Training Log Archive: vmeyer

A preplanned day off. Worked a couple hours in the yard this afternoon with Roger. It was a beautiful day in the high 70s.

Legs are a bit sore, and the top of the right shoulder has a softball size bruise on it. I remember hitting it a second time, but not the first time. I guess I was in the zone.

C • remember 2

Map with tracks

Got to the event early to sort out control units to hand off to West Point. Then I did a phone consult with my race timing backup at home. With time to waste before my start, I walked up the hill to the start and brought back two big bags of clothes.



Back up the hill for my start. While redoing my shoelaces, I dropped my epunch off my wrist. Someone pointed it out to me, and I picked it back up and put the leash back on my wrist, but I must have forgotten to tightened it.

Started well to control 1, which others had issues with, and 2 and 3 were fine enough as well. On the way to 4, I took off my gloves because my hands were warm. Went to put my epunch back on my finger and realized it was gone. Looked around where I was for a while thinking that I had dropped it while taking off my glove. However, it is more likely that I dropped it earlier going in and out the ditch or stream since I hadn't secured it to my wrist, and I couldn't feel it on my finger because of the gloves.



After kicking myself for being one of those idiots who can't keep track of their epunch, and a few tears, I headed off to complete the course anyway. Found 4, but when I was thrashing around near 5, and tears were again obscuring my vision, I abandoned the course. Headed back to 3 again, and tried to retrace my steps, but my heart was not in it and I headed back.

I thought about running around Yellow for fun, but I decided to stop while I was ahead and did something stupid, like get hurt.

With a little time to spare before leaving for the airport, I got my epunch computer fix by spelling Matthew (cedarcreek) and Dick for an hour while they went and duked it out on Yellow.

After that, I drove to the airport, uneventfully, and had a perfectly fine flight home.

I would rate the weekend a huge success! If the black and blue marks are any indication, I threw my body around the woods with abandon. I like that feeling of having energy to go almost full out and not be worrying about being fit enough to keep going.

Thanks to OCIN for a great event!

Walked with Tom C to the start. Looking forward to the race instead of dreading it. Yeah!

Actual distance: 7.9 miles and climb calculated at 258 m.

Map with tracks

With the competition for the F50+ UltraLong Gold between Sandy and me, the pre-race tension in the cabin was thick. Well, not really, but it sounded good. I figured that the race for the gold was pretty even, and it was going to come down to speed vs. good route choices, as well as both of us keeping the errors in check.

I figured that a dream goal was 135, and that 2x80 (160) minute winning time was more then reasonable. With Sandy starting 20 minutes behind me, I was also hoping to finish before she did, ideally 20:01 before she did. ;)

Managed to come in under the 160 and finish before Sandy finished. However, I gave up too much time on a couple of significant errors, as well as a poor route choice to #7. Sandy had one significant error to #3, but nailed everything after that to get the victory by 9 minutes.

AP error free time would have been Valerie 2:10:47 and Sandy 2:11:17. :)

Here I am finishing strong. A big thank you to Julie Keim (furlong47) for the pictures.




After the race, there was a group of ten at the cabin for an early dinner.



Since no one reported being sick from my cooking the next day, I will declare it a success. The highlight of the evening was the toasting of the peeps.

C • Peeps 2

Saturday UL Green - Splits

Event: OCIN Flying Pig XV & US ULtralong Champs
 

Route

Actual distance: 3.1 miles

This was one of the funnest races I have run in a long time. Of course, having lots of short legs, and some of those on the campus, was a big factor. It also helped that I didn't feel like I was dragging my butt up every hill. Another factor was that I had no obligations to do anything but compete and hang out this weekend, and I planned on making that plan stick.

The rain held off until I was finished, after threatening to start right as I was being called up.

Some of my route choices were suspect, and I have one navigational error, but all in all, it was a pleasing race.

After, it was off to Paesano's Pasta House for the second night. After dinner, we drove back to the cabin, and then back into town to try to get an internet connection. After failing to find easy parking in town, Sandy suggested the hotel on the edge of town, and we were able to score a connection in the parking lot. WooHoo! Got the files for the race sent off and some pictures uploaded. Then back to the cabin to chill and prepare for the next day.

Friday Green - Splits

Off to the PIG! I decided to attend as an intermediate training goal, after noticing that the weekend was free of other obligations. Turns out I had inadvertently erased a race timing obligation off of my calendar. Oops! Luckily, I noticed this a couple of days ago, so I was able to get a backup plan in place for the race timing.

