Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Slow run. I figured I was tired, it was rainy, it was cold. I got out and found out none of those were true. (ok, legs were a bit tired from the weekend), but I had already given myself a break and so got a bit of a rest day. I used it to do a little bit of pace counting, something I've never really done but might work on this winter. I am terrible at perceiving distances in terrain. I know I still have a lot of other things to work on, but it was kind of peaceful just counting, and there have been times I wish I had that skill. I measured 3 half mile segments, and they were consistent within 10 paces or so. On flat road. But it's a start.

I was feeling so good about this race for the first 9 controls or so. Pieces were beginning to fall in place, I could finally "see" the map, and it actually matched the terrain, and I was running slow but confident....and I thought.... "aha! just like that, it is all becoming clear to me!! I get it!" And then it all fell apart for me, and my head starting spinning like Linda Blair's in the exorcist.
On some of the short legs, 10 and 11, I had to go back to the previous control I was so confused. Nothing was lining up anymore.
Good thing I saw Pete and Biz at one of these, or I would have had to get back to get my headlamp just to finish the course.
(On the plus side, at least I could FIND my previous controls, so I see that as a positive development).
After my double double-backs, I sloowwwed down and was okay on most of the rest. But my confidence was shot and my "zone" had flown off the map. And then 17 and F were ok.
Looking at the map afterwards, it's just so clear. What a terrain change after 9, much more confusing, much more dense and more tangled features.
I certainly should have switched to a different strategy or at least slowed down or at least noticed that something different was going on!
I am going to study my map tonight. Picture the terrain. And wish I had another shot at it! I so enjoyed the weekend and the multiple courses. Can't wait for next year.
I'm very impressed with all of you who make it look so easy.

Red - Splits

Event: MNOC Camp Ripley Fall Orienteering weekend
 

I really like the way the Ripley weekend was set up. With a sprint, followed by middle, Night-O and regular courses.
Sprint: 1:5000 scale, short distance, easier control location, great introduction back to the map and the terrain and a good way to get my mind back. I also happened to mp. Not once, but twice!!! I believe on 5, I might have folded my map and then forgotten which control I was on, and on 10, I was just looking towards the finish. The first few controls were as planned, slow, paying attention... but then I started having so much fun and my plan was out the window and I started speeding up and got sloppy....lack of discipline? or just having too much fun? probably both.

It was a cold and rainy night........ more later.

I was totally looking forward to Ripley this year; last year this was my introduction to "real" orienteering... meaning that I first realized it was more than aiming at the direction of a control and hoping for the best. And, it was also the first really challenging terrain that I had seen, with a lack of trails and a real NEED to do more than just point and shoot.
I also recall the excitement of the whole event and yet the complete confusion and I was very curious to see how I had improved, since the experience still seems vivid and so it seemed like a great baseline.

And of course, this was the event where I got to meet a good bit of the MNOC team beyond very short conversations at start/finish of local events. What a pleasant surprise that a sport that has individuals running in the woods in remote locations can be so sociable! Cookout, barracks, Molly's game.... all great memories from last year that were great again this time.

Middle - Splits

I took Alice and Rita for a hike through the back woods. They were going to be spending the weekend alone while I got to go to Ripley, so this was their time out for some fun and attention.
All the itchweed and foliage is gone and it's a perfect time to assess my terrain route and see if it can be expanded from its single out and back track to perhaps a loop along each side of the creek. The terrain has some quirky banks and spurs and deadfall areas that might make this a bit tricky, but I think it can be done.

I have chest congestion due to my cold, so I took it easy on this warm(ish) October eve. I like the smell of the leaves and the crunch crunch.