Training Log Archive: Fanatic

It was too nice a day, despite the high winds, to not go for a short run in Kennedy Park. But as I soon learned, I was probably overly optimistic to think that I could run after yesterday's 3 1/2 hours of orienteering.

So I decided to do a run-walk instead, running a mile, then walking a mile, etc. In my second mile, I tripped and crashed hard, with no major damage done, just a raspberry on my forearm, but it told me that I was either not concentrating, or so tired that I wasn't picking my feet up.

So I abandoned the run-one, walk-one idea and ran/walked as I felt like it. it was nice to get out since I planned to spend the rest of the afternoon watching the Patriots game. :-)

C • Patriots game 2

Event: EMPO - Wakpominee Scout Reservation
 

EMPO's Club Championships at Wakpominee Scout Reservation.

The weather was just about perfect for the meet--mid-40s F and no rain, nor any snow either.

For me, this map was very hard to read, partly due to my eyesight and partly due to the intricate detail that was mapped. And, there were tons of rock features, which I always struggle with. Fortunately, Frank Boscoe set a course that didn't visit the really steep, rocky terrain too often, so while I had trouble with about three controls, there was no major time lost on any one.

I offered to pick up some controls after my run and Frank suggested that I might like to pick up three that were on the red course, so I could see what I missed. Sounded like a good idea, except that I probably should have spent some time rehydrating and refueling before heading out.

To make a long story short, I could not find the first two controls and barely found the third one. I headed back to the start to drop off the control I did find and then I drank a lot and took a gel before heading back out for my second try. I chose a reverse route so that I could try tackling the two controls from different attack points.

Worked like a charm on the first control, not so hot on the second one, where I wandered around a bit before getting lucky.

I think Frank was delighted to see me finally get back. ;-)

Before-dinner walk on the condo grounds, with a little bushwhacking.

The hamstring felt better, so I will do the EMPO meet tomorrow.

A number of events seem to have coalesced starting this week that just seemed to make today's run just not as enjoyable as they usually are. First, I did the Hairy Gorilla Half Marathon on Sunday and I must have slightly strained my right hamstring. Second, my trip to the dentist which went well, but involved some stitches, meant that I shouldn't run for a couple of days. And, finally, I noticed some pain in my right heel while walking or running; a closer inspection showed some deep cracks in the callused, dry skin and they were deep enough to hurt.

So, with all those weighing on my body/mind, today's run was a struggle just to get it done. The hamstring hurt a bit, the heel hurt a bit and I had only a small bit of energy. :-)

Other than that, it was a nice day for a run.

C • It's the time of year for d... 3

Before-dinner walk in the rain, but not out to the cows--I headed south on East Street for a change and then back to the condo after a mile. Grossly overdressed and was sweating away at the end--ended up just as wet as I would have been had I been running without a rain jacket.

After-dinner walk with Colette to the cows and back. I was hoping to run today, but some dental surgery this morning put that out of the question. The good part is that the surgery went well and there's no pain from it.

C • Well... 2

After-dinner walk with Colette up Golden Hill and then down to Lenoxdale before returning to the condo. We had hoped to see the new brown cows that had been grazing on the recently purchased land on Golden Hill, but they were not to be seen. We now have two possible after-dinner cow options: brown or black cows.