Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

Event: 2008 UNO Club Championships - Beaver Brook -- Brown Lane Barn,
 

Wendy decided that I should be the one to take the early shift with house-training the new puppy (even though I also took the late shift), so I was up at 5:30 AM making sure Piper didn't soil her crate. She played a bit with Fonzie, but didn't appear tired enough to go back in the crate, so I decided to take both dogs out for an early run in the woods as a warm-up for the Beaver Brook event. Piper again was resistent at the start, but then seemed to get enthused, and we had a good run after the first 10 min. Perhaps the lack of other people/dogs at this hour was helpful. Fonzie again was slow, but he kept chugging along close enough to minimize the periods of waiting.

UNO Club Championships at Beaver Brook. Started 2 min behind Ernst (after advising the junior starter that 1 min intervals were generally frowned upon, even though it was not going to make a difference given the competition ahead). Was then quite surprised to see Ernst punching #1 when I got there. Weather was fine mist which appeared to wreck havoc with Ernst's glasses. In any case, had quite clean run for first ten controls, continuing to see Ernst frequently, although often choosing different routes. Was still with Ernst at water stop #11, before having my one real bobble, when I overran #12 which was on a small knoll on a spur, perhaps due to the fact that I was looking intently for a depression. Struggled through the next three controls tentatively but acceptably in the very technical area of the map where I had become so thoroughly lost on Day 2 of the A-Meet that I had questioned the sanity of my continuing in the sport. I was helped somewhat by missing #14 serendipitously in the vicinity of #11 which allowed me to correct without too much loss of time. Rest of race was solid but a bit slow as I tired. I also would have felt better if I had nailed the Go control or avoided running the wrong way when I hit the trail on the run in. The loss in time was not too significant, but the blow to the ego was notable.

Ross was leader in the clubhouse at 74 min. I am duly impressed. Ernst wound up 4 min ahead, while JJ was 9 min in front. All in all, I was happy with the effort. Now if I can only find a way to keep up the pace for another 4.5 km by next week, I should be ready for the Traverse.

Details of run to follow in Comments.

C • Did you ck the blue length?... 4

Blue - Splits

Another trip to the Needham Town Forest with the dogs, but this one was somewhat less satisfying. Piper spent much of the first half of the walk sitting or pulling back on the leash. It didn't appear related to the need to relieve herself, either. Perhaps she was trying to wait for Fonzie, who seemed slower as well on the second consecutive day. We all appear to have some work to be done to get back in shape.

Introduction to woods for new puppy Piper, a Puerto Rican mixed breed obtained from the Buddy Dog Shelter in Sudbury. I had no idea people were importing dogs from Puerto Rico for adoption. I any case have had her for the last 3 days, and she seems to be fitting in nicely. It was so uplifting to watch Fonzie and Piper chase each other about and wrestle in the back yard, as Fonzie has been visibly depressed since Sydney died in late August. As a family, we had been divided about whether we were sufficiently through the grieving process to justify another dog, and the deciding factor was our concern about Fonzie's state of mental health. The sight of them playing together removed the last doubts from the skeptics.

Piper was confined to the leash, as I am not at all confident in her willingness to stay close, as well as in my ability to run her down if she decides to make a break for it. She was fairly willing to run along with me, although often tangling her legs in the leash. Fonzie tried to keep pace, but he has certainly become deconditioned in the last year (not to mention five pounds heavier.)

Event: NEOC: Breakheart Reservation
 

Beaver Brook Run from horse barn. Unable to find anyone else to take Kyra to riding, so unable to go to Breakheart Reservation. Tried to compensate by running hard on road loop from barn. Solid effort approaching 7:30/mi and good enough to improve my PR by almost 1:00, although it must be recognized that the other 2-3 times I have run the loop took place in extremely humid conditions. Nevertheless, my best times for > 3 mi road courses have been in the 7:15 range, so I can't complain about the performance. Splits were 8:18/7:15/7:24/8:10.