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Training Log Archive: Swampfox

In the 31 days ending Mar 31, 2008:

activity # timemileskm+m
  skiing30 45:54:00
  biking24 30:58:00
  run17 14:58:00
  Orienteering1 1:47:00
  Yowsa!!!1 1
  Total31 93:37:01

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Monday Mar 31, 2008 #

skiing 2:01:00 [3]

It snowed overnight, which was cool. And it was sunny for a while this morning, which was cool. Then things clouded over and we had a couple of decent hours of snow around noon, which was cool. Then the sun came out again, and that was cool, too. So, I thought: "Cool!" and went out to ski. Holy bajeezuz--it was like the mother of all windstorms pounding over the hills, and worse than the North Ridge of Everest in the parking lot. There were tons of cars there, but, strangely, not a soul was in sight. Once I got in the trees, I found out why: everyone was huddled there, trying to get protection from the wind, and they were going to wait until the wind died back a little before venturing out in the Dead Zone (aka The Parking Lot.) I told them: "You fools, this wind will never die." And I was right!

It isn't usually this brutal, but then it usually isn't the last day of March in Laramie either.

Skiing was great though, once you got back into the trail net. ; )

Large portions of I-80 through the state were closed through the day because of the snow/high wind combi. Lots of wrecks. Laramie was stuffed with semi rigs waiting for the roads to open up again.

biking 1:03:00 [2]

Sunday Mar 30, 2008 #

biking 1:06:00 [2]

Saturday Mar 29, 2008 #

skiing 1:01:00 [2]

run 1:06:00 [2]

No oom-pa-pa in my step today nor any while skiing, so I must be running a little ragged.

Friday Mar 28, 2008 #

biking 27:00 [3]

skiing 1:40:00 [3]

The plan was good: go skiing, come back home, eat pizza and watch Davidson-Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the plan was overwhelmed by operational difficulties the moment poles were attached to wrists: the skiiing was too good. That in turn meant it was impossible to leave until it was already under 10 minutes to go in the second half.

But, exhibiting considerable foresight, a backup plan had been prepared for this very contigency, which was to ski, come back home, and watch Kansas-Villanova. Possibly even Spike would have approved.

Naturally, this being late March, it snowed a little while I was out. So fine!

biking 1:02:00 [2]

Thursday Mar 27, 2008 #

Note

The planned Corner Streamer Setting Ceremony had to be cancelled today due to high winds and heavy snows--in general, a return of winter. There was debate as to whether the ceremony should be cancelled or merely postponed. Consensus developed in favor of outright cancellation as meek suggestions that this was merely a temporary return of winter were overwhelmed by forceful arguments that it was instead more likely to prove to be the onset of next winter.

skiing 1:42:00 [2]

5" of new snow, pretty dry, and just groomed. Super!

biking 1:12:00 [2]

A couple of days ago I heard a song on the radio that I hadn't heard in ages, hearing it right before I was heading out to run. It was a pure power pop number, early 70's vintage, and for all I can remember, it was probably nearly that long ago when I heard it last.

Unfortunately, it's been stuck in my brain ever since, and I have no idea when it might get unstuck. It's in there, and it won't come out. When that happens, all you can really do is give in and enjoy it! I found a decent version of it tonight to help reinforce the sensation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1WUVgicnfY&feature...

Wednesday Mar 26, 2008 #

skiing 1:03:00 [3]

I don't know too much about what real skiers might like, but I have always loved skiing in the slush in springtime! And that's exactly what it was like today. Snow coverage on the trails remains really, really good. It would probably take a few scorchers at least to put a serious crimp on the trails.

Orienteering 1:47:00 [4]

First orienteering of the year here at home. Even though the prairies are mostly clear, in any of the sheltered areas or forested areas the snow is the deepest I can recall seeing it. That made for an interval like effect: very fast running where there was no snow, and extremely slow post-holing where there was snow.

Many, many moose tracks, but a curious lack of any moosies themselves.

biking 57:00 [2]

Snowing outside, sweating inside.

