Training Log Archive: Mr Wonderful

Commuter bike shake out run.

I wish I knew why it squeaked so much. Also, why the back wheel wobbles.

Also, I verified that my gps unit will track nicely in a small backpack. I will use that as a logger at orienteering events this fall.

Hawaii 5-0 finale

Jimmy Johns for lunch

Jimmy Johns for lunch

At the orienteering event, my truck wouldn't start. I drove my wife's car back Monday, fixed the truck (added another starter bolt!), then drove home, then got on my mountain bike to ride back and retrieve my truck. Rain hit hard for ten minutes, otherwise a great day for a ride. No knee pain afterwards - PT seems to have done the trick.

There is a prison out by Waterloo that is on some fabulous terrain. If I ever get sent up, that's where I want to go.

Minor wrong trail, quickly corrected to #1. To #2...I thought I was close, but had to take several cracks at it. It was only visible for a few meters, owing to its location. I think I was probably close on a few earlier passes. #3 was straightforward, although I bit farther than I thought. I tried to cut through some dark green to get to #4, since it was shown as short and right at the end of a trail, but it was far to rough. Everything seemed one level more vegetation than previous events. I deliberately used #5 to set up for #4, and it worked - I walked right to it. #5 was then very easy. Walked right to #6. I was expecting more difficulty getting to #7, but coming from the trails rather than around the water feature, it was straightforward. #8 was also right where expected, despite the warning at pre-race about its difficult location. #9 was a stupid mistake - I tried to cut in just past heavy vegetation, but I misread it and was pushed too far past, since all the vegetation was heavier. I tried to get back to a trail point and take another crack, which was good as the flag was buried in the ditch. It was very easy from the trail. I took the easy all trail way to #10, and accidentally did so to #11 after missing the trail junction I planned to cut in at. I went directly to #12,. but it was mismarked, and I spent a long time doing my due diligence to confirm my location, confirming the two neighboring ditches. Had I not bothered to check, we are talking about a nearly 10 minute save. I foolishly circled around to #13 rather than taknig a more direct route. Per my desire, I sprinted for all I was worth from #13 to the finish so I could at least win one leg. Hoo ah.

To progress in the fall, I need to run more, make fewer mistakes, and be more ambitious in short cutting when it seems advantageous or reasonably mistake-proof.

Added drama: When I went to leave, my truck wouldn't start. Thankfully I bummed a ride home from my adventure racing teammate.