Training Log Archive: PGIn the 31 days ending Aug 31, 2015:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monday Aug 31, 2015 #
Note
So, the goal this week is to do all the corn maze organizational stuff without getting stressed. I think I'm in good shape, but you never know.
Today: Checked all the points, for all four events, plus where the temporary fences will go. I think the courses are all set, but will ponder them a little more the next couple of days. Still to do -- unpack the computer stuff and set up the software, input all the entries.
Tuesday: Do entry lists, e-mail to entrants (have to make up the master e-mail list) plus info about the event, FAQ format? Not that the ones who really need to read it actually will.
Wednesday: Long bike ride (no, not in the maze).
Thursday: Draw final copies of courses, get copies made.
Friday: Procure needed equipment (balloons, refreshments). Copies of start lists, meet info, etc.
Saturday morning: Put out controls, fences.
Saturday afternoon/evening: Have fun. :-)
-------------
We have an outstanding field. Visitors from Sweden and Canada. Some hot-shot juniors. Defending champ Ian (had to offer a substantial appearance fee to guarantee he would be here), plus a couple of rookies who think they can challenge him. And the power elite of WCOC, our host club, so what if it's not actually in Western Connecticut.
Not to late to get in, all you need is a good story....
Today: Checked all the points, for all four events, plus where the temporary fences will go. I think the courses are all set, but will ponder them a little more the next couple of days. Still to do -- unpack the computer stuff and set up the software, input all the entries.
Tuesday: Do entry lists, e-mail to entrants (have to make up the master e-mail list) plus info about the event, FAQ format? Not that the ones who really need to read it actually will.
Wednesday: Long bike ride (no, not in the maze).
Thursday: Draw final copies of courses, get copies made.
Friday: Procure needed equipment (balloons, refreshments). Copies of start lists, meet info, etc.
Saturday morning: Put out controls, fences.
Saturday afternoon/evening: Have fun. :-)
-------------
We have an outstanding field. Visitors from Sweden and Canada. Some hot-shot juniors. Defending champ Ian (had to offer a substantial appearance fee to guarantee he would be here), plus a couple of rookies who think they can challenge him. And the power elite of WCOC, our host club, so what if it's not actually in Western Connecticut.
Not to late to get in, all you need is a good story....
Sunday Aug 30, 2015 #
1 PM
biking 2:30:10 35.5 mi (4:14 / mi) +2957ft 3:55 / mi
ahr:134 max:158 weight:139lbs
Stopped on the way back from Litchfield to do a loop around Charlie's house. There was quite a bit of traffic on the road, early Sunday afternoon, and I was wondering about the wisdom of my planned route. But I shouldn't have been -- if you ride on roads that go from nowhere or to nowhere (Hartland, West Hartland, and East Hartland all being prime examples of nowhere), there really isn't going to be much traffic.
Parked at the prime spot, Pleasant Valley where all the fishermen park. Up the river to Riverton, nice pavement. Then route 20 over to East Hartland, more nice pavement and almost no cars, included a 7% downhill for a mile and a half when not a single car came by. Then 179 south to Canton, here the pavement wasn't the best, so had to keep an eye out for holes, but also not the worst, not near as bad as the best roads in Northampton or Amherst. And to finish the loop, 44 back through New Hartford, lots of traffic but also a nice wide shoulder. So a fine route. Except maybe for the hills.
Warmer than I expected. Was pretty croaked by the end. Maybe should have taken more than half a bottle? But did enjoy the route, new for me.
100 seems like a long way.
Parked at the prime spot, Pleasant Valley where all the fishermen park. Up the river to Riverton, nice pavement. Then route 20 over to East Hartland, more nice pavement and almost no cars, included a 7% downhill for a mile and a half when not a single car came by. Then 179 south to Canton, here the pavement wasn't the best, so had to keep an eye out for holes, but also not the worst, not near as bad as the best roads in Northampton or Amherst. And to finish the loop, 44 back through New Hartford, lots of traffic but also a nice wide shoulder. So a fine route. Except maybe for the hills.
Warmer than I expected. Was pretty croaked by the end. Maybe should have taken more than half a bottle? But did enjoy the route, new for me.
100 seems like a long way.
Saturday Aug 29, 2015 #
5 PM
biking 30:48 8.35 mi (3:41 / mi) +79ft 3:39 / mi
ahr:120 max:139 weight:139lbs
Short, flat ride south of town, late afternoon. Back not real happy again.
Friday Aug 28, 2015 #
11 AM
biking 1:42:53 25.92 mi (3:58 / mi) +1603ft 3:45 / mi
ahr:138 max:158 weight:138lbs
Shutebury - Lake Wyola loop. Lovely day, lower humidity. Long grind up the Shutesbury hill, lot of sweating and hard breathing.