Tuesday Mar 25, 2008 #

skiing 52:00 [3]

run 1:10:00 [2]

Ran out in terrain until dark; still plenty of snow on our lower maps, but there was plenty of melting going on today, too. And fierce mid-day winds eased off so that by the time I was out, it was virtually calm. : )

biking 1:09:00 [2]

Monday Mar 24, 2008 #

skiing 46:00 [3]

Spring!

biking 48:00 [3]

Rat windy.

run 1:21:00 [3]

In snow on trails. Pretty slow.

biking 43:00 [2]

Sunday Mar 23, 2008 #

biking 33:00 [3]

skiing 1:03:00 [3]

Probably it helped having a cold start to the morning to keep the sun from getting at the snow too much today, and conditions were fine for the most part, with only a few well glazed areas at the end of the day. Tomorrow might be another story though, because the rumor is that a fine spring day awaits!

run 39:00 [3]

biking 1:02:00 [2]

Saturday Mar 22, 2008 #

Note

Elvis Peepsley? I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own peepers. Peep-peep--mmm--peep--peep--Yeah! Baby you can peep my car!

run 48:00 [3]

In snow, on trails.

skiing 2:18:00 [3]

Intermittent light snow showers during the day left about 1" of new snow on the trails; very nice skiing. Still winter; not sure where spring might be hiding out.

Friday Mar 21, 2008 #

skiing 1:36:00 [3]

More winter, more winds.

run 47:00 [3]

On trails, in snow.

biking 1:29:00 [2]

Thursday Mar 20, 2008 #

biking 28:00 [3]

Windy, but objectively it wasn't quite up to full hurricane strength, and so it was just an average afternoon in the Laramie Valley.

skiing 1:27:00 [3]

biking 1:00:00 [2]

Wednesday Mar 19, 2008 #

run 1:12:00 [3]

Saw two flies outside today, which is a sure sign of spring (had it been only one fly, that would have been a nuetral reading). Plus, the covers came off the greens today on the nearby rogaining course. Spring must be closing in fast.

Note

I know there were some fears expressed on AP that the Pig wouldn't be properly muddy, but the floods coursing through SW Ohio and even St. Louis! should be enough to assure the conditions will be as ripe as ever.

skiing 1:14:00 [3]

For the first time all season, I felt fairly tired while I was skiing, and felt that way right from the get go. It could be that it's been a long week already--and it's only Wednesday. Or it could have been that I was depleted from hearing the Prez's sunny reassurances about what great decisions he had made to attack Iraq, and how swimmingly everything is going there now. Given the Prez's longstanding and near perfect record as a contra-indicator, that reassurance was particularly hard on the body. And it follows right on his enlightened and informed comments about the economy last week, and how they've got it all under control. Given the terrific job he's been doing, it's just so unfair that he can't serve a third term!

biking 1:25:00 [2]

Tuesday Mar 18, 2008 #

run 47:00 [3]

Ran out on the North Prairie. West winter winds.

skiing 1:50:00 [3]

Superb conditions up at Happy Jack--great coverage, fresh grooming, easy mid-20s temps, fast snow, and just the right amounts of Wyoming fresh air. Was considering skiing less and running afterwards, but I met Ken and Carol as I was headed back, and ended up skiing with them until dusk. Flat out killer good.

biking 1:22:00 [2]

Monday Mar 17, 2008 #

skiing 1:40:00 [3]

Great skiing conditions--a little new snow overnight, moderate temps, perfect grip, and only a hint of a breeze. Plus the groomer was going round at the end!

Definitely winter today, and that goes along with winter yesterday too.

Note

I nearly forgot. It was the most incredible thing! There were 2 people out on the ski trails, and I'm almost positive they were gangstas! Gangstas! On the Happy Jack ski trails!

It was almost as good as seeing a living armadillo.

Sunday Mar 16, 2008 #

skiing 1:45:00 [3]

Skiing was so nice today with fresh snow, fresh grooming, and no wind that I needed no excuses to keep going until dark. But sometimes I do, and then I like to do things like come up with phony adages. It's good to keep in practice for those occasions where the skill might be needed, so today's effort resulted in: "The easier the sum is to do, the more likely the numbers were added up correctly." Must be March Madness! ; )

Came home to find out some Wall Streeter types were evidently fully occupied today, probably adding up lots and lots of sums (and subtracting some too, no doubt.)

run 31:00 [3]

A brief night run around the hood, as one noted APer might put it.

