Training Log Archive: PG

Veteran's Day. Always stirs up a few feelings, though perhaps nothing compared to some contemporaries.

The world has changed so much since the late '60s, most younger folks wouldn't have a clue. A place called Vietnam, a thing called the draft, an unpopular war (and unpopular in a way that Iraq never was, viciously and angrily unpopular).

I did my three years in the Army. I'm a vet. Although over the years I have thought of myself as a vet "light," didn't go to Vietnam. And so only slightly qualified to talk about what it felt like to serve your country, and have your country turns its back on you. I didn't experience that personally, I was happy enough just being ignored, but it sure did happen. And if you look around carefully, you'll see the people still suffering from what their country made them do when they were young.

It's all different now, but one thing is still the same. People volunteer, expecting to deploy. When they come home, if they come home, there are parades, there are honors, they are treated like heroes rather than villains. All that matters, and all that is OK. But all that is also cheap, easy to do.

What is much harder and much more expensive, is the medical care, and here, as in my time, it falls way short of what is needed.

They are still fighting about what cancers can be traced to serving in Vietnam and exposure to Agent Orange, still trying to duck paying the bill. We will be paying the bill for Iraq for years to come.

I watched some of the Republican debate last night. They seem all so eager to send our troops off to war. They also all seem to not have a clue about what it really means, about what it really costs, not just at the time but also for decades and decades down the road. All so eager to say they support our veterans, but all just lip service.

It could easily make me very angry, but I've gained a little wisdom over the years and getting angry is usually not productive. But it sure does make me sad.

C • Service in the 60s-70s 2

A different hill to try and run up, this one at the west end of the Holyoke Range, from 47 along the river up to the porch on the summit house. Wasn't sure I could run all the way up, but got in a low enough gear so it was possible.

Coming down was a lot easier, though I'll have to see if the back acts up. So far in the last couple of weeks it's been bouncing back pretty well after a variety of physical efforts. Still hurts some, but definitely better.

C • hill 1

Back roads in Leverett just before the rain came. Ran this loop every once in a while when we lived in Amherst and I wanted to do 12 instead of 8. Times change.

Felt OK. Had thought I'd take the day off, having spent the morning finishing up a bunch of outdoors work around the house, but the rain took its time getting here, so why not.

Perfect weather for running, low 50s and low humidity.

At Mt. Warner. Did two loops, one each way, as planned, though it took a moment of reflection after the first one to head out for the second, as the hill is a little steeper that way. But got the legs in a low enough gear and made it up without too much distress. And overall a pretty good effort.

Not that I agree with what seems to be the policy, but there is a very clear sign posted at the entrance of the small parking lot that say that it is open from sunrise to sunset, and at all other times cars are subject to being towed. And it gives the e-mail and phone number of the park superintendent in case anyone, such as Phil perhaps, might care to contact him.

There is also a sign in the parking lot that says it is under 24-hour video surveillance. Hmm. Made the choice of a spot to pee a little more complicated.

C • Obviously... 4

Back roads in Deerfield, nice loop, not much traffic. Tried to run gently, no concern for pace. Reasonably successful.

Though the thought of orienteering (rough ground, jarring, falling?) is still not particularly appealing. Nor is swinging a golf club. But really nice I am able to do a little running.

C • orienteering 5

From the gate on the back side of Mt. Toby. Up the jeep road, back the link trail and the RF. A little jarring coming down the rocky trails, but I think the back survived OK. It's held up pretty well the last couple of weeks.

Up and down South Sugarloaf (ran most of it, 11:11), plus a mile before.

Flat loop in town, but longest run in quite some time. :-)