Training Log Archive: Mr WonderfulIn the 30 days ending Jun 30, 2015:
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Monday Jun 29, 2015 #
Note
If we can't get Plymouth to work, Igor's neighborhood has nice houses.
Saturday Jun 27, 2015 #
Event: Snyder Lake training
8 AM
Orienteering 1:16:32 *** 3.76 mi (20:22 / mi) +139m 18:16 / mi
ahr:141 max:172 spiked:9/14c
Fun O intervals with Igor on the Snyder Lake map. Some lessons learned:
Igor around a hill is much faster than me running over a hill. Igor on a trail route 20-30% longer is much faster than me through the woods.
As at Nitrogaine, summer MI woods are all about game trails.
Mostly my normal navigation feels good now, other than precise location in larger areas trying to use distant features as references. Wasn't sure which was the proper clearing for #6 having not brute forced it and trying to come in from the side and figure it out, EG.
Igor around a hill is much faster than me running over a hill. Igor on a trail route 20-30% longer is much faster than me through the woods.
As at Nitrogaine, summer MI woods are all about game trails.
Mostly my normal navigation feels good now, other than precise location in larger areas trying to use distant features as references. Wasn't sure which was the proper clearing for #6 having not brute forced it and trying to come in from the side and figure it out, EG.
Friday Jun 26, 2015 #
3 PM
Orienteering 3:05:43 [2] 8.45 mi (21:59 / mi) +175m 20:40 / mi
shoes: Roclite #2
Stopped by and said hi to Park Supervisor. He said next year should be fine for a Nitrogaine repeat. He's up for a Rec 101 before my fall o meet, and they'll promote. Didn't sound like a spring night O warmup would be a problem either - I might be able to manipulated the NG course so that I have a non overlapping area for that. Muah ah ah!
Then went to pick up flags with w4j but she got really hurt so I drove her back to the parking lot and then went out for the rest, perhaps with a little scouting. Shame she couldn't come with - maybe I wouldn't have made a two minute 180 error...exiting a hilltop. It's almost impressive that I managed that. Let my guard down, didn't check compass, wandered around vegetation, pow.
Then got a little sloppy and picked the wrong reentrant for my next one, but recovered quickly via spidey sense and lack of trees in the one direction which matched the map.
Took a half hearted pass by the missing stick location, but didn't see. Did see a red shotgun shell which got my hopes up.
Then went to pick up flags with w4j but she got really hurt so I drove her back to the parking lot and then went out for the rest, perhaps with a little scouting. Shame she couldn't come with - maybe I wouldn't have made a two minute 180 error...exiting a hilltop. It's almost impressive that I managed that. Let my guard down, didn't check compass, wandered around vegetation, pow.
Then got a little sloppy and picked the wrong reentrant for my next one, but recovered quickly via spidey sense and lack of trees in the one direction which matched the map.
Took a half hearted pass by the missing stick location, but didn't see. Did see a red shotgun shell which got my hopes up.
C • Woo! 3
Thursday Jun 25, 2015 #
7 PM
Orienteering (Bike O) 56:20 4.9 mi (11:30 / mi) +94m 10:51 / mi
ahr:144 max:169 spiked:6/6c shoes: Jamis Dragon Sport 29er
Retrieved more flags via bike. I'm enjoying this experience; wondering if there's a way to set up a race like this. Maybe Waterloo which lends itself to bike travel between sections.
So glad no one really went out to #76. Between the bingo game trail right to it and the stinging nettles...!
So glad no one really went out to #76. Between the bingo game trail right to it and the stinging nettles...!
Wednesday Jun 24, 2015 #
Note
100% of my mountain bikes have some sort of losing air pressure situation going on.
5 PM
Orienteering (Bike Drop O) 2:11:09 *** 8.33 mi (15:44 / mi) +168m 14:49 / mi
ahr:116 max:163 spiked:6/6c
Picked up many flags south of the start by riding the Poto to an AP, then locking the bike while retrieving the flag. It was very fun. I should really find my map board...
Also scouted maybe one or two future spots. Muah ah ah!
For some reason I botched the exit from the same one I botched before. Granted, I had no compass....but it's a great area, something about the pattern of swamps gets you to exit in the wrong direction if not careful.
The reflective twist ties are invisible in daylight!
Also scouted maybe one or two future spots. Muah ah ah!
For some reason I botched the exit from the same one I botched before. Granted, I had no compass....but it's a great area, something about the pattern of swamps gets you to exit in the wrong direction if not careful.
The reflective twist ties are invisible in daylight!
Sunday Jun 21, 2015 #
Orienteering 20:00 [3] 1.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
slept:0.75 shoes: Keen Sandals
I picked up #59, Root Cellar, Inside, before it would disappear.
