Training Log Archive: bl

SS moonlight walk in Nottingcook to Great Hill & spur & back from S. Bow Rd. kiosk. Very quiet, calm. Bright moonlight, stars too. Met one other couple.

Skate at TRT around 2:40 & short on time. Another perfect day: 25F, cloudless, calm. Good glide again as expected. Another surprise meeting with Udo! Had to hurry off to Tire Warehouse for 2 new rear tires, appt 3:30. Leaving that, I passed the car wash place and a light bulb went on: free wash on birthday and/or complete ticket. Did I have that old ticket or was it in the other car? Departed about 10’ later with a shiny, “new” car, a nice present. 30'

Stopped at BHS on way home. It's school vacation so the place was empty. Around 5:15, sun was setting over frozen Tiree. Old groomed (several days) w/o a single ski track marring. It was slow - I’d thought it would have been better. Skied also on part that SMs had just used and that was fine. 20'

Went to White Farm for a return-to-skate ski experience. Noted I had the wrong skis (both gray, hadn't looked carefully enough) so it proved a blend.
The conditions were excellent, the track freshly groomed, temp in mid20s. The groomer passed, stopped & we got to talking. I've met Frank Muller before. He was wearing a birkie cap & turned out that he & his wife both raced last week in WI so we had some fun talking due to my various vicarious experiences, incl having seen the 20' race video. It was his third time, maybe his wife's too. He was 3:55ish, in his mid-60s I'm guessing.

Trophic weights. Did 2/3rds of the first workout, comparing/quantifying being quite nice. Not up to skiing. Sat on the second deck of the pool after, was going to read a magazine article in the sauna-like conditions but the screaming & shouting of youngsters having fun was too loud/shrill. Had a similar experience at the 2011 O Ringen. Must be fairly routine at elementary schools. Kids playing are a force to be reckoned with.

Two days so far of "down & out". Came down with an apparent virus, noted Sunday am when I could barely get out of bed. Spent the day there, the best day in February so far (warm, sunny). Odd to watch the shadows grow longer, the light finally fade and then black outside the windows. Can't recall when that last might have happened. Maybe not since adolescence.

Then, in looking for some ski boots Saturday pm, heading toward the garage, in plastic, inside-the-house shoes, I'd taken two steps onto the front walk consisting of hard-packed snow. Fell to the left & buried my left arm in the snow. Got up, and in two more steps, the feet flew out under me, landing square on buttocks, shoulder blades and back of head. No stars but a transient head achy feeling. This lumbago became noticeable Sunday morning. I still have a head achy feeling but think that's from the virus. A cough produces it as well (and less so just by moving the eyes).

This morning the energy felt a bit better but the lumbago had defined itself. I went to work which proved a stress test of sorts. A raspy voice and a decided slouch turned me around after a few hours. Came home & napped some. The fact that I'm out of bed looking at AP & writing this is encouraging though.