Training Log Archive: CharlieIn the 30 days ending Jun 30, 2018:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| « | » |
| » now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday Jun 30, 2018 #
4 AM
Orienteering race 23:08 *** 3.42 km (6:46 / km) +31m 6:29 / km
ahr:139 max:153 spiked:16/19c slept:7.5 shoes: 2012 MT101 Black
Best race of the week, city sprint in Pinzolo, 15k down the mountain from MdC. We got early starts so we could get on our way to Milano after the race. They had advertised it as a mixture of forest and town, but it was instead two town sections separated by 1 km along the road. Very fun, 3 small bobbles, starting to turn one street too soon on the way to 7 but corrected pretty quickly, a little confused on the way to 11 because the map numbering was wrong and I was trying to figure out whether I was supposed to go to 12 or 15 next (it was 15), and suddenly found them had lost count of intersections, and finally went by the entrance to a parking lot and came around from the other side. The last was the worst, probably 40 seconds or so. Not bad, and ended up 14th out of 45 or so. Then a little visit with Daria, Peppino , Renato and the kids and on our way down the valley, arriving in Dormelletto at Matt and Sheryl’s around 3:15. Excellent.
Checking results after, Katia won W40!
stage 5 part 1
stage 5 part 2
Checking results after, Katia won W40!
stage 5 part 1
stage 5 part 2
C • W40 2
Friday Jun 29, 2018 #
6 AM
Hike 14:53 0.8 km (18:39 / km) +132m 10:12 / km
ahr:119 max:132 shoes: 2017 Icebug Anima BUGrip
Walk to the start, as steep or steeper than advertised, but not as long.
7 AM
Orienteering race 59:04 *** 4.13 km (14:17 / km) +90m 12:53 / km
ahr:130 max:151 spiked:6/10c slept:7.5 shoes: 2017 Icebug Anima BUGrip
Not my best work. Day 4 at Carlo Magno, finish at the bottom of the ski lift. A great deal of difficulty with several controls.
stage 4
1. Appeared to be easy, Head in from trail, ski run to a lone tree, but a lone tree in a forest and a tree really no different from any other, and lost about 3 minutes hunting for it in a really small area, flag tucked in low.
2. Would have been much smarter to drop a few lines and take a trail, but the trails are often hard to tell from the elephant tracks. Would also have been smart to realize there was a spur that led to it, but instead I shuttled a few times between two other controls that were nearby, visiting each of them twice.
3. Much better, through the yellow to the hill, no problem.
4. Also fine. Had to cross amreLly deep reentrant, but angled up the far side and ran right to it.
5. This control was at a tower, and I went right to it, but didn’t see the tower or the flag, but after a while, there was the flag tucked in low, right next to me, and there was the tower, although it didn’t look like much.
6. Easy on compass and top of the hill.
7. Pretty physical crossing the deep reentrant, but came right to it. My time was really slow, so I guess there was a better way.
8. I guess ok, as I got over to the right area, and only had to climb back a line to get t.
9. Kind of a disaster. Judy dropped a few lines and took a trail almost right to it. I went cross country, hitting the wrong trail a bit higher up, and ending up well past it at a ski run. Fought my way back to the right area, but got sucked off by another control a bit past. Finally corrected, at least 5 minutes gone. 10. Downhill, just keep going.
38th on the day, by far my worst, around 26th through 4 days.
stage 4
1. Appeared to be easy, Head in from trail, ski run to a lone tree, but a lone tree in a forest and a tree really no different from any other, and lost about 3 minutes hunting for it in a really small area, flag tucked in low.
2. Would have been much smarter to drop a few lines and take a trail, but the trails are often hard to tell from the elephant tracks. Would also have been smart to realize there was a spur that led to it, but instead I shuttled a few times between two other controls that were nearby, visiting each of them twice.
3. Much better, through the yellow to the hill, no problem.
4. Also fine. Had to cross amreLly deep reentrant, but angled up the far side and ran right to it.
5. This control was at a tower, and I went right to it, but didn’t see the tower or the flag, but after a while, there was the flag tucked in low, right next to me, and there was the tower, although it didn’t look like much.
6. Easy on compass and top of the hill.
7. Pretty physical crossing the deep reentrant, but came right to it. My time was really slow, so I guess there was a better way.
8. I guess ok, as I got over to the right area, and only had to climb back a line to get t.
9. Kind of a disaster. Judy dropped a few lines and took a trail almost right to it. I went cross country, hitting the wrong trail a bit higher up, and ending up well past it at a ski run. Fought my way back to the right area, but got sucked off by another control a bit past. Finally corrected, at least 5 minutes gone. 10. Downhill, just keep going.
38th on the day, by far my worst, around 26th through 4 days.