The idea is to do a century in a couple of weeks. Not sure if that will be feasible, but at least I'm trying to get prepared.
The idea is to do a century in a couple of weeks. Not sure if that will be feasible, but at least I'm trying to get prepared.
5 PM
orienteering 15:48 1.14 mi (13:51 / mi) +8ft 13:46 / mi
ahr:137 max:152 shoes: pegasus 4
I'd drawn up a course a couple of weeks ago when Boris was visiting, but then he was short of time and didn't use it. So I thought I might as well try it myself.
The maze is cool. Jogged around. That took all my resources, given my conditioning, plus having been out on the bike for a while, plus the fact that the maze grooming is well underway and there is a lot of very soft dirt to run on.
Made a couple of little mistakes, just lost my concentration for a moment. The hardest for me is looking ahead a leg, hard to do that and still keep track of where you're going as the intersections just keep coming at you.
Really fun.
The maze is cool. Jogged around. That took all my resources, given my conditioning, plus having been out on the bike for a while, plus the fact that the maze grooming is well underway and there is a lot of very soft dirt to run on.
Made a couple of little mistakes, just lost my concentration for a moment. The hardest for me is looking ahead a leg, hard to do that and still keep track of where you're going as the intersections just keep coming at you.
Really fun.
Thursday Aug 27, 2015 #
3 PM
biking 55:52 15.59 mi (3:35 / mi) +296ft 3:31 / mi
ahr:127 max:152 weight:138lbs
Another corn ride. Legs are slowly feeling a little better. Wish I could say the same about my back.
Wednesday Aug 26, 2015 #
8 AM
treadmill 10:59 [2] 1.0 mi (10:59 / mi)
Back still a little unhappy.
3 PM
biking 1:32:41 24.51 mi (3:47 / mi) +865ft 3:40 / mi
ahr:128 max:150 weight:138lbs
Nice ride on a nice afternoon. From Bernardston to Vernon via 142 and Pond Road, back via Tyler Hill and Rt. 5.
Tuesday Aug 25, 2015 #
Note
There's a discussion thread -- 12 easy ways to make O' (or whatever you want to call it) our new national pastime. I'd just glanced at it, not really interested, especially given the tone. But I was thinking as I meandered along on my bike this afternoon, hmm, I wonder how corn-maze O' shapes up against Randy's 12-step program.
1. Proposal -- change the name to "Corn Maze Navigation Racing." Response -- you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
2. Proposal -- change the name from "Rogaine" to anything else. Response -- for sure, like maybe "Corn Maze Orienteering"? Score -- pass.
3. Proposal -- ban interval starts, mass starts only, unless you're really big, then use wave starts or seeded starts, helps get volunteers home on time. Response -- exactly, we are really big, so seeded starts in the daytime and (mellow) mass starts at night. And our volunteer gets home before anyone else. Score -- pass (with high honors).
4. Proposal -- festive friendly start/finish at same place. Free food and beer. Response -- I assume 5 meters apart is close enough? And the food and beer at Bub's BBQ is all free, once you've paid for it. Score -- pass.
5. Proposal -- friendly staffed aid stations. Response -- Aid starts in a corn maze? Again, you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
6. Proposal -- much longer distances, at least 20K. Response -- 20K in a corn maze? Everyone would go bonkers. Again, you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
7. Proposal -- one day of racing. Response -- yup. Score -- pass.
8. Proposal -- travel worthy destinations and venues only. Response -- Sunderland, yup, and Mike's Maze, yup. Score -- pass.
9. Proposal -- board trail race requirement, at least 3 20K+ trail races required. Response -- ain't got no board, but our king has done over 100 such things. Score -- pass.
10. Proposal -- allow and promote GPS devices as an aid in navigation. Response -- come on, Randy, don't be so old-fashioned, we're pushing drones this year. Score -- pass.
11. Proposal -- web site improvement -- get your shit together. Response -- Been there, done that. And an award-winning logo too. All done in 48 hours. Got all the people and the interest we can handle. Score -- pass (with high honors).
12. Proposal -- drop the "The World's Smartest Athlete" thing on the web site. Response -- WTF, ain't on our website. Score -- proposal is expunged.
Total score -- of the 12 proposals, 4 are obviously absurd and have been expunged. Of the remaining 8, we are batting 100%.
And this just in, when asked for a comment, Randy's spokesman/interpreter, a fellow known only as j-man, said, "You corn maze guys are fucking brilliant."
