Arctic Commando Trail Run 2009

Not looking too bad, about 3k into the run. Photo by Tom Hysell

The second edition of St. Paul Central HS Nordic Ski Team's fall fund raising event. Weather-wise, this seemed like a repeat of last year: chilly, even with a few snow flakes in the air. Fortunately, they changed the route a little to avoid going up the sledding hill right next to the community center, that really was a killer last year. The ground was slippery under the freshly fallen leaves, result of the rainy weather we've been having, and the hills were hard to climb. The views from the top overlooking the Mississippi River Valley were rewarding. This year, I only caught one; despite my best efforts I was not able to catch the two young women about 50 m ahead of me. My pace was 3 seconds slower per km over last year's event (2008 results here). Getting old ;^) Finished 8th of 35, for complete results, see SkinnySki.com

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Arctic Commando Fundraiser at Battle Creek Park


View Arctic Commando Trail Run at Battle Creek in a larger map

Pictures at Flicker Thanks to Tom Hysell for taking these great photos and making them available, I don't have many pictures of myself in action.

Link to all Arctic Commando trail runs.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Como Park Fartlek

Introduced fartlek to my regular running route. See at Garmin Connect. I realize that this is not a true fartlek because my pulse did not get back down after the third interval, but at least I introduce variety in speed.

Orienteering--Nerstrand Big Woods SP

View 2009 Nerstrand Big Woods Orienteering in a larger map

A few sprinkles when I got there but nothing serious. I love Nerstrand Big Woods, good memories despite that twisted ankle a few years back. This time, my main challenge was as usual one of the long stretches through the inside of th woods. Pretty featureless and thus difficult to navigate. Number 3 took me way longer than it should have and I got turned around close to the intersection near control #11 losing valuable time.

Here is the route on Garmin Connect Orienteering Nerstrand Big Woods SP Red, and here are the results at MN Orienteering Club

One funny detail: take a look at the distance measurement on Garmin Connect: exactly 10 km, h ow likely is that?

Orienteering Lake Maria State Park

View 2009 Lake Maria SP Orienteering in a larger map

Check here for my route and splits: Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Orienteering Lake Maria SP

Ran into a nice buck and then three does. The first asters were blooming. Just a gorgeous afternoon, without being too hot, too restless for the mosquitoes to get me. But unable to avoid all the burrs and brambles. Literally kissed the soft black dirt at the bottom of a mud hole. I must have looked pretty funny with sweaty mud running down my face.

Result: smack in the middle, as usual 12th of 24 ... see here, look for the Red Course

Orienteering: Lake Elmo Sprints

Two nice sprints on a nice summer night.

Sprint 1 was longer, but Sprint 2 seemed physically tougher.

Results at www.mnoc.org

Sprint 1


View 2009 Lake Elmo Sprint 1 in a larger map

Sprint 2


View 2009 Lake Elmo Sprint 2 in a larger map

Orienteering Battle Creek Sprint

View 2009 Battle Creek Sprint in a larger map

Some refreshing sprinkels on a beautiful summer night of orienteering.

Westside Run, from Boys & Girls' Club

Nice new place to run, While Colin and/or James are at soccer practice. It's along Hwy 52 but I don't see too much of it because it's heavily wooded. Good place to do some hill training. Next time I will try to make it down to the river to take a look at the pivot bridge.


View Westside Run, from Boys & Girls Club in a larger map