Training Log Archive: PGIn the 30 days ending Nov 30, 2020:
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Monday Nov 30, 2020 #
Note
A Barred Owl expressing his approval of solar energy? In this case, the array a ways above the top of Berkshire East.
Sunday Nov 29, 2020 #
1 PM
run/hike 59:07 4.2 mi (14:05 / mi) +942ft 11:37 / mi
ahr:142 max:164 weight:136.5lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
With Phil. He has suggested Notch Mountain in Northfield, where I been earlier this year and had good memories from -- enough of a climb to make it summit-worthy and a nice loop lower down on bike trails. I expected it would take roughly an hour, and that seemed manageable since there would be a good bit of walking.
Perfect day, sunny, 50, and things went just fine. No falls, though I stumbled once. Don't think I overdid it. And certainly got the heart rate going at times. Running will do that. Walking will also do that if you are climbing and putting out a good effort.
I did have to put up with Phil's claim that he found my "training" laughable in its meagerness. But since I shake my head at training I see other folks doing on AP, either from laughing or from the horror, it doesn't seem reasonable to expect that my log won't lead to a similar reaction in others. I guess the assumption has to be that we all think we are doing exactly the right thing.
Well, I know I am.
And laughing at myself as I write that.
Great to have company, great to still be able to get out and do this stuff.
Perfect day, sunny, 50, and things went just fine. No falls, though I stumbled once. Don't think I overdid it. And certainly got the heart rate going at times. Running will do that. Walking will also do that if you are climbing and putting out a good effort.
I did have to put up with Phil's claim that he found my "training" laughable in its meagerness. But since I shake my head at training I see other folks doing on AP, either from laughing or from the horror, it doesn't seem reasonable to expect that my log won't lead to a similar reaction in others. I guess the assumption has to be that we all think we are doing exactly the right thing.
Well, I know I am.
And laughing at myself as I write that.
Great to have company, great to still be able to get out and do this stuff.
Friday Nov 27, 2020 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:17:13 16.59 mi (4:39 / mi) +298ft 4:35 / mi
ahr:103 max:116 weight:136.5lbs
With Gail, north along the river. 50, cloudy, calm. Just right.
Thursday Nov 26, 2020 #
3 PM
run/hike 25:30 2.02 mi (12:37 / mi) +191ft 11:35 / mi
ahr:120 max:154 weight:136lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
Hike up North Mountain for a mile, run back. A little splish-splash, but not bad, as all the water holes and most of the mud was avoidable.
Way overdressed. Four shirts for low 40s? Shorts, tights, O-pants? Hello senility.
Way overdressed. Four shirts for low 40s? Shorts, tights, O-pants? Hello senility.
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 59:45 14.67 mi (4:04 / mi) +169ft 4:02 / mi
ahr:120 max:139 weight:136lbs
Up along the river, modest pace. About 40 but no wind. Better weather than it's going to be, so might as well get out.
--------
In a good mood after yesterday's orienteering, despite some terrible orienteering. Just nice to be able to do it, physically. Clearly not all there mentally, getting senile I guess, but somehow that doesn't bother me. :-)
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In a good mood after yesterday's orienteering, despite some terrible orienteering. Just nice to be able to do it, physically. Clearly not all there mentally, getting senile I guess, but somehow that doesn't bother me. :-)
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020 #
11 AM
orienteering 1:12:35 3.66 mi (19:50 / mi) +696ft 16:48 / mi
ahr:143 max:158 weight:136lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
UNO event at Bear Brook. Not easy orienteering. Been there once before, I think, weekend after my Cyclops outing (40 stitches in the area of my right eyebrow), about 15 years ago. Had trouble then, had trouble today.
Comments on a few legs --
1 - spike.
2 - spike.
3 - spike.
4 - spike.
6 - spike.
7 - spike.
9 - spike.
10 - spike.
11 - spike.
13- spike.
Finish - spike.
No falls, which is a very good thing. Though I miscalculated slightly ducking under a large branch and sacrificed a bit of skin off the top of my head. It seems that, though I am getting shorter and shorter, the distance between my eyes and the top of my head has stayed the same.