1. Proposal -- change the name to "Corn Maze Navigation Racing." Response -- you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
2. Proposal -- change the name from "Rogaine" to anything else. Response -- for sure, like maybe "Corn Maze Orienteering"? Score -- pass.
3. Proposal -- ban interval starts, mass starts only, unless you're really big, then use wave starts or seeded starts, helps get volunteers home on time. Response -- exactly, we are really big, so seeded starts in the daytime and (mellow) mass starts at night. And our volunteer gets home before anyone else. Score -- pass (with high honors).
4. Proposal -- festive friendly start/finish at same place. Free food and beer. Response -- I assume 5 meters apart is close enough? And the food and beer at Bub's BBQ is all free, once you've paid for it. Score -- pass.
5. Proposal -- friendly staffed aid stations. Response -- Aid starts in a corn maze? Again, you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
6. Proposal -- much longer distances, at least 20K. Response -- 20K in a corn maze? Everyone would go bonkers. Again, you gotta be kidding me. Score -- proposal is expunged.
7. Proposal -- one day of racing. Response -- yup. Score -- pass.
8. Proposal -- travel worthy destinations and venues only. Response -- Sunderland, yup, and Mike's Maze, yup. Score -- pass.
9. Proposal -- board trail race requirement, at least 3 20K+ trail races required. Response -- ain't got no board, but our king has done over 100 such things. Score -- pass.
10. Proposal -- allow and promote GPS devices as an aid in navigation. Response -- come on, Randy, don't be so old-fashioned, we're pushing drones this year. Score -- pass.
11. Proposal -- web site improvement -- get your shit together. Response -- Been there, done that. And an award-winning logo too. All done in 48 hours. Got all the people and the interest we can handle. Score -- pass (with high honors).
12. Proposal -- drop the "The World's Smartest Athlete" thing on the web site. Response -- WTF, ain't on our website. Score -- proposal is expunged.
Total score -- of the 12 proposals, 4 are obviously absurd and have been expunged. Of the remaining 8, we are batting 100%.
And this just in, when asked for a comment, Randy's spokesman/interpreter, a fellow known only as j-man, said, "You corn maze guys are fucking brilliant."
Note
Son of a gun, just did a Google search on "corn maze orienteering" and our web site is right there, top dog, #1 item on page #1. I guess we had this SEO thing under control without even knowing it.
And so what if the web site is 2 (or 3, or 4?) years out of date. Our webmaster is a new mom, so cut her a little slack, OK?
And so what if the web site is 2 (or 3, or 4?) years out of date. Our webmaster is a new mom, so cut her a little slack, OK?
C • Site 7
11 AM
treadmill 11:57 [2] 1.0 mi (11:57 / mi)
weight:138lbs shoes: pegasus 4
Trying a little running. Legs felt OK. Back has a sore place, not sure if it something to ignore or not. Will have to experiment a bit.
3 PM
biking 1:09:12 16.09 mi (4:18 / mi) +1130ft 4:02 / mi
ahr:121 max:143
To Leverett via Cave Hill. Could tell pretty quick that I had no energy, so this became a very mellow ride, just keep it in one or two gears lower than usual and the same slow cadence. For feeling like crap, it was quite a pleasant ride. :-)
Monday Aug 24, 2015 #
Note
Got a letter today that starts out -- "We are pleased to tell you we did not make any changes to the tax reported on your return."
Really? They are pleased? I would think they would be slightly pissed, having spent some time on something that produced nothing in return. Shouldn't the letter start -- "We are sure you will be pleased..."
Second time over the years I've been audited by them, and the second time they've struck out. :-)
Really? They are pleased? I would think they would be slightly pissed, having spent some time on something that produced nothing in return. Shouldn't the letter start -- "We are sure you will be pleased..."
Second time over the years I've been audited by them, and the second time they've struck out. :-)
11 AM
biking 1:16:57 20.41 mi (3:46 / mi) +593ft 3:40 / mi
ahr:135 max:158
Another corn ride, really just a slight modification of my River Road - Old Deerfield loop. A decent effort on the ups. But after the corn stop and cooling off for a couple of extra minutes, the legs were suddenly lacking in zip. So just kept turning the pedals and eventually I was home.
(This was the slow way around the loop. Breeze was out of the south. Usually I go so that along there river, where there is protection from the trees and hills, I am into the wind, and out in the open fields I am with the wind. Seems I forgot this time.)
(This was the slow way around the loop. Breeze was out of the south. Usually I go so that along there river, where there is protection from the trees and hills, I am into the wind, and out in the open fields I am with the wind. Seems I forgot this time.)
