Training Log Archive: PG

Anyone have any experience with Permethrin to repel ticks. And if so, how have you applied it or used it?

C • Permethrin 15

I don't have much experience with omens, either good ones or bad ones, so I don't know if they are supposed to act quickly or not, though I would guess generally not. So I was quite surprised to get a very positive reaction to Saturday's sighting of the eagle, and to get it not much more than 36 hours later.

Namely, another eagle, this one of quite a different sort. Had not had one for quite some time. And this was the way you want it, every shot virtually perfect, the drive, the three wood, the putt.

I'm going to stick to my opinion the first eagle was a good omen, and also to the thought that there is no reason it shouldn't keep delivering. :-)

C • omen 7

Bike trails on North Sugarloaf on a warm late afternoon. Knee getting better but still feel it a little on the downhills. But energy going up was OK.

Around the block, still a little sore but not bad.

Trails on the lower slopes of South Sugarloaf, once again just as it was getting dark. This time the excuse for running so late was that most of the day was taken by a trip to Litchfield, where I'd organized visits by her brother and his wife, and also an old friend, to celebrate her 96th only one day late, and also, as her brother said, to give a hug just in case, well, who knows how much time she has left.

So far, so good for the running. Knee a little sore on the downhills, but OK the next morning, and OK on stairs too, which it certainly wasn't a few days ago. So some reason for hope. And certainly more hope than a few days ago.

And my conditioning, after two weeks off, is not awful, still managing to get up some hills. Have to remember the key for the next month -- belly breathing. It makes a big difference.

And then coming back home, first there was a bald eagle sighting, it was cruising downstream as I crossed the Sunderland bridge, not more than 15' up and maybe 50-75' in front of me, couldn't have had a better view. They hang out up the river a little ways, but I haven't seen one for some time. And then a deer, solidly planted in the driveway, got within about 20' of it before it bounded off.

Now you could look at these two creatures and feel depressed, one with its beak and talons the symbol of American imperialism, the other a host for a zillion ticks carrying Lyme disease. Or you could say that they -- especially the eagle -- were good omens for the upcoming trip. That sounds like a much better choice.

Up and down South Sugarloaf again, and once again also just before dark and not quite long enough after dinner. But the knee seemed OK when I got up this morning, so no reason not to get a little more exercise.

9:59 up, 7:47 down. Knee fine going up, a little unhappy going down. So the ice pack is out again, as so many times over the last couple of weeks. But at least there is some progress.

And a trip to the eye doctor this afternoon. My vision has certainly gotten worse in the last year, at least that was my impression, and the visit confirmed it. Last year I had inquired as to the possibility of cataracts, and was told that they weren't yet enough to warrant doing anything. Last year I also had my retinas checked out and got the same message, not yet messed up enough to warrant doing anything.

But this time I could only read the large letters, so after a bunch more checking me over we had a discussion about what the options are. And it seems like the plan will be to deal with the right eye cataract first, since it is worse. And then the left eye cataract, because, though better, it is still not good.

And then maybe, phase three, deal with the retina in the left eye, what appears to be the worse one. But that will depend on how my vision in that eye is after the cataract is taken care of.

So some figuring out to do, and choices (of doctor, and lenses), and scheduling, and anxiety, but hopefully in a few months I will be able to see a fair bit better. Which would be wonderful. And can't come too soon.

C • And hopefully eliminate the falls 5

Time to run a little farther than partway down the driveway, which is all I've managed the last several days (plus some brisk walking). Up and down South Sugarloaf as it was getting dark.

Ran up, knee felt pretty much OK, but it didn't really like coming down too much, so walked the last part. 10:27 up, 9:30 down. Lungs got a good workout going up, but I wasn't quite as feeble as I expected. But we'll see how things feel tomorrow.

Still no running, but maybe maybe the knee is a little better. Been a very aggravating week. During which, among other things, haven't been to AP at all.

Been out on the golf course some, playing quite horribly. Were I to put it in O' terms, moving very fast but my navigation is terrible. Meaning, I can still hit the ball a good long ways, but with even less idea than ever where it is going.

