Training Log Archive: PGIn the 31 days ending Dec 31, 2012:
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Monday Dec 31, 2012 #
11 AM
road running 46:49 5.47 mi (8:34 / mi) +466ft 7:55 / mi
ahr:141 max:157 shoes: mizuno
In Mohawk SF in northwest Connecticut. It wasn't clear from anything I could find on the web whether there would have been any plowing or enough traffic to pack things down. But it's not far from Litchfield so I thought I'd have a look.
Turned out they plow the main road through the forest, and there was no or minimal traffic on any of the other trails, so main road it was. Mostly wet pavement, although the traction was pretty good even where it was icy or slushy.
Ran up to the tower and back. Rather pleasant, mid-20s and a little wind, but I've adjusted enough so such conditions are fine. Now if the legs could just adjust to running uphill, but I think that's too much to hope for.
Listened to The Moth "radio hour" which seemed to take a little less than 50 minutes, or just perfect for my run. Three fine stories, had me hooked the whole time.
And then after I was done, drove around the corner to have a look at the Mohawk Mt. ski area, where I learned to ski at about age 4 or 5. I don't remember much of the skiing there, but the memory of the rope tows came right back.
Took three of them to go from bottom to top, and they were quite a challenge for someone who weighed maybe 40 pounds. First problem was right at the start, which was flat for maybe 10 or 20 yards where you grabbed on, and then headed up. But there was enough tension in the rope so it took the direct route. No big deal for a normal person, strong enough and tall enough to deal with it, but for me, well, quite the challenge, grab the rope, hang on, go airborne, cool if when you touched down your skis were still pointing uphill. Otherwise bail out, try again.
And the rest of the way, if I wasn't close behind the person in front of me, then the rope would be running right on the ground, and then you not only had to hang on but also hold it up.
Never really mastered it. By the time I was big enough we had moved on to bigger hills. But one of those somewhat traumatic things in the past that, until today, I had quite happily forgotten. :-)
Turned out they plow the main road through the forest, and there was no or minimal traffic on any of the other trails, so main road it was. Mostly wet pavement, although the traction was pretty good even where it was icy or slushy.
Ran up to the tower and back. Rather pleasant, mid-20s and a little wind, but I've adjusted enough so such conditions are fine. Now if the legs could just adjust to running uphill, but I think that's too much to hope for.
Listened to The Moth "radio hour" which seemed to take a little less than 50 minutes, or just perfect for my run. Three fine stories, had me hooked the whole time.
And then after I was done, drove around the corner to have a look at the Mohawk Mt. ski area, where I learned to ski at about age 4 or 5. I don't remember much of the skiing there, but the memory of the rope tows came right back.
Took three of them to go from bottom to top, and they were quite a challenge for someone who weighed maybe 40 pounds. First problem was right at the start, which was flat for maybe 10 or 20 yards where you grabbed on, and then headed up. But there was enough tension in the rope so it took the direct route. No big deal for a normal person, strong enough and tall enough to deal with it, but for me, well, quite the challenge, grab the rope, hang on, go airborne, cool if when you touched down your skis were still pointing uphill. Otherwise bail out, try again.
And the rest of the way, if I wasn't close behind the person in front of me, then the rope would be running right on the ground, and then you not only had to hang on but also hold it up.
Never really mastered it. By the time I was big enough we had moved on to bigger hills. But one of those somewhat traumatic things in the past that, until today, I had quite happily forgotten. :-)
C • rope tow 10
Sunday Dec 30, 2012 #
10 AM
road running 37:10 4.35 mi (8:32 / mi) +256ft 8:05 / mi
ahr:138 max:157 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
Old Amherst Rd - Silver Lane. Roads were bare, sidewalks packed snow but good traction for the most part. Cool (25F) and windy (15-20 mph), but I was dressed about right and quite comfortable. Good to know, because the cold weather (and therefore the snow) is supposed to stay around for a while.
Saturday Dec 29, 2012 #
9 AM
road running 14:36 1.58 mi (9:14 / mi) +82ft 8:48 / mi
ahr:130 max:146 shoes: mizuno
Back to Forest Park, this time for the 10K. Better conditions than expected, almost all bare pavement, little bit of ice made almost no difference, upper 20s, no wind. Clown pants and two LS shirts, felt about right.
A slightly shorter warm-up than usual, but good enough.
Saw George and Lynn, she running, he not. Though she was also dealling with a slightly sore calf/Achilles and bagged it at 4 miles.
