Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

cooooooooooooooooooold. I was not sure what to wear for the race. I went with two tech shirts, no hat, no gloves.

No start box this weekend, so flip and figure it out. Which took a while, that is a good size sheet of paper!

Finally got going, but some trails were harder to follow, so already on #1 I jumped into the horse camp, then was good to #1. Got close to #2 and luckily found it - again, the big stuff is not too bad, but being accurate to the precise spots was a problem. AP shows an error but I think I was just generally cautious down the hill.

I took a very circuitous route to #4, but no AP error so maybe not too bad.

I took a gel preparing to wash it down at the #5 water stop, but the jugs I tried were frozen so I moved along. :)

Two issues to #7 - one, the horse trail sucked off an IceBug; I need to install some longer laces! Then I went up the correct hill, but managed to miss the pit, realized I overshot it, found the other pit, and then got it. Several minutes (3?) lost there - I should be less optimistic and work from shorter distances, like going through the nearby depression first.

#8 shows as an error, but I did nothing wrong, other than not taking the longer but flatter route. In the heat of battle, I briefly considered that, but ruled it out for some reason. I got an extra hill for my trouble.

Wandered a bit to #9 to avoid climb, probably did lose some time. Saw Damian fly by across wrapping up his Blue course. If I could run with a fraction of his power and conviction!!

I did not see the tiny gap in the impassable cliff by #10, so I went around. Comparable split to Igor, so okay.

#11 was my biggest stuff up of the weekend. I didn't realize it was pretty much on the reentrant / valley junction. Instead I marched way up the hill, close to someone's yard, came back STILL too high, then finally got low and was slightly helped by a Chicago? guy.

#12 I aimed off then tripped over it. Something in following my compass needs work!

#1 in the chute on red. But not overall, those blue folks are fast!

I'm a bit embarrassed by the mistakes. I think Igor's vast experience lets him come in smarter off less recent training. I should commit to some practice immediately before any big meets. Also, I should get thinner and fitter!

But, my ability to be born in the correct year trumps my orienteering, and I scored bronze in the US Champs for M35. woo woo!

QR

C • Wow! IMO, bronze... 1

Long - 9 Red - Splits

Event: Flying Pig XIX - U.S. Individual Champs - Sprint-Middle-Long
 

Warmup at Morehead State University.

Slightly more warmup

Flying Pig Sprint at MSU

The model map was very helpful acclimating since we don't sprint much here in the D.

I intended to go accurately, verify every number, and hopefully not screw up too much.

Sprint is so crazy compared to woods running. You have already passed by a paved area by the time you figure out which one it is! Luckily I didn't run off the map a la Canadian Champs. I did exit #16 without paying enough attention, and the correction was a mistake - I should have committed to the high route or gone low (south), not switched.

I pat myself on the back for not getting caught in potential traps at 18, 20, and 21, but my slower pace no doubt helps.

My most egregious error was not seeing the finish, so I missed any chance at a fastest split by running into the volunteers and having to jump the tape. :(

Very super fun, highly recommend. Igor beats me, but I am fast enough for a silver in M35. Woo woo!

QR

Back to the start

Back to the finish to watch the times and spectate a bit. The bridge control was visible from the finish, so it was fun to watch runners sort it out.

Checked out the Carter Caves model.

In what should have been an open, I was very good at keeping the big stuff sorted, but not so good at hitting the specific points on the large stuff. Overshot the first one I went to. The scenery was fantastic - I would love to come back with Kimberly and hike all over this park.

X Cave tour. I enjoyed it; guide loves caves. I like it when they are passionate about their subject.

Sprint - 9 Red - Splits

Reports are back surgery went well over in Grand Rapids.

Barbara crossing sketchy bridge is outperforming Jens crossing cool swamp log on click rate and cost per click. Still unsure why original ad reverted to snow pic and was shown to people who already like us, like Jennifer and my wife, rather than new folks. Perhaps a hiccup in fb's system and their preference for chrome over opera. It's confusing because the ad creation process is incredibly different depending on how you initiate the process (create ad versus promote).

I am currently not using newsfeed ad, instead using the less obtrusive side column, mobile side column equivalent, and third party options. Unless my alert readers say the newsfeed things are not too annoying. Or maybe I'll try them next either way.

C • Well... 2

In Grand Rapids today. Father in law was helping a neighbor with a snagged tree when it fell wrong broke and clipped him. Both legs broken, some spinal fractures, cracked ribs, and a helicopter ride, but he can wiggle his toes and make jokes. Surgery on several items this morning. His retirement could be off to a better start....of course we are very lucky it wasn't worse.

On a less serious note, SMOC ad Day #1 - shown to 214 people at a cost of $.81, resulting in nine clicks to the website.

C • That's terrible 6

First ever SMOC facebook ad should be running shortly. First week will feature: me crossing a log. Next week we'll try w4j crossing a sketchy bridge. Budget is uber modest. Too modest? We shall see. I had it point to the website. Targeted interests: trail running, mud runs, obstacle racing, outdoor recreation in the metro Detroit area.

Easy. Much of it in the unpaved neighborhood.

Event: Raccoongaine
 

Raccoongaine 2015

W4J and I wisely ducked our direct competition (Olga and Eaton, respectively) by pairing up.

Overly ambitious (forgot to consider "garmin" versus "scalex" in distance estimation) plan doesn't ruin the day! I have great potential for improvement in point density.

I swear, every year, I start by screwing up in that messy briar south east of the start. I will stop doing that.

After that it was smooth, just physical. Mixed it up with some teams, had great fun Cooper-ing a fit masters mixed team. I was strong for three hours, then had a two hour lull, then perked up a bit at the end.

Speaking of the end, tried to judge the time to grab a couple more high pointers, but didn't count on the creek crossing difficulty and crazy brambles guarding one of our last, so we were pushing it. Making the attempt on the final punishing hill to the start finish, I spied one more 10 (I thought 20) pointer, so I ran to punch it but forgot to tell w4j to start climbing. That was to be our "if we're late" cushion. They have a soft cut off, so skipping a 50 point to avoid being two minutes late was not a good strategy and I was mentally prepared to run over a little. Then we hit brambles and out of bounds, and desperately skirted around getting ripped up and made it at 6:01:00 on the nose for just 10 pts off. Phew!

Many highlights - scrambling along a super steep dirt bank above a creek, with only roots as handholds, many great long trickling creek hikes, apparently many skeletons I walked over but never saw, and a great teammate. 10/10 would race with again.

1st elite mixed

144-101-116-123-122-148-147-136-121-124-146-145-135-113-134-120-115-112-125-126-143-103-132-141-110

Next year I would just skip more 10 pointers. With that 5:1 ratio for big ones, any time seems just not worth it.

C • Well done! 7