Training Log Archive: CleverSky

The last remaining rock radio station, the one I listened to as a teenager, just went off the air, the frequency having been bought by a Christian network. So long, 107.3 FM.

C • Was that WAAF? 5

Fort Pond. First I headed toward Monomonac, but I could see from the conditions on a pond in Ashby that it was going to be snow-covered. So I headed back home and went to Hickory Hills, but that was snow-covered as well. I knew that Bare Hill Pond was ice, so I started going in that direction, but then it occurred to me that Fort Pond was closer (and on the way). I didn't know if there was any public access, so I googled it, and found out that in all the years I've been driving past this spot, including nearly every day on my way home from my current job, I had never noticed the public boat ramp that was right in front of me. (Maybe it wasn't always there?)

First a lap around the lake without the sail to see what the ice was like and to chat with the fishermen (I think I saw four out there), then I sailed for a while, then skated a little more when there was a lull, then sailed some more. Parts of the lake had scattered shell ice (no problem to skate over), but the north section was absolutely perfect, with the skates able to move over it almost noiselessly. The breeze was erratic and gusty, but never too strong. I experimented with jibing, and worked out a way to do that much more smoothly than I can tack. Near the end I was moving toward shore at high speed, and in the process of coming about I had a spectacular wipeout. No big deal, I just slid on the ice, but it was a little breezy just then and I had to chase the sail a few meters.

First time skating on this pond, but I'm glad that I know about the access now. It's not that large, but it's deep, and tends to freeze a little later than other lakes, so sometimes it will have good ice when other ones that froze sooner are covered with snow.

Beautiful day, bright and sunny, temp in the mid 30s F. Looks like I got up to a new PR for speed, reaching almost 22 mph (35 km/h) at one point.

C • https://blog.gaiagps.com/th... 2

Delaney, In The Dim. I arrived just as the sun was going down behind the trees, and chopped a hole with a screwdriver that showed that the ice was 3"-4" thick. Not too worried, because I think this pond is only about shin deep anyway, as evidenced by the fact there there are weeds and stumps sticking through the ice in a lot of places. Although, shallow water is where the ice tends to be thin. Anyway, a bunch of laps, with not enough breeze to pull out the sail. AP correctly guessed this to be skating.

I orienteered here (SuAsCo Watershed) a number of times back in my early days, but not since 1990. The terrain is largely intact, except for the hill in the SE corner which is now all houses. But there wasn't much terrain to begin with, it was mostly private property, marshes, and the pond.

Rattlesnake Hill, In The Dim. Nice to be able to run after work without turning on the headlamp (though if I had gone much longer, I would have needed to). Mostly trails, but with a little detour through the nice woods up top to get to a different trail.

Over to the schools and back, In The Dark. Using the first of my new headlamps for the first time. A little below freezing, I was dressed okay for it, but it will be nice to run with less clothing as the seasons change.

Any readers of my log interested in joining me for a drive to the QOC meet in Maryland on Saturday Feb 29? We could drive down Friday night and stay at the Bretons' place in Suffern NY, do the rest of the drive in the morning, and probably leave for home right after the meet (not staying for the QOC annual meeting/pizza party). I'll (almost) definitely be doing this, but I'd like to not have to do that much solo driving in one day.

C • Sounds like a good time, le... 12

33 F and steady rain, so nope, not interested in going outdoors. I've got a mag trainer... somewhere... I think... but I looked around a little and didn't find it. So I pulled out the antique rollers and went for a ride. It might be that the wheelbase of my road bike is a bit too short, and the rollers are not adjustable. I can manage to stay upright, though it's challenging to maintain the concentration and stay relaxed for this long. There were several close calls, but I never had to grab the wall. Tough on the hands because I can't switch positions very easily. Distance (from the odometer) is of course meaningless.

WBNW, walking around checking out some of the fieldwork on the new map.

I came off of the rogaine mostly undamaged. One very small blister next to my right 2nd toenail; my left 2nd toenail, which wasn't fully recovered from the last time I abused it, seems to be in some distress; and my hips were still sore and stiff today. That's pretty good.

C • Damage 4

Lewis Morris Park. Took a break from driving to hobble around and stretch my legs. A lot of driving this weekend: Thursday to work and then to Bernie's, Friday to Glen Jean WV, Saturday after the meet to Harrisonburg VA, Sunday to Aims's party and then home. I didn't time it, but I expect it was at least 24 hourse behind the wheel.