Training Log Archive: PG

I seem to have missed the Classic Champs this year, going on this weekend in the Tahoe area. I think it's the first one I've missed since I started orienteering -- I started just after the 1973-74 champs were held at Quantico in October 1973, first one I went to was the 74-75 champs in Carbondale, IL, in February, 1975. I always enjoyed the event, but this year both Gail and I are ailing, so it made no sense to go.

Up until 5 or 10 years ago (?) it was the main event on the calendar. Well, maybe I've got that wrong, maybe it was up to 15 years ago (?). At various points other champs got added, a short or a middle or a long or a sprint or an ultralong. Life was simpler way back when. Everyone knew what the main event was, and most everyone showed up.

The Classic seems like it will slowly fade away. I think it's an age thing, though not entirely. I always loved it because nothing was decided until after the second day.

It was a different mind game than what the SML offers. The appeal of the SML ought to be that it offers quite different challenges in each event, and therefore folks have a chance to do well in the event(s) that suit them. Though I happen to think that the appeal is that you get three fresh starts in one weekend. Screw up the one race, the slate is wiped clean for the next one.

Or maybe people like it because there are three times as many medals handed out?

I don't dislike the SML, it's fine. But when we had the two-day Classic, and just the two-day Classic for the year, that really got the nerves on edge, you really got to see what you were made of. That was really fine.

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By the way, if the SML really is the top dog, as it seems destined to be, then it really should be reflected as such in the history books. By history books, meaning in this day and age, on the internet, namely, the OUSA website.

Right now, for the Classic champs there are records showing where the event was held and who all the age-group winners were. Seems proper. For the SML champs, all that's listed is who the M21 and F21 champs were, no indication where the event was held, and no age-group winners. You would think we could do better than that.

C • OUSA champions 6

C • Streak 4

Two and one-third times up South Sugarloaf. The plan was something more than once, and no more than three times, see how I felt. It's 0.85 miles up, 450' climb.

First time was in second gear (9:52). OK, but pretty tired by the top. Time was best this year, others were 11:00 and about 10:10, but I think maybe 8-8:30(?) a long time ago. I assume a good climber would be 4 minutes or so?

Coasted down, figured I used up my good effort, so put it in first gear this time and started off at a relaxed pace. There are two brief flattish spots on the way up; at the first one I was already 30 seconds slower, so the pace went up a bit, matched the first trip pretty much the rest of the way (10:28). So maybe the gear doesn't matter?

Coasted down, didn't have the willpower to do a third time, but then I had the idea to try the first section in third gear, just for a change. So did that, 150' climb, 3:08. Not bad.

Coasted down, decided that was enough and gently headed home.

Thought I'd see if I remembered how to run....

Back neither great nor terrible. Felt zero energy to start, but managed to shuffle up the few hills, so not so bad.

Corn ride, different place, "JJ's Super Sweet Corn" the sign says. Used to go there regularly but at some point we decided we could do better, and did. But Gail was going by JJ's a couple of days ago and picked some up, and it was very tasty. So maybe we're switching back, as it's a mile and a three-quarters closer.

Easy pace, breeze out of the south.

Also, first of a few PT sessions to see if the back will respond to a little treatment. Would be nice. It's way better than 6 weeks ago, but not yet ready to head back to the golf course. Some running might be possible, but for the time being I'm enjoying the biking.

Though, regarding running, I did sign up for the Boston Marathon last night. I'd guess the odds of actually starting are 5% or less. But if I didn't sign up, and it had to be done now, the odds would be 0%. And this year was quite the experience.

We will see.

I'd been thinking about doing the Mt. Greylock climb for a while, and then I happened to see the results from the annual time trial up to the top, which was held last Saturday, and that added to the motivation. And then I needed to go to Litchfield today, and Greylock is virtually on the way, so today it was, even if it was a bit warmer than I cared for.

It's 9 miles, roughly 2,750' climb, a couple of those miles are wasted (ie. flat), but the rest are between 6 and 10%, with a few (much) steeper pitches thrown in just to test character.

Goal #1 was to make it without getting off the bike.

Did that. :-)

Goal #2, well, it didn't matter so much how quickly I went up, really, think about it, who cares, but it's easier if you have some sort of time in mind, gives a little motivation to keep at it. So goal #2 was to do it in 81 minutes. Not so much a goal, but what I thought I was capable of doing, where the 81 minutes came from simple formula, 3 minutes per 100 feet of climb, and I'd thought the climb was 2,700'.

And actually did that too, just, 80:45 roughly. :-)

Though, of course, if you look at the results, a reality check comes quickly -- the best guy took 37 minutes, a guy in the 60-64 took 44 minutes -- and reinforces my own assessment that I am just painfully slow.

But, on the other hand, having reached the top and then having another 25 miles to ponder the meaning of what I had just done, and having concluded it wasn't much to brag about because, had I been in the race, I would have finished dead last, DFL is the proper term. Well, what can you do...

So imagine my surprise to fire up the laptop and check the results after the fact and find out I would have been quicker than 8 people. Son of a gun! And even more, first in the 70-74 age group. (So what if there was no one else in the group, so what if a guy 70-75 did it in 60 minutes....)

Not so bad... :-)

Rest of the ride was fine, long downhill down the south side, not as steep as the north side, then back through Adams to my car.

(I'd biked up Greylock once before, up the south side and down the north side, maybe 10 years ago, part of the Greylock century, 10,000' feet of climb to go with the 100 miles. Made it around that course in about 7:30 or so, a fair bit of suffering, but then isn't that how you get the best memories?)

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Now in Litchfield, a note on things here before I forget. Mom often has conversations with friends/family who are long since gone, mom taking care of both sides of the conversation. This one, as related by Lina, was with my dad, Mort was a very good friend of my mom's for maybe 30 years --

(mom as mom) So who did you love more, me or your mistress?

(mom as dad) Oh, about the same. And do you love Mort more than me?

(mom as mom) I loved Mort, he's my good friend, but I loved you more, you are my husband. I always loved you.

C • It would probably be more f... 2

Had thought about a longer ride, but decided to save it for another day.

River Road - Old Deerfield loop. Slowly getting a little stronger.

One of Gail's regular routes, up along the river and back. Gusty WNW wind, 15-20. Legs much better.