Training Log Archive: bl

Went to Bear Brook to try classic. Started from Podunk pkng & took trail to E of the road at headquarters that goes to the camp ground. I'd done this quite a few times but not in a few years. Came to one intersection (sign said Hemlock Tr., -1). Took it, thinking it might be part of what I'd done before but had forgotten. Went a few hundred meters toward a large hemlock tree line and knew this was new. Started back as I had a long enough ski planned. Then, however, I decided to give it a try - something new and flexibility was fine. Under the thick, high canopy, the snow was pretty thin and skis occ hit dirt, a root or rock. There were some fresh ski tracks. At one point, I had to return to pick up a dropped hat. Skis had to come off a # of times due to too thin a layer of snow. The trail led across a steep slope for quite a bit in a really fine section of high hemlocks.

Finally, came to a jct that said Hemlock Tr. to L (& no tracks) and Pine Pitch with one set of tracks straight. My cell battery had surprisingly dropped right off about 15' before with the relative cold and Strava usage so I could not determine where I was relative to the road. Was not pleased with the uncertainty. It was all unfamiliar - not on the BB map, so I returned to the original intersection, walking and skiing, rather than get to the next jct and risk more uncertainty. Got back there 33' later. Returned to Podunk pkng. Had run out of time. Did check the kiosk map and noted that Hemlock was a MTB trail and was able to find the intersection where I turned around.

C • XC adventure 7

Token at BHS. Went there around 5:30, chewed up groomed but good time.
Decent light from parking lot. Mild.

About 5" snow last night and over course of day. Went out east end of house thru the pines & hemlocks, a fair amount of dodging & stepping over. Probably is quite good on a BHS field with this new cover over icy base but wasn't inclined to drive there.

Fortunately light and easy to move aside.

Appointment with vascular surgeon today who leaves it to me as my femoral blockage is not such as requires removal or even leads to her recommending a focal endarterectomy. But if I want to continue a lifestyle that includes efforts like orienteering or just plain 10'/mi jogging, giving this a try is indicated. My choice obviously. Last night @ BHS reminded me that sx are just a reasonable CV effort away. No date set though.

At BHS. Went home from work, took a nap, then out to get something done. BPL then stopped at the high school. Such a good place to exercise after dark - no traffic and well lit at either end with a nice dark mid-portion. Obviously well-plowed when called for. Pleasant 30F. Haven't stressed CV system much to speak of. OOB pretty good with uphill start. Much of the rest was jog-walk which managed to bring on RL weakness, something I haven't done in quite some time. Have a vascular surgery appt tomorrow so at least felt good about updating symptomatology. Last time I did this loop had to be pre-op, easily more than a year ago. Will have to look with consideration for CV status. I'm sure I was better than. This is about the best I can do min/mi time.

Real run on the Y these days. Cold, cold wx, then rain and right now, skiing not possible. Could run outside though but haven't.

GNC weekend brings back memories of the great escape from the frozen north to, hopefully, fair GA weather...in which to keep the low O flame burning til spring came north.

I recall going to one GNC a weekend before a major southeast US ice storm.

Nottingcook walk with Beth from BBR end of WHR. The microspikes we had proved to be necessary. It is so refreshing to be in winter woods on such a day tho it was cold in shadow which was just about the entire time. We visited the open field to see if any dumping. Nothing new - mattress still there maybe 3 yrs now & some old appliances. Walked the trail we’ve leaf blown in past almost to the end and then back on the road which was uneven, full of recently frozen puddles from wheeled vehicles etc. Snow is generally hard enough to be able to walk just about anywhere.

Pretty much a repeat of yesterday. Day started as dreary-looking as can be but within the hour, sky was blue, sun brightening up the landscape. Then the temp plummeted over the course of the day to 10F or so, back to winter.