Thursday Jun 28, 2018 #
7 AM
Note
slept:7.0
A bit late this morning, off to “our” coffee bar, greeted by the charming waitress who asks us if we want “di solito “, that is, the usual. Nice to be regulars. Double espresso cappuccino each and a brioche to share. Nice place. Then back to the apartment to have breakfast with Daria and Peppino.
Orienteering race 1:01:37 *** 3.19 mi (19:19 / mi) +152m 16:49 / mi
ahr:140 max:166 spiked:10/15c shoes: 2017 Icebug Anima BUGrip
Pretty good race at Grostè, at least until the end. The last control not counting the go control was a very short leg to a pit, but I just couldn’t seem to find it, wandering around looking in all the unmapped pits, eventually going back to the prior control and still getting within a few meters and not seeing it. Finally climbed on a hill and could see it from there. Frustrating. I was in 11th place after 13 legs, finished 27th.
stage 3
1. Through a bit of a lumpy area, followed the road a bit then across a broad lumpy reentrant and could see the saddle ahead of me, just hard to get there. Better would have been to cut over before the reentrant and look for the narrow path that led very close. But no trouble finding it.
2. Fun leg, climbed a fairly large hill, not steep, and from the top I could see the valley with a couple of marshes, a couple of depressions and about 80 cows. Aim for the cows, who were guarding the flag closely, but showed no interest in the approaching runners.
3. Over a hill and along the ridge of it, but confused by the proliferation of unmapped rocky pits and stopped short for a while. Maybe lost a minute or so.
4. Pretty direct, no difficulty, barely remember it.
5. Up hill, Katia passing me like a shot, over the top, the big reentrant in front of me, cliff at the top, and knew my control was just below and beyond the cliff. Spike, and 7th fastest time on the leg.
6. Another spike, going right of the hills and up the slot with the mapped ditch, right in, and 6th fastest on the split.
7. Tentative, across the reentrant and came up a little high, checked another rock first, lost a bit of time, maybe 2 minutes.
8. Straight down, easy.
9. Down near the trail, and suddenly a lot of people around. Easy.
10. Neglected to follow the train and got off a bit to the right, stopped and looked left and corrected, maybe a minute.
11. Slow, took the trail, but not far enough and had to look for it from below, harder than coming in from above, maybe a minute.
12. To the road, and then tough steep climb to the hilltop. O problem , just tiring and slow.
13. Over a little spur to the pit. Not hard
14. Shortest leg of the course, but went right by it, then spent a lot of time searching, back to 13, tried again and still couldn’t find it. 9 minutes lost by the time I tracked it down.
15. Straight, down and up. Right would have been better.
F. Somehow had the fastest split here, even though it was the same leg and time as the day before, but it came after an uphill leg here and people were tired. I did get passed in the chute by a younger guy, though.
So mostly pretty good. Took the lift down after, and walked back with Jeff and Judy, tired but not as tired as yesterday.
stage 3
1. Through a bit of a lumpy area, followed the road a bit then across a broad lumpy reentrant and could see the saddle ahead of me, just hard to get there. Better would have been to cut over before the reentrant and look for the narrow path that led very close. But no trouble finding it.
2. Fun leg, climbed a fairly large hill, not steep, and from the top I could see the valley with a couple of marshes, a couple of depressions and about 80 cows. Aim for the cows, who were guarding the flag closely, but showed no interest in the approaching runners.
3. Over a hill and along the ridge of it, but confused by the proliferation of unmapped rocky pits and stopped short for a while. Maybe lost a minute or so.
4. Pretty direct, no difficulty, barely remember it.
5. Up hill, Katia passing me like a shot, over the top, the big reentrant in front of me, cliff at the top, and knew my control was just below and beyond the cliff. Spike, and 7th fastest time on the leg.
6. Another spike, going right of the hills and up the slot with the mapped ditch, right in, and 6th fastest on the split.
7. Tentative, across the reentrant and came up a little high, checked another rock first, lost a bit of time, maybe 2 minutes.
8. Straight down, easy.
9. Down near the trail, and suddenly a lot of people around. Easy.
10. Neglected to follow the train and got off a bit to the right, stopped and looked left and corrected, maybe a minute.
11. Slow, took the trail, but not far enough and had to look for it from below, harder than coming in from above, maybe a minute.
12. To the road, and then tough steep climb to the hilltop. O problem , just tiring and slow.
13. Over a little spur to the pit. Not hard
14. Shortest leg of the course, but went right by it, then spent a lot of time searching, back to 13, tried again and still couldn’t find it. 9 minutes lost by the time I tracked it down.
15. Straight, down and up. Right would have been better.
F. Somehow had the fastest split here, even though it was the same leg and time as the day before, but it came after an uphill leg here and people were tired. I did get passed in the chute by a younger guy, though.
So mostly pretty good. Took the lift down after, and walked back with Jeff and Judy, tired but not as tired as yesterday.
