Training Log Archive: PGIn the 31 days ending Dec 31, 2019:
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Tuesday Dec 31, 2019 #
11 AM
hike with Gail 1:09:35 [1] 3.3 mi (21:05 / mi) +43ft 20:50 / mi
At Chattahoochie Bend State Park. Been here once before, April 2012, bad memories (especially see the comments).
Also with Gail's brother Bill. And a lot more enjoyable day than in 2012. :-)
Also with Gail's brother Bill. And a lot more enjoyable day than in 2012. :-)
3 PM
Note
AP's summary for the year. Clearly slacking off on the bike. But more than made up for it with 55 hikes with Gail, a tiny little bit of running, and ditto of orienteering.
Goal for 2020. Try to stay in a comfortable spot between too competitive and not competitive at all.
Goal for 2020. Try to stay in a comfortable spot between too competitive and not competitive at all.
Monday Dec 30, 2019 #
11 AM
run/hike 24:53 [2] 2.25 mi (11:04 / mi) +150ft 10:24 / mi
Front went through overnight, so sunny, low 50s, low humidity. Still sweating a bunch. Even jogging slowly seems to be hard work. 1 off, 2 on.
6 PM
biking - dark blue bike 1:04:36 [2] 14.1 mi (4:35 / mi) +1525ft 4:09 / mi
Bike trails in Peachtree City. Managed to make my way back to Caroline's house without checking my phone to see where I was (more of an accomplishment than you might think). Sure helped that the sun was out so I at least knew what directionI was going.
Sunday Dec 29, 2019 #
10 AM
hike with Gail 1:14:59 [1] 4.14 mi (18:07 / mi) +400ft 16:36 / mi
Also with her brother Bill. Warm and humid.
12 PM
run/hike 22:45 [2] 2.05 mi (11:05 / mi) +105ft 10:35 / mi
And then a short run/walk, 1 off, 2 on. Sweating a lot.
Saturday Dec 28, 2019 #
Note
Anyone know what this shrub is? Looked like mountain laurel, but the flowers are different. Seen near Roanoke, VA, at about 1,100'.
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 53:33 [2] 12.47 mi (4:18 / mi) +1016ft 3:59 / mi
No sunshine in Georgia, actually a few sprinkles, by that seemed no problem with the temperature in the upper 60s. Visited a few subdivisions because they are safer than the main roads, plus the new bike path in its entirety. Very enjoyable.
Friday Dec 27, 2019 #
11 AM
hike with Gail 1:26:34 [1] 4.0 mi (21:38 / mi) +728ft 18:27 / mi
Google found a possible route -- close to an interstate exit, acceptable footing, reasonable expectation of being interesting -- and it turned out fine. Hiking trail (Tinker Creek Greenway) with mostly good footing over to a reservoir. Lovely day, about 60, calm, bits of sun.
5 PM
treadmill 24:51 [2] 2.0 mi (12:25 / mi)
A little walking, then 2 on, 1 off.
Thursday Dec 26, 2019 #
5 PM
treadmill 27:15 [2] 2.0 mi (13:37 / mi)
Walked half a mile, then a minute on/off run/walk. Being careful. 14:49, 12:26
Then dinner here, outstanding.
Then dinner here, outstanding.
Wednesday Dec 25, 2019 #
11 AM
hike with Gail 1:21:45 [1] 4.0 mi (20:26 / mi) +400ft 18:40 / mi
Along the lake with C and R. Rather icy, veryone had the micro spikes on so footing was great, otherwise we would have been on our butts in short order.
Sunny, 30s, minimal wind.
Sunny, 30s, minimal wind.
3 PM
biking - dark blue bike 41:32 [2] 10.1 mi (4:07 / mi) +200ft 4:02 / mi
Along the Farmington River. Overcast, mid 30s. Nice that there were hardly any cars. Saw of couple of fishermen in their waders, but they were on dry land when I passed by.
Tuesday Dec 24, 2019 #
hike 40:00 [3] 1.5 mi (26:40 / mi)
At Ratlum Mountain, got there in time to do a short hike down to the big marsh. Very icy conditions, so spikes for everyone.
Highlight was a critter spotting by Charlie, one I am not familiar with. After some research, we think it was a Northern short-tailed shrew, though it's quite possible it was something else.
Yours truly kept his distance, but Charlie was much braver and grabbed the thing by its tail, not knowing, as we found out afterwards, that this particular shrew has a nasty bite. In retrospect, it seems the tail was absolutely the best place to grab it.