Saturday Mar 15, 2008 #

biking 1:25:00 [3]

Dropped off tax stuff--so fine to be done with that for another year!--and rode over to West Laramie, along the Greenway and back home.

skiing 1:28:00 [3]

There were about 2" of new snow from last night's snow. And almost no skiers. It probably helps that UW is now on Spring Break, even if I am not.

biking 1:25:00 [3]

After skiing, I headed further into the National Forest to a secret location to assess mapping feasibility. It may be the Ides of March, but snow depths were matter of factly stating the point that it is still too soon to get started. I did see a stunning bluebird though, so the tide may be turning spring soon.

After running, I returned home for some dinner.

After dinner, I stumbled across an archived NPR performance that REM gave this week in Austin, TX, which is my kind of town. A great show! From some of the comments, I gather that the present Administration is not exactly REM's kind of administration. For many years, REM has been my kind of band.

Friday Mar 14, 2008 #

biking 35:00 [3]

Springlike white, puffy clouds in the sky, borne on winterlike blow-'em-down winds.

skiing 1:52:00 [3]

Light snow during half the ski, and intensifying towards the end.

biking 1:39:00 [2]

Thursday Mar 13, 2008 #

run 50:00 [3]

Out in The Flats. The House Was a Rockin'.

biking 45:00 [3]

The west side of the valley was hidden behind clouds extending to the ground, hinting at snow, perhaps. After dropping off some tax stuff at the Post, I whooped it on back, feeling like a 2/3's liberated taxman. It's gonna be yee-haw time again soon! Really, taxes are the most fun thing you can do outside of bed.

The first headline I saw when I got home was: "Taxman Whoops It up, Lifts Five Elephants." Well, actually, not. Actually the headline was: "Foreclosures Filings Rise for 26th Month In Row." Even in Arizona, that would be a lot of months in a row. Some people have suggested that is even higher than the Pres can count, but I don't know about that.

skiing 1:17:00 [3]

Some of last night's grooming held up and didn't melt and then re-freeze, so skiing today was much improved over yesterday. New snow may be headed this way...or not.

Wednesday Mar 12, 2008 #

skiing 1:03:00 [3]

The wind engines started cranking up last night and showed no signs of respite during the day. If anything, by late afternoon it was windier than West Texas, with the main difference being that the winds were stronger here, while down there they have more armadillos lining the roads.

That meant biking was not on.

This time of year, if you go up skiing in the morning you can usually count on nicely groomed snow. If you go out at mid-day and the sun is out, you can count on softening snow and maybe even some ski babes if the conditions are extra fine, and snowsnake worries are negligible. But if you shape your day up poorly and don't post your skis up until late afternoon, then you are going to spend your time skittering across the frozen ruts like a jungle spider, with not the slightest chance of ever getting a pole plant.

And that's the way it was: the winds were howling, the ski were clattering, and the ski poles would have been more useful for a shishkabob.

run 1:03:00 [3]

Ran some deeply snowed in trails at Happy Jack after skiing to see how things stood. And the way things stood was: deep and snowy! ; ) Nice opportunities for postholing too, in snow accumulation zones below most any rim. Lotta snow lotta snow.

biking 36:00 [2]

Tuesday Mar 11, 2008 #

run 32:00 [3]

Full sunshine, light breeze up from the south, no gloves needed even at the 10 o-clock hour; the mercy rule was invoked and Spring notches another victory.

While I was out, I thought a little about the news out from last night. Just like Kansas fans take comfort from the idea that "my coach can eat your coach" (and, really, he could), New Yorkers are no doubt comforted and relieved in knowing that at least their governor doesn't consort with low class prostitutes.

skiing 1:04:00 [3]

It was like, yeah, totally Spring skiing, you know? Awesome at mid-day!

biking 1:08:00 [3]

Rode south of town. It was pretty fine, and became progressively chillier as a big ole cloud snuck up and got between the sun and me. It looks like work is starting up again at a new development for the horsy crowd, entitled "The Paddocks". It looks like it will be opulent and will probably be just the kind of thing that applied mathematicians will find irresistable.