5 PM
Note
Very pleasant antipasto at Jeff and Judy’s beautiful apartment. Theirs is a lot better equipped than ours, and much more conveniently located. For example, we will walk a km and a quarter to their place on our way to go up the mountain to the start tomorrow.
We had been driving to the base of the lift with G and K and walking back, but everybody is walking tomorrow.
We had been driving to the base of the lift with G and K and walking back, but everybody is walking tomorrow.
Wednesday Jun 27, 2018 #
6 AM
Orienteering race 54:56 *** 3.59 km (15:19 / km) +79m 13:48 / km
ahr:131 max:156 spiked:8/11c slept:8.0 shoes: 2011 icebugs
Middle distance at Grosté. We rode up to the lift with Giovanni and Katia, then waited 25 minutes in the lift line. The line kept growing behind us, so lucky we had plenty of time. Didn’t stay long at the finish because I accompanied Rhonda up the hill another 700M to the start, which gave me 40 minutes to visit with people coming up for their starts.
stage 2
So, the race. We started from a point along the lift line. Mostly open or semi-open, but very lumpy, with low shrubs, lots of holes small and large, some pointy rock features etc, on the way to 1 I made the critical error of going on compass and navigating off the lift poles on the next lift over. Then I climbed up the reentrant, looking for the small reentrant up the left side, but not finding it because it was closed on the bottom. Certainly more like a depression than a reentrant. Anyway, I continued up, now sure I was too high, but found some rocky pits and I was then only one line above the control. A much better route would have been contouring around to the left, no down, no up and a direct path in.
2. Short leg to a boulder, easy enough except really hard to get there, even after I could see the flag. Some steep hillsides and ground full of holes.
3. Then another mistake going straight. It took me a long time to scramble down some nasty cliffs, hanging on to whatever shrubs I could grab. Much better would have been a route around to the right flattening out the descent. The control was easy to see from a distance.
4. Longest leg, across the ski slope, and friendlier terrain on that side. It was hard to climb up to the ski slope, but once across I could go on compass and hit it right on, running down a reentrant opposite a cliff and to the pit above the cliff.
5. Easiest control, Boulder at the bottom of the steep scree slope, so couldn’t overrun it. It was behind a fairly large patch of trees mapped dark green, so the only trouble was getting through the numerous rocks.
6. Here I lost a bit of focus and paid for it. Thought I would come to the trail and go along it for a bit looking for a useful attack point, but crossed the trail without noticing it, and then everything started to look alike. Checked a couple of codes along the way, but I was too short, then got below it a line before figuring it out.
7. Tried to go pretty straight which involved down into a broad valley, up and over a spur, to a small reentrant on the far side of the spur, but once on top I wasn’t sure whether to go right or left (straight would have been optimal). Drifted a bit left and found a distinctive reentrant which set me up just fine, but probably lost a minute or so.
8. No real problem except the killer climb getting up to it. Had to stop and catch my breath a few times. Maybe better to have headed more left to save climb, but can’t complain.
9. Good leg, across the ski slope, checking off some useful features, hill past the slope, cross trail just left of the boulder, then on compass until I saw the reentrant with the cliff on the far side and the knoll behind that. Perfect.
10. Left of the big cliff, more or less on compass and staying high, a little further than I thought but came right to it.
11. Difficult footing, but no mistaking where to go.
finish.
stage 2
So, the race. We started from a point along the lift line. Mostly open or semi-open, but very lumpy, with low shrubs, lots of holes small and large, some pointy rock features etc, on the way to 1 I made the critical error of going on compass and navigating off the lift poles on the next lift over. Then I climbed up the reentrant, looking for the small reentrant up the left side, but not finding it because it was closed on the bottom. Certainly more like a depression than a reentrant. Anyway, I continued up, now sure I was too high, but found some rocky pits and I was then only one line above the control. A much better route would have been contouring around to the left, no down, no up and a direct path in.
2. Short leg to a boulder, easy enough except really hard to get there, even after I could see the flag. Some steep hillsides and ground full of holes.
3. Then another mistake going straight. It took me a long time to scramble down some nasty cliffs, hanging on to whatever shrubs I could grab. Much better would have been a route around to the right flattening out the descent. The control was easy to see from a distance.
4. Longest leg, across the ski slope, and friendlier terrain on that side. It was hard to climb up to the ski slope, but once across I could go on compass and hit it right on, running down a reentrant opposite a cliff and to the pit above the cliff.
5. Easiest control, Boulder at the bottom of the steep scree slope, so couldn’t overrun it. It was behind a fairly large patch of trees mapped dark green, so the only trouble was getting through the numerous rocks.
6. Here I lost a bit of focus and paid for it. Thought I would come to the trail and go along it for a bit looking for a useful attack point, but crossed the trail without noticing it, and then everything started to look alike. Checked a couple of codes along the way, but I was too short, then got below it a line before figuring it out.