A slightly shorter warm-up than usual, but good enough.
Saw George and Lynn, she running, he not. Though she was also dealling with a slightly sore calf/Achilles and bagged it at 4 miles.
road running race 47:43 6.21 mi (7:41 / mi) +230ft 7:25 / mi
ahr:158 max:165 shoes: mizuno
Usual hard effort. Tried to be sensible the first mile up the hill, which meant that I only went a little too fast and not a lot too fast. But still was slowly fading as the miles went by, fifth was a struggle as it usually is, whereas sixth has a nice downhill in the middle to help keep up morale.
Expected 49, but that was assuming some areas of poor traction. Based on last week's 5K, using the formula of add a minute and double which has been pretty accurate in the past, that predicted 47:56, and so 47:43 is fine. And not quite my worst ever.... :-)
These are good workouts.
Expected 49, but that was assuming some areas of poor traction. Based on last week's 5K, using the formula of add a minute and double which has been pretty accurate in the past, that predicted 47:56, and so 47:43 is fine. And not quite my worst ever.... :-)
These are good workouts.
road running 3:09 0.28 mi (11:14 / mi) +66ft 9:12 / mi
ahr:132 max:139 shoes: mizuno
A little bit back up the hill to the car, getting cold. But no immediate leg aches. I think it helps in that regard that I'm running in heavy shoes.
Friday Dec 28, 2012 #
Note
Went and made a pitch at Amherst College to see if we can use the parking at the bunker for the Billygoat. Would make things a lot more convenient. Not sure if they'll buy it or not, but worth making the effort.
Note
It's been both interesting and exciting to see the stuff being done and planned for the juniors with Erin Shirm as a full-time paid coach and a lot of support from others, especially Barb Bryant and Guy Olsen. So nice to see things actually getting done, instead of just a lot of talk and wishful thinking about what might be done.
Here's Barb's weekly report, just to give you an idea of stuff going on. Very cool. I've been waiting a long time for something like this to happen.
One thing that anyone can do is help support the juniors financially. Still time to do it this year, and then plenty of time to do it (again) next year do. Just go here.
Here's Barb's weekly report, just to give you an idea of stuff going on. Very cool. I've been waiting a long time for something like this to happen.
One thing that anyone can do is help support the juniors financially. Still time to do it this year, and then plenty of time to do it (again) next year do. Just go here.
2 PM
road running 32:58 3.76 mi (8:46 / mi) +387ft 7:59 / mi
ahr:138 max:151 weight:143lbs shoes: mizuno
Just a short run to get some fresh air.
A couple of Fresh Air interviews, one with Joan Rivers (she is quite something), the other with Aaron Sorkin, guy behind West Wing (always enjoyed that, wonder why there are no reruns?).
He did a new show last summer on HBO, The Newsroom, didn't see it at the time, but got some deal recently to watch HBO and could watch all the episodes, they just made ten the first season. Very enjoyable, unless I suppose if your politics are in the direction of the Tea Party.
Maybe the 10K at Forest Park tomorrow, just for a good workout as I assume the traction won't be great.
A couple of Fresh Air interviews, one with Joan Rivers (she is quite something), the other with Aaron Sorkin, guy behind West Wing (always enjoyed that, wonder why there are no reruns?).
He did a new show last summer on HBO, The Newsroom, didn't see it at the time, but got some deal recently to watch HBO and could watch all the episodes, they just made ten the first season. Very enjoyable, unless I suppose if your politics are in the direction of the Tea Party.
Maybe the 10K at Forest Park tomorrow, just for a good workout as I assume the traction won't be great.
Thursday Dec 27, 2012 #
Note
About 6 or 7 inches of the white stuff (and no rain yet), should be a lot more in the north country. Managed to shovel the deck, will have to see if it did bad things to my shoulders. At least I've been working on them a lot, pretty sure a couple of weeks ago I couldn't have shoveled at all.
A month ago I couldn't get a jacket on without help so there is definitely progress.
A month ago I couldn't get a jacket on without help so there is definitely progress.
2 PM
road running 35:04 3.93 mi (8:56 / mi) +210ft 8:30 / mi
ahr:136 max:146 weight:143lbs shoes: Brooks something-or-others
Side streets and sidewalks in Greenfield, mix of packed snow and slop but actually rather pleasant as almost no traffic and the traction was sufficient. I'd toyed with the idea of running on the treadmill, but it was much more pleasant being outside, and the time goes by quicker too.
Listened to three stories from The Moth. This one was especially fine.
