Training Log Archive: Charlie

Winter race series run in Forest Park. Not knowing the drill, got there much too early. A large crowd, and got boxed in the first several hundred yards, and ended up right behind George W. Thought I could stay with him, but that turned out not to be the case. He had me by 7 seconds at around a mile, 12 seconds at about halfway, but then opened it up and was more than 30 seconds ahead shortly. Little did I know that Lyn was right behind me.

First race not involving looking for little orange lampshades in many years. I think the last previous one may have been New Year's Day of 1997. First 5K since about the summer of '94, when I believe I ran 20:10 and was pretty disappointed in it.

Overall not bad. Didn't push hard enough to hurt myself, but kept up a vigorous pace for me these days.

Before and after the 5K race, part alone, part with Peter, part with George and Lyn

Out and back on E River Rd with Rhonda. Plan was 20 minutes out and turn around. Actually turned at 20:30, so way back was faster (18:22)

Around Providence at night, a shorter run, but pushing harder. Going up the hill toward Brown I got a bit lightheaded from the effort. Interesting, but the shorter, faster run was easier on my body than the run the day before. route/profile

Around Providence at night. So what hurts? Mostly my right toe, also left hamstring, right quad. Otherwise not too bad. The toe is what makes 50 minutes plenty enough. I seem to have strained the tendon in the area of the ball of the foot, complicated by my long and painful history with this toe. Route/profile


The other thing going on is the bag and a half of sugar I've been carrying lately.

Out and back on E River Rd from the steel bridge in Pleasant Valley with Peter and my cousin Matt. Much deference showed back and forth as to the distance to be run and the pace. There was considerable talk about going around (8.6 or thereabouts), but Peter was unwilling to put me through that much difficulty. All the pleasant chatting made the experience more cheery, and quite a bit faster than the day before.

Out and back on E River Rd from Pleasant Valley with my cousin Matt. Feeling quite ouchy from last two days, and struggling to get along. Matt, however, was quite spunky, and kind enough to wait for me.

Matt's "treadmill challenge". Took turns running half miles, the first time at 6.0 for 1/4 and 6.5, then 7.0 and 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5, 9.0 and 9.5, and 10.0 and 10.0. As was not in doubt, Matt was the winner, emerging quite lively and not breaking a sweat, while I let discretion be the better part of valor and dropped out after .4 of the 10.0 section. Also some miscellaneous weights and stretches while waiting my turn.

Down Bunker Hill and up Hanson. Lots of knee pain on the first downhills, then loosened up and was fine.

At the hotel, with USA today. Times wasn't out yet, alas.

At the hotel with the newspaper. On the bike for 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of very brisk treadmill walking (4.8 mph)

30 minutes on the bike, followed by about 10 minutes on the weight machines. Felt pretty lethargic last night, so to bed early, and without dinner, which always makes me feel better. Since I know that, one might think I would skip dinner more often. Easier to do on the road, since Rhonda feeds me so well at home.

C • No dinner 1

Rhonda's 6am class. Haven't been in a while, and the joints are quite painful. Good for me, I guess.

Out in the backyard on skis with Hazel. Across the bridge and out to the jct of Lavander and Derby Rds, where I ran into Wayne and Garrett Gracey, father and son, on snowmobiles. Had a nice chat, then back.

Event: WCOC - Sessions Woods C-Meet & Sprint
 

Picking up a few controls at Sessions, mostly Yellow course. Legs pretty tired from yesterday

Hanging controls in Sessions Woods. I was working in Providence all week, so had to leave it for the last day. About 6-8" of snow at the start and snowing hard enough to make it hard to see. Should have used a contact lens, as the glasses were way too photo-gray because of reflection from the snow, and it wasn't all that bright. Took about 2/3 of the controls and did a large northern and western loop. Kind of interesting, in that some features had disappeared, like low stone walls and some boulders. Also, didn't use a compass because I didn't want to restrict thumb circulation. After a couple of hours I was pretty miserably cold, and only the memory of the legendary control setters fighting the elements gave me the courage to soldier on. That and the fact that I had promised a bunch of folks there would be a meet tomorrow. Occasionally had to drop the gloves and put my hands on my belly for a while. Got back to the car for a break, a sandwich and to run the heater after about 3 hours, feeling apprehensive about what was ahead. That would have been a fine time to bail on the red course. Only 14 controls left to put out, but among them the furthest away and the hardest to get to. Got the rest of the bags and headed out, finishing off the sprint and then heading south for the tough part. Snow stopped - by now about 15". I warmed up fast once the snow stopped. Wearing studded o-shoes. I would have been in big trouble without the studs. It's very slippery. Gaiters would have been a nice touch, and snowshoes would have worked well. The southern trail that runs along the rocks is very rocky, and the rocks hidden by the snow, making it real easy to trip and fall, which I did a few times, even at a snail's pace. Finished about 2:50. Snow probably made it take twice as long. Pretty tired. Put the whole route into OCAD. 9K, but took a really long time, much of it trying to get my fingers to tie knots in control strings!

C • 5

reading the paper at the hotel this am

on the machines, at the hotel

C • Sessions 1

at the hotel, reading the paper

With Tony after work. Went up to the observatory, which is supposed to be open on Tuesday evenings, but it was canceled because of ice on the roof, so we went around Brown and eastern Providence, ending up at dinner S of Wickenden and then back to the hotel, with cold hands and in a hurry to stay warm.

rushing in a short workout before leaving for RI. Really hard on right knee. Took a while to straighten it to walk after rowing. Not up to Hillary's standards yet (if ever).

At the hotel: Mostly fast walking, but ran a mile at a 6:40 pace. I was surprised to get through it. Last time I tried that I ended up quitting after about 2/3 of it.

machines, at the hotel.

Event: Possum Trot IX
 

No "training" but spent most of the day working outside, shoveling snow, plowing, cleaning out the garage so the cars can be inside in the winter, moving hay bales from the new barn to the top of the old one. A pretty good workout.

Took a couple of neighbors out on a hike around the property, showing them the boundaries and topography. They want to bowhunt. Scared up 4 deer near Little Down Marsh, which got them pretty interested. Hazel had a good time, but was pretty bushed afterwards and declined an offer of another walk with Rhonda later.

Taking a while to get into the rowing machine this winter. It's pretty uncomfortable for my lower back and my right knee right now. I hope I can work through it. Lack of upper body exercise really shows. Forearms hurt. That will come back quickly, though.

Around Arthur's jeep road with Hazel. Kind of sluggish. Having a lot of trouble with my right knee.

stationary bike at the hotel this am