7. Tried to go pretty straight which involved down into a broad valley, up and over a spur, to a small reentrant on the far side of the spur, but once on top I wasn’t sure whether to go right or left (straight would have been optimal). Drifted a bit left and found a distinctive reentrant which set me up just fine, but probably lost a minute or so.
8. No real problem except the killer climb getting up to it. Had to stop and catch my breath a few times. Maybe better to have headed more left to save climb, but can’t complain.
9. Good leg, across the ski slope, checking off some useful features, hill past the slope, cross trail just left of the boulder, then on compass until I saw the reentrant with the cliff on the far side and the knoll behind that. Perfect.
10. Left of the big cliff, more or less on compass and staying high, a little further than I thought but came right to it.
11. Difficult footing, but no mistaking where to go.
finish.
1 PM
Hike 1:45:00 [3] 5.0 mi (21:00 / mi)
I’ll fated decision to walk down the mountain with those noted mountain goats, Rhonda, George and Lyn, Jeff and Judy. Did most of it still wearing my ice bugs, carrying the backpack, deeply tired and sore footed when we got back.
8 PM
Note
Back to the excellent Hotel Dahu with Jeff and Judy for dinner, particularly nice because with 4 people we could order different things. I had a first course of maccheroni cacio e pepe, Rhonda a rice dish with vegetables and ham, Judy a kind of spaetzle and Jeff a parsnip soup with ginger and turmeric. Second course, pork shank for me, beefsteak for Rhonda and Jeff, smoked fish platter for Judy. Desserts, peaches stuffed with almonds and amaretto and a wine sauce, a lovely cake with ricotta and berries and chocolate pudding. Quite fine.
Tuesday Jun 26, 2018 #
Event: 5 days of Italy 2018
3 PM
Orienteering race 17:25 2.47 km (7:04 / km) +52m 6:23 / km
ahr:141 max:165 shoes: 2012 MT101 Black
Monday Jun 25, 2018 #
8 AM
cycling 1:17:10 21.5 km (3:35 / km) +556m 3:11 / km
ahr:124 max:153
Katia’s dad, Giuseppe came by and invited me for a bike ride, very vague about how far we were going. He had been nice enough to bring bikes for us. So off I went, pretty hard just getting through town, as it’s all uphill, then out to the main road and the climb up to Carlo Magno. Very steep. Then he said something about going down for a while, and maybe some up and off we went down, down and more down, while all I could think about was the difficulty of ever getting back up. I’m a fair amount heavier, but I was leaning on the brakes hard so as not to pass him on the down. Eventually he pulled off at Folgarida and asked if I wanted to continue or head back, and I elected to head back. It was 7k up from there, but not as steep as I feared and I made it, although he was disappearing like a Croatian guide. When we got back we chatted a bit and then he went off and did it again.
9 AM
Note
slept:7.0
Walking around with Giovanni & Katia and family, including Katia’s parents and her sister and two kids, so a large entourage. We were generally headed to Lago Nambino, but eventually the group came apart and we headed back to town with just Katia & Giovanni and their kids. We saw George and Lyn in the park, and then Rhonda and I headed back with the idea of going to the model map. Instead it seemed like I would take a nap.
6 PM
Note
I had been struggling since we got here with hamstring pain and a spasm in the left glute that was not responding to the roller, all due to the difficult travel, the 4 + hour drives on both sides, the waiting in line. Anyway, the bike ride was the answer. The spasm is gone, and with it the hamstring pain, so maybe I will run tomorrow after all.
Dinner upstairs in Katia and Giovanni’s apartment with the whole family, Katia sister Ilaria, her two boys Ilia and Enea, Katia’s parents and Giovanni’s dad, Renato. Giovanni cooked torte salata, baked layers of pasta, spinach, ham and cheese, and Rhonda made a fine salad, mixed greens, carrots, celery, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, cherries from Renato’s tree, pistachios, pepitas and feta. Maybe a few other things.
Dinner upstairs in Katia and Giovanni’s apartment with the whole family, Katia sister Ilaria, her two boys Ilia and Enea, Katia’s parents and Giovanni’s dad, Renato. Giovanni cooked torte salata, baked layers of pasta, spinach, ham and cheese, and Rhonda made a fine salad, mixed greens, carrots, celery, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, cherries from Renato’s tree, pistachios, pepitas and feta. Maybe a few other things.
Sunday Jun 24, 2018 #
5 AM
Note
slept:5.0
Out and about early, the town deserted. We were on a hunt for coffee but it wasn’t looking promising. Did a general tour of the whole town, established the location of the event center, basically seeing no one. Around 6:30 we ran into a couple of guys, asked them where a bar was that opened early, followed their directions, but it didn’t open until 8. Finally almost home we spotted Bar L’azzurro, open at 6:30. Excellent, cappuccino and for want of anything more pleasing, a cornetto.