Monday Mar 10, 2008 #

biking 48:00 [3]

In the final analysis, today gets marked down as a victory for Spring, and a loss for Winter. The presence of lacrosse and rugby squads out for the first day of practice on the green fields (well, actually they're still quite brown for the time being) of strife tilted the edge over to Spring.

skiing 1:18:00 [3]

Conditions on the trails were a mix of winter and spring, depending on the exposure to the sun. Lots of folks were out, enjoying the later afternoon punted up by the time change. Plus, it was a nice afternoon no matter how you looked at it. Large parts of the parking lot that had been buried by massive, advancing snowdrifts had been cleared, and made usable again. Off in the distance in the Twin Mountains, you could almost hear the snowsnakes starting to dig their summer hibernation tunnels.

biking 1:07:00 [2]

Sunday Mar 9, 2008 #

skiing 1:50:00 [3]

run 1:18:00 [2]

Saturday Mar 8, 2008 #

Note

I forgot to mention that the day after the sub-morons finally freed their stuck vehicle up near Tie City, they returned in force and began shooting apart the offending snowdrift. Oh yes! This is no joke--they really did!

The sub-moron is easily amused, and even more easily angered, and they do not show any mercy towards snowdrifts, and that's for sure.

biking 35:00 [3]

After a few minutes out, I knew enough to know that biking wasn't the best idea after all. Heading south was tolerable to almost pleasant, but I wasn't planning on biking down to Denver. East and West were raw to borderline. North was frigid, like the neophyte about to step foot in the nunnery for good. All thanks to an insidious north wind with heavy refrigerations from snow and ice lying on the ground in too liberal amounts. Brrrrrrrrr!

Notch another victory to Winter.

And to Obama.

skiing 2:19:00 [3]

Did as much climbing as I could, because climbing is the best part of skiing up.

Friday Mar 7, 2008 #

Note

Barack Obama is coming to Laramie today. I think he is coming for a campaign rally rather than to check out terrain for Laramie Daze this summer, but I might have it wrong.

I'd be interested in seeing him, but I'm not so interested in standing in line 2-3 hours to do so, so I will probably go skiing instead.

run 35:00 [3]

Ooops--I goofed. I ran through the new Convention shopping area again, and saw that the first store open is Jimmy Johns, and not Jimmy Deans. So, scratch the West Australian cuisine, forget about a dish of succulent, writhing King Brown. Instead, it's a sandwich shop.

biking 28:00 [3]

A little too chilly to be out biking by mid-afternoon for the way I was dressed, but sometimes you just gotta HTFU. The crowds are already gathering outside the UW Arena-Auditorium...

I'm calling this day for Winter, too. Winter is racking up an impressive string of March wins!

skiing 1:24:00 [3]

Very nice conditions again!

biking 1:07:00 [2]

Thursday Mar 6, 2008 #

skiing 1:56:00 [3]

Went up to Happy Jack in the late afternoon, and skied until well past nightfall. It looked like it had snowed several inches up there (but not in town) overnight, and the conditions were again completely outstanding. Despite that, I only saw one other skier the whole time I was out!

It was again a relatively chilly day up there for the time of the year, in the teens. It definitely goes down as another checkmark in the winter column. Really nice skiing, and the snow total just keeps growing! Maybe spring will start putting in an appearance next week, since it is obviously passing on this week?

biking 1:00:00 [2]

Wednesday Mar 5, 2008 #

run 40:00 [3]

Ran out in The Flats, with sun in my face when I ran south, and a chill north wind in my face when I headed the other way. When I ran east or west, I saw people tracks, dawg tracks, one set of mountain bike tracks, and, a little surprisingly, almost no javelina tracks.

I will grade this out as more a winter flavored run than an early spring flavored one, though the sighting of even a single robin might have turned the tide the other way.

skiing 1:47:00 [3]

Skiing was great, a full-on winter day with teenish temps and so much new snow that all the garbage cans and most of the picnic tables have vanished. There could well be some vehicles in the parking lot under some of the bigger drifts, for all anyone knows.

