okansas.blogspot.com Occassional thoughts about orienteering
Friday, November 25, 2005
Need a new test loop
I should have a test loop, a course I'd run for time regularly as a way of monitoring my condition. I used to run a test loop at Shawnee Mission Park, but the trails have changed and that course is basically gone. I guess I could develop a new SMP test loop. Back in 2001 (the last time I felt like I was in really good shape) I regularly ran a time test -- I'd run for ten minutes and see how far I got.
Without a test loop I judge my fitness by feel. In particular, I look for a certain feeling when I reach the top of a hill during an O' race or training. When I'm fit, I feel tired at the top of a hill, but I don't have trouble pushing on. When I'm less fit, I reach the top and need to ease off a bit before I can run hard. When I'm very unfit, I can't even reach the top of a hill without having to walk.
I ran up a hill while training today and I know how I felt. I'll have to take that into account when I run the Trot next weekend at Bluff Woods.
Dog and quilt art
Maybe it is just my imagination, but Lexi (above) reminds me of the dog in the quilt (below).
posted by Michael |
7:11 PM