10 AM
Orienteering 1:15:00 [3] 2.0 km (37:30 / km)
shoes: 2017 Gray Gel Kayanos
On the model map. We went to the event center where we saw Giovanni’s friend Andrea. I met Andrea in 2014 when he was helping out with the Mediterranean Open championships in Montecatini Terme. Anyway, he advised that we drive up to Malga Montagnoli to see the model, and so we did. Thought we might do some of the upper controls, but we ended up just doing the six lower ones. We got scared off the steeper part below 6 by the difficult footing and steepness.
7 PM
Note
Another pleasing dinner at Dahu. Quite an elegant place. Again the vegetable and salad buffer, but different things, for a first course a delicious risotto with blueberries and mushrooms. Who would have thought? A real taste of the forest. Also some soup of pasta e fagioli, then Rhonda had a filet of trout with almonds, wonderful, and I had a pork shop alla Milanese, also excellent. Creme caramel to finish, then toddled off home to bed.
Saturday Jun 23, 2018 #
Note
New experience. I’ve been in passport control line in Milano for an hour, still can’t see the front. Is this because of the new interior minister?
Note
Update. 1:45 to clear passport control. Now we are at rental cars where we talked with a lady who has already been ther 3 hours. Not looking good.
Note
Arrived in Madonna Di Campiglio after a 4 hour drive and had to pick up the apartment key at the Hotel Dahu. They invited us to have dinner for 25€ a piece. Well we were hungry as well as tired, but had no idea it would be so nice! Salad and vegetable bar was delightful, sautéed peppers, sliced potatoes, cauliflower, etc, lettuce, carrots, arugula, tomatoes. Then a choice of four firsts and four seconds. For a first we got barley and broth with zucchini flowers and prosciutto for one of us and gnocchi with duck and pumpkin. Normally I don’t much care for gnocchi, but these were perfect, tender and flavorful.
Then for a second we both chose branzino, which was baked covered with a layer of thinly sliced baby zucchini and a dusting of bread crumbs and onion. We eat branzino a lot in Italy, usually get it grilled and really like it. This was better.
Finally a tiny chocolate cake, soft, warm with a bit of rum sauce and some powdered sugar. Quite a nice surprise.
Then for a second we both chose branzino, which was baked covered with a layer of thinly sliced baby zucchini and a dusting of bread crumbs and onion. We eat branzino a lot in Italy, usually get it grilled and really like it. This was better.
Finally a tiny chocolate cake, soft, warm with a bit of rum sauce and some powdered sugar. Quite a nice surprise.
Friday Jun 22, 2018 #
9 AM
Note
A nice visit with my friend Tullio, just arrived last night and, unfortunately heading back to Italy on July w, right after we return. He stopped up for a coffee and (for him) a brief walk down to the Big Down Marsh to visit the herons. He appears transformed after his Santiago Di Campostela hike of a few months ago. Much leaner, with quite a bounce in his step. He is thinking about a few options for a long walk in the fall, maybe we will join him if it works out. He seems impervious to jet lag. Me not so much, and not so much his wife Giulia either who was nursing a bit of a headache, but rebounding a bit in the afternoon.
3 PM
Orienteering 15:08 1.06 mi (14:19 / mi) +74m 11:46 / mi
ahr:137 max:165 slept:7.0 weight:164lbs shoes: 2011 icebugs
Around Course B before taking off for the airport.
Thursday Jun 21, 2018 #
6 AM
Gym 1:00:00 [3]
slept:8.0 weight:163.6lbs
In the gym with Eric. A little tight, legs a little sore from the other day, so not much. Stretching and rolling, a few deadlifts, some goblet squats.
8 AM
Note
Two nice bears in the yard outside my office window, one medium to small, one quite large. The smaller one investigated the compost, they wandered through the flower garden, got into the garage, and then went on their way.
10 AM
cycling 1:31:56 20.08 mi (4:35 / mi) +306m 4:22 / mi
ahr:117 max:150
With Rhonda from PV. Same as Sunday, except this time just the two of us.
Wednesday Jun 20, 2018 #
2 PM
Running (woos run) 18:02 1.26 mi (14:16 / mi) +92m 11:38 / mi
ahr:133 max:144 slept:5.5 weight:165lbs shoes: 2011 icebugs
I had some different ideas about what I would try to fit in, as not much time between phone calls and other obligations today. Started out with the idea that I would do two dog loops, but about halfway around the first one I either swallowed a bug or encountered some particularly irritating pollen and I was coughing and gagging the rest of the way, so one was plenty. Plus some DOMS from yesterday's squats, so lucky to do anything.
Tuesday Jun 19, 2018 #
6 AM
Gym 1:00:00 [3]
slept:5.5 weight:165.4lbs
In the gym with Eric, stretching and rolling, deadlifts, back squats. Cut the back squats short because I could feel them in the quads, wanted to stave off too much DOMS. Then 4 pullups on the way back through the yard. I've been laying off these for quite a while because of issues in my neck and L trap, but they went more or less ok, so maybe I can start them up again.