Fortunately there is still some satisfaction in the game, especially when the company is good, as it was today. Played with Mike. Long discussions, occasionally interrupted by having to thrash the golf ball again, the subjects being life in general, family and all the good and bad that is part of that package, and philanthropy. With regard to the latter, how professional some organizations are (think private schools and colleges), and how much less professional others are. I've had occasion to deal with both types recently, largely as a result of dealing with my mom's affairs and her charitable wishes.

And then there was some discussion of OUSA and strategic plans. I mean, the golf was so bad, you had to have something else to laugh about….

Now, to avoid being just snide, and to try to offer something useful, I will pass on something he learned at Microsoft, three important things to always keep in mind --

1. Always have a mission that motivates your team and makes them feel
part of a bigger cause, and don't be afraid to change the mission. I
never had a team mission that stayed the same for more than 12 months.
The team loved it when we shifted directions and created a new mission
that was the next most important thing in the world to achieve.

2. Have a laser sharp focus that you are trying to achieve as fast as
you can that supports the mission. 57 key objectives for OUSA - oh my
god. I had teams of 50 to 100 people and if we had more than 5 key
objectives then no one believed we could get anything done. We usually
kept it to 3 and then sprinted full force ahead with everyone lined up
to get them done. People love moving fast as a team and achieving
results quickly.

3. Don't be afraid to break the rules to get #1 and #2 done.

C • Rules 4

Taking a few days off to see if my kneecap/tendon will calm down.

Meanwhile in corn maze O' news, so far so good for the annual outing at Mike's Maze. I've seen this year's design, looks like it will work just fine for O'. Of course the corn still has to grow. Date will be Saturday afternoon and evening the weekend before Labor Day weekend, so August 23rd to be precise. I expect the program will be something similar to last year -- a couple of events, then a trip to Bub's BBQ for dinner and to pass a little time before darkness arrives, and then some night O'.

Info will be posted here.

C • corn maze 2

Event: WCOC Summer Picnic and meeting
 

Bike trails on North Sugarloaf, two times around the loop (up the south side). Light rain, low 60s, perfect conditions. Energy was OK, right kneecap still a little sore. Had thought about a third lap but decided what I did was enough.

At some point I was contemplating dogs, and run-ins with dogs, and specifically my run-in with a dog a few days ago, and it occurred to me that I'm not sure that people realize the therapeutic value of AP. How much better it is to bitch here, with the only consequences being considered an idiot by the cast of characters that inhabits this minor universe, than it is to go and bitch to the local chief of police, with the consequence probably being that you are now on his shit list. Seems like a no-brainer. :-)

And as to the cast of characters here, whom I have usually thought to be uniformly brilliant, well, without naming any names, wouldn't you think that before you start trash talking the other team in a softball game that you have shown at least minimal competence yourself, like being able to catch a pop fly. You would think.

Maybe the average IQ here isn't as high as I thought….

C • trash 4

At Mt. Wantastiquet in Brattleboro. 26:06 up, 18:18 down.

Good run. Ran all the way going up, never really close to walking, a nice surprise. And then an easy pace coming down, not wanting to do any damage. The legs are getting in decent shape, but still a bunch more to do in the next 3 weeks.

Cloudy, about 60F but felt cool, just starting to rain as I finished.

With Dave, over to and up South Sugarloaf, and back. 9:30 going up, good time, working hard. Rest was mellow.

Did the loop that they have run in the past (don't know if they still) for a trail race, but in the opposite direction.

Good run. A steady pace up to the top, all running, no moments of weakness, and then a good hard effort the rest of the way, just being a little careful not to do any damage on the steeper downhills. Last time I raced this was three years ago in 52 minutes, so for a solo and not a max effort this compares nicely.

Alternatively, to use the Ian scale (as it is applied to all hard efforts, no matter the result), it sucks. :-)

Kneecap still a little sore but clearly getting better. Actually icing it quite a few times.