Sunday Aug 23, 2015 #
1 PM
biking 55:14 15.62 mi (3:32 / mi) +291ft 3:29 / mi
ahr:130 max:152 weight:138lbs
Corn ride. Legs were tired this morning, but surprised in that they had a little life once I got going.
Saturday Aug 22, 2015 #
1 PM
biking 2:56:50 39.53 mi (4:28 / mi) +3657ft 4:07 / mi
ahr:133 max:152 weight:139lbs
I'd read about Phil's foray into bike racing a month ago. That's certainly not for me -- if he's towards the tail end, I would be the tail end, by a lot. But it seemed like a good test, lots of hills, and offered some roads I haven't been on. So why not give it a try.
I knew right off the bat that the legs were not good today, but such is. Barely made it up the first couple of hills, even in my very lowest gear. The long climb up Claesson Brook Road went OK, just chugged along for the 5-mile climb. But then the last couple of hills on 116, up to Plainville and then the last one before turning on 8A, they just about did me in. But eventually got up, and then 8A was all downhill.
I was aided by having written down Phil's time from the race, 2:32, and also his splits at half a dozen points. I was wondering how much slower I'd be. I didn't think I could stay within 30 seconds a mile of him, but a minute a mile seemed like it should be easily doable. I had in mind being about 3 hours, so that would have meant about 40-45 seconds a mile slower.
And that was about what it turned out.
Overall, a fun adventure. Couldn't have done it a couple of weeks ago, so there has been a little progress.
I knew right off the bat that the legs were not good today, but such is. Barely made it up the first couple of hills, even in my very lowest gear. The long climb up Claesson Brook Road went OK, just chugged along for the 5-mile climb. But then the last couple of hills on 116, up to Plainville and then the last one before turning on 8A, they just about did me in. But eventually got up, and then 8A was all downhill.
I was aided by having written down Phil's time from the race, 2:32, and also his splits at half a dozen points. I was wondering how much slower I'd be. I didn't think I could stay within 30 seconds a mile of him, but a minute a mile seemed like it should be easily doable. I had in mind being about 3 hours, so that would have meant about 40-45 seconds a mile slower.
And that was about what it turned out.
Overall, a fun adventure. Couldn't have done it a couple of weeks ago, so there has been a little progress.
C • Nice 1
Friday Aug 21, 2015 #
2 PM
biking 1:32:41 23.73 mi (3:54 / mi) +1241ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:132 max:157 weight:139lbs
Whately - Conway, same as Tuesday but the other direction. Working harder.
Thursday Aug 20, 2015 #
2 PM
biking 1:06:11 15.36 mi (4:19 / mi) +879ft 4:05 / mi
ahr:126 max:161
Same as Monday. A little better up Sugarloaf (10:12 vs 11:00), only in the next to lowest gear the first half. It's 450' climb over .85 miles, works out to about 10%. Can barely make it....
Coming down reminds me of why I wouldn't like the D2R2, can't really enjoy the downhills.
Coming down reminds me of why I wouldn't like the D2R2, can't really enjoy the downhills.
Wednesday Aug 19, 2015 #
5 PM
biking 39:12 9.61 mi (4:05 / mi) +615ft 3:51 / mi
ahr:127 max:155 weight:139lbs
Short ride up to Montague, had a few sharp little ups. Legs not quite as feeble as recently.
Tuesday Aug 18, 2015 #
12 PM
biking 1:38:11 23.64 mi (4:09 / mi) +1286ft 3:57 / mi
ahr:132 max:152
Conway and Whately. Pretty warm, so took it easy.
Monday Aug 17, 2015 #
11 AM
biking 1:09:05 15.37 mi (4:30 / mi) +876ft 4:16 / mi
ahr:127 max:158 weight:139lbs
Gentle ride in Whately and South Deerfield with the exception of a trip up South Sugarloaf. Wasn't sure I could still make it. Did, but without a lot to spare. It's a nice compact uphill test, but the down is a pain, really have to hang on to the brakes as there is a hairpin part way down and a stop sign at the bottom.
Ailments are getting better, but not yet enough to try running or golf.
Ailments are getting better, but not yet enough to try running or golf.
Saturday Aug 15, 2015 #
10 AM
biking 1:16:11 20.33 mi (3:45 / mi) +647ft 3:38 / mi
ahr:135 max:155 weight:139.5lbs
River Road - Old Deerfield loop. Put a little air in the tires so not quite as sluggish a feeling as yesterday.
Friday Aug 14, 2015 #
6 AM
Note
Had a very nice visit from Barney, stopped off on his way from DC to Boston. Very friendly and well-behaved.