2 PM
cycling 1:00:25 12.74 mi (4:45 / mi) +283m 4:26 / mi
ahr:121 max:154
In Simsbury, with Rhonda. Fresh legs. Hills are a bit easier these days after all those long ones in Croatia.
Monday Jun 18, 2018 #
3 PM
Kayak 40:00 [1]
slept:6.75 weight:163lbs
At Stanclift Cove with Rhonda, first outing of the year. Not bad, looked like gathering thunderstorms.
Sunday Jun 17, 2018 #
8 AM
cycling 1:44:21 20.06 mi (5:12 / mi) +292m 4:59 / mi
ahr:98 max:139 slept:5.5 weight:165.8lbs
Very pleasant ride with Peter, Gail and Rhonda, no rush, and everyone had very fresh legs, both before and after. Nice to be out on the early side, as it seems like it will be hot today.
1 PM
Orienteering 16:48 1.02 mi (16:28 / mi) +95m 12:46 / mi
ahr:136 max:154 shoes: 2011 icebugs
Since I still had fresh legs, I wanted to take another shot at course A before I picked up flags, and set my sights on the very fine run turned in by Steve R. Of course I was unimpeded by having to carry a map, dibber or compass, or by having to think about which way to go or what the feature might look like, which seemed to make it a more or less fair test. Even in my own back yard I would be a fair amount slower if I actually had to read a map to see where to go. So I would judge it a success.
5 PM
Orienteering 1:00:00 [0]
Because I still had fresh legs, I went out with the dog and retrieved the controls.
Saturday Jun 16, 2018 #
10 AM
Orienteering 15:59 1.6 km (9:59 / km) +76m 8:04 / km
ahr:137 max:157 slept:6.0 weight:165.2lbs shoes: 2011 icebugs
Not much time for fooling around, so just a quick loop around course B, the easier of the two, and a bit easier with the flags out.
1 PM
Note
Fine day for the WCOC picnic. Missed a few of the usual attenders, who were off on other adventures, Jukola and Mt Washington, but a very congenial group including some newcomers - scouts and their fathers, my new friend Peter Szymanski. Sterling performances from the Richardsons. Steve smoked both courses well ahead of the field, Gail ran a course, which seemed unexpected. There was a spectator loop on one of the courses which provided a little extra entertainment, and then a lot of extra entertainment as a bear showed up on the path of the spectator loop, posed for some photos, and then ambled on. First one I've seen here this spring, first ever for my son and his family who were visiting from Brooklyn. Thanks to PG for manning the computer, Bill for providing instruction to the beginners, Rhonda for orchestrating the picnic.
Friday Jun 15, 2018 #
Note
slept:7.0 weight:165.8lbs
Busy day, put out 29 controls, did a lot of mowing, got some client work done.
Thursday Jun 14, 2018 #
6 AM
Gym 1:00:00 [3]
slept:7.25 weight:166.4lbs
In the gym with Eric, lots of rolling and stretching, deadlifts, goblet squats, one arm rows. Generally feeling pretty good, although the quads are pretty inflamed. More rolling.
7 AM
Orienteering 20:14 1.79 km (11:20 / km) +95m 8:57 / km
ahr:137 max:153 shoes: 2011 icebugs
Checking out course A. A bit of climb involved.
10 AM
cycling 1:44:51 20.12 mi (5:13 / mi) +307m 4:59 / mi
ahr:112 max:153
With Rhonda from Pleasant Valley. Couldn't have a nicer day. Not moving very fast, but at least we were out. Included apparently about 6 minutes to chat up Zack, who called on his way to work in Cloverdale.
3 PM
Orienteering 20:11 1.84 km (11:00 / km) +77m 9:05 / km
ahr:129 max:145 shoes: 2011 icebugs
Course B
Wednesday Jun 13, 2018 #
Note
slept:3.75 weight:167.4lbs
Trying to catch up on things. Not much useful time to get out. Maybe tomorrow.
Tuesday Jun 12, 2018 #
12 AM
Note
slept:6.5 weight:169.4lbs
Really long travel day. We have not done well with flights on this trip. So far six flights have been late, the 6th late enough that they wouldn’t let us board the 7th because our luggage had not yet arrived. So we are hanging out in the Toronto airport for another 4.5 hours, unless that flight is late too. Some of the late flights have been relatively inconsequential because we made connections anyway, but it all makes me reluctant to try flying overseas from Hartford again. In terms of arriving at destinations, we were 1hour late getting into Split, 2.5 into Milan, and 4.5 and counting into Hartford.
