Training Log Archive: CleverSky

Out by Massabesic Lake while Stephen was at PTAC, using a canoe-O map (USGS copy) from 1988 (the trails shown were reasonably accurate). From the main parking over the hill on 28B to the boat launch, then out to Battery Point on the west side, and back down the east side to the Audobarn, out to the road again, and returning on the trail around to Rocky Point.

Fractal Trails (I think that's what I used to call this place when I used to run it more often — SE quadrant of Four Corners). Parked at Shaw's, and went CCW, doing kind of a lap of the outer trails with a detour over to Spectacle Pond, then some of the twisty inner stuff before finishing. I wanted to see what the deal was with Spectacle Pond, which is the reason for the one remaining flood-related road closing (Rte 119). It wasn't obvious what's going on; the water is higher than usual, and higher than the satellite photo (I couldn't actually get to the road because of flooding), but the water is clearly not over the road. All I can think is that it's a second-order effect, because they're needing to use the road for construction equipment to repair the culvert that collapsed (I could see a crane on the bridge). If I get another opportunity to run here (I was killing time while Stephen was in ballet class), I should try to remember my GPS, because I think the absurdly twisty track woudl be entertaining.

Green course at Five Ponds, intended to do Red, but Charlie accidentally handed me a Green map, and I didn't realize it until after I was done despite seeing a number of people who I would have expected to be on Red going in the opposite direction. Of course, once I got a control or two into it, I wouldn't have gone back anyway. Pretty pathetic navigation on a few controls near the beginning, but then I settled in and did reasonably well for the rest of it. The GoLite shoes, which are very comfortable and fine for trail running (and I expect for Rogaines) turn out to not be up to the task of real orienteering in New England. In particular, they don't do well stepping on mossy stones, and if they get damp and sidehilling comes into play, then they provide no grip if I step on any rock. I took one fairly painful fall about halfway through (which I was able to walk off in a couple of minutes). In order to run with my usual confidence, I need spikes.