Shrews are mainly nocturnal. If they are out at all in the daytime, then they are usually just resting, as this one apparently was.
Quite the excitement!
Down at the marsh there were lots of great blue heron nests, but the herons, no fools, had headed south some time ago.
Highlight was a critter spotting by Charlie, one I am not familiar with. After some research, we think it was a Northern short-tailed shrew, though it's quite possible it was something else.
Yours truly kept his distance, but Charlie was much braver and grabbed the thing by its tail, not knowing, as we found out afterwards, that this particular shrew has a nasty bite. In retrospect, it seems the tail was absolutely the best place to grab it.
Shrews are mainly nocturnal. If they are out at all in the daytime, then they are usually just resting, as this one apparently was.
Quite the excitement!
Down at the marsh there were lots of great blue heron nests, but the herons, no fools, had headed south some time ago.
C • bite 6
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 39:25 [2] 10.04 mi (3:56 / mi) +120ft 3:53 / mi
weight:140.5lbs
Monday Dec 23, 2019 #
1 PM
biking - dark blue bike 43:59 [2] 10.95 mi (4:01 / mi) +101ft 3:59 / mi
weight:140.5lbs
First warm day in a while, mid 40s and sunny and a light breeze. Got out for a short ride at just the right time, after it had warmed up and before the growing puddles were a problem. Very pleasant.
Sunday Dec 22, 2019 #
2 PM
hike with Gail 1:16:43 [1] 4.4 mi (17:25 / mi) +343ft 16:14 / mi
weight:140lbs
And a couple of today's critters (Cooper's Hawk and Pileated Woodpecker) --
Saturday Dec 21, 2019 #
Event: WCOC/HVO Winter Series 2020
1 PM
orienteering 1:56:27 [2] 4.11 mi (28:20 / mi) +1136ft 22:27 / mi
weight:140lbs
An outing with Phil to add to his list of summits in Hampshire County. And a fine outing it was.
Today being the last day of deer season I was dressed appropriately -- my clown pants, three layers on top (bright red, covered by lime green, covered by bright orange, so I was ready no matter how much I was zipped or unzipped), with a bright orange hat just to be sure I was visible and didn't look like a deer. We saw lots of deer tracks, but nary a hunter, but it's still best to be prepared.
Phil was dressed all in black. I suppose that better than all in brown with a white tail.
Conditions were excellent. A few inches of snow, a little crusty on top but not much, since it has been cold since it snowed. He had on O' shoes with studs. I had my super boots plus micro spikes or whatever the proper name is. Between us the total number of falls was, yup, hard to believe, exactly zero. What's gotten into us?
Three summits -- Scott Hill, Petticoat Hill, and Unquomonk Hill. We were on trails almost entirely until the assault on Unquomonk, and then off trails for quite a while. I got reacquainted with mountain laurel on the top of U. I'd forgotten how much of a pain it can be.
But the whole outing was a pleasure. And my butt is clearly doing better. We were climbing up some steep slopes and 6 months ago I would have been making a bunch of stops to let it calm down. Not so today. Not that I had a lot of zip, those days are long gone, but it was real nice to be out wandering around and not being feeling miserable.
Up Scott Hill from NE (on trail), up Petticoat from the NE along the pipeline cut, up Unquomonk from the S steep slope but benign vegetation. First half of going back north was bushwhacking.
At the top of Mount U --
Today being the last day of deer season I was dressed appropriately -- my clown pants, three layers on top (bright red, covered by lime green, covered by bright orange, so I was ready no matter how much I was zipped or unzipped), with a bright orange hat just to be sure I was visible and didn't look like a deer. We saw lots of deer tracks, but nary a hunter, but it's still best to be prepared.
Phil was dressed all in black. I suppose that better than all in brown with a white tail.
Conditions were excellent. A few inches of snow, a little crusty on top but not much, since it has been cold since it snowed. He had on O' shoes with studs. I had my super boots plus micro spikes or whatever the proper name is. Between us the total number of falls was, yup, hard to believe, exactly zero. What's gotten into us?
Three summits -- Scott Hill, Petticoat Hill, and Unquomonk Hill. We were on trails almost entirely until the assault on Unquomonk, and then off trails for quite a while. I got reacquainted with mountain laurel on the top of U. I'd forgotten how much of a pain it can be.
But the whole outing was a pleasure. And my butt is clearly doing better. We were climbing up some steep slopes and 6 months ago I would have been making a bunch of stops to let it calm down. Not so today. Not that I had a lot of zip, those days are long gone, but it was real nice to be out wandering around and not being feeling miserable.