Monday Jun 11, 2018 #
Note
slept:8.5 weight:169.4lbs
Took the train in from Arona to Milano Centrale with Matt and Sheryl, while the kids played at a friend’s house and Rhonda napped off a bad bout of nausea from yesterday’s boat ride. Took the Metro to the Duomo and the full tour, up on the roof terraces outside, then within the enormous cathedral, and finally to the archaeological digs underneath, to prior churches and other buildings sited 4 meters below the current pavement level. Then a nice lunch, antipasto of cold salmon and fresh anchovies, primo of penne with tomatoes, peppers and cheese, caffè macchiato, and walked to Porto Garibaldi and the train back, where Rhonda was greatly improved.
And a couple of hours later we were back at it again, having a very fine dinner at Vizio 5, great restaurant only a km or so from Matt's place. I had spaghetti alla scogliera, that is, with mixed seafood, primarily squid, mussels and clams. It was excellent, but they are really known for their pizza and I had a bit of Rosie's. It was outstanding. They have a really hot oven, cook a pizza only 60 seconds.
And a couple of hours later we were back at it again, having a very fine dinner at Vizio 5, great restaurant only a km or so from Matt's place. I had spaghetti alla scogliera, that is, with mixed seafood, primarily squid, mussels and clams. It was excellent, but they are really known for their pizza and I had a bit of Rosie's. It was outstanding. They have a really hot oven, cook a pizza only 60 seconds.
Sunday Jun 10, 2018 #
Note
Drove out the lake to Stresa, where we took the boat to Isola della Madre, one of the islands in Lago Maggiore that have the palaces and gardens of the Borromeo family, a well connected bunch over several centuries. A couple of them were archbishops of Milan in the 1500s and 1600s. The gardens are quite amazing, cover most of the island. The trip did not work out well for Rhonda, who was seized by motion sickness about as soon as she was on the boat, and pretty unable to do anything but nap under a tree while the rest of us saw the sights. The boat back was not pleasant for her, but no discernible alternative.
6 AM
Note
slept:4.0
Really long travel day yesterday for not going very far. We left Brać by boat around 7:30, arrived at Split around 9. Very crowded, way more than the week before. Some milling around, a gelato at the very fine Luka gelato stand, then taxi at 11 to the airport, which was utter chaos. Planes were all late, people sitting on the stairs and the floor. Hung out with our friend Norma until her plane left, 2 hours late, then ours was only one hour behind, but no real announcement, just saw folks lining up. We arrived in Rome, where we had to pick up and re-check luggage, then a theoretical 4 hour layover which stretched to 6, with two gate changes, and no one at the gate until after the last announced departure time was well past. Not impressed with the re- branded Meridiana, now Air Italy. Anyway, finally landed in Milan where our nice friend Matt picked us up at about 12:15 this morning, and Sheryl was waiting up for us with prosecco and antipasto, finally to bed at 2.
Saturday Jun 9, 2018 #
Note
In the very chaotic airport in Split, awaiting a flight to Rome. We have been cycling the islands for the last week, living on a boat, with very spotty internet. Don’t know that I had any idea what to expect, so it was all a surprise. We cycled on four islands, first Brać, then Vis, Korčula, Hvar and then Brać again. The islands are all mountainous, so there was a lot of climbing, all of it hot as there is little to no shade, but very pleasant in those moments of shade. I will fill in when I get to good internet and retrieve my tracks. Very clean, wonderful swimming in perfectly clear salty water.
A little trouble with back and r leg, but the last day was my best and I finished strong and pain free, or mostly. Very nice people on the trip.
A little trouble with back and r leg, but the last day was my best and I finished strong and pain free, or mostly. Very nice people on the trip.
Friday Jun 8, 2018 #
3 AM
cycling 7:06:50 51.74 km (8:15 / km) +876m 7:36 / km
ahr:100 max:157
Last ride of the trip, from Postira to Splitska and Supetar, a long climb up to the middle of the island, and then a long stop to tour a gallery and have a traditional Peka lunch at Donji Humac. The gallery was a family affair, with limestone sculpture, painting, limestone architectural products, jewelry. they have their own gallery. The lunch was nice. Peka is more or less pot roast, very slow cooked meat and vegetables. Choice of either octopus or mixed meats, lamb, veal and chicken. So of course we had both, and then staggered back. When we were almost back we got talked into heading uphill another 3K to the charming little town of Dol, built in a tight little valley full of caves, and famous for walnut cake. I was still feeling pretty stuffed, but managed a half piece of walnut cake and it was pretty fabulous. Then back to the boat, and another nice swim. Very pleasant not to be taking my bike apart and packing it instead of swimming. I will not bring my own bike on one of these trips again!
This was by far my best day, and not much discomfort even on the climb. The day off really helped me a lot. Generally on these climbs, I started out near the back and picked people off on the way up, ending up in the first 2 or 3. This time I was well clear of everybody except Rhonda on her e-bike.
Not a lot of distance in total, about 280K, but every day had strenuous climbs and hot weather. Lots of stops to reconvene, or to get something to eat, etc., and I didn't much bother to turn my watch off for them, so the time is way off.