Listened to three stories from The Moth. This one was especially fine.
Wednesday Dec 26, 2012 #
1 PM
trail running 41:57 4.03 mi (10:25 / mi) +774ft 8:49 / mi
ahr:141 max:159 weight:143lbs shoes: Brooks something-or-others
At Earl's Trails, needed to fieldcheck a point for the Billygoat that I had changed and figured I better get it done before the snow (or sleet or freezing rain) started to pile up. Nice conditions, at most an inch of snow and pretty good traction. And some mountain bike tracks of people which looked like they knew what they were doing.
Tuesday Dec 25, 2012 #
3 PM
road running 36:31 4.36 mi (8:23 / mi) +79ft 8:14 / mi
ahr:142 max:153 weight:143lbs shoes: mizuno
Roads in town. Not too zippy, eating too many sweets.
Monday Dec 24, 2012 #
Note
Listened to a Freakonomics show about gift giving, partly about the economics of it, in which regard it is a pretty inefficient operation. And partly about the psychology of it, in which case it can be a bit of a minefield. Best gifts I heard were --
(1) after husband gave wife a high-end video recorder, really a gift intended more for himself than her, at the next gift-giving occasion, she gave him a dress.
(2) husband had from time to time over the years given wife jewelry, with one of the favorites, costing quite a few hundreds of dollars, being a pair of diamond stud earrings. Much appreciated by the wife, but also usually lost after not so many wearings, much to her dismay. So the next time the gift was 10 pair of fake diamond stud earrings, looked like the real thing, cost was $2.99 a pair, or $29.99 for the whole lot. Wife was actually really pleased, no more stress if she lost one.
Gail and I have been on a "no gifts" program for decades, similar situation with my family. But that doesn't mean I have escaped the whole process, because there is a new class of people in my life the last couple of years -- employees.
Now on the Freako show the gift of cash (or gift cards) was panned, but to me it seems a lot better than something edible or drinkable, even if it is home baked or home brewed. So Xmas bonuses to all, equivalent to about 3 weeks pay (not sure how I came up with that number). Which, despite what Freako says, seemed to have been much appreciated. The only downside being that there have now been gifts back in my direction.
All edible or drinkable, and look tasty, all also not really a part of a USDA recommended diet. And knowing me, all unfortunately will be consumed. But if the old mantra is to be believed, that it's the thought that counts, then I can't really object. Though the best gift of all was the one woman who just simply and sincerely said Thank you.
(1) after husband gave wife a high-end video recorder, really a gift intended more for himself than her, at the next gift-giving occasion, she gave him a dress.
(2) husband had from time to time over the years given wife jewelry, with one of the favorites, costing quite a few hundreds of dollars, being a pair of diamond stud earrings. Much appreciated by the wife, but also usually lost after not so many wearings, much to her dismay. So the next time the gift was 10 pair of fake diamond stud earrings, looked like the real thing, cost was $2.99 a pair, or $29.99 for the whole lot. Wife was actually really pleased, no more stress if she lost one.
Gail and I have been on a "no gifts" program for decades, similar situation with my family. But that doesn't mean I have escaped the whole process, because there is a new class of people in my life the last couple of years -- employees.
Now on the Freako show the gift of cash (or gift cards) was panned, but to me it seems a lot better than something edible or drinkable, even if it is home baked or home brewed. So Xmas bonuses to all, equivalent to about 3 weeks pay (not sure how I came up with that number). Which, despite what Freako says, seemed to have been much appreciated. The only downside being that there have now been gifts back in my direction.
All edible or drinkable, and look tasty, all also not really a part of a USDA recommended diet. And knowing me, all unfortunately will be consumed. But if the old mantra is to be believed, that it's the thought that counts, then I can't really object. Though the best gift of all was the one woman who just simply and sincerely said Thank you.
11 AM
trail running 38:53 3.72 mi (10:27 / mi) +226ft 9:53 / mi
ahr:133 max:148 shoes: mizuno
I wanted to explore some of the bike trails NE of Sessions Woods, but forgot to print out a copy of the map. I'd also figured I'd park on the north side of Sessions, despite reading something on the web from maybe 3 years ago about the water company posting that area and towing cars. But when I got there, there were lots of big "No Parking" signs, and lots and lots of smaller "No Trespassing" signs. So off to park at the main lot at Sessions. I did notice a nice-looking blue-blazed trail crossing the road and heading NE, so figured I should explore that.
