Training Log Archive: BillD

Event: WCOC Hurd State Park
 

At last, I kept my head on for an entire course, avoiding a DNF. I took a few moments after registering for the Brown at Hurd to consider all the mistakes I've made this season. I then vowed not to run in the woods since I have seriously neglected/avoided any training or conditioning in a long time.

All went pretty well with a few inefficiencies. On #2 I thought I had avoided the swim by skirting around the south end of the marsh near the control, but I was in fact one marsh to the north. Sighting the road helped me get back on track. On compass to #4 I was a bit too left, but I sensed that, had counted paces, and turned to find the boulder. To #5 I was afeared I misjudged the distance, so I bailed to the road and cut back in when reaching the end of the wall. Just right. Coming back from #6 I figured I should veer right to be assured of reaching the road south of the control. The creek feeding the pond pushed me more rightward than I thought, but upon hitting the trail I felt enthused to jog for awhile. On to #8 I first thought of going around southward to the trail and attack from the creek, but sadly I switched plans and headed east from the car turn out to find the walls and attack from the north. I passed by the control without finding it and ended up nearly at the creek and had to backtrack.

Overall I was in pretty good contact with the map, as I should have been given my slow walking pace. My route.

BROWN - Splits

Home. Aaahh. Ride up from JFK went quickly when our driver and i started swapping stories of growing up around Deerfield and Shelburn Falls. Incredible delights as we each experienced an intersection of cultures in the 60s and 70s. I have always believed that “American Graffiti “ was a diary of my summer visit with chums in Greenfield MA. He confirmed it.

Took a lesson on how to make apple strudel at apartment of our Saturday’s Foodie guide. Came out swell and we’re determined to do it at home. Finding Austrian rum (made from beets) with which to pickle the raisins might be a challenge, may have to go with Caribbean substitute.

Evening concert at Musikverein with a German orchestra was a treat. While being in the 3rd row is not acoustically primo, being 10 feet away from the pianist’s fingers for the Chopin concerto was extraordinary. OMG was she good! Fun to watch a gazillion notes per second as well as very slow, soft and delicate interludes. Beatrice Rana. Will look for her recordings.

Last piece was Silbelius (S#5): not my cup of tea.

S still sporting blisters on both feet, so not much walking this week; lots of taxis to get around the city. I did solo for an hour this a.m. and discouraged that the right hip is still complaining when I stride out. Nevertheless intend to do Hurd this Saturday.

Driven out to Wachou to visit field of Reisling grapes on terraced hill with great views of the Danube River plus two wineries specializing in high end white wines. Very engaging fellow who started a wine tourism company ten years ago led us through two thoughtfully structured tastings. Much of the education was lost on me but great value came from conversation with him and our Egyptian chauffeur over lunch. Went down into a wine cellar dating from around the 4th century when it was a Roman fortress.

This evening we heard a fabulous concert by a string sextet in Karlskirche (Mozart sonatas and others) supplemented by a excellent soprano (sang an oh so delicate Ave Maria, among other pieces) and a violinist who played all four of Vivald’s Seasons. All enhanced by the echoing in this huge cathedral.