiked.
5. Again, right on line, up to the marsh, past a couple of small knolls on my left, angle up, spiked.
6. Out to the road, no stops and a good line, then picked up the wall and to the end of it. On the compass from there, not really bothering to read my way down to the marsh, or more precisely, couldn't really do it -- see at this point in life, my eyes are so good, and my brain doesn't process info so well, and what it does process it doesn't remember so well, which all together is why I have to stop more -- so just kept moving. Across the marsh, thought I was coming to the little knoll, went to the right a little but it was clear I was at the bigger one. Over it and the next one to my control in the saddle. Spiked, but a little nervous.
7. Missed it just a little to the right. 15 seconds?
8. Over to the hillside, then along the upper part of the hillside waiting for the two reentrants. The woods were a little scruffy, so couldn't get many good looks at the map without stopping, and didn't want to do that. Finally pulled up at the first reentrant, stopped for a careful look to confirm it had the right shape, then over to the next one. Spiked.
9. A good bit of the leg was just getting to the road, but I was determined to do it efficiently, and to come out where I wanted on the road. Used a couple of walls midway, then careful with the compass, hit the road, turned left, and there was the little house. Perfect. Turned off the road, over a couple of knolls, bigger wall, small wall, spike.
10. Out to the road again, and again trying to be efficient (i.e. keep a good line), perfect. Road, then small trail to wall, then compass to the control, a little hard to see but spiked. Started to slow down last third of the leg, maybe just being careful.
11. Out to the road again, then took the control easily using the walls. Lost my contact for distance vision just as I got there, but the rest was trivial.
12. And a decent finish, making sure I checked carefully to see that there was a #12.
All the above written without looking at the map.... :-)
My course and my route.
Day 2, 5.7 km straight-line, so just about the same length as yesterday but 9 and a half minutes faster. And yesterday I only had a couple of minutes of errors.
The plan was:
-- simplify the orienteering.
-- be very accurate with the compass.
-- don't stop so much out of caution, rather have confidence and keep moving.
Executed all three very well. Only problem was getting a little tired the last 15 minutes and feeling like I was slowing down, but there was also a little thinking along the lines of -- you've had a good/great run so far, don't blow it at the end.
I remember at about 30-35 minutes into the course looking at my watch and looking at what was left of the course, and thinking, wow, I'm going do this thing in 45 minutes today. It turned out I was a little optimistic, though I thing I could have been 47 with a little more aggressiveness at the end. But still just totally pleased. Did some really good orienteering.
I also enjoyed today's course more, not sure why, maybe it just suited me. Or maybe I was just reading the terrain better and so felt more comfortable. In any case, would gladly come back here again.
Some comments on my route, and then hopefully I'll get around to posting the map.
1. First test of the plan, Down the road, into the woods, cross the wall, down the hillside, and within 100 meters my brain was calling out for me to stop and check the map just to be sure. Took a lot of willpower, but I just kept running, and within another 30 meters I could see the root stock dead ahead. See, there was no need to stop. Just 10-15 seconds, but they add up fast.
2. Across the stream and up the hill. A little confused, but finally got in contact with the wall and up to the end of it. Compass from there, over the small knoll, no stops, spiked the control.
3. Across jumbled terrain. Saw one larger (i.e. 2-line) knoll midway, right on the route. Perfect compass again, one quick stop at the knoll, spiked the control.
4. Again, right on line, marsh, reentrant, diagonal hillside, reentrant, just one quick stop, spiked.
5. Again, right on line, up to the marsh, past a couple of small knolls on my left, angle up, spiked.
6. Out to the road, no stops and a good line, then picked up the wall and to the end of it. On the compass from there, not really bothering to read my way down to the marsh, or more precisely, couldn't really do it -- see at this point in life, my eyes are so good, and my brain doesn't process info so well, and what it does process it doesn't remember so well, which all together is why I have to stop more -- so just kept moving. Across the marsh, thought I was coming to the little knoll, went to the right a little but it was clear I was at the bigger one. Over it and the next one to my control in the saddle. Spiked, but a little nervous.
7. Missed it just a little to the right. 15 seconds?
8. Over to the hillside, then along the upper part of the hillside waiting for the two reentrants. The woods were a little scruffy, so couldn't get many good looks at the map without stopping, and didn't want to do that. Finally pulled up at the first reentrant, stopped for a careful look to confirm it had the right shape, then over to the next one. Spiked.
9. A good bit of the leg was just getting to the road, but I was determined to do it efficiently, and to come out where I wanted on the road. Used a couple of walls midway, then careful with the compass, hit the road, turned left, and there was the little house. Perfect. Turned off the road, over a couple of knolls, bigger wall, small wall, spike.
10. Out to the road again, and again trying to be efficient (i.e. keep a good line), perfect. Road, then small trail to wall, then compass to the control, a little hard to see but spiked. Started to slow down last third of the leg, maybe just being careful.
