Training Log Archive: Bash

Hard Core Live with Caron

I'm counting this as a win. The stupid building permit / contractor / deck project crisis took up a lot of my day again, put me way behind on other things and had me tearing my hair out and ready to scream. My natural inclination is to reward myself for surviving a bad day by eating chocolate or drinking a glass of wine. In this case, I did both of those things AND went to Core/Yoga class. It did make me feel better.

C3 Yoga - After awhile, I realized that two mats to my right was Aaron Hoag, formerly of the Terranauts AR team. I did the Appalachian Extreme expedition adventure race with him years ago, attended his wedding to Kelly and sat at the same banquet table with them last month. They've just moved home after living in Australia and the U.S. for the past decade so we haven't seen each other much recently but it's still kinda crazy that I didn't recognize him for 40 minutes. Apparently, I don't look closely at strange men in fitness classes, which 'Bent should be pleased to hear. Turns out the guy on the mat behind him was another old friend who didn't recognize him either. He hasn't changed at all; he was just out of context.

'Bent and I went to Toronto to see "Come From Away", the musical about 9/11. Dinner was great and the show was excellent but I felt like a country bumpkin on the streets of Canada's biggest city. I used to work there every day but I think Palgrave has turned me into a fragile snowflake, lol!

Another day largely devoted to contractor issues - reading building codes and manufacturer specs, making phone calls and feeling frustrated. Turns out the issue with this project (fireplace at ABC) can be resolved more easily than expected.

The issues with our tiny, professionally built deck at home - an ongoing drama for more than a year - continue. Short version: I paid the contractor to handle the permit process. He honestly thought he had a permit for what he built but he didn’t. The Town doesn’t like it and they’re threatening fines/charges - against me as the homeowner, of course, not the contractor who screwed up.

It’s been years since I worked in structural engineering but I’ve been using my education a lot this year. Unfortunately it has mostly been to no avail since Caledon’s building department isn’t managed by engineers so I can’t really have those conversations.

This is relevant to my training log because (a) it’s been one of the huge, unexpected time sucks of 2018, and (b) it turns out I’m not inspired to train when I’m angry, worried or frustrated.

'Bent and I did the 10.8 km Egg Nog Jog today - a very rare race on pavement. The Georgetown Runners have put on this race in Terra Cotta for 35 years but this year their usual route was unavailable due to construction. They were ready to retire from event organization anyway so they made a deal to transition the race to C3, our local triathlon club. They decided to hold the race on paved roads in Albion Hills Conservation Area so we ran a couple of laps to complete the traditional 10.8 km distance. It's not called Albion *Hills* for nothing. :)

I dressed for the season. This was fairly tame compared to some of the outfits with flashing lights and brightly coloured tights. :)



'Bent also dressed for the season - but for him, it's the last night of Hanukkah. Note the dreidels tied to his waist.



Jessey The Elf won the race by more than 5 minutes. Nice running form! That's his legal name and he had surgery to make his ears pointed. He is hoping to represent Canada in triathlon at the 2020 Olympics.



Our friend Trent Dilkie got some good action shots.





'Bent had been complaining of tired legs after all the early season skiing in the past two days so it was rather shocking when he placed 1st of 26 in his age group! If he was interested in setting some running goals, he sure has a lot of talent - but he doesn't have the interest. I was happy to be 5th of 20 in my age group, which is a good result for me in a road 10.8K.

After a nice overnight visit with Goose and Coach LD at Tree Hugger ABC, 'Bent and I went for our first ski of the year at Highlands, separately at our different paces. It was all open except for the Woolner Loop, and conditions were pretty good although thinner than Scenic Caves. It all depends where the snow squalls hit so the advantage will go back and forth during the season.

I ran into Coach LD on the trails and Goose in the pro shop. I also chatted with Tarno, who is a regular, and had a very unexpected meeting with Pete O, an old friend from my engineering class who has moved to the area. I had no idea that he skis, mountain bikes, etc.

'Bent demoed a pair of skin skis and ended up ordering a pair. I got new boots in the early season sale for season pass holders.









The sky over Georgian Bay looked so dramatic that we took a detour to Princeton Shores Park on our way home. I think this will become a regular stop.

'Bent and I went for a short ski around Scenic Caves this morning. Last night's white knuckle drive in snow squalls was rewarded by lots of fresh snow this morning!





The entire ski and snowshoe network is open although it can be hard for the groomer to keep up. Beautiful day.



Froze my hair!