Training Log Archive: Nadim

Boulder, CO. From Chataqua, I hiked with a work colleage (at his pace) up next to the Flatirons. We went after work and it took a while getting there. Headed to Royal Arch, we ran out of daylight just before acquiring the ridge and had to turn back. It was rather nice anyway. We watched thunderstorms flash across the front range all the way to Fort Collins as we walked back.

Event: US Night Champs
 

U.S. Night Orienteering Championships on the Lights of Cheyenne map which is east of Laramie, WY. I flew out in the morning having the fortune of a work conference scheduled in Fort Collins, CO. I didn't expect much knowing my lack of training and poor physical shape. Surprisingly the 7,700ft. altitude didn't phase me much. I guess I was already anticipating just having a nice time and didn't push much initially. I didn't even warm-up, wanting just to conserve energy. A coldish wind had everyone seeking cover while waiting to go (first starts were a 9:00pm and I started at 9:58pm) but was fine while running--eventually. On the way to #2, still not warmed-up, I ran harder in the open fields, to warm-up and ended up with a bad bearing. It lost me 10 minutes. I made similar boo boos at #4 (3 minutes lost) and #5 (4 minutes lost). I feel very silly for the error on #5 since I got drawn-off by what seemed to be another control. Finally from #7 onward, I started spiking controls and running a decent pace to them. It was too little, too late but I enjoyed the event. See the Split List.

C • enjoy 2

Night-O - Red - Splits

Blockhouse Conservation Park, Potomac MD. Max (in a backpack) and I hiked around this nice park off the Potomac River to do some mapping. Max was pretty patient and even fell asleep for a while. He observed the sights and sounds of the forest commenting with gestures at times at the birds, large rootstocks, big drop-offs and water sounds (he liked these the best). At times he wanted to direct me to go hither and thither. He laughed when I stumped my toe on unseen fallen branches and rocks on slopes, not realizing that he'd tumble too if I fell. I got a nice amount done with him and might have gotten more if not for leaves brushing against him awakening him. It's a very nice park with lots of great orienteering features. The open woods are the best. The hills are steep, and the green areas manageable. It's still great weather for August with low humidity.

From Wexford Rd., to Cedar Rd. via the Rock Creek Trail, then back to the Ken-Gar parking lot. It was a great morning for August. starting out The temperatures were in the low 60's F and the humidity was low too. Max wore a jacket. Of course we played afterward. Available mile splits: 8:01, 7:52, 8:04.

My left hamstring had been feeling very tight the last few days. I think this is leftover stuff from what started as lower back trouble. Stretching only seemed like the right thing to do and helped initially. However it also only made it tighter afterward. Bending down is still a caution inducing activity. Working late and eating desserts hasn't helped much either.