Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

Toddp would have had more luck if he sent a Roomba vacuum out to Standing Cedars to retrieve the flagging tape from the OTNT event.

I just had a sorry time navigating on the map. I used his "set" Purple Pen course, which should have put the entire effort at a little over 10K (point to point), and there were 18 flags to retrieve. I started on the North controls... I only found two. =(
First one was straightforward; second one gave me a lot of trouble and I had to relocate a few different times! And then I still never found it, although I ended up in the same exact spot at least four times so at least I was consistent.
Third one was just a small overshoot; I went to the right spot but what a GREAT location ... very nice little re-entrant not looking at all like I expected so I ran right by it and had to come quite a ways back. And then an amazingly steep steep steep climb back up the river bluff.

Fourth control finally killed me. Again, I tried to relocate, tried a number of different re-entrants and absolutely couldn't find it.
By now, I was tired, thirsty, hungry.... perfect victim for the very large coyote I saw wandering around. I was SO glad to have Alice with me. But it reinforced my deciison to just come back another day.

Sorry about that Todd; I may be able to come out during the week this week or next; my weekends are booked until April 17.

Not sure what went so wrong today. USGS map is part of it, I think. I was trying to do the right stuff. did a lot of thinking of what I was seeing, strategized routes and handrails, looked for "big" features. Didn't really have catching features. And what was going on in my head just didn't match reality.

Next time, I think I'll start on the South controls. They're much closer together. The 1km+ between the North ones, along with the difficulty in map reading was a hard way to start.

What was good about today:
Weather was warm, Standing Cedars is awesome. Got a good workout, and enjoyed the early running through the woods part. Lots of hill climbing is another thing I need right now. Alice finally got to be outside with me for a longer run; she's had a rough winter with my AT rest and cross-training.

Event: MNOC Orienteering Skill Development Clinic
 

Did Pete set all of these? They were fun and definitely helped with developing skills so thank you!

Memory- 0 (I think this was a 1.2 K course? Don't remember. haha) only 4 controls but a good exercise and really made me pay attention to the map and what I would expect to see on the way and then at a control. I took my time at the maps, but the run between controls was then very easy.

Contours Only - 2K? Last year this one gave me some trouble so I was eager to try again. This year was it went much easier... I'm hoping that is proof of some improvement.

Window-O 2K Andrei suggested that this was a "good one" and it really was; definitely the exercise where i had the most problems. What a good way to learn how to pay especially careful attention to what I'll see as I get near a control. On the third control, I actually gave up and decided to try to head back, So I took off down a trail which seemed to head in mostly the right direction, and was thrilled (yes - strong word but true) thrilled to suddenly see my "window" - not the control, but my exact little pond and contours JUST as I had imagined it so I ran down there, and sure enough- the control was there. What an interesting thing... to realize that maybe I'm finally have the capability of recognizing features like I might recognize a familiar face.

then, a little warm-up prior to Sprint

Felt comfortable with the controls, and for the first time I will have to say that my major problem was conditioning. Snow/hills were beginning to wear on me even in this short distance. I hope to be able to work on increasing distance/intensity in my workouts over the next couple of months.
I did have an error on one of the controls (will look up number later) where I was doing just great but then was distracted by an imposter nearby. Others.. all good. Yes, I know they're supposed to be easy 'cause it's a sprint. But I didn't get flustered and turned around or have map issues, like I did last year at this Sprint.

Sprint - Splits

After trying all week (it seems) I finally made it out! Yay!
Great sunny day. I was pretty slow, I've been feeling quite fatigued all week despite getting plenty of sleep. So I just took it easy, enjoyed myself, was careful, made notes, etc.

I was planning on flagging Tamarack.
But my car was safely tucked away in a snowbank. So I walked to Mark's house to borrow his SmartCar. (He lives a mile away). Unfortunately, I couldn't get the SmartCar up the slight incline from his garage to road, even after trying the suggestion of "just get a running start in the garage and then floor it as you turn up the driveway". Yes... SmartCar is small enough that it's possible to get a running start and still be in the garage! But not good in snow.
After giving up, just walked back home.
Thought I'd go out for a jog later but never really felt up for it.

Rest day, so I exercised my horse and came up with a great way to get my daughter into orienteering- Horse Orienteering! I would run, she could ride. I've exchanged emails with the MN chapter in the past. But I just looked up their web site, and it's not at all like orienteering.
They say they like to call it "the thinking horse sport" but that's a dumb slogan, since they admit it's part luck and the horse really isn't doing the thinking! Plus, I bet their maps are crap.
I did like their picture of a "quarter" horse though.