Training Log Archive: possum

A very good workout day. They are changing some of the stations around--I didn't put on my gloves until Round 4. Weights and bands today.

Since I had to go to recycling, Elray and I had a fast walk at the Riverfront Trail. Almost as windy as yesterday in Kansas, but not as dry.

Our overall goal was to spend time in the Kansas Prairie, and see Yoder, Kansas. After walking the rose garden and playing Fetch in the outfield at Carey Park in South Hutchison, we went south to Yoder, an Amish community. I had put the public water supply system in here over 25 years ago, and hadn't been back since. The state rerouted a new hiway 135, which bypasses Yoder, so there were some changes. The meat packers, hardware store, and grain elevator which caused the pollution, were still there. The buggy makers, wonderful bakery, and cafe where I used to go every morning at 10 am for pie and coffee were not. My standpipe is still proudly standing with Yoder on both the north and south sides.

We then headed back east, towards Cottonwood Falls and more prairie. We saw the beautiful old county courthouse, and walked a bit of the trail across the Cottonwood River. Then headed another Nature Conservancy/National Tallgrass Prairie site. This one had a Visitor Center with good exhibits, and an amazing huge old barn with old farm machinery on display. The house and all the outbuildings were made from stone, and there were also stone walls everywhere. Even the outhouse, a three-seater was built from the same stone as the residence and included two big windows.

Since dogs were allowed here, we took one of the nature trails, about 3.2 miles with quite a bit of elevation gain. A very satisfying stop.

Continuing east, we stopped and hiked a trail through the marsh at the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge. Then on to home.

Bob, Elray, and I took a little weekend during the week, and drove into Kansas. We stopped at a lot of places we tended to just pass by on the interstate, but did a lot of walking. I got in over 13,000 steps today. The first stop was a trail at the Nature Conservancy/Konza Prairie. We walked part of the nature trail, but not too far, since dogs were not allowed on the trail, and we had to leave Elray in the car. Then we stopped in Abilene for the first time, and walked around the Eisenhower memorial and saw his house and the WWII memorial. They really take nice care of the grounds, and labeled a bunch of the trees. We then drove on to Salina and headed south. We stopped at the Dillon Nature Center in the northern part of Hutchison, and walked around the little lake, admiring the plantings. Then we spent the night in Hutchison at the Super 8. Elray loves motels--she pranced in and made herself at home.

I had a little niggling pain at the bottom of my right scapula during my workout today. And we had lots of up-downs, Burpees, and pushups. But I also had a massage scheduled with Amy afterward. So, still sore, but better. It might be an NSAID day.

I went across the street to update the map. I had tried to make a new base map of our place, plus across the street, but couldn't get the program to work. I had thought that this small map would be a great place to practice using Open Mapper. The nephew (age 13) from across the street is have a camp over birthday party in a couple of weeks, and my neighbor asked if I would do a course for them. My current map is seven or eight years old, and badly in need of revision. It didn't help that my Forerunner 305 has both a broken strap and a dead battery.

Workout with my trainer. Lots of upper body. We finished off with agility drills, trying to get some fast feet.

Got off to an early start this morning. Bob had his first PT appointment, so I packed up Elray early and we went to the gym. Weights and bands on the first two rounds, and I sparred with Austen for most of two others. Not too strenuous until the last round, which was tough. Crunchy frogs, mountain climbers, plank-ups, reverse crunches and usher situps. My core was in silent scream mode.

Mack Porter Park. A nice, but crisp, day.

CHOW this week is double round kicks on the bag. I did 94. Lots of plank stuff, and a lot of jacks, which I am doing now.

Yesterday was a do-nothing day, because it was all about family. My son and daughter, and my son's son and daughter, together with spouses and my two great-grandsons all met for brunch in Westport. Then John left and went home to Oklahoma City. Grandson Zane and family left this morning to go back to Colorado.

So, even though there were many errands to run this morning, I took Elray with me, and we stopped at Watkins Mill on the way back to the house. We walked to the swim beach and back, with 26 minutes out and 22 minutes back. The trip back included at least 6 tables, with a pet and Good Girl! after each one. Usually I see squirrels before she sees them, but I missed one and she suddenly lunged sideways (she was tethered to me) and I almost fell over. So glad I do balance exercises. It was in the upper 30's early when we had our first walk, and still only 45 degrees at 10 am when we got to Watkins Mill. Good sunshine and very little wind--how unusual.