Training Log Archive: Charlie

Leisurely breakfast, coffee, fruit, ham, boiled eggs, cheese, pastries, etc. then put the bikes together, did my exercises. Pretty soon it was time for lunch. We had met this fellow Peppi yesterday. Very outgoing guy who runs the local market, basically a little hole in the wall. He made us wonderful smoked tuna sandwiches with tomatoes and olives. Then we went hiking in the Zingaro Nature reserve. Beautiful park, Rocky trails, beaches, a few small museums. The park was a remote area populated,by brigands, smugglers and other sketchy types for 1000 years or more. In 1980 they built a tunnel to start a road in to develop it. There was a huge public outcry, including a march of 3000 people, and the plan for a road was shelved and it was designated the first national park of Sicily. The tunnel remains, maybe 100m long, but just walking paths beyond it. Every so often a path drops down to a secluded cove with caves in the limestone cliffs and a wonderful little beach for swimming. The water is beautiful. On the way home we stopped by the old tuna factory, now a private development project, and then visited Peppi again for snacks, including some little tramezzini - circles of crusty bread with caviar and olive oil, hard pecorino cheese, olives, another smoked tuna sandwich to share, and plenty of Moretti beer. Quite a fine time. We are meeting our guide Daniele for dinner at 730. Very pleasant.

Tomorrow I think we are going by van up to Segesta, where we will see the Ancient Greek temples, then ride back on our bikes, our last night in Scopello.

Long travel day, finally at our hotel in Scopello around 130 pm. We went out for lunch at the very fine Ristorante Terrazza looking out over the sea. A beautiful day, but a driving rain came through causing us to move our table under the umbrellas. Aperitivo of mixed seafood: octopus, tiny fried squid, swordfish, shrimp, etc. then two first plates to share, one with salmon ravioli in a light cream sauce and large whole shrimps, the other with busiate, tiny lobsters, shrimp and pistachios. Second plate was whole John Dory fish, with tomatoes olives and capers on the side.

Walked around town a bit and in bed by 530.

Event: Ottawa O-Fest - 2015 Ontario Orienteering Championships
 

Brisk dog loop with Sassy and Rhonda. Perhaps Sassy's last time for a while, as Zack is likely to take some shortcuts with her.

Most of the usual stretching and strengthening exercises. A little tightness in the R hamstring, so didn't press too hard on it.

All packed up and ready to leave.

C • Sicilian 4

Rhonda's morning class.

Working out with Eric, the personal trainer. I was a bit stiff this morning after yesterday's hike, but continuing to make good progress. Doing a lot with the BOSU. Kind of fun.

Quick outing with Rhonda on a busy day. Busy enough that this was interrupted by two phone calls in the last 2 or 3 miles. Not really an option today to leave the phone home.

C • spare bikes? 2

10 ring pullups, on my way out to do some brush mowing. Got the side field about 60% done before it got completely dark.

Rhonda's morning class.

Followed by packing. Bikes all packed up and ready to go.

C • Was wondering 5

Tunxis trail loop, with Sassy and Rhonda. I thought we were going for one last bike ride today, but Rhonda sprung this surprise. Pretty instructive, since I have been thinking I am going to walk the Highlander 3 weeks or so from now. This was pretty hard. Going 2.5 times as far could be difficult.

So that made me think of another thing. Who is the oldest person to complete a Highlander? I can think of some likely candidates, but I assume someone has that information at his fingertips.

C • oldest 11

10 ring pullups, on the way out to do a little brush mowing. The new mower is greatly superior to the old model, which dated from around '96 or '97.

Felt a little more relaxed. Cooler today, Sassy joined me for the second lap.