Up Scott Hill from NE (on trail), up Petticoat from the NE along the pipeline cut, up Unquomonk from the S steep slope but benign vegetation. First half of going back north was bushwhacking.
At the top of Mount U --
Thursday Dec 19, 2019 #
hike 48:00 [1] 3.2 mi (15:00 / mi)
weight:139lbs
Old roads on the north side of Quabbin. Much to my surprise the roads were plowed (though at least not sanded/salted). Started at gate 35, closest access to the water, about half a mile. Cold out, about 15 and very windy by the water, fortunately not near so much away from the water. Hustled down to the water and along it a bit, there was still a lot of open water but nothing to see except whitecaps.
Got back to my car and there was another vehicle parked there, DCR truck, engine running. I tapped on the window, it got lowered, a nice chat with a ranger of some sort, female variety. I asked if she knew whether the coves south of gate 29 were frozen over. The walk from 29 to the water is about 2.5 miles, and I wasn't keen to do it just to see some ice.
She didn't, but after thinking about it for a moment she offered to go check for me. That was pretty fine. I asked if I could come along, which would have been even finer, but she was pretty clear that wasn't going to happen unless I had a broken leg or something, then she could give me a ride out (but not a ride in). Well, having her go check without me still seemed like a good offer. And off she went.
I got over to 29 just as she was locking the gate behind her. I figured I might as well start walking just in case there might be something to see, and I had done about three-quarters of a mile before she showed up. Still a little channel of open water, she said, but not a critter to be seen. I thanked, then turned around and headed out.
Often (usually?) folks in such positions seem to have the gene for gruffness and be missing the friendly one. She certainly had the friendly one, though it was clear she would tolerate no nonsense. As we were parting, I had one more question, Is this a good job?
It's wonderful, came the reply without hesitation.
Pretty cool.
Got back to my car and there was another vehicle parked there, DCR truck, engine running. I tapped on the window, it got lowered, a nice chat with a ranger of some sort, female variety. I asked if she knew whether the coves south of gate 29 were frozen over. The walk from 29 to the water is about 2.5 miles, and I wasn't keen to do it just to see some ice.
She didn't, but after thinking about it for a moment she offered to go check for me. That was pretty fine. I asked if I could come along, which would have been even finer, but she was pretty clear that wasn't going to happen unless I had a broken leg or something, then she could give me a ride out (but not a ride in). Well, having her go check without me still seemed like a good offer. And off she went.
I got over to 29 just as she was locking the gate behind her. I figured I might as well start walking just in case there might be something to see, and I had done about three-quarters of a mile before she showed up. Still a little channel of open water, she said, but not a critter to be seen. I thanked, then turned around and headed out.
Often (usually?) folks in such positions seem to have the gene for gruffness and be missing the friendly one. She certainly had the friendly one, though it was clear she would tolerate no nonsense. As we were parting, I had one more question, Is this a good job?
It's wonderful, came the reply without hesitation.
Pretty cool.
Wednesday Dec 18, 2019 #
2 PM
hike with Gail 1:13:47 [1] 4.26 mi (17:19 / mi) +177ft 16:40 / mi
weight:139lbs
Definitely good to get out today, mid 30s and rather pleasant, than tomorrow, supposed to reach 20 at the most. That sounds like it should be good for a bike ride.
Monday Dec 16, 2019 #
10 AM
biking - dark blue bike 1:05:51 [2] 15.03 mi (4:23 / mi) +288ft 4:18 / mi
weight:139lbs
Haven't been on the bike for a while, which may have something to do with feeling like it was a lot of work to move along not very quickly. But got out and got it done, so no complaints. About 30F, light W breeze, usual winter clothing worked fine.
2 PM
hike with Gail 1:17:17 [1] 4.35 mi (17:46 / mi) +113ft 17:20 / mi
Gail, youngster that she is, keeps upping the pace. Getting harder to keep up.
Friday Dec 13, 2019 #
Note
Today's photos dedicated to Jon "Critters, schmitters..." Torrence. All are critters he might see in the great outdoors in Quantico-land.
The first two, the red fox and the turkeys are nothing special, though there were 56 turkeys in that flock and they all seemed to be happily chowing down right by the road. The third, a bobwhite, is common down Jon's way, but not so in Massachusetts where they have trouble surviving the hunters and, if not them, then the winter. So if you see one around here, it's probably been raised and then released.