I am very happy with how the Nitrogaine turned out. It was perhaps a super dumb idea to stack it up with the house sale, Kimberly being out of the country, getting sent to Europe, etc. but it went well I think.
The racers were all fantastic - so enthusiast and just great people. With that kind of supportive, let's have an adventure mindset, it really makes a director want to do more events.
I learned a ton about race production - so many notes on improvements, different strategies, etc. Also I now want to hug all of the race directors for events I go to because I have a better understanding of the magnitude of work they do...and I know I got off easy by not bothering with bikes, boats, or TAs!
w4j was indispensable - sorry she couldn't sneak out and play on the course. But what a cheerleader and ultra dependable helper. Couldn't ask for better.
Who's up for next year?
I am very happy with how the Nitrogaine turned out. It was perhaps a super dumb idea to stack it up with the house sale, Kimberly being out of the country, getting sent to Europe, etc. but it went well I think.
The racers were all fantastic - so enthusiast and just great people. With that kind of supportive, let's have an adventure mindset, it really makes a director want to do more events.
I learned a ton about race production - so many notes on improvements, different strategies, etc. Also I now want to hug all of the race directors for events I go to because I have a better understanding of the magnitude of work they do...and I know I got off easy by not bothering with bikes, boats, or TAs!
w4j was indispensable - sorry she couldn't sneak out and play on the course. But what a cheerleader and ultra dependable helper. Couldn't ask for better.
Who's up for next year?
C • I'm in! 10
Saturday Jun 20, 2015 #
8 AM
Orienteering 2:00:00 [2] 6.0 mi (20:00 / mi)
shoes: Brooks Ghost Blue
Last...few....
Didn't feel well, perhaps accumulated dehydration and not enough breakfast. Gotta manage myself better on big days.
Didn't feel well, perhaps accumulated dehydration and not enough breakfast. Gotta manage myself better on big days.
Friday Jun 19, 2015 #
10 AM
Orienteering 6:00:00 [3] *** 15.0 mi (24:00 / mi)
spiked:20/20c
Should have brought more beverage!
Woods aren't too bad...in daylight. I enjoyed the setting.
Woods aren't too bad...in daylight. I enjoyed the setting.
Thursday Jun 18, 2015 #
12 PM
Orienteering 6:22:58 [2] 17.34 mi (22:05 / mi) +376m 20:42 / mi
spiked:15/17c shoes: Brooks Cascadia 8s
I found that I can't support international roaming issues in Ireland very well while hanging flags.
Monday Jun 15, 2015 #
Note
Accepted an offer on the house. Feeling fortunate. Hopefully there are only manageable hiccups on the rest of the selling side.
Buying side could be interesting - pickings are a little slim in our target zone.
Buying side could be interesting - pickings are a little slim in our target zone.
8 AM
Orienteering 3:30:00 [1] 9.0 mi (23:20 / mi)
shoes: Roclite #2
Went out with w4j in a lull in the t storms.
Adjusted a few to meet "all nice, all the time" at least if you choose good routes.
Tried to add in a game trail. It looks like some Deliberate Misery Race had marked up a course through stinging nettles, creeks, deep bogs, etc. Not my bag! No stinging nettles on anything resembling the course proper, that I've seen anyways.
Adjusted a few to meet "all nice, all the time" at least if you choose good routes.
Tried to add in a game trail. It looks like some Deliberate Misery Race had marked up a course through stinging nettles, creeks, deep bogs, etc. Not my bag! No stinging nettles on anything resembling the course proper, that I've seen anyways.
C • Hmmm 2
Friday Jun 12, 2015 #
1 PM
Orienteering 3:06:53 *** 4.09 mi (45:42 / mi) +40m 44:21 / mi
ahr:83 max:116 spiked:9/9c
Stuttgart has an amazing downtown. Toured via a long sprint, starting backwards and then omitting the N and NE once we realized returning to out hotel before midnight with an early flight was getting worse. I think my coworker appreciated that the course took us a bit past some of the default stops. Thanks Steffen!!!
Thursday Jun 11, 2015 #
2 PM
Orienteering 1:35:01 *** 4.56 mi (20:51 / mi) +186m 18:30 / mi
ahr:105 max:147 spiked:5/5c shoes: Brooks Ghost 5s
I wanted to get out one last time, but I wasn't feeling that great, so when I found a place to park I did more of a walking tour of the west part of the Lorch map on a Long course from 2012. Enjoyed myself of course!
