Training Log Archive: bl

Decent DP. Another balmy day in the making with a nippy start. Got Sno present as usual. To my great surprise, found a control resting on a small hemlock bough by a dirt road, #972, looking battered & old. Prob from last 11/1 meet - not sure how it would up in that particular place. Always amused/surprised/maybe made to feel guilty by such discoveries.

UNO meet & club champs at Beaver Brook. Mild day, perfect conditions. Arrived late, was in a hurry, did a number of things that proved irritating, eg, did not number all circles & ran off with map case but no map - for some reason sitting on table. Looked down about 30m out & returned, a bit sheepish, started the next minute ETC. Ran right to #2 but it came up a bit soon. Wondered what could the feature be - I was looking for a depression. This appeared to be a bit of rocky ground, almost a knoll. Found something similar on map - knew reasonably well where I was but, upon proceeding, the depression did not show up - it was on the edge of fairly thick green. Did a whole bunch of antics, finally went to path, up to within sight of rock face, back down path & to same control, third time. Control appeared to be on a bit of rocky ground but was really just outside the south edge of the depression. It was staring back at me as I stared at it. Left out the fact that I checked code the first time - saw 520 on card but this was 536. 520 was the first control, go figure.... Time for leg was 11:10 - probably lost about 7' as the leg appears to be of 4' length & difficulty. Rest of course pretty good - nice woods, good detailed orienteering. Needed another control at the end to avoid the long run in. Jim Arsenault was 50+, tp 57 - did not see him to hear what fun he evidentally had. BP ran red. No falls or aches & bruises to speak of. 4 consecutive weekends with a local O venue.

Club mtg after. Offered a score O at Nottingcook 4/24. Some nice winter activities. Beth along for company.

Course & route

Green - Splits

Continued steward walk/jog in Knox Rd. TF. Found the trail & small bridge not supposed to be there. Certainly inconspicuous & harmless, except for precedent. Masterful toe stub sent me sprawling.

Just at dark, bit too dark as speed/effort reined in by it. Goal (even if napping in office not 30' before) was 2 sub15s but hollow chill said careful about pulling this or that & 2:48 first split was not likely going to get me under 15. Quit at one as mentally I was no longer interested - was dark by then. One of numerous nice features of SPS XC is that there are no roots or other items to trip over as it has been groomed quite thoroughly.

Home at lunch to have a look around in daylight. Maybe 60F. Quite the week, all 5 days pleasant. Raining cats & dogs this morn but clear before 11.
UNO meet Sunday.

Another frosty DP.

Splendidly warm at midday, short loop, cut a corner on Iron Works & did some near-embarrassing backyard prowling to get to street.

Frosty, blue DP.

SPS track, third cloudless blue in a row. Unexpectedly tired, no
expectations, just do something inclining honest. 4 x 1600:
8:43, 7:52, 7:40, 7:29, 200m walk between. 7' even a longish way away today, about as far away as June & July in the heady days of "speed" & disdain 7. Maybe a return soon with more energy. Still, a nice visit. Found 2 dandelions by the track.

Another SloGo with Diane, cloudless blue, low 50s, calm. Recup day #2.
Tomorrow something with a little energy. ...How did 10' miles become a norm of sorts....

Cat Haiku...

In response to a cat-lover friend who forwarded several similar. We just said goodbye to the last 2 cats we'll have...a good, long life for both.

*********

You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
And that will show you.

*I'll twitch my tail, lick my thigh (with relish)
Perhaps I'll pee on the rug.
And that will show you, too.


Katzzzzz!

PS

You've been asleep.
I've been awake chasing mice.
As I said in the first place...

"You never feed me."
If you did, just maybe, I'd poop
In the litter box. So there.

Noon loop with Diane, bit tight, nothing specific. Clear, 52F, windy.