Training Log Archive: vmeyer

Race Timing: EX2 CM - Fountainhead

Home at ~4:40. Hot, muggy day, but the easiest of the bike race timing since all of the laps are done in the woods, so I only need to get the finish time (3 separate races). Had excellent help.

Briefly thought I would run during one of the hour breaks, but I didn't.

Mowed the front lawn so that Roger could put down grass seed tomorrow.

Ted and Darcy Good's (mostly) annual summer event. Orienteer in some fun fashion, and then eat and hang out after. Washington, DC heat? Pshaw!

This year's twist was a Score-O with 8 controls, and at each of the either controls, there was something written or a map snippet to get you to a another control which was a weapon or to save a mutant squirrel, or something really convoluted along that line.

Hot, sweating, but Heidi and I banded together to totally screw up near the end, but I had a great time.

Enjoyed conversation after with all, but mostly remember Peggy since I cornered her for a while, and Sam, since he offered physical help with a Prince William short rogaine in January, if it gets it off the ground.

Arranged for a private kayak lesson with a company who has an instructor who lives just around the corner from me. Ironically, Brian and I have never met in the 22+ years we have both lived in the neighborhood, but I could tell you lots about him.

He is in his mid 60s, a big man, very intimidating, but he looks a lot less big big (lost 40 pounds by cutting out his ice cream addiction), so is a bit less intimidating of late. He has a large mustache and used to ride a Harley to match. The Harleys are gone, and he has replaced paddling, pretty much full time instead. There is more that I know, but it isn't germane to the lesson...

I think he was initially uncomfortable on what to do with me for the five hours, but he loosened up, and it turned out to be just what I was looking for.

I was very anxious the only other time I was in a kayak - the whole tippy feeling. So, we did some stroke stuff - forward, backwards, sideways, etc.

After a lunch break, we spent the last part of the lesson dumping me into the water and getting me back into the canoe [Edit: kayak!!]. The first time in, I forgot to close my mouth, and I swallowed a bunch of very dirty water, and came up with the classic choking and sputtering . At least I did remember all of the other important stuff, like I needed to surface. So, despite the bruises on the back of both calves and thighs from climbing back into the boat, this was great! I no longer fear going out and possibly going into the drink. With the right equipment, I should be able to get myself back into the boat.

Exploring kayaking is part of my plan to try other things when I go to A-meets or work at adventure races. So, if I go somewhere that a boat rental is available, I rent a boat instead of sitting the hotel. I am not very good at self-directed activities, so I need to have known options.

Commuting roundtrip. Longer ride on way home was nixed because I had to take home my heavy laptop, and the bike was making annoying chirping sounds. Stopped twice but couldn't determine the cause. Was able to solve it when I got home - luggage frame was loose.

Very pleasant ride home followed by cookies and milk.

Decided to do the core workout to make up for the shorter then intended ride home. Felt pretty darn good.

Fat, Lazy Valerie tried to sabotage the workout by coming home from work and eating candy, cheese crackers, and cookies chased by milk (skim). Of course, she needed to lie down after that. Luckily, she didn't fall asleep today.

So, even though it was a bit damp out, it was only 72, so Determined Valerie took over and got them all out the door. ;)

Ran down to the track (.36 in 318), then 4 laps in lane 6 (241 236 238 234).

Walked a lap, then ran six more laps in lane 6 (243 242 242 239 243 235).

Some field hockey girls running slowly around the track were my motivation to keep going.

C • nice job 2

Lane 6 lap after first running part in 358, and after second running part in 402, then .48 mile home in 710.

Felt pretty good tonight.

Tomorrow, I hope to ride to work, and also do a little longer ride after work.
Friday, I am taking a 4-5 hour private kayak lesson.
Saturday is QOC evening O and social. Maybe an hour or two of riding in the morning.
Will try to run again Sunday before having to time the bike race.

C • Kayak lesson 2

I am obsessing. I can't find my checkbook. Last seen end of May, the best I can recall.

Long nap after work two days in a row. Tomorrow, a workout of some sort.