I had a few bobbles. I paused heading to one because I couldn't figure out why I was on a marsh, but I should have remembered from yesterday that their two tracks sometimes look like Michigan two tracks - wet! Mostly it felt like I'd get close, then not seal the deal - having flags might help, which just makes the training all the better. So many sections to love.
The slopes to many creeks are so steep, I will have to check routegadget to see what competitors do - do they go across or veer a bit?
Coworker sounds interested in the Stuttgart map after work tomorrow if we can figure out the train to it. woo woo
Speaking of work, they rolled out the new jobs yesterday. Eventually I may find out what I do now.
Pictures
Woods
Hooray, I know I'm on the hilltop!
Schwabian green slash is...tightly packed Christmas trees!
Cairn/boundary stone in Klotzenhof
Some livestock way off on the left
route choice: through tiny village
On one hand, I want to climb the steep hills. On the other hand, my tractionless running shoes are currently dry, and the creek is not a step over at the bottom
A few cliffs here and there
Not sure if woods nice or just frequently logged...
Steep hills, flatter areas on top, and UNCOUNTABLE rides.
I had a few bobbles. I paused heading to one because I couldn't figure out why I was on a marsh, but I should have remembered from yesterday that their two tracks sometimes look like Michigan two tracks - wet! Mostly it felt like I'd get close, then not seal the deal - having flags might help, which just makes the training all the better. So many sections to love.
The slopes to many creeks are so steep, I will have to check routegadget to see what competitors do - do they go across or veer a bit?
Coworker sounds interested in the Stuttgart map after work tomorrow if we can figure out the train to it. woo woo
Speaking of work, they rolled out the new jobs yesterday. Eventually I may find out what I do now.
Pictures
Woods
Hooray, I know I'm on the hilltop!
Schwabian green slash is...tightly packed Christmas trees!
Cairn/boundary stone in Klotzenhof
Some livestock way off on the left
route choice: through tiny village
On one hand, I want to climb the steep hills. On the other hand, my tractionless running shoes are currently dry, and the creek is not a step over at the bottom
A few cliffs here and there
Not sure if woods nice or just frequently logged...
Steep hills, flatter areas on top, and UNCOUNTABLE rides.
Wednesday Jun 10, 2015 #
Note
Updated yesterday's o with a few pics below.
I visited a castle on Sunday. I wish I had my watch - it was quite a steep climb up from the gift shop/ticket booth.
Unfortunately, the view was not the best that day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Castle
Funny GPS story: So I never bothered to put Google maps on my new work phone, forgetting that I wouldn't get a data plan for my phone, so I used Apple maps. I typed in the address for the castle, didn't pay attention to what it did next, and ended up in the very wrong place.
What I typed and wanted:
Number Street, Town
Where it went:
Number Town, Street
Which is a small apartment complex in a nice enough area, but no castle.
They are only like 55 miles apart, but there's no interstate highway system, so instead of 55 miles being about a 55 minute drive, it's more like 1:45, which was a bit much after not sleeping much on the plane. I almost had to stop.
I visited a castle on Sunday. I wish I had my watch - it was quite a steep climb up from the gift shop/ticket booth.
Unfortunately, the view was not the best that day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hohenzollern_Castle
Funny GPS story: So I never bothered to put Google maps on my new work phone, forgetting that I wouldn't get a data plan for my phone, so I used Apple maps. I typed in the address for the castle, didn't pay attention to what it did next, and ended up in the very wrong place.
What I typed and wanted:
Number Street, Town
Where it went:
Number Town, Street
Which is a small apartment complex in a nice enough area, but no castle.
They are only like 55 miles apart, but there's no interstate highway system, so instead of 55 miles being about a 55 minute drive, it's more like 1:45, which was a bit much after not sleeping much on the plane. I almost had to stop.
11 AM
Walking 47:45 2.98 mi (16:00 / mi)
ahr:96 max:127
From my hotel to the city center.
2 PM
Orienteering 23:57 *** 0.96 mi (24:51 / mi) +3m 24:37 / mi
ahr:77 max:90 spiked:10/10c
After dinner, I walked a short sprint in the car free city center in dress shoes (my running shoes are too wet and now gross for a work dinner). Two work colleagues joined. Rosalie seemed to think we should enjoy the architecture; Joe tried to come up with companion drinking games. This would be a tricky sprint area at speed, since the buildings go by so fast and have their own unique jumbly areas. Fun
C • Fun! 1
3 PM
Walking 51:17 3.01 mi (17:02 / mi) +29m 16:33 / mi
ahr:92 max:114
Leisurely stroll back to the hotel after a gelato type ice cream cone, which is the cheapest item in the EU (at 1 euro).
