Training Log Archive: Charlie

In NYC for the day with Rhonda, visiting Cooper. Matt, Hua and Tai are coming to meet us.

Busy day, call in the morning, school in the afternoon and evening.

Event: Harriman Orienteering Festival
 

Harriman Mini-goat

Mini-goat map and route

Cold and damp, but at least not raining. Rode down with J-J and Jeff, and slept at least half the way. We were running a little later than planned and had a little excitement when the road was closed at the traffic circle east of Camp Smith. A little joint iPhone navigation later we found the rather sketchy looking South Mountain Pass and took it over to 9D. Very satisfying, and we went home that way. too, just for fun.
Nice and unexpected visit with cousin Hua at registration, and then after at the finish.

The race: Under the tunnel and saw some folks ahead heading R and up to the road. Aha! best route to 1, running down a ways and picking up the trail, and even better, best route to 2B, skipping 1, as there didn't seem to be an optimal other skip. Saw lots of people heading up the trail from the road, and followed along behind Steve Tarry (well in front), Linda Kohn and Nellie (closer) down to just before the marsh and up to the control. Lots of people streaming in from 1, so didn't make up any ground on them, but I was going to be well behind anyway.

3. On compass, hill to the left, marsh to the right, reading features pretty successfully, and people around anyway.

4. Same, checking hilltops, rock features. It was a bit further left than I expected, but no problem.

5. Certainly not hard, following the shape of the land, could see the knoll from a bit, saw someone duck behind it for confirmation.

6. Behind Linda, and then she cut down through the cliffs and I thought maybe it would be better further on. It was not. Phil went by. I tried pretty unsuccessfully to tie my shoe. First of about 4 attempts. Fingers just too cold. Finally just ignored it after the last try near #12. Anyway, got a bit flummoxed and dropped too far, a bit bummed to have dropped down to the reentrant when it was pointing SW/NE instead of EW, so had to climb a bit. I thought I was a bit further along and would run into the rocky white patch as I went down to the stream, but I could hear the stream, so just went for it. Nasty in the green, but effective and no problem.

7. A couple of folks went by as I was heading to the streem and trail. Bridget taking photos at the trail junction. Really unfortunate route choice, as I soldiered on through some really thick green that seemed to last forever, instead of taking the trail around. Then hesitated a bit after seeing the two cliffs along the hillside and saw a big train coming down from 7 toward 8, including Max Ahmed. But no problem getting there.

8. And then a nice downhill through open woods toward 8, on compass, seeing the blob of green on my right, then the first rock and the second. Max was there conferring with his dad, and then turning to go back uphill. Must have missed 7 in the excitement of the train.

9. Moving slowly, pointing for the eastern tip of the hill, picking up Peggy and Bernie briefly, as they disappeared gradually in front. Stopped too soon, and didn't see or didn't recognize the intermittent trail, which would have been a big help. So wandered a bit and then turned south thinking maybe I'd see something that looked distinctive to relocate. I did. Rick W had gone to 10 first and was headed to 9 from there, so we more or less co-operated, and I saw the hill on top of the cliff and then it was easy enough.

10. Easy enough, over the top and then found the large reentrant from the west. Rick had been more left and got there just before me.

11. Another disaster. Somehow I feared we were heading too low and turned left a bit and uphill, went way too far and figured out where I was. Rick had done something else, but got there around the same time. Bob Bullions was coming in from the E as I left.

12. This was fine, gentle downhill. Rick had taken off and I didn't see him, until I got close and saw him near the control. Turned out he hadn't realized it and was coming back to it as I punched.

13. Then I hotfooted it up the streambed to pick up the intermittent trail through the green. Pretty sweet. Popped out on top and then it was only a short toot from the trail bend to the flag.

14. Angled down to the trail, trail to the stone wall, then more or less on compass A big crowd of cadets passed down to my left, obviously in an area of better running, and then Rick showed up again and we went together to 14.