If anyone is interested in their own private supply, here's one source. Note that the minimum order is 100 chicks, and they are shipped when they are a day old. No need to get them for yourself, of course, would be quite the surprise Xmas present for someone else. :-)
The first two, the red fox and the turkeys are nothing special, though there were 56 turkeys in that flock and they all seemed to be happily chowing down right by the road. The third, a bobwhite, is common down Jon's way, but not so in Massachusetts where they have trouble surviving the hunters and, if not them, then the winter. So if you see one around here, it's probably been raised and then released.
If anyone is interested in their own private supply, here's one source. Note that the minimum order is 100 chicks, and they are shipped when they are a day old. No need to get them for yourself, of course, would be quite the surprise Xmas present for someone else. :-)
1 PM
run/hike 21:23 [3] 2.01 mi (10:39 / mi) +1ft 10:38 / mi
weight:138.5lbs
Tried to run a mile without stopping. Did, but not without some discomfort.
Thursday Dec 12, 2019 #
2 PM
hike with Gail 1:21:06 [1] 4.43 mi (18:19 / mi) +353ft 17:02 / mi
weight:138.5lbs
Same loop as Friday (when the time was 5 minutes slower). About 30F. Seems like the pace is quickening as the weather gets colder, or perhaps we're getting in better shape, most likely some of both. We certainly start off faster when it's cold.
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019 #
Note
Another culinary adventure this week -- roast chicken with clementines and ouzo -- embarked on with a good bit of trepidation as one of the ingredients I definitely dislike (grain mustard) and a couple of others I certainly don't care for (fennel, ouzo). But we tried it anyway, because we like the cookbook and the preparation was pretty simple.
Thought about leaving out the mustard in particular, but finally decided just to do the recipe as given.
Our standard practice is to make enough to have leftovers for a night or two. This time we stretched that, so when the moment of truth arrived, we were looking at possibly trashing the main course for four nights.
Well, the verdict was an A++, delicious, just totally delicious, and if anything it gets better every night. One more dinner to go, and then will have to go shopping (and cooking) again.
Thought about leaving out the mustard in particular, but finally decided just to do the recipe as given.
Our standard practice is to make enough to have leftovers for a night or two. This time we stretched that, so when the moment of truth arrived, we were looking at possibly trashing the main course for four nights.
Well, the verdict was an A++, delicious, just totally delicious, and if anything it gets better every night. One more dinner to go, and then will have to go shopping (and cooking) again.
C • Yum! 1
11 AM
run/hike 48:14 [3] 4.39 mi (10:59 / mi) +340ft 10:14 / mi
weight:139lbs
Two minutes run, a minute walk, keep repeating until done. Perhaps a bit too ambitious.
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019 #
9 AM
hike with Gail 1:19:13 [1] 4.17 mi (19:00 / mi) +209ft 18:08 / mi
weight:139lbs
Vicinity of the Bookmill. Foggy and mild, rain held off.
Monday Dec 9, 2019 #
8 AM
run/hike 33:27 [3] 3.32 mi (10:04 / mi) +112ft 9:45 / mi
weight:138lbs
Light rain and 33F, but seemed like that would be the best weather all day, so headed out. Wasn't bad at all, no wind, the little bit of slush/ice could easily be avoided, and no traffic. Well, maybe 2 cars. So I'd run a little, then walk a minute, keep repeating until I was done.
Tolerance for this stuff, in terms of how quickly I reach the point of exhaustion and how the butt feels, is slowly improving.
Tolerance for this stuff, in terms of how quickly I reach the point of exhaustion and how the butt feels, is slowly improving.
Sunday Dec 8, 2019 #
7 AM
orienteering 25:02 [1] 0.71 mi (35:30 / mi) +126ft 30:22 / mi
Picking up a few controls at Ratlum Mountain.
1 PM
hike with Gail 49:14 [1] 2.56 mi (19:12 / mi) +47ft 18:53 / mi
From the Book Mill, Turners Falls and Swamp roads to 63. Cold.
Friday Dec 6, 2019 #
10 AM
hike with Gail 1:26:11 [1] 4.42 mi (19:29 / mi) +354ft 18:07 / mi
Old Sunderland Road and Taylor Hill loop, from the bottom of Fosters Road. Snowing the last 30 minutes.
Thursday Dec 5, 2019 #
1 PM
run/hike 26:42 [3] 2.57 mi (10:23 / mi) +100ft 10:01 / mi
weight:138lbs
Parked at the Book Mill, went to the junction of Swamp and 63, a little more than the usual 2 miles. Managing to run three minutes at a time, so I suppose there is a little progress.
