Training Log Archive: chitownclark

Over and back from Metra train depot

From suburban train station in Cary to GC and back uphill. Beautiful walk at 8:20am...along country road, boardered by an abundance of spring prairie flowers in yellow, red, purple and pink. The GC is down by the Fox River, so you drop into a canyon from the center of Cary.

C • You walked all the way ther... 2

Cary Country Club. By self. Biked over for the 7:21 train; 60 minute ride, and I was hiking with my clubs down to the GC. No range, so I teed off before 9am; after the practice yesterday at Waveland, I figured I was already warmed up.

No one else there at that hour. Had the place to myself. Great! Every hole required an elevation change, either up or down. Lots of greens perched out of sight on top of the moraine. So I had a tough time hitting the "dance floor;" most approach shots missed left, right or long. Nevertheless I set new PR's for this course, both on the front and back nines.

Around the buildings, collecting rent before the bank closes. Such a nice day; but 15 degrees chillier here near the Lake, compared with the NW suburban golf course where I spent the day. Did this run for Soupbone, who called me twice during my round of golf to harass me about my training.

Over to Waveland GC at 7am on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Waveland GC. Played with a threesome, very social. Got last slot before Sunday leagues at 7:30. With the unaccustomed spectators, hit some good approach shots onto green, and mostly good drives. Absolutely beautiful morning, looking out at silent, still Lake, shimmering in the early morning Spring sun.

Event: US Team Trials & Return to Boggs Mountain A Meet
 

Hike with clubs from the suburban bus to the GC; return at a much faster pace to catch bus.

Warm-up

Oak Brook GC. First time; by self. 1:40 transit time on a couple of elevated trains and suburban bus. Played back nine in driving rain; but it was warm enough and I was moving pretty well by myself...no one else out there. Played from back tees, so except for a couple par 3's, most greens were not reachable in regulation play for me. Had a great time, and was home by 4pm.

Saw an interesting article on the web, that said that golf was a legitimate exercise because of all the calories you burn walking and hitting. By their study, pull-carts rank the best training...and allow the golfer to play the best. Carrying your own clubs burns less calories than a pull-cart, and affects your swing so that you don't score as well. Obviously those who ride in a golf cart get less than half the exercise as those of us that walk.

C • I bet you looked hard for that article. 6

Fresh Meadows GC, Hillside. With Karl and Phil. Played nine and that was enough. Standing water all over this very flat course. Each shot was a combination of mud, water and ball, in varying quantities. It became an exercise in surface tension, which seemed to suck at the ball in strange ways.

Very slow run. Did that 10-miler last Saturday ruin me? Everything hurts.