Training Log: PG

As I mentioned on this log about a month ago, it's time to see if we can raise some funds for the junior program.

In thinking about it, and what form Marathon Fundraiser 2 might take, I have reminisced a bit about the recent past, and in the process discovered that two of the O' events I enjoyed the most were the Junior Nationals this past April at Mt. Tom and, back in January 2015, one of the many events in Florida that Gord Hunter has made happen. Both had lots of kids there. Both had a really good vibe. Both were just plain fun. And I wasn't orienteering.

Over the same time period our juniors have won the last three Future Champions Cups and turned in increasingly better results at JWOC. In Erin Shirm and Greg Ahlswede they have two outstanding coaches. Things are happening.

So it's easy to make the case for supporting the juniors. The challenge is just to do it.

Here's what I'm proposing for MF2. I'm not running any more. I might still have a little orienteering in me, but not much. At this point my regular exercise comes from riding a bike. There is no plan B. And this time of year it gets pretty hard some days to get out the door. Actually, it gets pretty hard a lot of days.

But, invariably, when I do get out, no matter how miserable the conditions might be, I always come back with a smile on my face.

My log shows that this year so far I've ridden 4,510 miles. That's a pretty good number. 5,000 would be an even better number. Targets are nice, and getting to 5,000 has gotten me out a few times this past month when I might not have otherwise. And as the weather gets worse....

As with MF1, I'll start things off with the first pledge. A dollar for every mile I ride from today, November 17, through the end of the year. And if I make 5,000, I'll double it. So I'm possibly on the hook for $980, or more if I just keep cruising past 5,000. Though it's certainly not going to be easy. And I'm not going out when it clearly isn't safe.

So, who will join me to help raise some money for the kids?

Option 1 -- pledge a certain amount a mile, whatever you want. Maybe add a bonus if I make it to 5K. Or whatever other motivation you might dream up. Everything helps.

Option 2 -- figure out your own challenge, make it public, maybe get others to join in supporting you.

If you're willing to help out, just make a comment on this thread, saying what you have in mind. If you'd rather help but not make it public, send me an e-mail at pg@crocker.com. The main thing is to just do something.

Last time lots of folks pitched in. Let's see if we can do it again.

C • MF2: Junior Fundraiser 7

The first part with Gail, she seemed to need a little encouragement to get out the door. We had about 8" of snow Thursday night. By afternoon yesterday the roads had been clear enough to ride, but my enthusiasm had been lacking and I'd passed. Today she had seemed in the same state of mind. So a joint outing at least got us both out.

Did 14 with her. Thought I should do some more, so just headed south, sticking to the flats, it's just safer than up in the hills where you don't know what might be around the next corner, and certainly safer than dirt roads, which can be frozen and icy and you won't know until it's too late.

So anyway, another hour to ponder. Was thinking for a while about whether it was justified to blame something other than me for slower speeds as it gets colder. Like, more clothes on so more wind resistance. Or, colder air, so it's dense, so also more resistance. Perhaps true. Or perhaps just need to pedal harder.

And then also thinking it was time to pull the trigger on another attempt to raise funds for the junior program. The first time, MF1, certainly made a difference. And my sense was, and still is, that there are a lot of folks who are absolutely willing to pitch in, they just need to be asked.

So I worked out the details of what seemed to be a good plan (including that the mileage on this ride would count), and before I knew it I was home, the first 31 miles done on the way to 5,000... :-)

With Gail. The battery that powers her electronic shifting seemed to have run out of juice, so she was left in a single gear, lower than she would normally be in. So I put mine 3 lower than normal and got an hour's practice at using a higher cadence. Clearly not something I'm used to.

About 30F, very light breeze from the south at times. Felt balmy.

Added on about 3 extra miles at the end, starting with once up Claybrook.

Invigorating, I suppose. Low 30s, NW about 20. Planned a route in the lower hills on the west edge of the valley, hoping to lessen the wind. Certainly did make it more variable, never knew what direction it would come from. But I'm pretty sure that's an improvement over out on the valley floor, open fields, when you're going into the wind it is just unavoidable and rather unpleasant.

Started in Whately by the Whately Inn. To Williamsburg (with 2 or 3 miles of dirt road thrown in), Leeds, Haydenville, and back to Whately. I was a bit apprehensive about the last 8 or 9 miles, should be a crosswind, feared it might be a headwind. In fact, it just kept changing. Not so bad.

I think last winter my limit was about 20F, assuming not much wind. For this amount of wind, 30 might be about my limit. We'll see.

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It was also a fine day for outdoor activities in general. Mowed the "lawn," really needed it, hadn't been done for 2 or 3 months. Got a two-for-one in the process, took care of most of the leaves at the same time. The wind was my friend in this, blowing all the chopped up leaves into the trees. Perfect. In 30 minutes the place was looking good. :-)

C • Invigorating 3

There was a NEOC local meet at Wachusett on Sunday. Got me thinking back to when it was used before, so I did a little looking through the archives. Brought back some memories.

1. An A meet, September 17-18, 1994. Both days we had the start up on top, took the chairlift up, so that would have made the courses faster. On the other hand, leaves were still up. So who knows. 8.6 km in 88:31 the first day, 9.4 km in 89.10 the second. Day 1, Day 2.

2. The Billygoat, April 21, 1996. Start and finish at the base of the ski area. 13.9 km, 2:05:21. Seems I skipped #18, which saved some woods running but not much distance.

3. Another A meet, September 28-29, 1996, first day at Townsend, second day at Wachusett. Again, start and finish at the ski area. 9.9 km, 91:58. Map.

4. NEOC club champs, October 19, 1997. 5.5 km, red course (no blue), 62:57. Once more, start and finish at the bottom. Map. And used master maps, and it was on the clock. Ah, the old days... :-)

And then I guess we lost access. Until now.

C • Wachusett 12

Just enough time to get this in before it got darkish -- would have been happier getting home 5 or 10 minutes earlier, and very unhappy getting home 10 minutes later. At least I've got a very bright jacket with reflectors on it....

Actually, just looked it up, sunset today was 4:30, got home about 4:28, should have been lots of light, but there was a very heavy overcast.

Was raining most of the day. Road were still wet when I was out, but at least it wasn't raining.

About 40, light NW breeze.

Mostly an easy pace through the lower hills in Montague and Leverett. Didn't feel like working hard, so didn't.