2 PM
biking 1:05:11 16.54 mi (3:56 / mi) +465ft 3:50 / mi
ahr:136 max:156 weight:139lbs
South Deerfield and Whately. Mid-80s and not real humid, but felt very hot. That's what a couple weeks in Scotland does to any bit of heat acclimatization I might have had.
Wednesday Aug 12, 2015 #
11 AM
biking 53:03 13.59 mi (3:54 / mi) +399ft 3:48 / mi
ahr:128 max:151
Back to the bike to at least get some exercise. Pleasant ride in Whately and South Deerfield.
3 PM
Note
And then a trip to Boston for dinner, chance to meet the CEO and CFO of a company I own some stock in (had talked on the phone but not met). Left on the early side in case the traffic was bad, but smooth sailing until the last couple of miles, when it was pretty close to gridlock. There are reasons I don't live in the city....
(I'd thought about taking the bus, mainly so I wouldn't have to drive back, still on Scotland time and staying awake was going to be a challenge, but the schedule showed the last departure at 8 pm and I wasn't sure we'd be done by then. Too bad, it would have been a lot easier.)
Still had 30 minutes to kill, so I found a bench in a little tiny park that I think I ran through during Alex's Boston Adventure Race two or three years ago, sat there and watched the world go by. I'm not sure if the roughly 40 young woman being led through a moderately rigorous exercise program added to or subtracted from the experience, roughly a balance between the visual gain and the auditory loss (having to listen to the drillmistress). But it's the big city, lots of energy, nice at least for a short visit.
Dinner at The Palm in the One International Place tower. Not my kind of place. Upscale steakhouse, high prices (entrees about $50 and everything is a la carte), servings too big. Can't imagine ever going there again even if someone else again was paying for it. Ended up getting the smallest steak possible, it was nowhere close to as good as what Gail grills up.
But the conversation was the point of the trip and the conversation was good. Learned some stuff and confirmed some other stuff that I suspected was true, all good. Well worth the trip.
And then the drive home, left at 8, got a strong coffee partway, and only in the last couple of minutes was I starting to fade. Will be nice when my internal clock resets and I stop waking up at 4 am, but it will probably take a couple more days.
--------
And they don't build buildings like this in Sunderland --
(I'd thought about taking the bus, mainly so I wouldn't have to drive back, still on Scotland time and staying awake was going to be a challenge, but the schedule showed the last departure at 8 pm and I wasn't sure we'd be done by then. Too bad, it would have been a lot easier.)
Still had 30 minutes to kill, so I found a bench in a little tiny park that I think I ran through during Alex's Boston Adventure Race two or three years ago, sat there and watched the world go by. I'm not sure if the roughly 40 young woman being led through a moderately rigorous exercise program added to or subtracted from the experience, roughly a balance between the visual gain and the auditory loss (having to listen to the drillmistress). But it's the big city, lots of energy, nice at least for a short visit.
Dinner at The Palm in the One International Place tower. Not my kind of place. Upscale steakhouse, high prices (entrees about $50 and everything is a la carte), servings too big. Can't imagine ever going there again even if someone else again was paying for it. Ended up getting the smallest steak possible, it was nowhere close to as good as what Gail grills up.
But the conversation was the point of the trip and the conversation was good. Learned some stuff and confirmed some other stuff that I suspected was true, all good. Well worth the trip.
And then the drive home, left at 8, got a strong coffee partway, and only in the last couple of minutes was I starting to fade. Will be nice when my internal clock resets and I stop waking up at 4 am, but it will probably take a couple more days.
--------
And they don't build buildings like this in Sunderland --
Tuesday Aug 11, 2015 #
Note
Home today, very lucky to have no problems, got to JFK just after the big storms had passed through, so no delays and especially no circling waiting for the weather to improve. And then no bad traffic on the way home.
It was a good trip, though not in ways I expected. The orienteering was a bit of a bust, though I suppose I should be glad I got to do some. No mountains were climbed; usually I manage at least one. And the clubs got left at home, with no though of changing my mind and renting a set on the spur of the moment.
On the other hand, we did a pretty good tour of the country -- Edinburgh, Sterling, Skye, a bit of the Highlands, Moray, then over to Aberdeen and St. Andrews at the end.
All seemed to work out, though usually reservations were made just a day or two in advance. Not so smart, but never got burned. Accommodations ranged from great -- especially the cottage we shared with Kissy and Mikell for a week -- to mediocre, with nothing really bad, and usually quite interesting, no chain motels, several B&B's.
