Training Log Archive: PG

hike with Gail 1:27:31 [1] 4.88 mi (17:56 / mi) +623ft 16:00 / mi
weight:139lbs

biking - dark blue bike 13:47 2.54 mi (5:26 / mi) +164ft 5:07 / mi
ahr:104 max:145

biking - dark blue bike 1:01:01 12.61 mi (4:50 / mi) +270ft 4:45 / mi
ahr:96 max:153 weight:139lbs

Note

A little upper body work dealing with vegetation that suddenly wasn't where it was supposed to be. We were first on the scene. The main branch was across the road, but it looked like a lane could be opened with the proper use of leverage. And as it turned out, it could. The next guy to arrive hopped out to help, but by then I had it mostly done.

Charlie, of course, could have done it with one hand tied behind his back.

biking - dark blue bike 1:35:25 24.32 mi (3:55 / mi) +850ft 3:48 / mi
ahr:129 max:164 weight:138.5lbs

biking - dark blue bike 42:23 11.14 mi (3:48 / mi) +90ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:120 max:155 weight:139lbs

hike with Gail 1:28:22 [1] 3.84 mi (23:01 / mi) +738ft 19:28 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 54:39 14.16 mi (3:51 / mi) +307ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:120 max:156 weight:139lbs

hike with Gail 1:08:02 [1] 4.02 mi (16:55 / mi) +138ft 16:23 / mi
weight:138.5lbs

road running 2:07 [2] 0.2 mi (10:35 / mi) +20ft 9:40 / mi

Note

Sometimes things seem surprisingly large, other times way too small. On the large size was this thing, I presume a fungus? Almost look like a wood carving. Maybe 15 inches across.



And then there was this little guy, heading into the maze for a little practice. I saw some movement, still took a while to locate it.



And a closer view. No bigger in any dimension than a quarter.

biking - dark blue bike 3:22:01 50.01 mi (4:02 / mi) +2236ft 3:53 / mi
ahr:139 max:163 weight:139lbs

hike with Gail 1:13:10 [1] 4.0 mi (18:17 / mi) +490ft 16:23 / mi
weight:139.5lbs

biking - dark blue bike 47:22 10.03 mi (4:43 / mi) +136ft 4:40 / mi
ahr:89 max:108 weight:139lbs

biking - dark blue bike 46:41 12.22 mi (3:49 / mi) +297ft 3:44 / mi
ahr:113 max:152 weight:139lbs

hike with Gail 1:10:30 [1] 4.03 mi (17:29 / mi) +300ft 16:20 / mi

road running 1:01 [2] 0.1 mi (10:10 / mi) +4ft 9:48 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 45:53 11.72 mi (3:55 / mi) +302ft 3:49 / mi
ahr:118 max:162 weight:139lbs

biking - dark blue bike 45:30 10.05 mi (4:32 / mi) +177ft 4:27 / mi
ahr:98 max:113

hike with Gail 1:17:03 [1] 4.01 mi (19:13 / mi) +431ft 17:27 / mi
weight:139.5lbs

biking - dark blue bike 42:05 11.14 mi (3:47 / mi) +89ft 3:45 / mi
ahr:116 max:145

Note

From a couple of days ago, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo and a Yellow Swallowtail. See the latter a lot, the former rarely (though I hear it cooing on occasion). Swallowtail seems to be a male.

biking - dark blue bike 1:04:10 16.45 mi (3:54 / mi) +506ft 3:47 / mi
ahr:123 max:155 weight:139lbs

biking - dark blue bike 1:53:08 29.35 mi (3:51 / mi) +1111ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:129 max:158 weight:139lbs

biking - dark blue bike 46:11 10.08 mi (4:35 / mi) +143ft 4:31 / mi
ahr:105 max:121

hike with Gail 14:52 [1] 0.87 mi (17:02 / mi)
weight:139.5lbs

hike with Gail 1:01:35 [1] 3.39 mi (18:11 / mi) +604ft 15:33 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 52:19 11.22 mi (4:40 / mi) +116ft 4:37 / mi
ahr:95 max:117 weight:140lbs

biking - dark blue bike 2:11:44 27.2 mi (4:51 / mi) +2639ft 4:26 / mi
ahr:125 max:154 weight:141lbs

Up into the hills with the plan being another go at Kingsley Hill Road, about the steepest road around these parts. I'd done it when I was young (three years ago). I figured there wasn't any point driving a bunch to do Lincoln Gap if I couldn't make it up KH.

A pleasant morning, about 70, overcast, somewhat humid. Certainly good for this time of year, so I headed off. Parked where the road splits, one fork following the Deerfield River up to the tiny town of Monroe Bridge and the start of KH, the other going to Rowe and a possible way back if I was feeling energetic.

Ten miles to Monroe Bridge, along the river but definitely not flat. I could tell on the first hill that my legs weren't good. But sometimes things improve after I get a few miles done. So the plan was still KH, then a short loop back to Monroe Bridge to avoid coming straight back down KH, and then the option of doing Monroe Hill Road and looping back through Rowe. The only decision so far was that going really slow up KH was OK, the goal was just to not get off the bike.

Got to Monroe Bridge, turned onto the climb. The first 50 yards are pretty flat. Started downshifting. The next 50 yards are pretty steep. Finished my downshifting, all the way to the lowest gear. Except it didn't feel right. By now I was on the main climb, brutal, and it felt like I was still in second gear. And I sort of hoped I was, because as I looked up the slope, it was pretty clear that if I really was in first gear, then I probably wasn't going to make it.