11. Out to the road again, then took the control easily using the walls. Lost my contact for distance vision just as I got there, but the rest was trivial.
12. And a decent finish, making sure I checked carefully to see that there was a #12.
All the above written without looking at the map.... :-)
My course and my route.
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Saturday Jul 30, 2011 #
12 PM
trail running 4:07 0.45 mi (9:09 / mi) +3ft 9:05 / mi
ahr:122 max:132 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
A little warm-up, legs didn't feel too bad.
orienteering 58:43 4.07 mi (14:26 / mi) +174ft 13:52 / mi
ahr:147 max:164 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
US Classic Champs, Day 1, M60 (GreenY), 5.8 km, Happy Valley WMA, a little north of Syracuse, NY.
I guess the best way to describe my run it that was all in slow motion. Not much fighting spirit, never pushing the pace, and a surplus of caution, just endlessly stopping for a good look at the map just to be sure. The latter (the caution) is not necessarily a bad thing, but there was way too much of it.
Other than that, some sloppiness at 5 that cost a minute or two, and not much else. But this is supposed to be a race, and it sure didn't feel like one. Will have to see if I can get with the program a little better tomorrow. It's a matter of finding the right balance, not too fast that mistakes are made, not too slow. Felt too slow today, plus screwed one up anyway.
Very nice area, good map, good orienteering. And a lovely summer day, way too warm for my preferences, but very nice before and after.
My course and my route.
I guess the best way to describe my run it that was all in slow motion. Not much fighting spirit, never pushing the pace, and a surplus of caution, just endlessly stopping for a good look at the map just to be sure. The latter (the caution) is not necessarily a bad thing, but there was way too much of it.
Other than that, some sloppiness at 5 that cost a minute or two, and not much else. But this is supposed to be a race, and it sure didn't feel like one. Will have to see if I can get with the program a little better tomorrow. It's a matter of finding the right balance, not too fast that mistakes are made, not too slow. Felt too slow today, plus screwed one up anyway.
Very nice area, good map, good orienteering. And a lovely summer day, way too warm for my preferences, but very nice before and after.
My course and my route.
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Thursday Jul 28, 2011 #
11 AM
trail running 2:56 0.27 mi (10:51 / mi) +52ft 9:10 / mi
ahr:115 max:127 rhr:52 weight:136lbs shoes: x-talon 212 #2
A little warm-up to the start.
orienteering 57:37 3.39 mi (17:00 / mi) +883ft 13:38 / mi
ahr:140 max:152 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Time for another Western Mass training session, except that Phil is on his way to Swissland, Ali is on/in some lake in Ontario, Alex is fishing in northern Vermont, and Gail is still under the weather though possibly a little better. So it was just me.
Ran the course I hung streamers for last week, so I had been most places but not necessarily from the same direction. Pretty good run. Just one bad control, 14, a little too high, then dropped down just past it, maybe a minute. That plus walking up a bunch of hills. Was soaking wet by the time I finished, and it wasn't raining.
Did a lot of compass practice, just to make sure I was in the habit, in anticipation of both this weekend and next month in France. Generally pleased with the result as I seemed to be coming out right where I expected.
The course and my route.
Rehung hung the streamer at 19/22 (it was on the ground). And hung ones at 20 and 21, hadn't been to them before.
Only about 10 FDFs.
973/1000
Ran the course I hung streamers for last week, so I had been most places but not necessarily from the same direction. Pretty good run. Just one bad control, 14, a little too high, then dropped down just past it, maybe a minute. That plus walking up a bunch of hills. Was soaking wet by the time I finished, and it wasn't raining.
Did a lot of compass practice, just to make sure I was in the habit, in anticipation of both this weekend and next month in France. Generally pleased with the result as I seemed to be coming out right where I expected.
The course and my route.
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Rehung hung the streamer at 19/22 (it was on the ground). And hung ones at 20 and 21, hadn't been to them before.
Only about 10 FDFs.
973/1000
C • Nice 3
Wednesday Jul 27, 2011 #
6 AM
road running 43:55 4.98 mi (8:49 / mi) +640ft 7:52 / mi
ahr:133 max:161 weight:136lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills. Definitely not dogging it this time. Perhaps if I keep doing these I will get better at running uphill?
Tuesday Jul 26, 2011 #
11 AM
biking 1:41:53 27.05 mi (3:46 / mi) +1404ft 3:35 / mi
ahr:124 max:155 weight:136lbs
Millers Fall, Wendell SF, Wyola. Nice day, about 80, seemed cool though I worked up a good sweat. Slowly doing a little bit longer rides, feels OK.
Monday Jul 25, 2011 #
7 AM
trail running 58:22 5.72 mi (10:12 / mi) +574ft 9:19 / mi
ahr:137 max:170 shoes: pegasus #2
Trails at Five Ponds in Litchfield. Not nearly so hot, but still humid and I was soaking wet by the time I was done.