Food was rarely great but never awful. Best meal was in a fish restaurant on the harbor in Portree out on Skye. Lovely spot. Also had the best waitress. I told her as we left that she was working really hard and also was really good at her job. I can't remember her exact words in reply, but the sense was that she didn't hear such praise very often and appreciated it. Surely, if I was in the restaurant business in that part of the world, I would hire her away, whatever the cost. I just hope she has bigger ambitions than just being a good waitress.
Four castles, zero distilleries, about two thousand round-abouts, and very happily zero accidents. While there was not a whole lot of sun, there also wasn't really much rain. And, anyway, you don't go to Scotland for the weather.
It was a good trip, though not in ways I expected. The orienteering was a bit of a bust, though I suppose I should be glad I got to do some. No mountains were climbed; usually I manage at least one. And the clubs got left at home, with no though of changing my mind and renting a set on the spur of the moment.
On the other hand, we did a pretty good tour of the country -- Edinburgh, Sterling, Skye, a bit of the Highlands, Moray, then over to Aberdeen and St. Andrews at the end.
All seemed to work out, though usually reservations were made just a day or two in advance. Not so smart, but never got burned. Accommodations ranged from great -- especially the cottage we shared with Kissy and Mikell for a week -- to mediocre, with nothing really bad, and usually quite interesting, no chain motels, several B&B's.
Food was rarely great but never awful. Best meal was in a fish restaurant on the harbor in Portree out on Skye. Lovely spot. Also had the best waitress. I told her as we left that she was working really hard and also was really good at her job. I can't remember her exact words in reply, but the sense was that she didn't hear such praise very often and appreciated it. Surely, if I was in the restaurant business in that part of the world, I would hire her away, whatever the cost. I just hope she has bigger ambitions than just being a good waitress.
Four castles, zero distilleries, about two thousand round-abouts, and very happily zero accidents. While there was not a whole lot of sun, there also wasn't really much rain. And, anyway, you don't go to Scotland for the weather.
Monday Aug 10, 2015 #
Note
Spent the morning in St. Andrews, part looking around the university and other traditional sights, then a drive out along the beach, then a stop at the toilets at the golf course(s) which turned into a delightful interlude on the building's roof, well, they called it a roof garden -- views over the start and finish of three of the 6 courses in town.
Over on the Old Course were the well-heeled ones. On the New Course (dating from the late 1800's) were the good players as a tournament was going on, and on the Jubilee Course was a normal mix of humanity, except that there were perhaps more women than normal, and perhaps they played faster than normal. Watched one threesome for a bit, the gals were both very good and very fast.
Meanwhile the good players were not uniformly good. One airmailed his approached to 18 over the green and into our building on one hop, though it would have taken one or possibly two more clubs to get it up to our roof garden. Off in the distance we could spot several attempts to bury his clubhead in the turf, as if it was the club's fault.
Most of the good players seemed rather dour, though there was one exception, a pleasant and chatty fellow even before he had putted out. And then afterwards you just knew more was coming, and it did, a bit about his round, a bit about the group that was holding everyone up, a bit more that I couldn't hear, all said with a smile. And his score, also said with a smile, started with a 7, the actual number was 76, and but for two balls in the gorse....
Hard to know which is harder to listen to after the fact, a golfer or an orienteer, though this guy was the exception. :-)
Also stopped at St. Andrews 7th course, the Castle course, a couple of miles down the coast in real dunes country. Looked more difficult. You would want to start with a good supply of balls.
And then to Edinburgh for the afternoon, a bite to eat and a tour of Holyrood Palace, no complaints about either. A good day, and almost no rain.
Over on the Old Course were the well-heeled ones. On the New Course (dating from the late 1800's) were the good players as a tournament was going on, and on the Jubilee Course was a normal mix of humanity, except that there were perhaps more women than normal, and perhaps they played faster than normal. Watched one threesome for a bit, the gals were both very good and very fast.
Meanwhile the good players were not uniformly good. One airmailed his approached to 18 over the green and into our building on one hop, though it would have taken one or possibly two more clubs to get it up to our roof garden. Off in the distance we could spot several attempts to bury his clubhead in the turf, as if it was the club's fault.
Most of the good players seemed rather dour, though there was one exception, a pleasant and chatty fellow even before he had putted out. And then afterwards you just knew more was coming, and it did, a bit about his round, a bit about the group that was holding everyone up, a bit more that I couldn't hear, all said with a smile. And his score, also said with a smile, started with a 7, the actual number was 76, and but for two balls in the gorse....
Hard to know which is harder to listen to after the fact, a golfer or an orienteer, though this guy was the exception. :-)
Also stopped at St. Andrews 7th course, the Castle course, a couple of miles down the coast in real dunes country. Looked more difficult. You would want to start with a good supply of balls.