Actually, this is just barely enough exercise to be an excuse not to be heading out on the bike. Seem to be lacking in desire to do that, no motivation like MF2 last year sure makes a difference. But I've edged just over 4,000 miles for the year, so it's been a good year no matter how little I ride in December.
And the count is now at 47 for the hikes that Gail and I have done since she did her shoulder. While they don't get my heart rate up too much, they've certainly been good for me, and I think have helped in making my butt a good bit less painful.
And the number will keep climbing, as Gail seems to often need motivation to get out the door. :-)
Actually, this is just barely enough exercise to be an excuse not to be heading out on the bike. Seem to be lacking in desire to do that, no motivation like MF2 last year sure makes a difference. But I've edged just over 4,000 miles for the year, so it's been a good year no matter how little I ride in December.
And the count is now at 47 for the hikes that Gail and I have done since she did her shoulder. While they don't get my heart rate up too much, they've certainly been good for me, and I think have helped in making my butt a good bit less painful.
And the number will keep climbing, as Gail seems to often need motivation to get out the door. :-)
Wednesday Dec 4, 2019 #
Note
I spent some time outside today. Lots of critters out there, large and small, if you look --
Meanwhile, the snow that fell on the roof over the front door is still hanging on, mostly --
Meanwhile, the snow that fell on the roof over the front door is still hanging on, mostly --
Tuesday Dec 3, 2019 #
Note
10 AM
run/hike 22:30 [3] 2.07 mi (10:52 / mi) +41ft 10:40 / mi
weight:138.5lbs
Jackson Hill Road was way too slippery, so I abandoned that quickly and did the rest on route 63, wet pavement and a nice shoulder.
I seem to be making steady progress in packing on the winter pounds. :-(
I seem to be making steady progress in packing on the winter pounds. :-(
11 AM
hike with Gail 1:22:59 [1] 4.06 mi (20:25 / mi) +2ft 20:25 / mi
Falls Road, lots of snow but mostly bare pavement.
Monday Dec 2, 2019 #
Note
Seems there's still a bit of winter left.
Sunday Dec 1, 2019 #
Event: NEOC: Mt. Tom
orienteering 20:00 [3] 0.9 mi (22:14 / mi) +75ft 20:36 / mi
Picking up 5 close-in controls at Phil's meet at Mt. Tom. Mid-20s, snow coming. (No Garmin, looked all over for it this morning but couldn't find it. Can't believe I left it in Austin.)
orienteering 49:00 [3] 2.2 mi (22:16 / mi) +500ft 18:20 / mi
Picking up 6 more controls, a little farther out, a little more O' required. Mid-20s, snow still coming. Done at a brisk walk, navigation fine.
run/hike 16:02 [3] 1.45 mi (11:03 / mi) +101ft 10:22 / mi
Good timing on the control pick-up, everyone back about the same time, everything quickly packed up. Many hands make quick work.
Snow still coming. So I stuck to the original (hoped for) plan, headed right over to the Northampton XC course for a little exercise. A few flurries as I was parking. Out of the car and going within a couple of minutes. By the time I had gone a couple of hundred yards it was snowing hard. Shortly thereafter the ground was covered, shortly thereafter accumulating, shortly thereafter my original plan bit the dust.
Did just the first loop, but a good effort. Almost an inch by then.
Would have been nice to do the whole thing. When I got home I looked up the last time I ran the race. Summer of '15, 4.5 years ago, 24:37, about 8 min/mile pace. Yikes. Today, a good effort, would have been 40-50% slower. If I'd made it.
Headed home. The streets in N'ton were a little slick, but 91 was fine.
At home the Garmin was sitting on my laptop, courtesy of Gail who found it on the rug. Way better than if it was still in Austin. :-)
Snow still coming. So I stuck to the original (hoped for) plan, headed right over to the Northampton XC course for a little exercise. A few flurries as I was parking. Out of the car and going within a couple of minutes. By the time I had gone a couple of hundred yards it was snowing hard. Shortly thereafter the ground was covered, shortly thereafter accumulating, shortly thereafter my original plan bit the dust.
Did just the first loop, but a good effort. Almost an inch by then.
Would have been nice to do the whole thing. When I got home I looked up the last time I ran the race. Summer of '15, 4.5 years ago, 24:37, about 8 min/mile pace. Yikes. Today, a good effort, would have been 40-50% slower. If I'd made it.
Headed home. The streets in N'ton were a little slick, but 91 was fine.
At home the Garmin was sitting on my laptop, courtesy of Gail who found it on the rug. Way better than if it was still in Austin. :-)