There was one old driveway just ahead, last bit of civilization. It didn't take but a moment to decide to bail. Turned in, got off the bike, yup, second gear. But the shifter wouldn't go any farther.

Got back on, back to the bottom. Fiddled with the derailleur, still not right. Finally grabbed the chain and with a bit of brute force got it on the big ring in the back. Tried it out, not making any noise, so I figured I was good to go. Headed back up. In retrospect, funny how it never occurred to me to just bag it, not my day. I guess I just had in mind to do it.

It certainly isn't easy, but at least it felt doable, just keep turning the pedals over and try not to fall off. It's paved, but it's ratty pavement, though that's still a lot better than dirt.

The first 8 or 9 minutes are the worst, average about 20%, then you get some variation, little bits where the slope eases, Still have to pay attention on the steep parts. And then eventually the top comes, 21:39, about a minute slower than 3 years ago. Given how I felt, no complaints.

Did the loop around, into Vermont for a couple of miles and then back to Monroe Bridge. Thought about Monroe Hill Road, just didn't have the desire. As it was, the road back down along the Deerfield River still had a lot of ups, and my legs, warmed up as they surely were, still didn't have any zip.

This profile seems reasonably accurate --

hike with Gail 1:23:27 [1] 4.34 mi (19:14 / mi) +393ft 17:42 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 1:03:29 16.74 mi (3:48 / mi) +340ft 3:43 / mi
ahr:125 max:162 weight:141lbs

Note

biking - dark blue bike 44:01 9.92 mi (4:26 / mi) +162ft 4:22 / mi
ahr:96 max:110 weight:140.5lbs

biking - dark blue bike 3:21:00 45.87 mi (4:23 / mi) +2989ft 4:08 / mi
ahr:132 max:156 weight:141lbs

hike with Gail 1:28:10 [1] 4.0 mi (22:02 / mi) +822ft 18:27 / mi

Note

A nice-looking guy hanging out at our house. Actually, I believe it's a lady.

biking - dark blue bike 49:44 11.05 mi (4:30 / mi) +94ft 4:28 / mi
ahr:93 max:116 weight:140lbs

biking - dark blue bike 42:08 [2] 11.1 mi (3:48 / mi) +75ft 3:46 / mi
ahr:115 max:135 weight:140lbs

hike with Gail 1:38:16 [1] 4.78 mi (20:35 / mi) +586ft 18:26 / mi

Note

I was late getting out for a ride because I spent most of the morning out with the camera and binoculars.

I generally see quite a few turtles, most commonly sunning themselves on a log in a pond, but I've never paid much attention to them except for Snapping Turtles. Today there were only a couple of turtles around, but I decided I should learn a little something about turtles. So, with the help of a guide, I'm pretty sure this guy is an Eastern Painted Turtle. Supposed to be common.



Also out and about were some young Wood Ducks and a Green Heron, the latter always one of my favorites.

biking - dark blue bike 1:06:46 15.24 mi (4:23 / mi) +217ft 4:19 / mi
ahr:102 max:113 weight:140lbs

biking - dark blue bike 45:21 11.76 mi (3:51 / mi) +306ft 3:46 / mi
ahr:118 max:152 weight:140lbs

hike with Gail 1:16:56 [1] 3.7 mi (20:47 / mi) +615ft 17:58 / mi

North Mountain Road on Mt. Toby. Climbed higher than we usually do, last 0.4 mile was steep and rocky.

The highlight was clearly this guy, Mr. (or Ms.) Black Rat Snake. Seemed to be about 6' long. Haven't seen one for a long time, but had one hanging around the house (and up on the deck) for a while back in the 80s.

biking - dark blue bike 58:56 12.58 mi (4:41 / mi) +1184ft 4:18 / mi
ahr:129 max:164 weight:139.5lbs

biking - dark blue bike 44:51 9.93 mi (4:31 / mi) +31ft 4:30 / mi
ahr:104 max:114

biking - dark blue bike 49:19 12.41 mi (3:58 / mi) +136ft 3:56 / mi
ahr:112 max:142 weight:139lbs

hike with Gail 1:19:22 [1] 4.0 mi (19:50 / mi) +296ft 18:32 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 1:36:53 21.13 mi (4:35 / mi) +591ft 4:28 / mi
ahr:110 max:127

biking - dark blue bike 40:56 8.93 mi (4:35 / mi) +83ft 4:33 / mi
ahr:100 max:116

biking - dark blue bike 2:56:46 39.83 mi (4:26 / mi) +2819ft 4:10 / mi
ahr:137 max:162 weight:140lbs

hike with Gail 1:07:51 [1] 4.02 mi (16:54 / mi) +133ft 16:23 / mi

biking - dark blue bike 45:50 9.94 mi (4:37 / mi) +150ft 4:33 / mi
ahr:103 max:118 weight:140lbs

hike with Gail 1:20:31 [1] 4.25 mi (18:57 / mi) +564ft 16:50 / mi
weight:141lbs

biking - dark blue bike 47:47 12.6 mi (3:48 / mi) +180ft 3:44 / mi
ahr:120 max:150

biking - dark blue bike 48:51 10.0 mi (4:53 / mi) +768ft 4:33 / mi
ahr:122 max:156 weight:140.5lbs