Training Log Archive: PG

About 45, light breeze from the south, a little sun but mostly cloudy. Felt cold (nothing new). Not that I was cold, had the clothing about right, but I think psychologically it's seemed like we went from hot/humid to too cold for October without much in between. But I deal with it, getting outside seems essential. Though even my morning walks have been colder and windier than I would wish.

Stayed in the valley as I had no appetite for hills. Aimed to do something between 20 and 30 miles, so figured I'd do a standard 20 mile loop (up the river, head back south through Old Deerfield) and then decide how much to add on.

Worked out about right mentally, added another 4 or 5 without needing any willpower to do it. So even though my legs haven't felt too zippy recently, things can't be too bad.

With Gail. About 45, NW 10-15. Had the right amount of clothing on.

Not much zip in the legs. Told Gail at one point it was going to be her turn to lead pretty soon. As long as it's flat or downhill she moves right along. So I try to make sure there are some ups so I can take it easy. But pretty soon she'll get better at those and I'll be in trouble. :-)

Mid 40s, NW 10. Had more clothes on today and glad I did, seemed cold out. I think I'm just slowly losing my tolerance for anything other than benign weather.

In the low hills to the SE, trying to not be out in the open whenever I was heading north. Somewhat successful. :-)

Seemed to be going slowly today. I'll blame it on the wind, or the cold, or the bike. I wish...

Well, that was an interesting ride, not quite what I expected. Cloudy, lower 50s, supposedly a chance of a shower. Headed north up to Turners Falls. Should have been suspicious of the weather forecast -- the wind, predicted to be out of the south, was definitely out of the north.

Started to rain about 20 minutes in. No reason to turn around, I thought, it won't last long. But it lasted, not hard but enough so that I was already down to type 1.5 fun.

Turned around at about 10 miles, kept being optimistic it would stop, but it kept raining.

But about halfway back I saw the first bits of blue sky off to the west, and then some more, and pretty soon the sun was out. But it was still raining.

About 3 miles from home I heard the first rumbles of thunder. I'd been focused on the blue sky and sunshine on my right, now I looked to my left where the thunder was coming from. The sky was real dark. Quite the scene -- farm fields on both sides so good views, then forested hillsides, still pretty good fall colors lit up by the sun, then just above that a dark sky. And I happened to glance a little further to my left, a bit behind me, and there was a full rainbow, horizon to horizon. Quite something.

More thunder, but it seemed like I was going to miss the worst of it. Now full on sun, blue sky covering 3/4 of the sky. And raining harder than ever. And then it just stopped about a mile from home.

Glad to get home.

With Gail, Montague, including a few hills (Chestnut Hill Road). About 50, overcast, SW breeze.

Had a nice overnight visit at Charlie and Rhonda's. Their son Zack was visiting from California. Nice to see him and find out how things are going. Seems to be doing really well.