Pleasantly surprised by my time compared to the others on the course (which seems to be open only to (very) old men). Didn't feel like I was moving well, but the woods were real scruffy, and when I ran, I ran right along. So that gives some optimism to future outings. I can fix the being stupid part.
Got my map printed at Staples by a nice young woman. 1:10,000 version looked much too small. I asked her to try it at 133%. That was better. Asked her to try at 150%. Better still. And nicely fit in a legal-sized map case I found lying around. So in the vicinity of 1:6,667? I'd really be happiest with about 1:5,000, and 1:2,000 for sprints. But organizers don't seem to offer those options. Unless it's a "bring your own map" day. :-)
Note: Perhaps someone could grab my gpx track, and the course PDF, and do up a Quick Route (or whatever it's called these days). So I can admire my wanderings. Particularly around #5. :-)
And my route (thanks, Phil!) --
Comments on a few legs --
1 - spike.
2 - spike.
3 - spike.
4 - spike.
6 - spike.
7 - spike.
9 - spike.
10 - spike.
11 - spike.
13- spike.
Finish - spike.
No falls, which is a very good thing. Though I miscalculated slightly ducking under a large branch and sacrificed a bit of skin off the top of my head. It seems that, though I am getting shorter and shorter, the distance between my eyes and the top of my head has stayed the same.
Pleasantly surprised by my time compared to the others on the course (which seems to be open only to (very) old men). Didn't feel like I was moving well, but the woods were real scruffy, and when I ran, I ran right along. So that gives some optimism to future outings. I can fix the being stupid part.
Got my map printed at Staples by a nice young woman. 1:10,000 version looked much too small. I asked her to try it at 133%. That was better. Asked her to try at 150%. Better still. And nicely fit in a legal-sized map case I found lying around. So in the vicinity of 1:6,667? I'd really be happiest with about 1:5,000, and 1:2,000 for sprints. But organizers don't seem to offer those options. Unless it's a "bring your own map" day. :-)
Note: Perhaps someone could grab my gpx track, and the course PDF, and do up a Quick Route (or whatever it's called these days). So I can admire my wanderings. Particularly around #5. :-)
And my route (thanks, Phil!) --
C • #5 2
Sunday Nov 22, 2020 #
2 PM
run/hike 28:50 2.62 mi (11:00 / mi) +289ft 9:58 / mi
ahr:142 max:159 weight:137lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
North Mountain, from the top of Claybrook to the power line and back. Good workout, and I think no harm done.
Saturday Nov 21, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:00:59 15.93 mi (3:50 / mi) +517ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:133 max:157 weight:136lbs
Leverett loop, counterclockwise. Good effort.
Friday Nov 20, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:10:28 15.69 mi (4:29 / mi) +124ft 4:27 / mi
ahr:105 max:122 weight:136lbs
With Gail, yay, south of town, breeze from the south so quicker coming back. Mid 50s, but still felt a little chilly.
Thursday Nov 19, 2020 #
10 AM
hike 47:11 [1] 2.41 mi (19:35 / mi) +541ft 16:09 / mi
weight:137lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
Catamount State Forest, up to MacLeod Pond. Mid 30s, breezy, fine as long as I kept moving. Thin sheet of ice on most of the pond, few spots of open water. I meandered around a bit there, track shows I went across the water but I most certainly did not.
Wednesday Nov 18, 2020 #
12 PM
run/hike 20:53 2.01 mi (10:23 / mi) +97ft 9:56 / mi
ahr:138 max:152 weight:136.5lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
Well, that was OK. Lower part of the jeep road on Mt. Toby, so some flat and some up and down. Kept the effort modest. Legs felt about normal on the 1-10 scale of fragility, maybe a 6? And the usual question, Did I do any damage, got the hoped-for answer, Don't think so.
Monday Nov 16, 2020 #
11 AM
Note
Not sure I'd want to have a beak like this guy, though supposedly they are useful for pulling seeds out of pine cones.
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 48:28 11.68 mi (4:09 / mi) +90ft 4:07 / mi
ahr:116 max:132 weight:135.5lbs
Another chilly day, upper 40s, cloudy, brisk W wind, but I figured that this would be considered balmy a month or two from now, so best just get out.
