Training Log Archive: Ricka

5K race at math conference. 6:15 start - very dark. 3 long downhills, turn-around, 2 uphills (we finished low, avoiding the 3rd).

Oddities: steep downhill start and I was suddenly in the lead. I realized that I've NEVER led a medium or distance race. Also, I didn't know the course and the presumed pace-car was drivng away at 25 mph. hmm. Car was dropping off students to mark the course - worked well. Colleague caught me early and we ran 3.5 K together - I walked last third of last hill - finished easy 2nd - near dawn.

Three over 50 males led race - what does it say about MO recruiting of college/university math faculty recruiting?

Felt guilty about skippping sunday run
First early morning run in LONG time. 30 min around TG Park. Found a nice rhythm despite lack of recent running.
70 degrees early; normal high is 60 degrees. Expecting 80+ again today - near record high.

C • wow. And I thought our 16C he... 1

30+20 minute runs in Forest Park, joining rest of St. Louis in zoo for my break.

Warm (75), felt sluggish. Got good exercise last week - but the lack running showed. Found a rhythm in 2nd run.

Swimming/snorkeling along shore and cay at Cinammon Bay, St. John's.

(Staying in campground for 2 nights. Not cheap, but very nice tent and platforms. Good facilities, good dinners.)

Walk/jog to 7:30 am bird watch hike at Francis Bay Salt pond.

visit sugar cane facotry and school ruins; return to campsite. Got stuck on only off-trail venture down a 'gut' - Island-talk for re-entrant.

Kayak to two snorkeling sites aout of Cinammon Bay.

Two great snorkeling adventures including some long swims. (Nearing the end of vacation - ahhhh)

uphill trek to Caneel Hill and Margaret Hill on St. John's Island VI. Steep grade, good trail, great views.

downhill and back to town along beaches.

Two short swims to check out ishand coral onrocks ext to Salomon Bay.

C • were the sharks after you, the... 1

A couple short swims with fran on Lindbergh Beach near Frenchtown. Saw a few fish near the rocks. New swim goggles feel great.

Walk back from beach. Stop at Pueblo Supermarket.

Hiked for 3 hours up, down, and around Water Island - the 4th largest US VI. Island Wisdom - "Never grab a cactus for support." I only did it once (I learn quickly) and the dozen barbs came out smoothly. Then I found the VI's vine that fills their ecological niche for green briar - very nasty - it stole the towel over my shoulders. Hard to avoid when I did venture off-trail once. Whole map would be dark and medium green with numerous roads. Extremely minimal fauna - saw 1 iguana, likely heard a couple others; few birds and bugs even; very arid right now. Lots of abandoned shells of homes and one motel - probably remnatns of last big hurricane here (Hugo?).

Several short swims on Honeymoon Beach before and after hike. Very pleasant. Good tan - no burn!

New Joke for VI:

"How long is Honeymoon Beach?" (cursor down)






"One Month"

Short and long swim along very long beautiful Magens Beach on north shore of St. Thomas. 85 degrees and water nearly as warm - very clear.

Heard Father George give rousing service at the Cathedral and nice brunch with our host.

"Another lazy day in the tropics"

Good internet access at the school. I subbed one calculus class and worked twice with two giggly 8th grade girls - prepping them for 'state' Mathcounts competition next week.

C • I'm glad you're managing to ma... 2

Nice jog with Fran around Frenchtown and west to Tickles restaurant on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Long flight Friday - uneventful. Finish grading tests in San Juan airport.

Saturday - helped Fran set up for her week of presentations at Sts Peter and Paul school. Nice fish dinner at Hook, Line and Sinker

C • Happy Pi Day!!! 1

Picked up a few controls at end. Great turn-out on sunny, warm (45) day. All went well.

Hung 50% of markers (Beth hung rest) for Cuivre River meet. 28 degrees, windy, light flurries - one of those days I KNOW I wouldn't get out to exercise - except for orienteering. Saw 13 deer, numerous woodpeckers, and two large flocks of robins - never knew they 'flocked'. Big Sugar Creek was way down from Thursday - now ankle deep only - but cold.

Found I'd put Red #5 in wrong reentrant -oops & corrected it. With gloves and gear, using compass was a pain it. Without it, reading terrain was not sufficient - drifted severly twice - lesson: in meets, check compass regularly!