Training Log Archive: PG

On my way to Hyannis for a three-day conference for members of school committees in Massachusetts -- thinking, hopefully, that I will learn something useful -- so I left early enough to have time for a ride on the way. And a fine ride it was.

Mostly back roads in Lakeville and surrounding towns, a little south of I-495. Flattish but not flat, and there is a big difference. Lots of very little ups and downs, rarely more than 20 or 30 feet vertically, made it a lot more fun than when it's dead flat and you put it in a gear and just grind away.

And a beautiful day, sunny, about 60 so rode in shorts and a long-sleeve shirt. There was some wind, SW to W, 5-10, but somehow it didn't bother me today. Not that I didn't notice it, but psychologically I was mellow. Just enjoying myself as the miles zipped by. The legs just felt good.

And then off to Hyannis, went to a couple of sessions, one on how to do a search for a new superintendent (which we might have to do in a few months), the other on strategic plans and their pluses and minuses. Not really all that interested in the latter, but nothing else being offered at that time slot was more interesting and I figured I might learn something. Which perhaps I did.

Then I passed on the dinner (bad food and listening to speeches) and went off in search for an alternative. Found a place that was just perfect, Common Ground Cafe, had a large salad and a delicious sandwich. Could not have been better.

Will be early to bed. But first I have to plan a route for a ride for tomorrow. I'll have sufficient time in the middle of the day (skipping a couple of sessions I have no interest in, plus the luncheon). Got to keep my priorities straight. :-)

C • Rail trail 15

Wet, but not quite wet enough to not go out. Drizzle for the first 40 minutes, then steady rain for the rest. Mid 40s, calm.

Reminded myself a couple of times that rain is not so bad, you won't melt. But two other things do matter. One, keeping your body temperature right, which for today at least was no problem, felt just right.

And two, safety. I can't see as well, nor one assumes can drivers. The road can be slippery, especially where there are wet leaves. And the brakes don't work as well.

Managed most of that by choosing a route with no hills and not much traffic. And then just paying attention.

Was nice to get home when I did, because a few minutes later it was coming down a lot harder. According to the local paper, normal rainfall for the year through this date is about 36 inches. This year so far we've had about 51. Sure seems like there have been a whole lot of days when I've been trying to fit outdoor activities into small windows of opportunity.

C • When it is rainy or foggy 1

Looked like rain was coming, so headed out early. Upper 30s, light breeze from the NE. First time wearing the booties, kept the feet nice and warm. Only part getting chilled was my fingers, so the mittens will be the next addition.

Loop around the Montague plains. Didn't have any particular route in mind, just kept deciding at various intersections which way to go. At the end strung it out a bit just to get 20 miles.

As usual, glad to have done it.

Out in the Berkshires for the day. Took my bike with me, figuring I'd have a better chance of getting a ride in since it might be too late if I waited until I got home, and that turned out to be the case.

Really pleasant route. A bit of dirt, a few hills, not much traffic, and the one stretch where there might have been traffic there was a nice bike lane.

Can tell I haven't done many hills recently, but I had sufficiently low gears to manage anyway. And coming down it didn't take long to get pretty chilled. 50s, light breeze from the NW, more or less.

A front was coming through and we went from heavy rain and calm to sunshine and blustery winds out of the west in about an hour. I was supposed to just get windier as the day went on, so headed out pretty soon after the rain was done.

The pace was a no hurry pace. The effort was somewhat more.

C • Impressed 3

That was excellent. And that just refers to getting out the door. :-)

Rain for much of the day, but there was a break in mid-afternoon, and it was almost 60, and there was hardly any wind, so really. How could I not go?

Pretty nice, and my legs were sufficiently energetic that it wasn't even discouraging. And the conditions were fine, wet roads for the first half, light rain for the second. Looked like it might get heavy a couple of times but never did.

And at some point when the rain was coming down I said to myself, you're 74, you're out doing this, that's not so bad... :-)

Going to be hard to make 5K miles this year. Need to do another 770 in the last 60 days, which would be simple if it were summer, but it's not. We shall see. No harm done if I fall short, but it's nice to have goals, even foolish ones.

There's a reason for what might perceived as madness. I like being out doing it, and I like the feeling afterwards of having done it. As compared to going to the gym, which has no appeal at all.

So I expect I'll try to keep doing this as long as I can.

Strange day. It was supposed to be cloudy in the morning and rain all afternoon, but it actually rained all morning and then was cloudy all afternoon. Just trying to mess with me, I guess.

Had my usual morning walk, try to do an hour or two most mornings, though this one was a bit wet. Figured I'd probably pass on a ride, but then by mid-afternoon there was really no good excuse not to go. So off I went.

Mid 50s, N about 5, sometimes a little more. Roads were still damp but not near enough water to throw up a spray.

Headed south of town on the flats. Somehow my mind had failed me and assumed this would allow me a pleasant ride back north with the wind. It wasn't until about 4 miles, feeling modestly pleased at how I was moving along, that I realized I'd had a bit of wind with me all along and going back was going to be more work. I'm not sure which is disappearing faster, the legs or the brain....

Worked a good bit harder on the way back, just trying to keep the same pace. I have no idea why I needed to do that. These things just happen.