Flats south of town. Went down via the zig-zag, good bit of shelter from the wind. For some reason I decided to come back up 47, right out in the open, especially the first mile, the wind was cross and hurting and I was getting cross. But then there were bits of shelter, and I mellowed, only one little bit of hurry to make it through the green light at the center of town.
Overall not so bad. And I was dressed just right. :-)
Flats south of town. Went down via the zig-zag, good bit of shelter from the wind. For some reason I decided to come back up 47, right out in the open, especially the first mile, the wind was cross and hurting and I was getting cross. But then there were bits of shelter, and I mellowed, only one little bit of hurry to make it through the green light at the center of town.
Overall not so bad. And I was dressed just right. :-)
Sunday Nov 15, 2020 #
2 PM
run/hike 28:37 2.81 mi (10:11 / mi) +295ft 9:16 / mi
ahr:148 max:161 weight:135.5lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
From Chard Pond up Gunn Cross and Gunn Mountain roads, and back, jeep roads with good footing. Good effort, walked the one steeper part as expected.
Quads will probably be sore from coming back down. Might need to do something like this a little more often. Or just have sore quads for a couple of days.
Whatever. It was a good run and a pleasure to do it at what seemed like a good speed.
Quads will probably be sore from coming back down. Might need to do something like this a little more often. Or just have sore quads for a couple of days.
Whatever. It was a good run and a pleasure to do it at what seemed like a good speed.
Saturday Nov 14, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 45:53 11.49 mi (4:00 / mi) +86ft 3:58 / mi
ahr:125 max:148 weight:136lbs
Short ride north along the river, just to get out. About 45, cloudy, NW wind. Felt a little chilly, probably more psychologically than physically.
Plus slowly but steadily getting stuff done around the house.
Plus slowly but steadily getting stuff done around the house.
Thursday Nov 12, 2020 #
1 PM
road running 18:34 2.02 mi (9:11 / mi)
ahr:146 max:162 weight:136.5lbs shoes: pegasus 2020
Along the power canal in Turners Falls, flat as can be. Low 50s, calm, light rain. First time running in a new pair of Nike Pegasus I got a few days ago, replacing a pair I must have had for 5 years or so. Felt OK. And the legs in general were OK.
Interesting how running seems to push my heart rate high pretty quickly, though the perceived effort seems much less than a similar heart rate on the bike. Don't know why or what it means. The pace didn't feel hard, even though at the end of two miles I was certainly happy to stop.
And hit my running goal for another week. :-)
My new forerunner (a 245) seems just fine. Figured out how to disable the heart rate monitor via your wrist, since I see so many examples of heart graphs bouncing all around with no change in speed or elevation that would account for it. Also declined to pair it with my phone, no need for that. Much better to have to plug it in to upload the data, as that way it stays charged. And the GPS tracking is more accurate than my old 220, picks up the Russian satellites too.
Interesting how running seems to push my heart rate high pretty quickly, though the perceived effort seems much less than a similar heart rate on the bike. Don't know why or what it means. The pace didn't feel hard, even though at the end of two miles I was certainly happy to stop.
And hit my running goal for another week. :-)
My new forerunner (a 245) seems just fine. Figured out how to disable the heart rate monitor via your wrist, since I see so many examples of heart graphs bouncing all around with no change in speed or elevation that would account for it. Also declined to pair it with my phone, no need for that. Much better to have to plug it in to upload the data, as that way it stays charged. And the GPS tracking is more accurate than my old 220, picks up the Russian satellites too.
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 55:13 14.32 mi (3:51 / mi) +394ft 3:45 / mi
ahr:117 max:138 weight:135.5lbs
Short ride to Montague and back. Moderate effort. Warm and a bit muggy, but got done before the rain.
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 2:38:42 27.31 mi (5:49 / mi) +3655ft 5:09 / mi
ahr:127 max:164 weight:136lbs
With Walter and Bill, starting at Walter's place in Conway, to the top of Massaemett Mountain in Shelburne and back. Lots of hills, mostly paved, a little dirt, plus the climb from Davenport's up to the tower in full mountain bike mode.
A fine ride, another gorgeous day. Bill is the strongest, but he is a bit out of shape. Walter is the weakest, but he has an e-bike that he uses with the proper amount of discretion and respect for the egos of his companions. What's not to like?
