Training Log Archive: Bender

Started out strong with only one significant error in the first dozen controls (which was more than 2/3rds the distance of the course), but after Mike Smith past me everything fell apart. My brain seemed to shut off thinking I only had a bunch of short legs left and would be done soon. Of course this was death and every short leg seem so frustrating (especially the butterfly). My goal of 1:45:00 was shot and every time I told myself to focus more... I seem to loose more focus. Eventually I conseeded to simply going under 2hrs, but unfortunately I had started my watch late and of course when I crossed the line I was just over my adjusted goal.

Still... pleased with my improvements in long distance events and orienteering in general since January.

Course 8 - Long - Splits

Event: Sage Stomp
 

Warmup and Cooldown with PI and Shadow.

Retained the majority of my error-time to one leg (control #4 to #5) ...which was a realy mess, but quick to relocate. Very hilly and all the strength training in Ontario over the winter did me well.

Had a good race from the second last control with tNipen.

Course 8 - Middle - Splits

Attempt unsuccessfully to locate theShadow and Yukon gang for a training session today. Eventually after driving up too many wrong logging roads and being well late of the agreed upon meeting time gave up and returned to Kenna Cartwright Park for another run. through in some gentle hills, but taking it easy in order to rest up for tomorrow's middle distance race.

Slept off the side of the highway last night in Banff, only to wake up 4hrs later almost completely boxed in by big rigs. But managed to get out and a make it to Kamloops by early afternoon.

Stretched the legs with a gentle run in Kenna Cartwright Park. Yikes.... BC's got mountains... how could I forget. Tried to stay on flat as much as possible, but rather hard in the Kamloops area.

Wow... are the prairies ever flat!!!! I've driven across Canada several times already, but never stopped in Saskatchewan for a run before. Pulled of the TransCanada after another 24hrs of straight driving. Felt the excessive amounts of coffee and M&M's, but without them I wouldn't be making such good time. Oh yeah... no trees so one scoarcher out there under the prairie sun.

Found a logging road off the TransCanada highway somewhere between Thunderbay and Kenora (Graham Rd) and gave Superfly George his first real run since departing Southern Ontario.

No reason to stop TNT while on the road...

4 x 3min "on" + 1min "off"
2min rest
3 x 3min "on" + 1min "off"

Got a few curious looks from truck operators hauling up and down the remote road, but generally just a wave and a smile.

Start of the long drive into the west. Made it to the Sault for dinner and was somewhere just past Wawa around midnight. Eventually had to pull over in Terrace Bay around 4am when I arrived in town to find out there was no 24hr Husky station and I was almost out of gas. Rather than risking the push onto the next town without enough gas slept in the cab until 8am when the town's gas station finally openned... then was back on the road again.

Hammer and NevMonster: you'll both be glad to know that the Gordon L. "Fitzgerald" was playing nice and loud along the north shore of Superior in the wee hours of the morning. I joined in singing, but I think Superfly-George was upset with my singing as he retreated to the back of the cab and burried his head into some of my bags.