This was by far my best day, and not much discomfort even on the climb. The day off really helped me a lot. Generally on these climbs, I started out near the back and picked people off on the way up, ending up in the first 2 or 3. This time I was well clear of everybody except Rhonda on her e-bike.
Not a lot of distance in total, about 280K, but every day had strenuous climbs and hot weather. Lots of stops to reconvene, or to get something to eat, etc., and I didn't much bother to turn my watch off for them, so the time is way off.
Thursday Jun 7, 2018 #
Note
(rest day)
Dropped off the group in Bol, but R and I decided we didn't want to do the trip across Brać to Postira, so we just took the boat ride around and then went for a nice swim. Gave me, Rhonda and Kade a chance to rest up, and Kate wasn;t going anyway because she was pretty beat up from her fall the day before. found a nice hiking trail that goes between Postira and Bol, but too late to go very far with it by the time we found it.
The others came back a few hours later. We could see them arriving, some of us from the water, some from the outdoor tables in the shade next to the wine bar next to the beach.
The beaches are all pebbly, not a grain of sand anywhere, and can't say that I missed it. Very nice beach in Postira. Pretty pleasant.. Otherwise, Postira was less interesting than other towns, or maybe just a lot less going on.
The others came back a few hours later. We could see them arriving, some of us from the water, some from the outdoor tables in the shade next to the wine bar next to the beach.
The beaches are all pebbly, not a grain of sand anywhere, and can't say that I missed it. Very nice beach in Postira. Pretty pleasant.. Otherwise, Postira was less interesting than other towns, or maybe just a lot less going on.
Wednesday Jun 6, 2018 #
3 AM
cycling 3:47:35 45.1 km (5:03 / km) +656m 4:42 / km
ahr:101 max:155
Fairly hard ride out of Jelsa and through the charming little Vrboska, then a long climb up to lunch and a visit with the lavender lady, quite a favorite of the tour organizers and a charming person. She sold quite a bit of product, lavender related items and bicycle jerseys. After the lunch there was a choice of going down the big hill 10K to Hvar, looking around and then coming back, meaning another climb, going down to Hvar and getting a cab back, or just turning back. I was with the just turning back group, of which there were four of us. Four more went to Hvar and then took a cab all the way back to Jelsa, one under some duress because of a hard fall. Only two made the whole ride out and back. I was feeling pretty cooked, so really didn't want the extra hill, and Rhonda was ready to get back. The swimming in Jelsa was excellent!
Tuesday Jun 5, 2018 #
3 AM
cycling 4:42:49 52.39 km (5:24 / km) +720m 5:03 / km
ahr:103 max:154
On Hvar, from Suceraj in the east over to Jelsa, where we spent two nights. Had some chamois butt'r from one of the other cyclists which helped, but struggling still. Jelsa is quite a nice town.
Monday Jun 4, 2018 #
5 AM
cycling 4:57:39 57.82 km (5:09 / km) +945m 4:46 / km
ahr:115 max:161
On Korčula. We got dropped off by the boat at Prigradica, then a long ride along the island the long way to the old town of Korčula, where we looked at the old house where Marco Polo was born, had some ice cream, then the last 15 K to pick up the boat again at Racišce for the evening ride over to Hvar. A lot of climbing, not much shade, but I was hanging in there until Korčula, but the last 15 K or so really did me in. A fair amount of saddle chafing, sore back and just generally dragging toward the end.
Sunday Jun 3, 2018 #
4 AM
cycling 3:29:26 31.88 km (6:34 / km) +699m 5:55 / km
ahr:114 max:166 slept:8.25
Boat ride from Brać to Vis this morning, then on the bikes over a very sparky hill to Komviša on the other side of the island, where we had lunch and wandered around town. For lunch I had a pizza with tuna and anchovies which turned out to be a lot more tuna than I would have imagined, then back on the bikes again, back over another big climb and back to the boat at Vis.
Then we changed and walked around the other side of the harbor to a nice pebbly beach for some excellent swimming. The water is warm and way more buoyant than I am used to. Delightful.
Then we changed and walked around the other side of the harbor to a nice pebbly beach for some excellent swimming. The water is warm and way more buoyant than I am used to. Delightful.
Saturday Jun 2, 2018 #
9 AM
cycling 2:31:19 24.69 km (6:08 / km) +447m 5:37 / km
ahr:113 max:163
on Brać from where our boat was docked in Milna over toward Bobovišće and Ložišće and then back. Quite a few stops. The climb in the center of the island was pretty hard, got our attention.
Friday Jun 1, 2018 #
5 AM
cycling 1:40:19 18.04 km (5:34 / km) +272m 5:10 / km
ahr:107 max:152
Leisurely outing through the park west of Split, trying out the rental bikes, meeting the rest of the group. Then eventually out there lunch in a little place in Diocletian’s palace, Vila Spiza, where we had grilled sea bream, an excellent plate of anchovies with capers and a salad. Very nice town.