I decided to fly in on Thursday, and early Thursday at that, to have some cushion in case the fickle end of March weather came into play. It turned out to be a good decision since there was bad weather predicted for the next day. WDC may not have been affected, but it was nice to be at the meet site and not have to worry about it.

Roger dropped me off at the airport at 5:15 AM, and though the flight was late leaving DC, it was on time at the other end, landing at 8:30 AM. I picked up my car. Love seeing my name in lights.



I am so used to driving the minivan, that riding low in a strange place is stressful, so I decided to travel first class by getting a bigger car.




The vehicle had a backup camera with the image in the rearview mirror. This took me a while to get used to since it is in a different place then my van, but I really like it. I also like the feature where it beeps when you get too close to something backing up. Tested that out right away.



First stop was the Cincinnati Zoo. Since solo driving in new places is always an adventure for me, getting to the zoo was no different. I drove around and around, at times in some crunchy neighborhoods, before I finally saw the parking lot entrance. The sign pointing into the lot was only viewable from one direction. I finally saw it, did my tenth or so U-turn, and I was there. Whew!

With temps in the 30s, and a Thursday morning at the end of March, I didn't figure that the zoo was going to be too crowded. And it wasn't...perfect!



Checked out the map to make sure I knew where I was starting from and then set off.



It wasn't too long before some school groups caught up with me. I was watching the peacock at the time and was afraid that they would scare it away.



Well, I shouldn't have been concerned, because this is what happens when the peacock's feathers are ruffled. So, cool!



I took a picture of the tigers.



I then I had my picture taken with the tigers.



Twin cheetahs posing.



Black bear and some school girls.



Polar bear doing laps.



Recycled art in the Go Green exhibit.



Three girls twirling. This group was notable because they were carrying worksheets that they had to complete. They also seemed to be having fun.



And, the massive crowds on my way out of the park.



And, so you have it, my epic tale of nothingness.

After the zoo, I headed to the grocery store and started picking up items for the Saturday night dinner I was having in the cabin. After a little shopping, I headed into Oxford to pick up a practice map. Maps were available at the copy shop where they were printed,

On the way to Oxford, a warning went off that I needed air in one of my tires. So, I drove around looking for free air, and finally found a place in town. A local police officer was filling up his tires, so he did mine as well. I didn't even have to get my hands dirty. This little service really tickled me.

Then I headed over to the practice area. I got there after another little driving adventure involving a closed road and a detour, but it was just a minor inconvenience.

After taking the day off yesterday, I was looking forward to stretching my legs in the terrain.

Map with tracks of the practice area.

Headed across the street from the parking and into the woods.



Note the rule "Do not disturb plants or animals." I didn't, but something else must have...



Enjoyed my tour around the controls. The weather was perfect and the woods had some lovely areas. It was also clear that the Pig was not going to as muddy and slippery as some other years. Yeah!





After the model, I drove to Hueston Woods and checked. There is a big lodge, but I had booked a cabin. Three nights for the price of two. It was a great choice. Right in the park but also close to Oxford for the event the next day. The only down tick I had was no free internet, and then when I wanted to actually pay to use the internet, I wasn't able to get connected.

I didn't ride in to work because it was windier then I was mentally prepared for today, so I decided to take a ride after work. Conditions - wind and mental cloud hadn't changed, so the ride was aborted pretty quickly.

Weight was back to 173 this morning, so I added back the liquid I was missing yesterday. So, that is good. Hope the bloated feeling will subside soon.

C • Streak 4

After the little bit of bike, I changed clothes and thought I would try the treadmill out since I was kind of warmed up and had already used my inhaler.

Five minutes warm up and five minutes cool down.

Decided to increase the level of the program I usually do but shorten the duration. Instead of 1 minute each @ 5.0, 6.0. 5.0, 5.4, 6.4 mph x 10, I did 1 minute each @ 5.6, 6.6, 5.6, 6.0, 7.0 x 6. I don't think I have ever run at 7 mph on the treadmill, but I handled it pretty well, with just a little bit of heavy breathing. I did have to take a short break after 2 and 4 sets, but I didn't have to hold on. :)

Tomorrow, an hour walk in hiking boots, weather and scheduling permitting.