Tuesday Jun 9, 2015 #
1 PM
Orienteering 1:30:44 *** 4.78 mi (19:00 / mi) +166m 17:09 / mi
ahr:133 max:175 spiked:15/19c slept:9.0 shoes: Brooks Ghost 5s
Middle at Lorch courtesy of very friendly AP member Steffen who provided full service with hand-delivered maps and a nice chat about orienteering.
Nice runnability in many sections. This was a big valley with a little stream at the bottom. It was a steep, slightly damp descent. I regretted not bringing o shoes instead of running shoes!
A little like southern MI in some - but thorn free.
Marshes seemed more subtle. Maybe this is how they run through them all on some of the maps I've seen?
Detoured to two Roman boundary tower ruins:
then spoke with boss on cool down.
Did pretty well, stumped by one linear marsh on a hillside, then got tired after ruin climb and made less optimal route choices. Great to get out!
Map is down in my car, maybe laters.
Hopefully...walking the SG sprint map tomorrow after dinner.
Nice runnability in many sections. This was a big valley with a little stream at the bottom. It was a steep, slightly damp descent. I regretted not bringing o shoes instead of running shoes!
A little like southern MI in some - but thorn free.
Marshes seemed more subtle. Maybe this is how they run through them all on some of the maps I've seen?
Detoured to two Roman boundary tower ruins:
then spoke with boss on cool down.
Did pretty well, stumped by one linear marsh on a hillside, then got tired after ruin climb and made less optimal route choices. Great to get out!
Map is down in my car, maybe laters.
Hopefully...walking the SG sprint map tomorrow after dinner.
Saturday Jun 6, 2015 #
8 AM
Adventure Race 7:45:00 [3]
shoes: Brooks Cascadia 8s
Fantastic and especially gorgeous Silver Lake edition designed by MarkVT. Excellent course design.
I nailed the first two CPs, then suffered an embarrassing O 101 meltdown that would put us some 20-30 minutes out of contention.
Loved figuring out what the UFO was on the dune during the paddle. (Matt from MAR under a pop up shade).
Threw down in the next section - anxious to see how our split fairs. I felt like I got my mojo back. Did mostly well in the next sections, other than missing low and not seeing the correct reentrant on a massive hillside, successfully finding it from the top. Then a moment of panic on one point where I arrived at the reentrant, did not see the flag, and panicked because it had a tri split at the top...as did the NEXT one on the map! Oh no, was the USGS generalized, or did we overshoot? Hooray for Maria's young eyes.
The dune section was AWESOME. The map is so precise. If you did not let your guard down, it was super crazy accurate. But there are a lot of parallel/similar features, so if you did let your guard down, you were going to be in big trouble. Eventually realized using the forests as references was a key for us.
Ran out of gas to attack much on the bike, and worried about me cramping up for Shades of the Epic, so we bailed after only one bike point. Looks like getting all bike points and then going to the dunes was more lucrative. Big key would be: don't make 20-30 mistakes and be in it to win it.
Props to Igor for a beautiful map. I hope Mark uses this venue again - so much great scenery. You might climb a huge hill, then be "why this hill?" then pow, beautiful view of Lake Michigan.
Loved it! PS my teammate is awesome.
Watch caught all of the o, but I was only home for 20 minutes, so maybe no tracks for a week or month or something.
I nailed the first two CPs, then suffered an embarrassing O 101 meltdown that would put us some 20-30 minutes out of contention.
Loved figuring out what the UFO was on the dune during the paddle. (Matt from MAR under a pop up shade).
Threw down in the next section - anxious to see how our split fairs. I felt like I got my mojo back. Did mostly well in the next sections, other than missing low and not seeing the correct reentrant on a massive hillside, successfully finding it from the top. Then a moment of panic on one point where I arrived at the reentrant, did not see the flag, and panicked because it had a tri split at the top...as did the NEXT one on the map! Oh no, was the USGS generalized, or did we overshoot? Hooray for Maria's young eyes.
The dune section was AWESOME. The map is so precise. If you did not let your guard down, it was super crazy accurate. But there are a lot of parallel/similar features, so if you did let your guard down, you were going to be in big trouble. Eventually realized using the forests as references was a key for us.
Ran out of gas to attack much on the bike, and worried about me cramping up for Shades of the Epic, so we bailed after only one bike point. Looks like getting all bike points and then going to the dunes was more lucrative. Big key would be: don't make 20-30 mistakes and be in it to win it.
Props to Igor for a beautiful map. I hope Mark uses this venue again - so much great scenery. You might climb a huge hill, then be "why this hill?" then pow, beautiful view of Lake Michigan.
Loved it! PS my teammate is awesome.
Watch caught all of the o, but I was only home for 20 minutes, so maybe no tracks for a week or month or something.