And then to Edinburgh for the afternoon, a bite to eat and a tour of Holyrood Palace, no complaints about either. A good day, and almost no rain.
Sunday Aug 9, 2015 #
10 AM
orienteering 2:03:00 [1] 4.59 mi (26:48 / mi) +133ft 26:05 / mi
A leisurely stroll over some famous turf, except on Sundays it is open for everything except the usual. Weather was benign, mixed sun and clouds, wind from the SW, better than average conditions. Would have been a good day to play.
Pretty tired by the time we were done. Though not as beat as in the morning, stopped at the ruins Dunnottar Castle just south of Aberdeen. Absolutely gorgeous spot, but my back was acting up. On the climb back up the hill to the parking lot I felt like I was seeing the future, and it was not pretty. Certainly not keeping up to Gail. A couple of vitamin I made the afternoon outing a lot more tolerable.
Pretty tired by the time we were done. Though not as beat as in the morning, stopped at the ruins Dunnottar Castle just south of Aberdeen. Absolutely gorgeous spot, but my back was acting up. On the climb back up the hill to the parking lot I felt like I was seeing the future, and it was not pretty. Certainly not keeping up to Gail. A couple of vitamin I made the afternoon outing a lot more tolerable.
Saturday Aug 8, 2015 #
Note
Spent the last two days trying to do the lemons/lemonade thing, attitude-wise, a real struggle to try to generate any positive vibes.
But at least today perked up in the afternoon -- good-bye to the last day of O' (non-O'), headed over towards Aberdeen, not in a sterling mood after a day so far of driving a bunch, a few hours in a parking lot, and driving a bunch more, but then we had a lovely stop in Grantown on Spey for a large coffee and a delicious sweet, and that certainly made life better. :-)
Then a mellow drive through the hills (it really seems a stretch to call them mountains), the eastern part of the Cairngorms, quite beautiful even in the on-and-off showers. Really pleasant, no traffic.
Found our guest house, everything first class, then off to what I think is called a gastro-pub for a dinner that went down easily (never used to be able to say that about British food), a glass of wine for Gail and a glass of ale for me aiding the process. Things could be much much worse.
And then just called Lina to wish her a happy birthday. She really is a saint.
But at least today perked up in the afternoon -- good-bye to the last day of O' (non-O'), headed over towards Aberdeen, not in a sterling mood after a day so far of driving a bunch, a few hours in a parking lot, and driving a bunch more, but then we had a lovely stop in Grantown on Spey for a large coffee and a delicious sweet, and that certainly made life better. :-)
Then a mellow drive through the hills (it really seems a stretch to call them mountains), the eastern part of the Cairngorms, quite beautiful even in the on-and-off showers. Really pleasant, no traffic.
Found our guest house, everything first class, then off to what I think is called a gastro-pub for a dinner that went down easily (never used to be able to say that about British food), a glass of wine for Gail and a glass of ale for me aiding the process. Things could be much much worse.
And then just called Lina to wish her a happy birthday. She really is a saint.
C • Lina 1
Friday Aug 7, 2015 #
Note
Map from Day 3 (click on map for larger image) --
.jpg)
And map from Day 4, and my route for the small part I did --
.jpg)
And map from Day 4, and my route for the small part I did --
Thursday Aug 6, 2015 #
4 AM
orienteering 27:02 1.26 mi (21:27 / mi) +89ft 20:07 / mi
ahr:114 max:157 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Well, that's it for orienteering for a while (or this year, or forever?), or any running. Right leg, lower part of calf. Stopped me dead, walked in slowly.
Though I spiked the two controls I went to.... :-)
(And maybe this was just a way to avoid getting trounced by Peggy?)
Though I spiked the two controls I went to.... :-)
(And maybe this was just a way to avoid getting trounced by Peggy?)
Wednesday Aug 5, 2015 #
7 AM
orienteering 26:51 2.08 mi (12:53 / mi) +78ft 12:27 / mi
ahr:156 max:169 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Day 3 at Darnaway, ran there in 1976. A little different this time, course was only 1/5 the length, map was 1/7:500 instead of 1:20,000, different legs, different experience. That was the first time orienteering outside of North America, and a memorable day.
Today was straightforward. This stuff ought to be easy, and it was, just a matter of getting there. Missed the first one by perhaps 10 meters to the left and the rest were right on. But felt tired and sore right from the start. Ended up second in the class.
Then watched the relay, then off to Aviemore for dinner with old Swedish friends Göran and Ingrid Öhlund. Also there was Rolf Pettersson, he won the silver back in 1976. Fine time.
