Training Log Archive: vlin

Event: QOC Morven Park Night-O
 

Night-O. New terrain and map. Ran very fast for most of the course. In the steep woods at first, then mostly open fields for the majority of the points, but still tricky to navigate at night. Briefly looked at the map before the race, but remembered the safe route with more trails is usually better in night-o. Started a bit off going to 1, so I tried to be more careful and precise. Everything was going smooth and fast, lucky to follow Ted into 5 as I was a bit confused, but in the vicinity. Perfect going into fields to 6 but then ran too fast to 7, losing where I was in the open and/or going OB unmapped area. Lost time in hesitation, turning round, not relocating off features (e.g. right next to a big house, duh). Relocated by seeing which direction fast runners went right past me. Another dumb mistake to 10, leaving the correct trail thinking it was wrong and fighting through a big section of green. Everything else was smooth, Ted followed and passed me at the end. We were back and forth a bit on the course. He influenced my route to the go control - he was running fast to pass me on the road option, and I gave up going direct to follow him. It was amusing seeing him on the course, wearing all orange, and he later explained he took intentionally bad routes to get away from other runners with big lights and didn't spot some controls as fast with his light. I spotted every control easily with my good light, and did minimal following, was happy with that.

Long Adv - Splits

W&OD easier run. Empty stomach run.

W&OD trail. Empty stomach run.

Different loops at Lake Fairfax. It is possible to get a good workout riding these trails without repeating them. A few meetup group riders but didn't get in my way too much. A1 cycling tent at the trailhead having some event. On the trail near the end, a group ride was finishing, and one guy was riding with one hand and holding onto another bike rolling beside him, then almost fell over when going through a rooty rocky section.

Run at Accotink, wet conditions. Ran powerlines behind houses, muddy trails along stream with stream crossings. Explored paved paths in woods between houses. One path leaves a playground, goes into woods, becomes overgrown, and just stops at a sewer manhole deep in woods. Options were go back, bushwhack uphill to backyards, or follow deer trails along stream. I went with deer trails that soon disappeared, and then just followed stream. Vegetation was becoming thicker, so bailed and went up to backyards but between townhouses and back on streets.