While I was out, I spotted a very large bird and my first thought was that I had made an exceptionally rare (rare for around Laramie anyway) sighting of the incredible African Hawk Eagle, which is able to gobble down an entire antelope while in mid-flight. That's hooves and everything. Pretty impressive, especially considering I can't even eat a banana before a race.

But when I got back home and consulted my bird books, in the end I was forced to conclude that more likely it was just a crow. But some of them are really big!

Tuesday Mar 4, 2008 #

skiing 1:40:00 [3]

Though it was dry down on town when I went up to the trails, up top it was snowing very lightly. It snowed with increasing intensity while I was out so that by the time I was finishing up, it had just about become a very fashionable March blizzard. But back down in the valley, there was just the most occasional of snowflakes.

It was a better day for skiing than running, not only because the trails conditions were just about over the tip, but because it was overcast and really windy all day long, and it would have been rather raw running.

biking 42:00 [2]

Monday Mar 3, 2008 #

run 48:00 [3]

I ran out across The Flats, over by the Wind Generation facility (do we really need more wind?), and through the Convention Center complex before returning home. The first new retail shop over there is now open: Jimmy Deans, which is a restaurant type of place, supposedly featuring West Australian cuisine. I can't tell if that's supposed to be a joke or if it's for real. WTH ever heard of West Australian cuisine??? But if it's for real, then I expect they will surely have some fine barbecued King Brown, and I for one will look forward to that first bite of some sumptious snake. Not because I think I will like (seems highly doubtful) but because then I can tell Jason "Snakeman" Poole all about it!

During the run I thought a little back to last March. I was just starting to run again, after taking the winter mostly off to rest my hip. I'm not in great running shape today, but I'm heads and tails above where I was this time last year! That was worth a smile. ; )

skiing 1:50:00 [3]

Enough snow was blowing over the Happy Jack Road--and melting and re-freezing on the road--that the way in to the the parking lot lacked little for treacherousness. It was worth it though, because the trails were just terrific. Best March conditions ever? Have to enjoy it while it lasts, because this is the time of the year when the weather gets so fickle. Skied until dark, and then past that.

Very luckily, a snowplow was clearing out the parking lot entrance just as I was finishing up, otherwise getting through the drifts could have been interesting.

Sunday Mar 2, 2008 #

Yowsa!!! 1 [3]

Nothing like a little Yowsa!!! to get March off on the right foot.

skiing 2:07:00 [3]

There was a whole bunch of new snow up at Happy Jack, and the snow levels there are the deepest I can remember for early March. The trails had been groomed this morning, but since it snowed most of the day (and some while I was out too, stopping only at dusk) the trails were soft and deep. Despite all the new snow, few skiers were out today. It makes me wonder if spring break might have started, though it seems a bit early for that. Maybe it's pre-break spring break or something like that.

Across the way from the parking lot, there was a whole confliction of sub-morons trying to extricate a vehicle heavily morassed in a massive snowdrift. It had been out there yesterday too, and a smaller group had been (obviously) unsuccessful. Usually if they can't get it out after a day or two, they will go up and just shoot it apart, in part for sport, and in part out of concerned environmental awareness.

biking 41:00 [2]

Saturday Mar 1, 2008 #

biking 1:11:00 [3]

Road debut for the year. Really mild out, and windy, too. How windy? Enough.

skiing 1:01:00 [3]

Soft snow, spring conditions, few skiers out in the late afternoon. Maybe the ski crowd stayed home to cheer the Cowboys on in a successful effort against Utah?

run 51:00 [3]

Lots of sub-morons were zooming around up in the hills, identifiable by style of driving, velocity, time of day, and vehicle type. I think today they were concentrating their efforts on road sign destruction, a perpetual favored sub-moron activity. At least one sub-moron was less successful, as evidenced by two tow trucks exiting the forest together, with the sub-moron vehicle borne on the flat bed of one of the tow trucks.

Quite a fine day for the trifecta. Colder weather and maybe some snow is on the way in now, so tomorrow will be, at the least, different.

Note

The week isn't over yet, but I am tempted to declare an early winner for "Best Thing of the Week", which would be a new single from none other than, omg, the B-52s. Wow! It looks like a new album is on the way, not quite 19 years after the incredible "Cosmic Thing". I'd let those B-52 girls sing my boat any day they wanted!

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