One very strange thing was that maybe 3/4 mile of the route was covered by railroad ties, or something similar. It seemed like that may have been because they are replacing some of the towers for the big transmissions lines. But I would have thought that a bit of gravel would firm up whatever soft spots that were in the trail. As it is, it's really ugly.

Tried to inquire afterwards, but the office was locked up tight, as I think it is on Mondays and Tuesdays.

C • But the ties can be taken u... 10

Yesterday's course (click on map for larger image) --

And yesterday's route is here.

Knee was actually better than I expected, but still rather sore, so cut the run very short. Legs felt tired anyway. I think I put in a reasonable effort yesterday.

Event: HVO Blue Mountain
 

HVO meet at Blue Mountain, Red course, 6.6 km.

In life sometimes there are no good options, just trying to pick the lesser of the evils. Today's course seemed like that much of time. But realize that is mostly a compliment and not a complaint. Just seemed like a lot of legs where there were choices, just none of them very appealing.

Though I guess I am really thinking of the physical aspect. The terrain is just hard to get through, a combination of the hills, the dying hemlocks, and some damage from recent storms. But it is still a wonderful place and it offers wonderful orienteering. Which is what we were offered today.

Had a change in O' gear today, added one thing and omitted another. Could have actually used both.

What was added was gloves, bike gloves actually, and they did what they were supposed to do, on my one bad fall, slipped coming down a rock face and took a nasty tumble, they prevented what would have been more damage to my right hand (still a hard whack, but no lacerations that would have surely happened otherwise).

What was omitted, and would have been useful, was a compass. Broke mine last time out and haven't gone around to replacing it. I'm not used to going without, so even though the sun was out, there were times when I was a bit directionally challenged. Though only once seriously, on the way to #5, what are those houses and that field doing there, hmmm….

But a good run in general, didn't miss much otherwise, and though I walked/trudged up a lot of steep hills, I also ran a good bit of stuff too. But it's just slow terrain.

And the only regret is that I managed to whack my right knee. So the kneecap and the tendon right below it are rather stiff/sore. A longish run was planned for tomorrow morning, but the odds of that happening seem not so good.

C • Pasi style 1

Red - Splits

Back roads in Leverett and Montague. Up then down.

Got accosted by a St. Bernard on the loose. Came from an old house with a police car parked outside. Kept taking runs at me until I was about 100 yards past the house. I was yelling all the time, directed both towards the dog and also hoping to rouse an owner that might call it off, but no luck on the latter and not much on the former.

I mostly don't like dogs and I can't tell whether they are friendly or not, but even a friendly dog that just wants to play can do a lot of damage.

So I drove back to the house afterwards. Dog not in sight. A guy working on some equipment by the road. We had a civil conversation. According to him, his kids had let the dog out by mistake, though I got the feeling it was far from the first time it had happened. Usually, he said, the dog is out loose only after dark. And it wants to play. But, he admitted, it is scary.

I saw no point in getting into a shouting match. But what am I supposed to do, never go there again? I'm debating writing his chief and the town selectmen. In a civil tone, of course. Though I suppose I should first find out if Montague has a leash law, and if so, under what circumstances it applies.

C • Thinking of complaining to ... 5

Bunch of driving today but a nice trip -- Litchfield to Bennington, VT, to home to Bradley to home. Never been to Bennington College but seemed like a fine place. Went there with my brother and Gail to deliver some of my mom's funds to her alma mater (she was in the third class there) and had a very nice visit (as one would expect under the circumstances). One more thing done.

Wednesday evening track group at Deerfield Academy. Warm-up.

6 x 600, then jogged 200 to get back to the S/F, then about 40 seconds rest to keep to a 4:15 cycle. Comfortable pace for the most part -- these workouts are a lot easier on the mind if the pace is a little less than full effort. Legs generally felt OK.

2:33, 1:05, 37
2:37, 1:05, 33
2:31, 1:04, 40
2:31, 1:02, 42
2:28, 1:06, 41
2:28, 1:04

And some more easy afterwards. Small but nice group -- Barry, Sidney, Ed O'Connell, Margaret, and one other woman, can't remember her name.

The map from Rochester and my route is on RouteGadget.