Lots of FDF's. Final count was 107-1, though I'm not sure the one that got me (a bite on my elbow) was a FDF, could have been a mosquito when I stopped to pee. But the back of my hat was quite crowded. Without it, I think I would have been miserable, or not run at all.
Legs felt OK after the usual 10 minutes or so at the start where everything (legs, back especially) feels like crap. As usual with morning runs, nice to be done with it early.
Lots of FDF's. Final count was 107-1, though I'm not sure the one that got me (a bite on my elbow) was a FDF, could have been a mosquito when I stopped to pee. But the back of my hat was quite crowded. Without it, I think I would have been miserable, or not run at all.
Legs felt OK after the usual 10 minutes or so at the start where everything (legs, back especially) feels like crap. As usual with morning runs, nice to be done with it early.
C • FDFs 3
Sunday Jul 24, 2011 #
10 AM
biking 59:54 16.24 mi (3:41 / mi) +892ft 3:30 / mi
ahr:126 max:156 rhr:52 weight:137lbs
Leverett - Cave Hill. Not as hot, so worked a little on the hills.
Friday Jul 22, 2011 #
7 AM
orienteering 50:42 2.1 mi (24:08 / mi) +719ft 18:14 / mi
ahr:129 max:154 weight:137lbs shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Hanging streamers for Ali, Alex, and Phil for a course in the NE corner of Norwottuck. Started at 7 am and it was already 80F and dew point in the upper 70s. Started to wilt after about 15 minutes and seriously wilted within 25-30, so bagged going to a couple of points.
My navigating at least was reasonably ok.
951/1000
My navigating at least was reasonably ok.
951/1000
Thursday Jul 21, 2011 #
11 AM
biking 1:41:34 25.8 mi (3:56 / mi) +1407ft 3:45 / mi
ahr:128 max:152 weight:137lbs
Lake Wyola - Shutesbury loop. Unpleasantly hot, upper 90s and humid. Didn't push it. Haven't done this loop in a while and it seems I did it in the right direction -- the crappy pavement was all on the climbs whereas the downhills were nice and smooth.
Wednesday Jul 20, 2011 #
Note
I suppose I should add that in my third (and unlogged) training of the day, a brisk 2:40 walk in mid-afternoon, I had a hole-in-one. Except it was missing a couple key ingredients -- (1) I was playing by myself, so no witnesses, and (2) it was on an uphill par 3, with the top of the flag visible but not the green, so there was not the psychic pleasure of watching it go in the hole. But it was quite nice to walk up the hill, see the ball mark on the front of the green, not see a ball anywhere, and then find it in the hole.
By the way, the legs actually felt pretty good and I was moving quickly. Must have been the nap.
By the way, the legs actually felt pretty good and I was moving quickly. Must have been the nap.
C • ace 10
6 AM
road running 38:04 3.67 mi (10:22 / mi) +440ft 9:19 / mi
ahr:119 max:139 shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills (just 2) with Dave, very mellow pace as he ran Vermont 100 over the weekend. So a nice chat about that and life and general. And then the usual hour at the coffee shop with a few others, in my case killing a little time before the next training....
8 AM
trail running 7:59 0.87 mi (9:11 / mi) +36ft 8:50 / mi
ahr:113 max:130 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
A little warm-up, legs felt very sluggish. Slept a little restlessly last night, but I gather that was better than Gail (2 hours?) or Cristina (3 hours). Was Ali's cherry cobbler laced with caffeine?
orienteering 26:27 1.78 mi (14:51 / mi) +226ft 13:16 / mi
ahr:129 max:150 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Sprint training at Cemetery Hill. Course use some new areas mapped by Phil, and I definitely wasn't up to the challenge.
Botched 6 (the best route may have been up, or it may have been down, but it certainly was down and then up).
Botched 9, though perhaps that's not the right verb as I never actually found it. Interesting though -- compared my route on the aerial photo to Phil's, I turned in the first time at exactly the right point, obviously just didn't see the streamer, then did a bunch of other searching. Somehow that makes me feel better.
Botched the route to 11, and this one really was quite imaginative -- was heading for a narrow strip of yellow through some dark green, found a passage that I wouldn't map as yellow as it was very narrow with shoots of multi-flora rose reaching out to snag you. Made my way very slowly and carefully through that as I was wearing shorts. Discovered afterwards that I was actually on an indistinct trail right next to the open slot I was aiming for, and the open slot was actually just an index contour line on the map that I saw as yellow not brown.
A reasonably pathetic run....
And very tired.
Waited around for all to finish. Then went into Northampton with Cristina and Melissa for a large breakfast. And then home for a much needed nap.
935/1000
Botched 6 (the best route may have been up, or it may have been down, but it certainly was down and then up).
