Training Log Archive: dlevine

Can't believe I went while still so sore, but it did help a bit... even if I did "wimp out" once or twice.

Event: Raccoongaine
 

Raccoongaine. Team Warming House Wanderers (with Jeff Sved - director of the Warming House, an Olean-based soup kitchen where I spend some time)

Jeff had never been orienteering before, so he got to choose among several routes. Ultimately, we went: 101, 103, 144, 134, 119, 127, 129, 128 (114), 138, 140, 147, 150, 145, 139, 130, 141, 125, 121, 102, Finish

The start was good, but we should have crossed the outflow of the pond at 103 and taken the trail to below 144 where there were multiple beaver dams to cross; the crossing S of 144 was brutal. We bobbled 138 a little (pace count off, but we kept going so no real loss) and got to 140 at 2.5 hours in, so we decided to go north. Bobbled 147 a LOT in the jungle; with 20-20 hindsight we nearly spiked it, but the briars directed us away near the flag and we couldn't see anything. Got caught in WAY too much gunk on the first half of the way to 150. In the end, we were a shade over 80 minutes 140-147-150-145 which is too slow. Plans to pick up more at the end were squashed and then knocked out of existence by a bobble on the way to 141. Still all was good. We were pleased with our result.

In retrospect, a better way to (nearly clear the north would be: 101, 103, (possibly 109, but I would skip it), 144, 134, 128, 138, 147, 150, 145, 140, 139, 129, 127, 120, 130, 141, 125, 121, 104, 105, 102. This swaps 119 out to pick up 120, but makes most of the trip north on the road or trail. I t also cuts out three and a half big hills going north while only adding about two and a half big hills on the return. That should be more than enough time to add the distance for 104/105 (including mystery control) resulting in 40 more points for probably less time/work. Live and learn. At that point, one could probably cut in from the road to get 126 as well. We were under too much time pressure (we thought) to do that.

Camel Country course. Wanted to break 35, then wanted to break my PR. With two miles to go, both were in the bag! Seventeenth out of ninety-seven overall; ninth out of thirty-four age group. Still first out of thirteen (by 34 seconds) all-time at the Y. P:225; C:56.

Drifter's Peak course. Wanted to come in under 35 at the least and beat my PR if I could. My ghost caught me at about one mile, but I pushed and opened up on him and ultimately took about twelve seconds off the PR. Great thing about the equinox: was first in the world when I finished (out of two) but now second out of five; only second out of three in my age group! Still hold the record at the Y (out of fourteen), now by 14 seconds. P:228; C:57.