Training Log Archive: ernst

A "before-lunch" run. Around Spruce Hole - still exploring the old connector between Solar field and my hill training location. (first slow mile). Then on trails to WFF, to loop trails and on pavement out to Packers Falls and Thompson Farm loop to swim hole. A 17 min swim then back home. No wildlife today. I guess they know it is Saturday.

upstream, across, then downstream. I cut it short today because I am late for lunch.

I decided for a mid-day run and swim. It was hot in the sun (80F) but pleasant in the shade. First around SH, looking for more Black Trumpet patches. I chased away a big bad owl, ran into Mike O-B, then over to WFF and made my way to Surrey and then Thompson Farm loop, to swim hole, where I swam for 25 minutes, then the added 1 mile to get home. Legs were quite wobbly after the swim - it took a while to get back to normal running mode. Saw three turkeys, another turkey with 3 grouses, and also a deer. Lots of action midday in the cool woods!

Swim intermezzo in Lamprey river. The water level was high again after recent rain, and water temp on the refreshing (i.e. cold!) side. So much so, that I got chilly on my leisurely swim downstream, after a forceful swim upstream to the dock. Never even broke out into a sweat on my 1 mile run home afterwards.

Biking doing errands in a convoluted sequence: 1: Taking car to DVgarage, then jog to work (not logged), then bike home leisurely via Woodridge to Meserve to Fogg. 2.) Bike to work to attend dept opening. leave bike at work.

Needed a run after all the errands, meetings, etc. to restore peace of mind. Out the back to Thompson Farm trails. I caught up with another runner, Daniel. We had a nice chat about trails, work (his office is adjacent to a collaborator of mine). Then solo continuation with faster pace to Surrey, WFfarm shelter loop and to SH adding the field loop and hill climb. All at tempo. Cool evening temperatures (65) energize me!

Bike to work. All on road due to construction site at waterworks.

Running home via CW with the CW extra hill added as usual.

Mid-day to WFF shelter loop, towards Highland, then looping to Surrey, over to Thompson Farm loop and home. I disturbed a bard owl. Ran across another patch of black trumpets. Otherwise pleasant and cool, cloudy. It felt god to loosen up after yesterdays surfing and Sunday's race.

At Wallis Sands. High tide rolling in. Perfect waves (3 feet) and warm enough waters to not get the shivers immediately. So much fun. Quite exhausted afterwards.

Trust Trail Fest. 5th place overall, the only M60+ participant out of ~ 50. Last year I was 4th, but today I was 7 minutes faster! Training seems to pay off. Nice breezy morning, air has dried out over night, ~ 60 F.

After the start, I had to pass about 10 people until I settled just behind the first woman, Leslie O'D. Her pace was a tad faster than I would have liked, but I figured, if I can hang on for about 5 miles or so, I don't have to run all alone. That's what I did, and eventually my legs got wobbly on the single track (about 10 of the 13 miles), so I settled into my own pace. After mile 8.5, as we came out of the trail system and back on the paved road (1/2 mile) I was about 30 seconds behind a runner whom I thought was one of 2 guys who passed me. But upon a closer look I saw it was Leslie. After the road section I realized that I am slowly moving closer.

I kept her in view in the trails still thinking this pace is too fast, to maintain, and perhaps she will speed up towards the finish. She did not. Meanwhile, arriving at the last tour around the field, huffing and puffing, I sprinted it out to the finish, passing her and arriving 10 seconds ahead. In the last 5 years or so, I have been mostly outsprinted by the youngster into the finish of trail races. Today it was my payback.

This was topped off with a beer and a lobster roll and clam chowder provided by the Trail fest; and later a swim down the road at Parsons beach. The Atlantic is warm in mid August. yeah!

C • Warm Atlantic 1