Training Log Archive: Kirkland

Return trip from Columbus.

More time to review the map and speculate. As always, this is one of the joys of rogaining ... what could have been. Another joy is what really was.

We got back to Bill's house by 4 PM and I made it back home by 8.

I'm ready to go again!

US Rogaine Champs @ Allegany State Park, NY

Day 2

Things were going well through our 4th control. Great night navigation at day time pace. Then came 805 to 502 (the pumpkin). Navigation was adequate but the leg never ended. We were going downhill on a spur with streams on each side with the control at their junction. You'd swear we were almost back in Erie, PA. Once at the control we had to reassess our route and Bill's ankle. It was progressively becoming more and more painful. We opted for an abbreviated route that minimized climb and gave us an extended road route back to the HH. Hind sight, being 20/20, would have had us going NE from 805 to the promised land of more controls and roads and trails. But that was not to be. Our last major descent taxed Bill's ankle to the max so it was two more controls then in.

All in all, it was a blast and I must commend Bill on his persistence despite the pain he endured. Even more, I commend his desire to do this again. Welcome to the club!

Afterwards, we showered, we ate, we napped, then we left. Another nap at an Ohio rest area gave us the strength to continue on. A stop at the Whole Foods Market in Cleveland refueled our tanks and we made it to the west side of Columbus for a good night's sleep.

Event: 2008 US Rogaining Championships
 

US Rogaine Champs @ Allegany State Park, NY

Awesome venue, awesome course, awesome hash house, awesome accommodations, awesome showers. The meet directors set the standard for all rogaines.

We got our maps at 9 AM and we took the full 2 hours to plan and pack. We started only 2 mins after the bell (must be a record). Our plan was to focus on the SW part of the park getting back to the HH at dusk (see bill_l's log for route plan).

Other than a poor route choice to the first control, things went pretty much as planned. Our route significantly minimized climb (maybe only a couple of grunts on this loop) but did add some distance. We wanted to conserve for the post HH loop.

We got back to the HH within 3 mins of plan (9 PM). Our stop turned into more of an extended stay. Blame the comfort of the bunkhouse and the hospitality of the HH grub crew. Who would want to leave paradise?

We left the HH just before 11 PM and headed up hill for our first post HH grunt. After our first control we heard the bell for the 12 hour finishers. We were making good time thanks to a series of controls on a long ridge and the elephant tracks left by previous 'gainers. Then midnight came and so did the pumpkin.

Early AM departure from STL to SW NY. Made good time and arrived well enough before dark to get a feel for the terrain, stake our claim to bunks (we had the room to ourselves), and nab some ice cream and groceries.

Rogaine packing and drive to Bill's for a good night's rest.

KC work day.

Camdenton Laker Track

Short and sweet. Felt good. May need to take starting blocks to the rogaine. Threw in a few push-ups and sit-ups for good measure. Oh, we caught a ground hog in our live trap this morning. That's number two. Our garden is a happier place.