Botched 9, though perhaps that's not the right verb as I never actually found it. Interesting though -- compared my route on the aerial photo to Phil's, I turned in the first time at exactly the right point, obviously just didn't see the streamer, then did a bunch of other searching. Somehow that makes me feel better.
Botched the route to 11, and this one really was quite imaginative -- was heading for a narrow strip of yellow through some dark green, found a passage that I wouldn't map as yellow as it was very narrow with shoots of multi-flora rose reaching out to snag you. Made my way very slowly and carefully through that as I was wearing shorts. Discovered afterwards that I was actually on an indistinct trail right next to the open slot I was aiming for, and the open slot was actually just an index contour line on the map that I saw as yellow not brown.
A reasonably pathetic run....
And very tired.
Waited around for all to finish. Then went into Northampton with Cristina and Melissa for a large breakfast. And then home for a much needed nap.
935/1000
Tuesday Jul 19, 2011 #
3 PM
orienteering 30:43 2.54 mi (12:06 / mi) +167ft 11:23 / mi
ahr:131 max:143 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Hanging streamers for sprint training at UMass for Ali and Jordan (and Cristina and Melissa and Phil and Gail, and I suppose, me). Quite hot.
Also was quite clever, stuck a few strips of duct tape on the back of my map case, made it easy to hang streamers where it would otherwise have been difficult (walls, big trees with smooth bark).
921/1000, in the home stretch.
Also was quite clever, stuck a few strips of duct tape on the back of my map case, made it easy to hang streamers where it would otherwise have been difficult (walls, big trees with smooth bark).
921/1000, in the home stretch.
trail running 2:46 0.3 mi (9:13 / mi) +3ft 9:07 / mi
ahr:122 max:137 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Then decided I should run at least the shorter course, so jogged down to the start.
orienteering 12:05 1.49 mi (8:07 / mi) +20ft 8:01 / mi
ahr:151 max:162 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Shorter sprint, 1.9 km beeline, no mistakes, but then I had just been to all the points. And you shouldn't make mistakes in sprints anyway.
Decent effort. And no way I was then going to run the longer sprint.
Decent effort. And no way I was then going to run the longer sprint.
trail running 2:27 0.27 mi (9:04 / mi) +13ft 8:40 / mi
ahr:131 max:138 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
And then back to #5 on the long course....
Well, just another case of losing my mind....
See, first I went and hung all the streamers, using a map of one course with the points for the other course hand-drawn on it. And then to run the shorter sprint, I'd changed maps, taking a clean one with just the short course on it. So far, so good.
And then just before I got to the start, I went by a place where I'd hung a streamer, and I looked at my map, and there was no circle there (naturally, it was on the course), and I had the following thoughts (I can't remember in which order):
-- Why did I hang a streamer there? Obviously I meant to hang it at the start triangle, which is just around the corner. I'm really dumb.
-- And, wow, how did I possibly remember to hang a streamer there, even though it's not marked on my map. I'm really smart.
And my mind processed all this and the next thing I knew I was taking this streamer down (it was taped to the side of a building, right next to an entrance door). Debated for a moment tucking the streamer in a pocket in my shorts, but happened to see a trash can just inside the door, so that's where it went. Quite pleased with myself for cleaning up.
Went and ran the short course.
Saw Ali and Jordan and Cristina, watch them start the long course. Saw Gail. She tells me about her trip around the long course, and a map issue with the 5th control, which I had just trashed. And it suddenly dawned on me what I had done.
Hustled down to #5, in the building, pulled the streamer out of the trash (no one was watching, luckily), hung it again, about a minute before A and J and C arrived.
I am such an idiot sometimes.
Well, just another case of losing my mind....
See, first I went and hung all the streamers, using a map of one course with the points for the other course hand-drawn on it. And then to run the shorter sprint, I'd changed maps, taking a clean one with just the short course on it. So far, so good.
And then just before I got to the start, I went by a place where I'd hung a streamer, and I looked at my map, and there was no circle there (naturally, it was on the course), and I had the following thoughts (I can't remember in which order):
-- Why did I hang a streamer there? Obviously I meant to hang it at the start triangle, which is just around the corner. I'm really dumb.
-- And, wow, how did I possibly remember to hang a streamer there, even though it's not marked on my map. I'm really smart.
And my mind processed all this and the next thing I knew I was taking this streamer down (it was taped to the side of a building, right next to an entrance door). Debated for a moment tucking the streamer in a pocket in my shorts, but happened to see a trash can just inside the door, so that's where it went. Quite pleased with myself for cleaning up.
Went and ran the short course.
Saw Ali and Jordan and Cristina, watch them start the long course. Saw Gail. She tells me about her trip around the long course, and a map issue with the 5th control, which I had just trashed. And it suddenly dawned on me what I had done.
