Training Log Archive: OutdoorsMama

Event: SMOC Fall Spring Mill
 

Green course. I knew it was going to be a challenge and figured on seeing how much I could do in 2 hours, then head out mountain biking. The map of the mountain bike trails at Highland looks like a plate of spaghetti. Of course the O map can't represent every twist and turn, so after the first control, I tried to ignore the trails and just use natural features when heading from one control to the next.
I took the mtn bike trail to the first control, which took 'way longer than I thought it would, but it got me there. The second contol was a LONG way from the first, so ignoring the trails, I got to a ridge and followed a good game trail, used a decent sized body of water as a catching feature, then came in from the backside of the control down off another ridge. Wandered around a bit looking for the right re-entrant.
The third contol "looked" easy on the map. Due south to a small body of water, follow the bike trail around it, take another bearing, and....darn, what is that bike trail doing there? There should not be a bike trail here! (In other words, I was not where I thought I was !). Used the trail, a body of water and a steep hill to locate myself, took another bearing, et voila.
Followed the bike trail around the body of water, took a bearing to number 4 right into some nasty thick stuff (why???), couldn't find the control so dropped down to another body of water and shot it from there, sans thick stuff. Voila.
Dropped back to the same body of water, took a bearing to number 5 and found it OK. Took a bearing to number 6....and got into the darn thick stuff again. I knew how many bike trails I had to cross to get to number 6, but after flailing around in the brambles and vines, my self-imposed time limit was up so I was contemplating heading back, but wasn't sure if I wanted to jog along the trails, or go cross country. I met Hilary who got me situated on the map, but I really didn't think that following bike trails from there would be the fastest way out of the woods. So I headed roughly NE to get back to the starting area. NE brought me to a road, so I jumped back on a horse trail and hoofed it back to the start.
My "official" AR pants have now been retired (they served me well for a dozen years of outdoor activities). They were ripped to shreds as I flailed around in the brambles. Kevlar might be a better choice for me, given my affinity for brambles.

C • I tried to avoid the green 5

C • I might visit 2-3 sometime this fall 1

Time and distance from bike computer, which includes puttering around in the parking lot before and afterwards.

JustMe, Double M, runninghils and I were a bit pressed for time, so we just did the A loop, which is technical enough. Roots and rocks...and roots + rocks + short steep hills. I bet if I rode trails like that more than twice a month, I would get better at it!

C • Yes, riding trails like tha... 1

Rail trail to the Arner/return. Needed my front light on the way back as the moon/cloud combination did not create great visibility in the well-treed areas. On the way home, I caught up to a runner at the bend by the golf course who was training for the Grand Rapids Marathon and was doing about 15 miles tonight point-to-point. I felt no envy.....

C • Ready? 4

Midget boys have hockey practice after my bed time so I had the bright idea to entertain myself by doing intervals around the baseball diamond rather than standing around in the arena. Yeah, that got pretty old rather quickly.

Hips and hamstrings, back and shoulders.

Sumo squats, tricep work, combinations of lunges + shoulder work, HEAVY arm/chest work.

I took the "summer slicks" off my CX bike and put the "stock" Sammy Slicks back on. Headed out after dark (with lights) and went down the street to the mini park/playground. Did figure 8's around the trees/sign posts, practiced dismounting/running up the hill/getting back on etc. I think I will wait for daylight before trying barriers for the first time.

+1 for the night.

C • Jealous. 2