15. Rick was moving a fair amount faster, but kept him in sight. Reasonably straight to the tunnel and under. Thought about going left along the yellow, but it looked pretty wet, so pushed on straight a bit, then E through white woods to where I could cross the stream and get to the trail. Rick had headed toward the start from the tunnel, so I was ahead of him. Julia D was motoring down the trail as I got to it.

C • Solid race 2

Mini Fall Goat - Splits

In a cold rain, with R&S. Mr. Zack is on his way back to CA. Dropped him off this am at 7.

Mostly a yard work day, some mowing, clean up, then cutting some oaks to use for mushroom logs. I ordered the spawn, will inoculate the logs in two weeks, a cooperative venture with Francesca and Jeff.

Family hike to the Indian Council rocks from LeGeyt road. Zack’s choice, and a nice excursion. Haven’t been here much of late.

Helping Zack take down another tree, this the pear tree in the garden. Limited by the vulnerability of my right arm. This was something of a mixed bag. Zack got it down and disposed of, but broke a hook off the tractor bucket, and shredded a large tow strap that I would not have imagined to be shreddable. However, he is nothing if not persistent, even in the face of a lack of parental encouragement. Or perhaps because of.

Part of Rhonda's morning class. A good thing to do.

A little excursion out back with Rhonda. She wanted to time how long it took to get to Jackie's house through the woods, and she was looking for where to turn in from Derby Road to get to out dog loop trail. Successful on both counts. The trip to Jacke's took 13:40 at a relaxed pace. She is planning on going through the woods over there tomorrow to meet the girls at 5:30 for some walking.

Aargh! Medial epicondylitis. I've had this before from repetitive stress, but this time it was just one awkward move, lopping a large stem at a bit of an awkward angle. So no laurel wrangling for the immediate future, which is too bad because it is the perfect season for it. Just ice, stretching, hot tub, massage, hope for the best.

In the gym with Eric. Last time, as he moves to England tomorrow. Goblet squats, rowing, lots of bands and planks.

Busy day.

Checking out the logging at the lake. They have accumulated some huge piles of wood, but don’t seem to have taken any out yet. Kind of surprising to me. I would have thought they would be taking it out more as they go along.

C • Logging 9

Big day with the boom lift and chipper. I am a capable assistant, but I got really tired by the afternoon. The main activity was clearing about a 25 foot perimeter around the octagonal barn. Over the years the forest has encroached and the northwestern part, in perpetual shade, is showing some rot. Looks much nicer now. And a few other things, but there are always more useful things I can do with a boom lift than there is time to do them.

Event: 2018 USA Nationals - Sprint Middle Long
 

Spent the afternoon on yard work. Widening a trail, chipping brush, spreading chips, and then went down to pick up the boom lift Zack rented. This one is smaller than the other one we have rented and more agile. Only goes to 34 feet, but more useful because it can get into tighter spots. We took down a big dead oak that had fallen and got hung up in a birch that saved the old barn. Lucky break. Dismantled it from the top enough that we could drop it, and then the birch really didn’t look so good either, so that went, too. Then Zack replaced an outdoor floodlight. He is really good at this stuff and fast. Way out of my league. But I am useful for holding tools and the like. Lots more boom lift work tomorrow.

In the gym with Eric, including some front squats(a bit uncomfortable) and back squats(better), and most of the usual stuff.

With Rhonda and Jan, testing Pinarello e-bikes. A perfect confluence, Jan always selling, Rhonda always buying.

first half of Rhonda's morning yoga class

In the gym with Eric, mostly rolling stretching and bands, some planks. He is winding down. 2 more sessions and then he moves to England.

Maps from last week:

Vasto sprint

Lanciano sprint

Maielletta ski area morning race

Maielletta ski area afternoon race

Montorio nei Frentani sprint part 1

Montorio nei Frentani sprint part 2

Jet-lagged. Dante class was quite a struggle, then arrived home to Zack’s various property management plans. Hope to spark up some tomorrow.