Hustled down to #5, in the building, pulled the streamer out of the trash (no one was watching, luckily), hung it again, about a minute before A and J and C arrived.
I am such an idiot sometimes.
7 PM
Note
And then a visit to Bub's for BBQ and fixin's, and then Ali's for cherry cobbler and ice cream.
All just to make sure we had a proper O' event. :-)
All just to make sure we had a proper O' event. :-)
Monday Jul 18, 2011 #
5 PM
biking 48:17 13.58 mi (3:33 / mi) +295ft 3:29 / mi
ahr:128 max:145
Another modest bike ride, South Deerfield and Whately. Shouldn't ignore the running but some days it just doesn't happen.
Sunday Jul 17, 2011 #
3 PM
biking 1:12:38 20.31 mi (3:35 / mi) +390ft 3:31 / mi
ahr:131 max:149 weight:135lbs
Same as yesterday almost exactly, just let my heart get a little higher so a touch faster. And ditto everything else, still hot, still a round of golf earlier (82 and 83 for the club champs, solidly in the middle of the field), still aggravated by my sister (and the latter still being put to positive use). And then the usual Sunday late afternoon drive to Litchfield. Mom is hanging in there.
Saturday Jul 16, 2011 #
5 PM
biking 1:13:37 20.29 mi (3:38 / mi) +397ft 3:34 / mi
ahr:124 max:139 weight:135.5lbs
Nice late afternoon ride -- after a longish walk on the golf course I had to get out and do something. And the time on the bike passed very quickly: (1) the plan was to not exert myself too much as it was still quite warm out, keep the heart rate under 140, so I didn't kill myself on the hills, and (2) my mind was occupied by thoughts of what to do about my sister the fruitcake.
And so, before I knew it, the ride was over.... :-)
And so, before I knew it, the ride was over.... :-)
Friday Jul 15, 2011 #
Note
My route from yesterday evening. Take it with a large grain of salt. I adjusted it just a little. I didn't adjust between 8 and 9 when I was on the trails much of the time, nor from 5 to 6.
From 5 to 6 I was on first the main trail, then the small trail, leaving it at a left bend where a small stream crosses. The track doesn't match that shape at all, so who knows, but I was likely a little low hanging the streamer.
At 3, I was in the general area it seems, stopped at three possible locations, can't remember which of the upper two I hung the streamer at, but it looks like I was at least in the general area.
Phil can figure it out when he goes back to rerun the course. :-)
And the GPS -- well, if it can be 50 to 100 meters off on a trail run or bike ride, it can certainly be off a similar amount when orienteering.
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From 5 to 6 I was on first the main trail, then the small trail, leaving it at a left bend where a small stream crosses. The track doesn't match that shape at all, so who knows, but I was likely a little low hanging the streamer.
At 3, I was in the general area it seems, stopped at three possible locations, can't remember which of the upper two I hung the streamer at, but it looks like I was at least in the general area.
Phil can figure it out when he goes back to rerun the course. :-)
And the GPS -- well, if it can be 50 to 100 meters off on a trail run or bike ride, it can certainly be off a similar amount when orienteering.
6 AM
road running 44:33 5.0 mi (8:54 / mi) +636ft 7:57 / mi
ahr:130 max:156 weight:135lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills. Woke up 10 minutes before I needed to leave the house, had about a minute to think about whether I was going or not, and decided best to just get it done.
Not much zip, maybe a little tired from the last couple of evenings?
Nice chit-chat afterwards at the coffee shop.
Not much zip, maybe a little tired from the last couple of evenings?
Nice chit-chat afterwards at the coffee shop.
Thursday Jul 14, 2011 #
6 PM
trail running 21:19 1.43 mi (14:55 / mi) +745ft 9:59 / mi
ahr:132 max:149 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
At Northfield, up to the top of the hill. Ran most of the way, walked a short section above the shaft midway.
Got to the start of the O' course. The inclination was to wait around a while, rest a little, put off the plunging into the rather crappy forest (this time of year), but the mosquitos were active, so I got going pretty quickly.
Got to the start of the O' course. The inclination was to wait around a while, rest a little, put off the plunging into the rather crappy forest (this time of year), but the mosquitos were active, so I got going pretty quickly.
orienteering 1:03:01 3.08 mi (20:28 / mi) +413ft 18:09 / mi
rhr:50 weight:136lbs shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Hanging streamers for Ken, Phil, and Ali. A bit of a challenge since (1) I had them starting pretty soon after me, and (2) I had my doubts about the suitability of some of the points, or if not the suitability, at least they seemed hard to be sure you were right without taking more time than I figured I would have.
Ali's route, I'll post mine in the morning.
The first couple were fine, then botched 3, in all honesty not sure where I hung the streamer. Usually at the very least you check a point from two directions, with the simplest and most efficient being that things match on the way in and things also match on the way out. Well, things were questionable on the way in, and ditto on the way out, so I'd say the odds of it being right were slim. I check out three different small knolls, none seemed quite right, left it at one of them. Not too cool....
