Training Log Archive: Ari-o

I dragged my bicycle up to Maine, so I figured I should use it. Just a quick lap of the lake since the plan was to go hiking later, but a really nice, cool, mostly shaded ride. Rode pretty hard up both uphills. Although I don't have lots of bicycle specific strength, riding bikes is fun. Some pretty good headwinds, too.

Adams Challenge! This is a thing where you run a specified route up Mount Adams, and if you do it in less than a specified amount of time, you get some prize. I was mainly doing it for fun, but might check out the prize at some point soon. But a good time nonetheless.

The time cutoff is 2:10 and I didn't think I'd have any trouble meeting that, but found out at the bottom that Lincoln (and maybe Jess) had done it in 1:35, which was most impressive. I wasn't sure I could make that. The "race" starts up the Valley Way (runnable) and then turns on to the Brookside. About 750 feet per mile for the first three miles.

The top of the Brookside is quite steep with a nice staircase and some rock hopping, then it turns you on to the Watson Path to the Scar Trail. I actually had my shoes on a bit too tight as my feet swelled and had to stop to loosen both. The Scar Trail is nice—I'd never hiked it (!)—and then found the Airline. It was lovely as ever, if a bit breezy up top.

The prescribed route then turns on the Gulfside (run!) and then up to the summit. The summit itself was very, very windy, but there were some other folks there to chitchat with in the lee of the wind. About 55 mph, which is nice, because I cooled down and dried off quickly.

Time of 1:49, so well within the bounds, although on a perfect day I could probably shave 5 or 10 minutes off of that.

Jumping down to the hut, I met my sister and her BF going up the Airline (in about 3 hours). Then went to the hut to make them (and me) food for lunch, and dive some dishes.

Down the Valley Way, with a quick excursion over to Cold Brook Falls. Then a wonderful, wonderful jump in Ravine Pool, which was rebuilt with a concrete spillway (it had washed away in Irene). That water felt so nice, and made the drive home so much better. Then traffic north of Concord. Ugh.

Oh, rollerskiing, I remember that I like this. Beautiful day after all the rain, by noontime it was cool, breezy and the roads were dry. Did my 30-plus k loop and had a marvelous time. The hills are completely manageable, although I sort of bonked/ran out of water up the last hill (preceded by a section along an open road in to a 30 mph headwind). I'd thought about doing the figure 8 for 40+ k but I was out of water and my knee hurt a little, so 30k it was. Slowed down in the last couple miles, other than that a nice roll. My back wheels are getting worn down, soon time to replace!

It was wicked muggy and spitting rain all afternoon, and I finally drank a little Coke and went for a run with the energy from the sugar and caffeine. I didn't feel great, but pounded up a hill because STRAVA and then my stupid watch didn't even get the track (just the time, wtf) and I didn't get the course record I probably got, so stupid Strava.

Setting a very easy learn-to-O course. Thanks to the Bermans for giving me compasses and controls, it was pretty legit. The map I'd made was actually sort of okay, and since it was all beginners everything was pretty obvious and everyone found everything. There was an obvious through-the-woods route choice, and I'm pretty sure everyone took it, so they sort of got a feel for O. I need to update a bunch of things on the map, but it works, and might be a fun sprint course. I spent most of my time swatting mosquitos and untangling controls.

NP wanted us to do 50 sections in the sun. I finished 37 in the shade and that was enough. I felt good for the first 9 or 10 minutes but then overheated; even my iced water was no match for 80˚ and sun. I felt really, really good for the first bit though, until I had to stop and cool off in a breeze.

110 pulls on the board. #protip: take off work gloves after rollerboard to garden; if your hands get sweaty they'll blister/hurt a lot when you pull again.

Recovering after a busy weekend. Plus, it got hot. Ugh.