Crossed the road, the trail headed into the woods, and once again, a lot of "No Trespassing" signs put up by the water company. But also, the blue blazes on the trees were very freshly painted, certainly looked like that had been done more recently than the NT signs. So the message I chose to take from that, rightly or wrongly, was it is OK to use the trail.
Pleasant enough run. Explored a few trails. One was my original trail, quit it after it looked to be heading up a very steep hill and back towards civilization. Next was a rather faint trail, quit it when it ended at a hunting stand, where, having been watching my footing carefully until then, I looked up, wondering if there was going to be a bow hunter staring back down at me. Fortunately no.
The third was a nice bike trail, quit it when more NT signs appeared. The fourth was a fainter bike trail, quit it when it petered out. The fifth was a nice bike trail, quit it when it petered out. And by then I had put in enough time, and I headed back to the car. And actually a little pleased with myself for having been quite careful to observe all the turns and junctions and therefore able to find my way back.
Legs were a little sore and tired after the last couple of days, and 40 minutes was more than enough.
Crossed the road, the trail headed into the woods, and once again, a lot of "No Trespassing" signs put up by the water company. But also, the blue blazes on the trees were very freshly painted, certainly looked like that had been done more recently than the NT signs. So the message I chose to take from that, rightly or wrongly, was it is OK to use the trail.
Pleasant enough run. Explored a few trails. One was my original trail, quit it after it looked to be heading up a very steep hill and back towards civilization. Next was a rather faint trail, quit it when it ended at a hunting stand, where, having been watching my footing carefully until then, I looked up, wondering if there was going to be a bow hunter staring back down at me. Fortunately no.
The third was a nice bike trail, quit it when more NT signs appeared. The fourth was a fainter bike trail, quit it when it petered out. The fifth was a nice bike trail, quit it when it petered out. And by then I had put in enough time, and I headed back to the car. And actually a little pleased with myself for having been quite careful to observe all the turns and junctions and therefore able to find my way back.
Legs were a little sore and tired after the last couple of days, and 40 minutes was more than enough.
Sunday Dec 23, 2012 #
10 AM
trail running 1:13:30 8.0 mi (9:11 / mi) +322ft 8:51 / mi
ahr:136 max:157 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
Phil wanted to go to Chesterfield Gorge, and that seemed like a good thing to do if for no other reason than I had never been there before, so off we went. The whole route (one way) is about 8 miles.
Option 1 would have been to the whole thing, out and back style, 16 in all, but we are way too old for that. Option 2 would have been to spot a car at each end and run 8 miles, but that seemed complicated. So we did option 3, park at the north end, run down a ways, turn around and run back.
Very pleasant. A little ice and a few wet spots but all avoidable. Feeling yesterday's effort a little, but most importantly, seemed to be feeling slightly more energetic than Phil. :-)
Relaxed pace the whole way, except the last mile when I seemed to find it necessary to pick up the pace on a slightly uphill section. Thought I had outgrown such stuff.
Option 1 would have been to the whole thing, out and back style, 16 in all, but we are way too old for that. Option 2 would have been to spot a car at each end and run 8 miles, but that seemed complicated. So we did option 3, park at the north end, run down a ways, turn around and run back.
Very pleasant. A little ice and a few wet spots but all avoidable. Feeling yesterday's effort a little, but most importantly, seemed to be feeling slightly more energetic than Phil. :-)
Relaxed pace the whole way, except the last mile when I seemed to find it necessary to pick up the pace on a slightly uphill section. Thought I had outgrown such stuff.
Saturday Dec 22, 2012 #
9 AM
road running 18:55 2.06 mi (9:11 / mi) +105ft 8:46 / mi
ahr:131 max:153 shoes: mizuno
What has become the usual warm-up at Forest Park, a couple miles including a couple of faster bits. Legs felt neither great nor awful.
road running race 22:58 3.12 mi (7:22 / mi) +112ft 7:07 / mi
ahr:161 max:168 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
5K race. Not so bad. Thought I would be more like 23:30. Ran a pretty hard effort, max heart rate is 170-172 these days and I was about 161 for the first half and 165 for the last half. So threshold pace is someplace between the two.
Splits: 7:34 (uphill at start), 7:25, 7:03 (one downhill section), 0:56. Though in the interest of historical consistency, I really should take the splits at fixed points so the distances are the same each time, rather than counting on the Garmin to measure a mile accurately. Witness Phil's first mile split being 10 seconds faster than mine, even though I was 10 yards ahead of him.
