Training Log Archive: PG

In the hills in Westfield and Granville. Upper 30s, light N breeze, rain had stopped but the roads were wet. Not so bad.

Nice, as always, to go someplace I haven't been. In this case, at least for the first few miles, never been at all. The latter miles are mostly on either the older or the current Westfield half-marathon course, on in Stanley Park, where I've run a few XC races. Need to keep exploring.

My winter clothing includes a bright orange puffy jacket, which both keeps me warm and makes me really visible to drivers (and hunters). On the downside, it also adds a significant amount of wind resistance (or whatever the proper term is). Seems like I needed to be a gear lower anytime I'm not going up a pretty good hill. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

C • Westfield and Granville 3

Upper 30s, light N breeze. Pretty benign, at least compared to around noon, when it was snowing hard. Was wondering then if I was going to get out today, but when the time came it was fine, roads wet but not enough to spray me.

South through the flats for a while, around Mt Warner and back. Hadn't given much thought as to a route, so pleasantly surprised when 20 miles passed. Rides will start getting (much) shorter as the cold weather settles in.

Headed back to Quabbin on the early side to see if I could find the strap for my heart monitor, but no luck. A gorgeous morning -- upper 20s, sunny, virtually no wind. Stopped a few times to watch the loons, but not long because I was a little short of time.

And then off Torrington for Sunday lunch with Lina and Angelo and much of their family. Just wonderful.

They did want to know why Charlie hadn't come. :-)

C • Lina and Angelo 1

Pull out the mountain bike for the first time in a few months, lubed the chain (which was sorely in need of it), added a little air to the tires, and headed off for a ride from Gary's (up in the Conway hills) with him, Walter, and Dusty, in which I am probably 3rd out of 4 going up, and 3rd out of 4 going down, so just right.

Another ride that can only be described as a serious interval workout, in a different way than road rides are. On the roads it seems I have more control over my effort, can ramp it up or dial it back as I wish. On the mountain bike on hilly trails, which was all we seemed to do today, a bunch of times there is no choice, it's either max effort or I don't make it up.

Wish I had my heart monitor working just to confirm the feelings. But couldn't find the strap. Not in the usual spot in the house, not in the car. I don't remember taking it off after yesterday's ride. The data for that stop after a couple of miles. So that would give me a place to start looking. But it might have fallen off any place between there and where I parked. I suppose I will head over to Quabbin sometime soon to have a look.

Anyway, this ride was fun. And my skills are getting better. But it's still hard.

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And continuing my fat bike research... :-)

Low 30s, NW 20+ mph. On the old roads on the north side of Quabbin, trying to find a little shelter from the wind. Marginally successful. But I had pretty much enough on so no suffering. Stopped a few times to see what was on the water.

Two photos. In the first, this tree was still upright when I went by about 30 minutes earlier. Had I been extraordinarily unlucky, I would have been bopped. Not sure to what extent my fine bright orange helmut would have saved me.



And a Snowy Owl, a rare visitor to around here. Found by someone else, but worth going to take a look because they are very cool.

Easy ride down the east side of the river to Northampton, back on the west side. Mid-40s, light breeze from the south. Just put it a gear lower than usual. Probably should do that more often.

Longish ride on a somewhat chilly day, just because the sun was out and many days to come will be much worse. About 45F, light breeze from the north. Started in Millers Falls, then up to Wendell, down and up to Warwick, down to Northfield, and back along the river. Beautiful afternoon, just chilly. Well, actually it averaged chilly -- just fine going up and rather cold coming down. But I had about the right amount on.

And didn't go into any streams this time. :-)

Seemed like hard work. Even the last few flat miles. Think I was getting depleted. Maybe should have taken more than half a bottle, and some food. Also also need to tighten the heart monitor strap a little...