Training Log Archive: PG

Raining, so thought I would see if I can still run. Ran/walked for a couple of miles. Marginally successful, though left butt was not happy at all (just like 6 months ago), and I can't say I enjoyed it.

C • Can't say I enjoyed it. 7

Longish outing up the valley to Gill and Northfield, avoiding hills as much as possible, though doing a mile or so of dirt road at one point. Light breeze from the north, so better on the way back. Pleasant morning.

Whately - South Deerfield. Warm and humid. Very mellow to start, then decided to work each of the little ups, of which there are 10, so that made things a little more interesting. Though I must admit I quite enjoy just moseying along at a mellow pace.

Nice ride with Charlie after a short visit to Litchfield. Relaxed pace, good conversation, no falls.

And then on the way back to his place I stopped to try something I've been meaning to try for a long time -- biking up the Devil's Elbow. And it seemed especially the right time because I got my new low gear this morning (34-32, was 34-28). Very nice, made it up, not with a lot to spare, but not in any real danger of stalling. :-)

Start in Charlemont, loop in the hills that they use for a bike race with the good guys doing two loops. Pretty hot out, breeze out of the NW.

Second time I've done this loop, the other was last summer, and it's the second time it has just flat out croaked me. Certainly could have used a second bottle, but still, right from the start not good, heart rate a good bit too high for the perceived effort. Miles 21 to 30 back into the wind and with more up than down were not fun. Though good willpower training, I suppose.

Really tired going up the hill at 30. Normally I ride a very straight line but here I noticed I was weaving quite a bit. Not really a safely issue -- almost no traffic and I could hear a car coming well before it arrived, and by then I was right where I wanted to be. I believe the technical term for my condition is "spacy." :-)

A few minutes later I was just whipping downhill, saying to myself, Careful, careful, careful. Trying really hard not to do anything stupid.

Back to the car, stopped at the first possible place for something to drink. Then drove home, really concentrating, again trying not to do anything stupid. More to drink and a nap and now maybe a bit more normal. Though the legs are clearly trashed.

On the flats west of the river. Nice to get out, but saw no reason to go further or faster. Gave a little thought to once up South Sugarloaf, but that thought passed...

To South Amherst and back, bit of a breeze from the south at times, and warm. Really working at, and possibly getting better at, making my easy days easy.