4 was OK, didn't know where I was on the way there but things made sense at the last moment. 5 I was off just a touch at the end but figured it out nicely. 6, well, another one I can't say it was right, seemed like a way too vague point for a control, but since I assumed they were right behind me, hung it and moved on.
7 and 8, I took a little extra care to check them, I'm sure they were right, and then 9 to 11 were easy.
Good training, wish I hadn't disgraced myself....
896/1000
Ali's route, I'll post mine in the morning.
The first couple were fine, then botched 3, in all honesty not sure where I hung the streamer. Usually at the very least you check a point from two directions, with the simplest and most efficient being that things match on the way in and things also match on the way out. Well, things were questionable on the way in, and ditto on the way out, so I'd say the odds of it being right were slim. I check out three different small knolls, none seemed quite right, left it at one of them. Not too cool....
4 was OK, didn't know where I was on the way there but things made sense at the last moment. 5 I was off just a touch at the end but figured it out nicely. 6, well, another one I can't say it was right, seemed like a way too vague point for a control, but since I assumed they were right behind me, hung it and moved on.
7 and 8, I took a little extra care to check them, I'm sure they were right, and then 9 to 11 were easy.
Good training, wish I hadn't disgraced myself....
896/1000
Wednesday Jul 13, 2011 #
Note
Spent the middle of the day on a quite hilly walk with Mike Fritz at Okemo, exceedingly pleasant (nice course, nice company, nice day, and my game at times was not so bad). Been playing a fair bit this year, by design, I'm not getting any younger and as with running and orienteering, there's the sense that I best do it while I still can. So not even any guilt about spending time on a useless pastime, or even three useless pastimes.
Now Clark says I should log my golf on AP. That's seem a bit much. Carrying the clubs for 4 or 5 miles on a hot day is definitely exercise, though I really think it only relevant for ultra or rogaine training, where just being on your feet for a lot of hours is useful. So maybe I should log the days I hoof it around 36, as that much certainly tires me out.
And meanwhile, for Clark, I already post my scores, same place lots of golfers do. Though he can't seem to find it. :-)
Maybe it's time for another hint, though I don't know if his eyes are good enough....
Now Clark says I should log my golf on AP. That's seem a bit much. Carrying the clubs for 4 or 5 miles on a hot day is definitely exercise, though I really think it only relevant for ultra or rogaine training, where just being on your feet for a lot of hours is useful. So maybe I should log the days I hoof it around 36, as that much certainly tires me out.
And meanwhile, for Clark, I already post my scores, same place lots of golfers do. Though he can't seem to find it. :-)
Maybe it's time for another hint, though I don't know if his eyes are good enough....
6 PM
trail running 10:47 1.02 mi (10:34 / mi) +154ft 9:15 / mi
ahr:123 max:143 weight:136.5lbs shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Warm-up, all served to check out conditions on the part of the course that is always wet. And still is.
trail running 23:04 3.1 mi (7:26 / mi) +295ft 6:50 / mi
ahr:160 max:173 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
5K XC at Forest Park in Springfield. Semi-satisfied. Did 22:16 two years ago so this is clearly worse. Somewhat worse is to be expected, but I hoped it wouldn't be so much. On the other hand, good enough to claim the age-66 record, old mark was 23:19.
I certainly put out a good effort, couldn't have gone any faster. And as usual it hurt the whole way. So I was somewhat surprised to hear Charlie comment after the race as to how pleasant it had been. Certainly not the adjective I would have used.
What was pleasant was the hanging around after, and then the mellow drive home, the hard work done. That always feels good.
I certainly put out a good effort, couldn't have gone any faster. And as usual it hurt the whole way. So I was somewhat surprised to hear Charlie comment after the race as to how pleasant it had been. Certainly not the adjective I would have used.
What was pleasant was the hanging around after, and then the mellow drive home, the hard work done. That always feels good.
Tuesday Jul 12, 2011 #
9 AM
trail running 55:06 6.74 mi (8:11 / mi) +223ft 7:56 / mi
ahr:148 max:168 rhr:54 weight:135.5lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Up along the river. Warm (low 80s) and humid (dew point about 70), seemed like a lot of work for a flat run. But at least it is done.
C • FP 19
Saturday Jul 9, 2011 #
8 AM
trail running 35:50 3.88 mi (9:14 / mi) +584ft 8:05 / mi
ahr:129 max:159 shoes: pegasus #2
In Litchfield, included 3 x Gallows Lane. Took a bit to get motivated, but once I got going it was fine.
11 AM
biking 54:34 14.64 mi (3:44 / mi) +653ft 3:35 / mi
ahr:124 max:148
To the farm stand in Morris to see if they had corn yet (they did), then to the cheese shop for a little addition to the lunch menu. Pleasant and breezy.