Pretty tired now. The legs know they've done some work. Plus just enough daylight left when I got home to take care of the rest of the leaves, rain coming tomorrow. Now off to the Thai place to pick up some curries, and then I would imagine early to bed. :-)
And my Garmin, RIP, ran out of battery just as I reached the top of Walter's driveway. Its replacement arrived in the mail today. This one has served me well for long time.
A fine ride, another gorgeous day. Bill is the strongest, but he is a bit out of shape. Walter is the weakest, but he has an e-bike that he uses with the proper amount of discretion and respect for the egos of his companions. What's not to like?
Pretty tired now. The legs know they've done some work. Plus just enough daylight left when I got home to take care of the rest of the leaves, rain coming tomorrow. Now off to the Thai place to pick up some curries, and then I would imagine early to bed. :-)
And my Garmin, RIP, ran out of battery just as I reached the top of Walter's driveway. Its replacement arrived in the mail today. This one has served me well for long time.
Monday Nov 9, 2020 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:12:30 16.07 mi (4:31 / mi) +275ft 4:26 / mi
ahr:101 max:118 weight:135.5lbs
With Gail, north along the river.
Sunday Nov 8, 2020 #
7 AM
Note
An early excursion to Quabbin to see if the Snowy Owl was still around, but it wasn't. Beautiful morning, crisp, calm. Walked a couple of miles at a pretty good clip.
Unfortunately, this guy is not just napping.
Unfortunately, this guy is not just napping.
12 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:48:56 25.38 mi (4:18 / mi) +954ft 4:09 / mi
ahr:121 max:160 weight:135.5lbs
On my own. Four relatively short sections of dirt/worse, two of which I'd been on before and were fine, the other two Walter said Ceil had shown him yesterday, wondered if I'd done them. I hadn't. Now I have. Most likely not again.
The first, from the Lee Road overpass to Magic Wings, was a farm road, perfectly OK, especially as I was doing it in the slightly downhill direction. But it hasn't rained for a bit and there were still sections that were (just) OK today but might normally be really muddy. There were no Keep Out signs of any sort the way I went. In the other direction there was a sign that said Road Discontinued -- Do Not Pass. Another good reason not to do it again.
The other connected the bottom end of Stage Road to River Road. It was pretty ratty, though totally manageable. The whole last bit was steep downhill, hanging onto the brakes, somewhat loose gravel, what a waste of altitude. Once again, no sign the way I went. Going the other way, which would be really unpleasant, was a sign that said Private Drive. Quite surely a once and only once. (Plus, to get to the bottom end of Stage Road you first had to climb to the top. Not long, a couple hundred yards, but I had it in the big chain ring and before long I had run out of gears. Did it all standing up, really gritting my teeth at the end.)
But even with all that bitching, a totally fine outing. Gorgeous day again, about 70, lots and lots of bikers out (way more than cars). Breeze from the south so the last 8 miles were a little more work, but no problem as I had no ambition. Just glad to be able to get out and do this stuff.
The first, from the Lee Road overpass to Magic Wings, was a farm road, perfectly OK, especially as I was doing it in the slightly downhill direction. But it hasn't rained for a bit and there were still sections that were (just) OK today but might normally be really muddy. There were no Keep Out signs of any sort the way I went. In the other direction there was a sign that said Road Discontinued -- Do Not Pass. Another good reason not to do it again.
The other connected the bottom end of Stage Road to River Road. It was pretty ratty, though totally manageable. The whole last bit was steep downhill, hanging onto the brakes, somewhat loose gravel, what a waste of altitude. Once again, no sign the way I went. Going the other way, which would be really unpleasant, was a sign that said Private Drive. Quite surely a once and only once. (Plus, to get to the bottom end of Stage Road you first had to climb to the top. Not long, a couple hundred yards, but I had it in the big chain ring and before long I had run out of gears. Did it all standing up, really gritting my teeth at the end.)
But even with all that bitching, a totally fine outing. Gorgeous day again, about 70, lots and lots of bikers out (way more than cars). Breeze from the south so the last 8 miles were a little more work, but no problem as I had no ambition. Just glad to be able to get out and do this stuff.
