Training Log Archive: Bash

Photos added. Credits to 'Bent and Tammy.

Today was the Bolton Fall 50 - Coach LD's annual multisport birthday party! 'Bent and I started by riding over to the Pinets' place in Reddington. The ground was white when we left, and so was the van with our canoe tied on top.



Half a dozen large trees came down in the wind storm this week so there's some major bike wrestling required to get into Palgrave Forest from our place.

This GPS track shows our entire day with all the different sports.

All the partiers met in the Pinets' garage at 8:30 am. Coach LD had ridden from Bolton since the birthday girl didn't want her celebration sullied by driving. Rob Pinet stayed behind and prepared aid station snacks. Tammy Pinet and her mother Margo, Mike & Chris Huet, Kevin & Gunda Gross, Goose & Coach LD, and 'Bent & I went for a hike around Palgrave Forest. At 80 years old, Margo is an amazing hiker! The forest was beautiful - like an impressionist painting with yellow leaves scattered all over the ground. It was chilly but we were dressed warmly.

After some yummy snacks at the Pinets' place, most of us hit the rail trail for a ride to Tottenham - Coach LD, Goose, Tammy, Kevin, Chris, 'Bent and me.



It was chilly but the wind was coming from the side so it wasn't too bad. We met Bob, Hermes and Hank at the Cedar Kitchen, where most of us enjoyed all-day breakfast for lunch. Our bikes were outside the restaurant window where we could watch them. Unfortunately, one bike tipped onto the road. Tammy ran to get it but Goose's helmet got loose and was run over by a car. It was impressive to see that some of the helmet's structure survived! He looked pretty silly wearing it on the way home. :)



It was great to catch up with the Millers, and soon we were back on our bikes returning to Palgrave on the rail trail, this time heading into more wind. 'Bent, Tammy and I peeled off to head to our respective homes. 'Bent and I let the dogs out and drove down to the Duffy's Lane parking lot with our canoe to meet Coach LD, Goose, Kevin and Chris, whose canoes had been left there this morning.

For the grand finale, we paddled the Humber River from Duffy's Lane to the Doughtys' place. The time and distance includes part of the long portage from the parking lot. Paddling conditions were pretty good for November although a bad line early on forced me to get soaked up to my knees in frigid water so I wasn't super comfortable in spite of dressing warmly. We saw half a dozen deer including an impressive buck. We had to get out and drag our canoes through the weeds to get around a few obstacles but mostly we paddled through shallow moving water with occasional "thread the needle" moves around fallen trees. Chilly but it was a nice wilderness view of Bolton.

While the paddlers were being revived by hot showers, the other guests arrived for the birthday feast. It was a great day. Happy Birthday, Coach LD!

It's been 2 years since my last real orienteering race and the rust showed. I began running to the start and soon realized I would be unhappy racing without gloves. Back to the car. Now I felt short of time so as I ran, I visualized what I would do at the start. That's when I remembered the control description holder. Back to the car. By this point, I had to run the entire way to the start to get there on time. So at least I was nicely warmed up on a chilly day.

Since I'm out of practice with the start line routine, I forgot to turn on my Ambit for either race so my distances are guesses. Boo.

Ontario Orienteering Championships
Middle Distance
Arkell Hills
Victoria Park Valley Golf Course - HQ

Arkell Hills is complex terrain - a really fun area to orienteer. I expected that today's Middle would be tough as I became familiar with the new map. If I were racing tomorrow's Long race as well, I'd feel more comfortable but today was my one chance.

Under the circumstances, things went pretty well. I seldom chose the perfect line but I was usually close, and I raced in control. After using terrain features and rough compass for the first two controls, I switched to precise bearings for a while. That fell apart on the way to #12 where I was expecting to cross a trail that I didn't see. I apparently forgot about bearing and pace count, and drifted way over, even joining other orienteers who were looking down at #13. Then I gave my head a shake and got to the right place using the view of the golf course through the trees.

It was a fun course and an excellent map. I won my category although I'm sure that wouldn't have happened if Marketa Graham had run in her new age group with me. It was great to see so many friends afterward.

Ontario Orienteering Championships
Sprint
University of Guelph Arboretum

I would describe this race as Excited Labrador Puppy Orienteering.

"Look how flat it is! I can run really, really fast compared to this morning! Hey, Chad is just ahead! I should run fast like Chad! This terrain isn't difficult at all! Except where is #1? Hmm... that's someone else's control. Uh oh... Uh oh... OK, got it - phew! Now I can run fast to #2! That worked just fine! Now I'll run fast to #3! Oh crap, it's not there. I'm just guessing now. Nope, that's not my flag. I'll run back to where I came from. Arggh."

It was a great map if I'd taken the time to read it. I got caught up in the "OMG it's a sprint so I need to run hard" mentality but it would have been smart to just stop and think once in a while. Luckily, my method didn't fail all the time. It looked like I was going to finish 2nd to Anne Teutsch, which is totally fine by me.

Canadiana near the Bruce Trail above Hamilton

Foothab and balance while the oatmeal cooked.

It was dreary with pouring rain so I caught up on some Youtube videos on the treadmill. I haven't missed the treadmill but I have missed Jamil Coury's Mountain Outhouse News from the running world.

Foothab, balance and leg strength.

Foothab and balance. I hope this is doing as much good for Super's sore foot as it is for mine.

AdventureDog and I went for a brisk forest hike with a friend who has been dealing with cancer. Spectacular sunshine, autumn leaves (many of them on the ground), and good/tough conversation.

Short run to pick up my car, which now has snow tires and working brakes - a big improvement. Those of you who hate winter will be pleased to know that I've postponed the first snowfall by a month by planning this far ahead.