Training Log Archive: Bash

Leading up to the Fat Dog 70 miler with inadequate training, I'd hoped to fit in a shorter ultra race as a test to see whether FD is worth attempting. That didn't work with my schedule so as an alternative, I planned a double Hockley Loop today, one in each direction - almost 50K with lots of climb for southern Ontario.

Browner joined me for the 1st loop while Storm and 'Bent did a Hockley-Loop-On-Steroids with some added hill climbing. Before last week, we probably would have called this a hot day but it was under 30C, which feels manageable now. We'd set up a mid-loop aid station at 5th Line so we could have a Coke and chips break. The time went by quickly with good company.



I was on my own for the 2nd loop so I listened to podcasts. My favourite today was Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell (thanks for the tip last year, JayXC!) I stayed well hydrated all day and felt great. I took in more calories for the 2nd loop. My heels were sore by the time I finished, which wasn't good. My right knee - the one that hit the ground in yesterday's bike crash - felt a bit strained when I climbed steps but otherwise felt OK. As soon as I stopped moving though, it got stiff. I'll know more over the next day or two.



Laps were about 3:53 and 4:02, not counting longer stops including relaxed aid stations because it wasn't really a race. :)

Our neighbour got a short video of the bear 'Bent saw yesterday. He/she looks young and seems to have a healthy fear of humans. Apparently, he's made multiple visits to a neighbour who keeps their garbage outside. Our compost (safely inside our garage) has smelled really ripe this week after the green bin was put out for pickup one day during the heat wave. Maybe that's why the bear dropped by our place for a visit. He would have done better if he'd headed into Palgrave West to eat raspberries.

'Bent and I rode over to Albion Hills and had a fun ride on a warm (but not hot) sunny day. I turned for home first since I didn't want to tire my legs out too much before tomorrow's ultra-long run.

It was all fun and games until someone caught her big 29er handlebar on a sapling and smashed down hard onto her right knee. My first thought was "meniscus". The next words that popped into my head - and out of my mouth - were even less nice. I won't know until I run on it for awhile. I definitely have trail rash but it didn't swell up. Fingers crossed.

There may have been a few raspberry picking breaks to make myself feel better.

While 'Bent was drinking coffee on the patio today, the dogs went crazy and he saw the black, shiny rear end of some creature disappearing into the forest. It looked not much bigger than BazingaDog (90 lb) and he didn't see its head but he wondered if it was a young bear. A few hours later, we learned there were 3 sightings of a yearling bear 5-6 km east of here yesterday afternoon. So we're thinking 'Bent may have seen that bear, who seemed to be a nice, polite fellow who reportedly just ambled around and ran away from humans.

According to the weather radar, I should have had a window for a short bike ride in Palgrave Forest. But instead of fading away, the thunder kept roaring louder and the sky looked evil to the northwest.



So it ended up being a *really* short bike ride! Got home just in time.



GPS missed the first 500 m so I used the bike computer distance.

SUP paddle before yoga class. Beautiful evening. Jill is going to Mali for 7 months of UN peacekeeping tomorrow morning so this is her last class of the year already.

SUP yoga class. It was so hot that after the class was over, I deliberately tried a difficult pose that knocked me into the water as hoped.

Shorter hill session at Blue Mountain with 'Bent. Ran from the south parking lot, up Straight Up, down Village Way, up Cascade and down The Grind. I started feeling lightheaded halfway up Cascade - first time this weekend the heat really seemed to get to me. I cooled my head off in the stream twice, which was great except that I stumbled a few feet from the brink of a waterfall. Note to self: It's called the Cascade Trail for a reason - and when I'm feeling lightheaded, maybe steer clear of big drops!

We cooled down in the Village with iced mochas while listening to a good folk singer. Recovery food included delicious pie and coffee at the Tarnos' place. I ran a lot this weekend but there's no way I ran off all the calories!