C • point density 18

So an article in todays WSJ about seniors and new technology to help keep them safe. Starts off with the statement that 1 in 3 seniors fall every year, so it's a serious concern. Hmm, I think so far this year I must have been down something in the range of 50-100 times.

C • Doing your part 9

Another adventure, i.e. running someplace I'd never been, this time on some bike trails in Charlemont by the Berkshire East ski area (called Thunder Mountain many years ago). The trails are of fairly recent vintage, last two or three years. The terrain alternates between steep and very steep, but they seem to have done a good job of making ridable trails, at least for someone with more skills than I have on a bike.

But bike trails are almost always good for running as they aren't generally too steep, although in this case they do go up and up and up, and then eventually back down.

They'd also made a map recently, looked rather nice, and I procured a copy to take with me, both to have some sense of where I was going and also to see if the map was any good.

The map was decent, certainly better than some I've seen (such as the trail maps put out by the Commonwealth for its state parks and forests, where the mapping of the trails has only a slight connection to reality). But it's hard to know what to think when the map shows a trail that doesn't seem to exist, or has junctions that don't look at all right. Willful incompetence, or clever planning, the latter being the case if the map is trying to reflect trail work that hasn't yet been finished. But in many places the turns on the trails corresponded nicely to the map, and in checking afterwards, well, their GPS wasn't much different than my GPS.

It was just as good that I had the map for entertainment, because my running truly sucked. Zero energy and zero willpower and a hot day and I was toast before I started it seemed. I decided the way to cope was just to take short stops, a minute or so, as often as needed, but when I was moving keep running instead of walking. I think I needed about a dozen stops. Not a good day.

But at least I got out. The plan for the month is that running comes first, get it done in the first part of the day. Now I just have to get out earlier, especially as it gets hotter.

And wore the bike gloves. They seemed to be tolerable, but of course this would be the day I didn't fall at all, so not really a good test as to how much they will help when I do go down.

Back to Pocumtuck Ridge, this time the south end. Went down the power line to the east looking for trails crossing it, but none to be seen, though I didn't go all the way, didn't feel like navigating a short marshy area. And then back up, a good climb, couldn't make it all in one go, took a stop in the middle for a minute or two.

And then a little way down the power line to the west, and then back up. Will have to complete the trip in both directions to see where they tie in to civilization. Also check around Clapp Pond as I know there are a few trails there.

Always more fun to go places you haven't been before.

And then just before I was done, on a stretch of the ridge trail I know very well, clipped a rock and did a face plant at pretty good speed. No major damage, but another gash, right palm this time. Thought I had done more damage to the gash on the left palm, but after cutting off the flap of skin that was going to come off at some point anyway, it doesn't really seem much worse.

But it would be nice to finish a run without losing blood. (Even yesterday, a nice gash just above the sock line on my left ankle, on a run with no falls and no recollection of doing anything….)

Gail suggests I should go get some light bike gloves to wear when running on trails, so when I fall…. Not a bad idea.

C • Golf gloves would work fine, too. 6

Exploring the northeast side of Pocumtuck Ridge in Deerfield. Bob Perry had told me there were some mountain bike trails there, and they usually are just fine for running, but I didn't know where the access was. Though I knew that along Pine Nook Road by the abandoned Deerfield ski trails there was the start of some trail I'd been meaning to check out. So off I went.

And it was a little like the first time at Earl's Trails. Follow a trail and then after a little bit of wandering around there is a junction of some sort, and then more junctions, so it's quite the challenge to try to keep track of where you are, and also trying to close the loops so the whole network would make some sense when I was done.

Years ago, exploring Mt Toby for the first time, the standard practice was always to have a copy of the topo map along, and then mark new discoveries on the map after every outing. Now you just download the GPS.

I'll have to go try some more there, though the trail I was heading on going south sort of fizzled out, and I'm not sure if there is much more to the network. At the very least, it satisfied my curiosity, and it's another nice place to run.

Legs were totally dead to start, but got a little life in them after 15-20 minutes and not so bad thereafter. Need to get the running cranked up again.