Saturday Nov 7, 2020 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:24:01 18.8 mi (4:28 / mi) +543ft 4:21 / mi
ahr:108 max:129 weight:136lbs
With Gail, did the loop including River Road in Deerfield, over on the railroad bridge, back on the Sunderland bridge. Gail was zipping along.
Max effort for me right at the start. I told Gail to head off and then my Garmin took a while to get its signals. Took a while to catch up.
Max effort for me right at the start. I told Gail to head off and then my Garmin took a while to get its signals. Took a while to catch up.
Friday Nov 6, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:20:07 20.66 mi (3:53 / mi) +549ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:126 max:153 weight:136lbs
Gorgeous day, upper 60s, sunny, light breeze. Out all morning wandering around the Quabbin, then a bike ride on the west side of the river, a few little hills to get the heart rate up from time to time. But not too much.
Thursday Nov 5, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:25:25 19.0 mi (4:30 / mi) +146ft 4:28 / mi
ahr:102 max:116 weight:136.5lbs
With Gail. Very windy from the south, so we went that direction first. The return trip was a lot quicker and more fun. Close to 70 when we started, though you could feel it cooling off the last few miles.
Wednesday Nov 4, 2020 #
2 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:35:06 23.74 mi (4:00 / mi) +1011ft 3:51 / mi
ahr:133 max:161 weight:136.5lbs
On my own, so a harder effort. Montague Center, Leverett via Cave Hill, North Amherst. Breeze from the south, sunny, about 50.
Legs still with some soreness from the downhill running a couple of days ago (but not nearly as bad as after running down from the top of Toby a couple of months ago). So I'm sure I took it easy on them even if it felt like a good effort.
Legs still with some soreness from the downhill running a couple of days ago (but not nearly as bad as after running down from the top of Toby a couple of months ago). So I'm sure I took it easy on them even if it felt like a good effort.
Monday Nov 2, 2020 #
10 AM
run/hike 49:34 3.5 mi (14:10 / mi) +595ft 12:12 / mi
ahr:127 max:140 weight:136lbs
On Mt. Toby, starting from the gate, up the jeep trail, back via the link and Robert Frost trails. One of my spots to go when the weather is like it is today, winds 20-25 mph from the NW, as the mountain gives good shelter. Only real awareness of the wind was the noise it was making up in the treetops. And not enough on that side of the mountain to bring down any trees or big branches.
Nice outing. Ran the downs and most of the flats, not at all any ups. Plan was to not overdo it, either in distance run (I think I did about 1.5 miles) or effort (kept the heart down), successful on both.
Good training in case I should do a little orienteering in the next few months at the HVO/WCOC winter series.
Nice outing. Ran the downs and most of the flats, not at all any ups. Plan was to not overdo it, either in distance run (I think I did about 1.5 miles) or effort (kept the heart down), successful on both.
Good training in case I should do a little orienteering in the next few months at the HVO/WCOC winter series.
Sunday Nov 1, 2020 #
1 PM
road running 11:33 1.2 mi (9:38 / mi) +11ft 9:33 / mi
ahr:146 max:161 weight:136lbs
Stage 1 of the Post-Halloween Triathlon, my weekly run, even done on time this week. Sure isn't easy.
biking - dark blue bike 42:21 11.12 mi (3:49 / mi) +96ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:140 max:161
A pretty quick change of clothes as the storm was getting closer. Stage 2, on my own on the bike, so time to up the effort. Flats south of town. The wind was from the south, and a good bit stronger than when I was doing stage 1, maybe 15-20, the leaves were on the move, so the first half was hard work. The second half was hard work too, because why not.
2 PM
Note
And then another quick change into my pulling outfit (old clothes and two pairs of gloves) for stage 3, pulling more bittersweet. Working hard on this one too, but I've been training. Rain was just starting as I was finishing. Perfect.
Still waiting for results, but likely a spot on the podium?
And then something to eat and a cup of coffee. And something I never look forward too, it'll now get dark about 5 pm. Whoopee.
Still waiting for results, but likely a spot on the podium?
And then something to eat and a cup of coffee. And something I never look forward too, it'll now get dark about 5 pm. Whoopee.