Today was straightforward. This stuff ought to be easy, and it was, just a matter of getting there. Missed the first one by perhaps 10 meters to the left and the rest were right on. But felt tired and sore right from the start. Ended up second in the class.
Then watched the relay, then off to Aviemore for dinner with old Swedish friends Göran and Ingrid Öhlund. Also there was Rolf Pettersson, he won the silver back in 1976. Fine time.
Tuesday Aug 4, 2015 #
Note
Watched the middle at Darnaway. You get the atmosphere but the big screen was on the fritz for part of the time. Plus, if you are interested in ones other than the top bunch (like the North Americans), there is hardly any info (no cell service for data, and the promised WiFi had very limited capacity so couldn't get on). Ah well, you get the atmosphere.
And later our tourist thing was a visit to the Speyside Cooperage, where they make the barrels that hold the whisky. A very fun visit.
And later our tourist thing was a visit to the Speyside Cooperage, where they make the barrels that hold the whisky. A very fun visit.
Monday Aug 3, 2015 #
6 AM
orienteering 45:03 2.82 mi (15:59 / mi) +247ft 14:45 / mi
ahr:148 max:165 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Back was sore but tolerabble while jogging a little so what the hell, might as well go out.
Orienteering well (time lost maybe 30 seconds), moving not so well. Rough going in places. Back aching the whole time but tolerable And I don't think I made it any worse.
Second out of about 20 when I finished, but 4 mintues back of the same guy. Should end up 5th +/-3..
And edged Peggy by two minutes. Only way she's not going to get me sometime in the next few days is for me to have 4 x DNS. :-)
Fun getting out of the parking field. Glad we were leaving early, going to get really muddy.
Now at Culloden Battlefield. Very fine exhibits. Actually right now at the tearoom there. :-)
Feeling totally wasted, probably dehydrated. But it's been a good day. And company (Kissy, Mikell, and Gail) is first-class.
==================
Today's map/route (click on map for a larger version). Map was OK. Not so good on where the bracken (high ferns) was, but otherwise fine. Terrain was very wet, but never went in more than knee-deep today. :-)
.jpg)
Orienteering well (time lost maybe 30 seconds), moving not so well. Rough going in places. Back aching the whole time but tolerable And I don't think I made it any worse.
Second out of about 20 when I finished, but 4 mintues back of the same guy. Should end up 5th +/-3..
And edged Peggy by two minutes. Only way she's not going to get me sometime in the next few days is for me to have 4 x DNS. :-)
Fun getting out of the parking field. Glad we were leaving early, going to get really muddy.
Now at Culloden Battlefield. Very fine exhibits. Actually right now at the tearoom there. :-)
Feeling totally wasted, probably dehydrated. But it's been a good day. And company (Kissy, Mikell, and Gail) is first-class.
==================
Today's map/route (click on map for a larger version). Map was OK. Not so good on where the bracken (high ferns) was, but otherwise fine. Terrain was very wet, but never went in more than knee-deep today. :-)
Sunday Aug 2, 2015 #
9 AM
orienteering 53:34 3.94 mi (13:36 / mi) +178ft 13:02 / mi
ahr:157 max:171 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Scottish 6-day, day 1. Out of shape and a sore back but most of the time I can still find the controls.
The good -- finished second in M70, thogh it is tempered by being 4 minutes bac (to the Swede who won my class at O'Ringen last year). Also benefitted from a very late start.
The bad/ugly -- wrenched my back a couple of times, once dropping into a waterhole up to my chest on the way to 12. Was a struggle to get out. Hurting the rest of the way. May skip day 2, even though right now (after dinner and no booze or pain pills involved, it feels not as bad as I expected, sore but not the sharp pains when I try to sit down or stand up. Having to try to be positive, otherwise it is just depressing....
Added today's map in 3 parts (route is hard to see, but it's there, click on map for a larger version) --
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
The good -- finished second in M70, thogh it is tempered by being 4 minutes bac (to the Swede who won my class at O'Ringen last year). Also benefitted from a very late start.
The bad/ugly -- wrenched my back a couple of times, once dropping into a waterhole up to my chest on the way to 12. Was a struggle to get out. Hurting the rest of the way. May skip day 2, even though right now (after dinner and no booze or pain pills involved, it feels not as bad as I expected, sore but not the sharp pains when I try to sit down or stand up. Having to try to be positive, otherwise it is just depressing....
Added today's map in 3 parts (route is hard to see, but it's there, click on map for a larger version) --
Saturday Aug 1, 2015 #
Note
On the recommendation of Peggy/Nadim, stopped at Mr. Tan's for take-out after the sprint relay, took it back to our cottage in Dyke. Very excellent.