305 seemed to be taking a holiday from reality, after a few miles it was showing about half a mile less distance than the bike computer, and the track on the Rt. 61 portion is quite imaginative. But since it still gives the distance covered to the nearest hndredth it must be accurate, right....
305 seemed to be taking a holiday from reality, after a few miles it was showing about half a mile less distance than the bike computer, and the track on the Rt. 61 portion is quite imaginative. But since it still gives the distance covered to the nearest hndredth it must be accurate, right....
Friday Jul 8, 2011 #
6 AM
road running 43:26 5.02 mi (8:39 / mi) +633ft 7:44 / mi
ahr:134 max:164 shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills, plus the usual time afterwards at Amherst Coffee, a group of about 8 this time, very sociable. Will have to keep doing this.
And I think I will have to race a little next week, maybe a couple of the local 5K XC races. To see what sort of shape I'm in.
And I think I will have to race a little next week, maybe a couple of the local 5K XC races. To see what sort of shape I'm in.
Thursday Jul 7, 2011 #
Note
For anyone who happens to see this, and be interested, there will be sprint training at UMass this afternoon at 5:30 pm. Contact me before 4 pm if you want to come so I have a map for you, and you know where to come.
11 AM
biking 49:39 13.59 mi (3:39 / mi) +292ft 3:35 / mi
ahr:115 max:136 rhr:52 weight:135.5lbs
South Deerfield and Whately, modest effort. Nice day out, a little breezy.
5 PM
trail running 6:57 0.7 mi (9:55 / mi) +3ft 9:53 / mi
ahr:123 max:155 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
A little war-op before the sprint. Actually did a lot of good. Legs felt totally dead, but a little running and then a little time to relax, and in the sprint they felt OK.
orienteering 20:30 2.17 mi (9:27 / mi) +371ft 8:08 / mi
ahr:155 max:173 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Sprint training at UMass. The course was going to be the first course we did there last fall, set by Alex or Greg, the event called SSDTAAR (Super Secret Don't Tell Ali Alex Run), because Alex was injured and wasn't supposed to run, but obviously did.
But the map Alex sent me was cropped so it didn't include a couple of controls. So I used the same beginning, S-6, and the same end, 16-F, and made up a different middle, including what I'll call an Ali loop, which is to send her (and the rest of us) up the steepest available hill to see if she can run it. Which, of course, she does. And no one else.
But it was good training, got to keep focus and a clear head even when the heart is pounding. And all you need is a map, don't need controls, or much organization, or even permission.... :-)
885/1000
But the map Alex sent me was cropped so it didn't include a couple of controls. So I used the same beginning, S-6, and the same end, 16-F, and made up a different middle, including what I'll call an Ali loop, which is to send her (and the rest of us) up the steepest available hill to see if she can run it. Which, of course, she does. And no one else.
But it was good training, got to keep focus and a clear head even when the heart is pounding. And all you need is a map, don't need controls, or much organization, or even permission.... :-)
885/1000
Wednesday Jul 6, 2011 #
6 AM
road running 44:15 5.0 mi (8:51 / mi) +636ft 7:54 / mi
ahr:132 max:162 weight:135lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills with Dave, also a couple others from his group. So nice to get it done early in the day. And then sitting out on the sidewalk at Amherst Coffee shooting the breeze for almost another hour, no one in any hurry to get to work.
Tuesday Jul 5, 2011 #
8 AM
biking 1:33:32 25.76 mi (3:38 / mi) +853ft 3:31 / mi
ahr:122 max:143
Back roads in the valley, a few hills but none very long. Nice to get out before it gets too out. Legs felt OK, though perhaps because I wasn't pushing it.
Monday Jul 4, 2011 #
Note
Keep forgetting to update the control count, now 861/1000. Have only 5 races scheduled before 8/10, so I guess I will have to do some training.
Got my entry in for the NY events at the last moment for the lower fees. Seems I have signed up for Green at the Classic Champs, Blue for the Middle and Long at Buffalo, and Brown for the sprint at Buffalo.
M60 for the Classic Champs sort of makes sense. M65 has too little competition, M45 a little too much. I thought of M55 since recently that seems to been been grouped with M50 while excluding M60 to a different course. But they haven't said how the classes will be distributed. So, by default, M60 it was.
For Buffalo, it was time to have a little fun. So far this year at A meets I've run 3 days on Green (West Point) and 5 days on Red (Team Trials and Western PA). Coming up in the fall will be the Boulder Dash and the SML Champs Boston, and that's probably it for me. So why not go for, well, what's the word for one more than a trifecta, Quadfecta? Meaning, why not get ranked on 4 courses this year? Red is done. The Classic will take care of Green. I can run Blue at the Boulder Dash, it will be nice to see a lot of a park that had the first color O' map in New England but that we haven't been to in decades. And then mellow out on Brown at the SML.
