Training Log Archive: mintore

Just a bit of jogging (1 mile) + a bit of moderate running (2 miles).

Event: OCIN Mounds SRA - TROL #12
 

A terrific course by Dave Waller! This park is one of my favorites as there is a reasonable amount of variety and it punishes you if you choose the wrong route. The amount of multiflora rose bite that I have today makes it clear I got punished. I made three significant mistakes: drifted E of #9 while not reading terrain well enough, went up the main reentrant rather than the dry ditch at #12, and most massively went cross country to #13 but up a parallel reentrant to the north. Generally, I felt like I was moving dully. Wtih correcting this error, my lack of sleep during the week caught up with me and I ran out of gas at the 2/3 pt.

OCIN_TROL4-12_Mounds_6_Red - Splits

Event: MVOC / TROL #11 "Valentine Hunt" Possum Creek
 

While I felt a bit run out by the end of this, I had an enjoyable day that was only marred by a couple of vexing controls. After reading Mike's harsh self assessment, maybe I should view my run differently but I don't. As Tom noted, the purple course was pretty flat which lowered the effort level. The thing that raised it was the difficulty in selecting fast, direct lines between controls. I most often opted for straighter lines through rough open that varied between 80% runnable pasture grass to hacked down honeysuckle debris to taller-than-me (6"1') spiky grass with mixed rose bushes for fun (let's say 25% max speed running). Usually, some thinner bands of honeysuckle bordered by roses were added in for variety. The alternative was to take trail routes that seemed too long at the moment. I found controls 4 and 11 difficult. For 4, the top marsh was dry and the bottom marsh was a pond. I started too far south and took too long devining the depression at the S edge of the N marsh. For 11, I found the marsh/beaver pond but when the control didn't appear, self questioning about what was south really started to play in. I think a form line showing the earthbank along the S/E side of the marsh would be a nice addition to the map. Back to the self assessment, I do need to get out and run further more often so I feel more fleet on my feet; I thank Tom for the opportunity to do this at Possum Creek.

Event: OCIN / TROL #10 Armco Park
 

As a new park to me, I only had the vision of the park provided by Google maps. Thanks to Steve Barnhart who set a good clean course. The route difficulty was closer to orange for all but the green section, but this was all the terrain really allowed. Lots of long open runs and attempting to get the best line possible. It was cooler than recent at the start, so I erred on overdressing. I lost my hat 3-4 times to branches which ate into my time (60-90 sec total). I veered badly west into the green approaching control 3 (90 sec error) which was my worst mistake. The last control and the finish were not smooth, as I tried to negotiate the dense edge of the honeysuckle and steep stream banks. Overall, focusing on better map control and catching errors faster seems to be cleaning up my runs. My foot is still improving. Able to walk fine the day after!

OCIN_TROL_4-10_Armco_Red - Splits

Event: OCIN - TROL #9 Sharon Woods
 

OCIN TROL 4-9 Sharon Woods5_Green - Splits

Event: Cabin Fever Rogaine
 

Just a bit of gentle jogging with B to loosen my foot up. Seemed to go well, so I added a double set of weights at the gym. Sweet weather for the start of February!