Training Log Archive: iansmith

A mix - obligatory bicep curls, free weight bench press, shoulder stuff, some core stuff, chest fly, leg press, leg curls.

To/from work and to BU to practice the concerto Sea Dreams for two horns and wind ensemble with Liz. We have an audition on Wednesday, and this is the first time we've rehearsed.

Commentary on the A-meet coming soon.

Control Count: 0/2000
Burrito Count: 24
Chipotle. Changing things up.

Notes on the A-meet. Please note that the views here are only loosely representative of those of NEOC and CSU, in the sense that I am a member of both clubs.

The work for an A-meet can be decomposed into preparation and day-of-event activities. In the first category are courses, permits, publicity, toilets, building access, etc. In the second category are meet volunteers, materials and equipment for meet day, and execution.

To Sam's in the morning to get a ride to Ashburnham. The morning bike ride was wonderful - there were few cars on the road, the air was chill, and darkness lent a thoughtful character to the trip. While I would have welcomed sleep, I was quite happy to be up early (and with only one alarm clock firing and no disassembled wake-up devices!).

Return home from Ross's. The traffic slowed me, but the return trip is downhill for most of the way. Time is a guess. Aladdin's "I can show you the world" is an excellent standby song. To complement the spectacular food I enjoyed at Cristina's, I stopped by Anna's for a burrito and had a brief though interesting conversation in Spanish.

I suspect that I will consume more burritos in a one-year period than everyone else on attackpoint who logs burrito consumption.

Control Count: 0/2000
Burrito Count: 23
Anna's

I found some (somewhat distressing) nutritional data. I'm particularly surprised by the high fat and sodium content. I wonder what nutrients the burrito has, particularly given the pico de gallo, lettuce, and hot sauce. Perhaps the large protein content in burritos can account for my build. I also wonder if the calcium benefit from the cheese outweighs its drawbacks.

C • two things 2

Event: Fall Foliage Festival
 

I woke up later than planned and hurried to bike to the first day's A-meet via South Border Road. The hills were arduous and interminable. Eric Smith graciously gave Brendan and me rides back to Somerville after the day's events, and then to Ross's for festivities.

About, including some pleasant pre-A-meet festivities at Samantopher's place. I met Neal, who is a math postdoc doing research in chaos theory.

To work, to BSO, and home. Brendan and I saw BSO perform Barber's Overture to the School for Scandal, Beethoven's Violin Concerto with Pinchas Zukerman, and Tchaik 5. I was rather fatigued and didn't get as much out of the Beethoven as I would have restored to full vitality. Tchaik 5 was glorious, and the conductor Marcelo Lehninger was impressive and animated. After the concert, we grabbed some gelato on Mass Ave. The bike home was a challenge; I was wearing a short sleeved shirt and khakis, and the temperature was 7 C.

In the past ten days, I have seen BSO perform Mahler 2, Mahler 5, the Beethoven Violin Concerto and Tchaik 5. I'm overwhelmed by majesty and the fruits of creative genius. Mahler 5 and Tchaik 5 are among my favorite works in all of classical music.

Event: U.S. Corn Maze Championships
 

I have been walking for sixteen days now, all of it without discomfort except for the first few days. Walking is a fantastically welcome experience after eight weeks of disability and encumbrance on crutches. I feel a novel joy at the sensations, and a trivial fifteen minute hike to the CVS down the street to replenish my supply of iced tea is a great pleasure.

My ambition and enthusiasm exceeds my discipline to execute it. I am a dreamer, an idealist, and I am not as effective accomplishing tasks as I am at generating them. My time on crutches gave me an opportunity to reflect on my orienteering aspirations. While the injury was not so egregious, I could not walk - I had sunk to rock bottom. I now have new found appreciation for walking, for strength training, for biking, and of course, for running. What a joy it will be to again feel the wind in my hair while running! I must be diligent now in my PT so I can be diligent in my training.

Control Count: 0/2000
Burrito Count: 22
Anna's

Bicep curls, chest contractions, various abdominal workouts, leg presses, plantar flexion, and the limited squats and calf raises I am allowed to do.

Getting tired...

An interesting Ted talk about global social advancement and the decline of child mortality.

C • Ha 8