All quite foolish, but I think, to make a sweeping generalization, that life is better with a little foolishness.
Got my entry in for the NY events at the last moment for the lower fees. Seems I have signed up for Green at the Classic Champs, Blue for the Middle and Long at Buffalo, and Brown for the sprint at Buffalo.
M60 for the Classic Champs sort of makes sense. M65 has too little competition, M45 a little too much. I thought of M55 since recently that seems to been been grouped with M50 while excluding M60 to a different course. But they haven't said how the classes will be distributed. So, by default, M60 it was.
For Buffalo, it was time to have a little fun. So far this year at A meets I've run 3 days on Green (West Point) and 5 days on Red (Team Trials and Western PA). Coming up in the fall will be the Boulder Dash and the SML Champs Boston, and that's probably it for me. So why not go for, well, what's the word for one more than a trifecta, Quadfecta? Meaning, why not get ranked on 4 courses this year? Red is done. The Classic will take care of Green. I can run Blue at the Boulder Dash, it will be nice to see a lot of a park that had the first color O' map in New England but that we haven't been to in decades. And then mellow out on Brown at the SML.
All quite foolish, but I think, to make a sweeping generalization, that life is better with a little foolishness.
10 AM
trail running 50:28 4.86 mi (10:23 / mi) +715ft 9:07 / mi
ahr:131 max:151 shoes: pegasus #2
At Kennedy Park in Lenox, around and about. I didn't have a map, but there were maps posted at a few intersections, so every once in a while I'd stop and see where I'd been and where I might want to go. My map memory is pretty worthless (I can remember well after I've been someplace, but not before).
It would be a fine place to make an O' map.
It would be a fine place to make an O' map.
C • JT? 4
Sunday Jul 3, 2011 #
1 PM
road running 45:20 5.27 mi (8:36 / mi) +636ft 7:43 / mi
ahr:143 max:168 weight:135.5lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Over to and up South Sugarloaf, and back. A good hard effort. Up in 9:05, best I've done in quite some time. Must be the early morning hill workouts....
Looking at the results from WMOC, wishing I was there, but it didn't work out. Maybe another year.
Looking at the results from WMOC, wishing I was there, but it didn't work out. Maybe another year.
Saturday Jul 2, 2011 #
Note
Had my annual physical a few days. Nothing surprising, which is always good. And a blood test, from which I just got the results.
A year ago I was complaining about feeling tired and the blood test then showed that I was somewhat anemic --
Hemoglobin 12.1 (normal range is 13.0 to 17.0)
Hematocrit 37.4 (40.0-51.0)
RBC 4.10 (4.5-5.5)
Ferrtin 25 (30-400)
The ferritin (reflects body's store of iron) was low enough that the doc said he wanted me to see a GI guy to stick something down my throat, or up my rear, or both, to check that there was no bleeding. His office would set it up, he said. Well, they forgot, and I wasn't really eager, so it never happened. But I started taking my multi-vitamin/mineral regularly, plus an iron supplement. And after a while I seemed to be less tired.
I was quite curious about this year's numbers. And they were certainly better --
Hemoglobin 13.4
Hematocrit 40.5
RBC 4.38
Ferritin 46
The doc seemed satisfied. And I will keep taking the extra iron.
A year ago I was complaining about feeling tired and the blood test then showed that I was somewhat anemic --
Hemoglobin 12.1 (normal range is 13.0 to 17.0)
Hematocrit 37.4 (40.0-51.0)
RBC 4.10 (4.5-5.5)
Ferrtin 25 (30-400)
The ferritin (reflects body's store of iron) was low enough that the doc said he wanted me to see a GI guy to stick something down my throat, or up my rear, or both, to check that there was no bleeding. His office would set it up, he said. Well, they forgot, and I wasn't really eager, so it never happened. But I started taking my multi-vitamin/mineral regularly, plus an iron supplement. And after a while I seemed to be less tired.
I was quite curious about this year's numbers. And they were certainly better --
Hemoglobin 13.4
Hematocrit 40.5
RBC 4.38
Ferritin 46
The doc seemed satisfied. And I will keep taking the extra iron.
9 AM
biking 1:27:56 23.29 mi (3:47 / mi) +1155ft 3:36 / mi
ahr:122 max:147 rhr:50 weight:135.5lbs
Nice morning ride to Whately and Conway, though the bridge on the Whately-Haydenville road is closed for repairs and there is a bit of a dirt road detour (short-cut in this case). Legs felt OK.
Friday Jul 1, 2011 #
6 AM
road running 44:42 5.02 mi (8:54 / mi) +643ft 7:57 / mi
ahr:132 max:162 weight:135.5lbs shoes: pegasus #2
Amity hills with Dave.