Training Log Archive: Bash

On a day overshadowed by tragedy in the U.S., it's hard to think about much else. Our family was fortunate to spend a few hours surrounded by friends, relatives and wider community as Dad was inducted posthumously into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. He would have been so touched by this honour. It's bittersweet but we're very proud.



As Mom sat down after accepting the award on Dad's behalf, a group of his Aggie classmates from the University of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural College Class of '55 gave their class cheer from the back of the crowded hall. Both Mom and Dad have attended or hosted annual reunions for their respective classes at U of G for the past 61 years. They went to alumni curling bonspiels, banquets and cottage weekends. Unlike my university class, many members of their classes have stayed in touch for their entire lives - without the help of Facebook or email for the first four decades. Even Dad's roommate from residence was with us today.

I asked some of Dad's classmates to do the class cheer for me on video (I missed the first part). I imagined Dad there with them, heartily shouting the words they learned together in their late teens in 1951. For a moment, I could see the mischievous young men still hiding within these distinguished gentlemen with their grey hair, wrinkles and aching joints. Imagine what it would be like to have 65-year-old friendships! Friendships that still matter even after someone is gone. It was beautiful.

'Bent and I went to Pretty River for a final long-ish hill session before Lavaredo. I had most of the gear I expect to be carrying in the race plus almost 2L of water. We both used poles.

An intense storm swept through before dawn so it was wet, mucky and humid when we first started. It felt like a rain forest and was even a bit foggy at times. The rocks, roots and slopes were slick so it was a great test for the Speedcross Pros, which are supposed to have excellent grip. They certainly worked better than 'Bent's shoes; I didn't have any slips on wooden bridges, steep slopes or slimy rocks.

After going up to the high point of the entire Bruce Trail network on the John Haight Side Trail, I'd thought we could go down and up the road allowance to the west. I remembered scrambling up a really steep slope with Dee in the Snowshoe Raid, both of us extremely grateful for our snowshoe cleats. The map showed the trail going down to the road so it looked like an efficient way to get in a big climb. Nope - not a summer trail; some stretches were overgrown and flooded. Rather than continue to feed the healthy mosquito and FDF populations, we bailed about halfway down and scrambled back up the escarpment. Bad choice.

Back at the Bruce Trail high point, we headed down on the main BT, throwing in a few hill repeats on our way back to the car. Pretty River is a great place to get in some extended climbs on trail - at least by Southern Ontario standards.

We went for Chicken Lessons last night. Some neighbours are away for the weekend and wondered if we would care for their chickens in exchange for the eggs. Although we buy free range eggs from another neighbour, this was educational. We picked up seven eggs on the way home from our run and ate five of them almost immediately! I might have had more if I hadn't had a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait as my lunch.

I put this on Facebook earlier this week; it turns out I can share it here through SmugMug. BazingaDog was distraught when 'Bent took AdventureDog biking instead of him. Poor sad boy!

Until we take more old rugs and tarps into the woods, there is too much poison ivy around here to run with AdventureDog off leash. It's a really healthy crop this year. Thank you, climate change.

A-Dog and I drove to Innis Lake Rd. and ran an out-and-back on the Bruce Trail in Glen Haffy.



We threw in a few hill repeats along the way and AdventureDog splashed in the creeks. This spring he has decided it's OK to drink from them, which makes things much easier.





We had a scare coming out of the woods about 100 m north of Coolihan's Sideroad. A large doe strolled over the rise and calmly watched us. It was too much for AdventureDog who took off at top speed to play with the big funny-looking dog. She dashed away with him right behind. I yelled, convinced they were both going to end up on the road. Luckily, his desire to be a good dog trumped the fun of chasing the deer so nobody got hit by a car. Phew.

Tour de Palgrave West forest on a crisp, cool day - perfect for running. I ran into Crash and her pooches and took a short hike break with them around the 7K mark.

Some of the trails on private land are overgrown; I hope we're not going to lose them. (Not that we can complain when the land isn't ours.) Poison ivy is thriving this year and I noticed some patches along 'Bent's commute where it's almost certain that the dogs are running through it. I've had small poison ivy rashes in each of the last two weeks and I suspect my favourite canines are responsible.

Foot strength & mobility, hip mobility, core while watching "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee". Jon Stewart had a brief cameo where he took a shot at Trump.

Great catch-up ride on the Caledon Rail with original Tree Hugger teammate Ming (aka The Minister on AP, although he hasn't logged for awhile). Then we ate more lunch calories than we had burned.

Next we went to Caledon Hills Cycling to see and ride some nice mountain bikes - Scott Spark 27.5 and 29, Rocky Mountain Element 29 and Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 27.5. Hmm...

Rodney Yee Power Yoga for Flexibility preceded by a brief visit from Harps, who was in the neighbourhood.

Watch your feet and listen carefully - the Massasauga Rattlesnakes are unusually active this spring.
http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/six-rattlesnake...

Poor BazingaDog had his leg X-rayed today. Arthritis in his knee at only 5 years old. :( We will see the surgeon Monday for advice.