Training Log: chitownclark

City running 36:00 [3] 3.0 mi (12:00 / mi)
slept:7.5 weight:206lbs shoes: NewBalance 426

City running 1:00:00 [3] 5.0 mi (12:00 / mi) +20m 11:51 / mi
shoes: NewBalance 426

Around the buildings, showing apartments, dropping off keys at rental agencies, picking up trash, sweeping snow-melt down the alley. Snowing, sleeting, spitting.... Not a great day to be out.

Carry golf 2:00:00 [2] 8.5 km (14:07 / km) +30m 13:52 / km
slept:6.5 shoes: New Balance 408

Cog Hill #3 course. With Karl and Phil. Fourth golf outing this week. Really got into the game. Both Karl and Phil were way ahead from the first hole when I hit a couple of bad shots in the sand and before I knew it, was 4 shots behind. But I warmed up, and by the back nine, was really hitting my stride, with good long drives off the tee, nice #4 wood shots from the fairway, and decent #7, #8 iron and wedge approach shots. Took 9 shots off my PR for this course, and beat them both soundly. Karl bought lunch in Oak Park.

Driving range 30:00 [1]

Hiking 1:10:00 [2] 3.5 mi (20:00 / mi) +10m 19:49 / mi
shoes: New Balance 408

To bus, from/to train to GC, from train through Loop to dinner meeting with a couple of buddies...all while lugging a bag of clubs.

Carry golf 2:10:00 [2] 9.5 km (13:41 / km) +40m 13:24 / km
slept:7.0 weight:206lbs shoes: New Balance 408

My annual trip to The Glen Club, voted by Golf Magazine the best Illinois course. But today, their second day open, only $80...half price! Really noticed the effect of yesterday's lesson. But course was challenging, with lots of wind, sand and water, so I only took one stroke off my PR for the front nine, and nothing on the back.

The par 5 18th hole really got away from me...must have been getting tired. I carded an 11, with two sand shots, one into the ever-present lake, and the approach shot completely over the green. But overall, still a beautiful day, bracketed by a restful train ride, gliding for an hour through the traffic-choked suburbs...

Driving range 1:15:00 [1]

Beautiful sunny, warm day. My first golf lesson of the season. Learned a couple of new tips from Pat Dorgan regarding stance, set-up, follow through and finish. Hit several buckets of balls; was there 2.5 hrs. Maybe by the end of this season I'll be worthy of those new Mizuno clubs I bought last year. They're starting to feel very natural in my hands.

Then I learned how golf is really played: Pat is leaving tomorrow for a 3 week trip to the French Riviera and Italy as guest of one of his students, who owns a place there. They're planning a driving tour, playing lots of golf, staying in expensive chateaus connected with golf courses, and dining in 3 star restaurants. Pat, a PGA member, will provide the entré into the various private clubs and courses....a whole other world! I'm just excited to be playing The Glen Club tomorrow.

City biking 35:00 [2] 7.0 mi (5:00 / mi)

Errands around town. First decent, sunny, temperate day in Chicago.

Hiking 40:00 [1] 2.0 mi (20:00 / mi) +10m 19:42 / mi
shoes: New Balance 408

Hiking with clubs between trains in Loop, and out in Bartlett, to course. I wasn't the most welcome pedestrian, fighting my way into Union Station against the flood of office workers coming from the suburbs on Monday morning.

Carry golf 1:40:00 [2] 6.5 km (15:23 / km) +40m 14:56 / km
slept:8.0 weight:206lbs shoes: New Balance 408

Bartlett Hills GC. By self. Logging half the time of a round again this year, figuring that I spend the other half standing around sizing up my shot, etc. Chilly, cloudy, windy and very wet. No carts allowed. So it was me and a couple other old guys not afraid to walk. Wonderful solitude.

The guy behind the clubhouse desk told me the course had been totally covered with snow a week ago...people skiing even. So it was understandable there was a bit of mud. Drives were going into the soft mud like mortar shells. I found a few, but generally lost a lot of balls.

I was drenched by the time I hiked back to the train...dressed much to warmly...and really chilled by the time I got home to a hot shower. But it was great to be playing again.