Training Log Archive: PG

Upper 80s, easy effort on the way out, slightly more on the way back. Seemed like just about right.

To home from West Springfield after dropping the car off for a repair. I wasn't sure about doing this, but then the forecast was for light breezes from the south, strengthening a bit as the day went on. Couldn't resist.

Pretty relaxed pace, just cranking out the miles. And being real alert to what drivers might be doing (and there were a couple of times I'd just shake my head in amazement). But no close calls. The further north I got, the more civilized things were. Another reminder of how much I like where we live.

Short and easy ride up along the river. Glad I wasn't more ambitious as I was losing it the last mile or so, blood sugar getting a little low.

Pocumtuck Ridge. A nice trail, would be really nice without so many roots. Feeling a little tired.

A running "race," it seems, first one in maybe 6 or 7 years? 5K in Holyoke around the reservoirs, flat with a few small rolls, surface like the TRG stuff they use for driveways around here.

I guess I was just curious what it would feel like.

I figured I could make the distance. If I needed to walk a little, fine. I figured I ought to be able to do about 30 minutes without pushing the pace -- I didn't want it to feel like a race, mainly, I was trying to minimize the risk of leg issues from running faster than I'm used to. I set a limit of 155 on the heart rate, above that and I'd just be working too hard. And no warm-up, just start out easy. Those were the rules.

Mostly successful. The pacing was right. The heart rate got to 155 just as I reach an uphill with about a quarter-mile to go, so I walked for 30 seconds, no ego problem at all, though it did bump up at the end, a short uphill. And no leg pains and just a tiny bit of butt pain early on.

The unsuccessful? Well, the course has gotten a lot longer. I think the last time I ran it it took 23+ minutes. This time the minutes/miles seemed to go by pretty slowly. So I'm not planning a repeat visit anytime soon. Of course, maybe that reaction should really be considered a success.

And the annoying? My back didn't bother me at all during the run, but was quite sore (lower right, usual spot) walking to the car. I thought I was running gently enough, but I guess not.

So maybe a little less running in the immediate future, once or twice a week, couple miles at a time, more biking, still some hiking. And no races.

But still glad to have done this.

C • Holyoke 1

C • Holy Cow! (Holyoke) 13

Got my new glasses yesterday. The verdict is -- I seem to be seeing a lot better. :-)

Right eye is better because I haven't had a new prescription in several years, and I really tried to get this one as accurate as possible. Left eye is better due to a combination of the surgery and some immediate improvement, and then more gradual improvement over several months, and then an extra bonus with the new glasses. I'd guess the right eye is now pretty close to 20/20, and the left one maybe 20/25?

One of the tests I've been repeating is looking out the kitchen window at a recycling box, on which is the name of the trash company and its phone number. With my right eye I used to be able to get close to reading ti but only with a real struggle. With the left eye it was just a blur. With the right I can now read it, with the left I am just about there. Amazing.

C • Improvement 5

Up along the river, back through Montague Center. No hurry.

With Walter and Bill Haines, mellow ride to the Peace Pagoda. That wasn't the plan, but as we went by the access road at the top of Cave Hill Road I noticed it had been paved. So up we went, at least the first part was paved. I hadn't been there for perhaps 30 years.

Hemenway Road (dirt). Trying to run gently, back still achy afterwards. Mid 50s, no rain.

Mount Toby jeep road, from the gate.