Training Log Archive: bl

Local club meet in woods here. Decent wx, sun came out cheerfully but only after 1200 or so. I counted 49 that came, maybe 5-6 dogs. Meet went well. Still, orienteering is on the hard side here. Surprisingly, red course had most # of runners; at 5.2k, it was not discouraging - only one under 60' was PG, 2 61s & up. Need very careful/cautious map reading...just running in the general direction doesn't do it:). BG control placements in the spring will need to be on easy side or at least on indisputably clear features. Help fm Pete & Lex, Jim, Steve Olafsen as well. I goofed in that I had 2 orange controls picked up too early, not really focusing, thinking they were yellow. Also, a brown but it did not make a difference. This was late in day & the few finishers affected were not particularly bothered. Some gunshots..Liz Kotowski had a chat w/ an 80 y/o hunter sitting by trail who informed her (logically) that he hoped she was a deer...good thing he didn't think so, macular degeneration & all.

Regis/S/F was in pine bower, needle carpet...




Contemplating the master plan...

Hung 4 controls & took a look at some of the new logging, small area but still depressing as it had been pretty. 2 photos as I took the camera....

First light...




Sun's first rays in the treetops, "the saddle"...

Noon run to Kinkos to xerox W/Y maps for tomorrow. Turned a corner, noted a pedestrian out of corner of eye, next thing, a woman running by me...conversation...Becky Bakus...early 40's, runner, divorced, lives in a house on the Nottingcook map - was standing in the 58 deg drizzle last May waiting 18' for the TV coverage/governor to start the Concord Hospital 5k - as was I. Much more pleasant today.

After work, end of long week, 9 more controls. Saw first & last lights in the forest. Now Halloween, lights off, 22 kids came to the door!!! That must have been the 'neighborhood consortium' & 'that's all, kids'.... Pretty much ready for local meet in am.

And last light (flash)...

Noon jog w/ Diane, chilly, she in shorts, turtle neck, hands inside sleeves. I spent most of the time venting about people, namely harbormasters fm yest, & confusion amongst people at work.

Distance always a guess. After wk hanging 8 controls. Left camera home purposely & last control at edge of bog provided a breathtaking view of water & reflections. At least I can go bk some eve for a dog walk as it's not far fm where one can park. Found 3 more controls, embarrassing...who was in charge of control p/u last fall!?:).

Wasn't sleeping last night so just admitted it & got up at 0415; was the O meet & lying there thinking about what needed to be done. Felt better after some 75' work, mostly printing course maps for people to copy & organizing 'need to do' stuff. Sent UNOFAM an email before 5 about lacking signs & mapcases. Beth & I had to drive to Manchester airport to get the car Linda Taylor left there in returning home - the clunker I need for driving as far into the forest as I dare. Did that before dawn. Wasn't going to do it yest as I drove to & fm the coast 3 times Wed. Rhodora is in the driveway waiting for me to do some necessary things, even before Sat.... Bipolarity could set in, this being the manic phase.

Managed 5 controls after returning fm boat haulout. Looking very November.
Had expected to run in Rye but there was little routine as it was windy & plans changed. Boat in drive tomorrow, life consolidates which is welcome.

Last of Rye for the season...

C • Congrats on getting the boa... 3

Expected to run but was taking boat to Rye & that proved to be a handful. Lots of wind after arrival, to 40 kts in harbor. Came 120 mi home for dinner w/ Beth & Linda & well worth it, esp the conversation about atheism:). Will probably go bk tonight as I don't trust the situation. Exited the car here & it was so silent/calm, nothing like the coast. I'll get a few miles in tomorrow (esp in light of too much Fr vanilla & caramel), boat haul day.

Last of Portsmouth this season...

Medical Director's mtg killed lunch run. More streamers & tiny bit of map correction after work; also driving some wooden stakes into gnd til dk. Credit due to car which took me as close as possible to control sites in open, did have a small sledge. Some of early streamers have disappeared - cart path jcts - amazing how many homo sapiens pass unseen in the forest. Linda Taylor around this wk, here for dinner. Ann Humphrey & Aaron Glazer here last night.

View fm yesterday's start...

Since political season is in high gear...

Soon-to-be bumper sticker (Windows Paint, laminate):

Centerfold: Bush administration: 8 year survivor
Left flank: Keep your religion out of my government
Right flank: Have you thanked a scientist today?

Sunday - woke to perfect, crisp am after SE gale blew thru. Super 8 a bit behind the ball but good sleep.

Decent run, energetic & more so when a few small mistakes propel one on faster to make up for lost time...& occ do. Confused right out of #1 (for confidence builder), #3 wasn't where it was supposed to be:), overran #6 & then settled down. Someone behind I could not shake, finally looked & it was Tim P, who started some minutes after, maybe 2'?. Think I looked to see who just after 9 but he saw me at 6 when I was recovering fm a 2' error. We ran w/in sight, I was ahead about the whole way I reckon. Reminiscent of NAOC's where fate put us in contact with other as well. Heel OK, bought some Alleve.

Left early - Tim 48+, Jeff 54?, Carl 60ish; Kris Hall 67/8, same distance. 2nd overall on greens, as well as Y (same lengths).

Nice courses courtesy of Phil & Jeff, nice wx courtesy of the forces that be.
NIce meet NEOC.

Mt. Tom reservation....

Last of the streamers, now to begin controls...found another one fm last yr. More logging, wasn't aware of - one area decimated subtle O terrain for the money of it, I'd guess.

Green X Day 2 - Splits