Nice trip down with Phil. Pretty surely wouldn't have gone if he hadn't suggested it. And now the run for the day is done. :-)
Age-68 record is 22:17. Having a go at that will take good fortune on a number of fronts -- weather and road conditions, training, and dropping a few pounds. Last year I was in the same situation, and my time dropped from 22:15 to 21:05 over the course of 6 weeks. But I'd guess the odds are against it. The bigger question is if I even try.
Splits: 7:34 (uphill at start), 7:25, 7:03 (one downhill section), 0:56. Though in the interest of historical consistency, I really should take the splits at fixed points so the distances are the same each time, rather than counting on the Garmin to measure a mile accurately. Witness Phil's first mile split being 10 seconds faster than mine, even though I was 10 yards ahead of him.
Nice trip down with Phil. Pretty surely wouldn't have gone if he hadn't suggested it. And now the run for the day is done. :-)
Age-68 record is 22:17. Having a go at that will take good fortune on a number of fronts -- weather and road conditions, training, and dropping a few pounds. Last year I was in the same situation, and my time dropped from 22:15 to 21:05 over the course of 6 weeks. But I'd guess the odds are against it. The bigger question is if I even try.
road running 10:50 1.15 mi (9:25 / mi) +36ft 9:09 / mi
ahr:139 max:146 shoes: mizuno
And another 10 minutes afterwards with Phil. Feeling a little tired but not terrible.
Friday Dec 21, 2012 #
Note
Interesting how once again the folks in Washington are taking their sweet time figuring out what to do about the tax code. Regardless of what the final outcome is, they may already have delayed enough to create a big pain in the ass for those in my line of work come this winter, namely, that the IRS will say that it won't accept returns with various forms until well after the usual start of the filing season.
That's happened before. Several years ago you had to wait until mid-February to file certain kinds of returns, and I had a pile of maybe 100 returns just waiting for the OK to pull the trigger. Damn nuisance. But this year I hear it may be a good bit worse, not until (late) March in some cases.
And this isn't due to undecided stuff for 2013, but rather stuff still not decided for 2012. Unreal.
That's happened before. Several years ago you had to wait until mid-February to file certain kinds of returns, and I had a pile of maybe 100 returns just waiting for the OK to pull the trigger. Damn nuisance. But this year I hear it may be a good bit worse, not until (late) March in some cases.
And this isn't due to undecided stuff for 2013, but rather stuff still not decided for 2012. Unreal.
3 PM
treadmill 35:46
ahr:140 max:156 weight:141.5lbs shoes: Brooks something-or-others
Windy and rainy so went to the gym and got my winter membership and then to the treadmill, 4 miles, 9:53, 9:03, 8:40, 8:15. Better than nothing.
And then more gentle shoulder exercises. Been trying to do this for a while now. Right one is getting better, not that I feel like throwing a ball or something similar, but the range of motion is slowly improving and it hurts less. Left one, been bothering me for a year, also shows a little improvement.
Would be nice to be able to swing a golf club in the spring. That will require continued work, plus not falling down too often. At least the shoulders are better than a month ago so things are going (slowly) in the right direction.
And then more gentle shoulder exercises. Been trying to do this for a while now. Right one is getting better, not that I feel like throwing a ball or something similar, but the range of motion is slowly improving and it hurts less. Left one, been bothering me for a year, also shows a little improvement.
Would be nice to be able to swing a golf club in the spring. That will require continued work, plus not falling down too often. At least the shoulders are better than a month ago so things are going (slowly) in the right direction.
C • FP5k 5
Thursday Dec 20, 2012 #
2 PM
trail running 46:36 4.43 mi (10:31 / mi) +413ft 9:40 / mi
ahr:135 max:153 weight:141lbs shoes: mizuno
On the south side of the range, from 116 over to Lithia Springs reservoir and back. Old map of bike trails is here: http://web.archive.org/web/20070112025527/http://w...
Took the old jeep road over, yellow blazes, it's in pretty bad shape but fine for running, then back picking my way along the trails near the power line. A little rough going in a few places plus had to wade across the stream, but that's all part of the adventure (i.e. fun). Except I could have done without the one fall, though it wasn't too bad.
Entertainment from Fresh Air, interview with Barbara Streisand. Ancient history to most on AP, I'd guess, but there was never any doubt that she had what used to be called a wonderful set of pipes. Finished up with an old duet with her and Judy Garland, quite lovely.
Took the old jeep road over, yellow blazes, it's in pretty bad shape but fine for running, then back picking my way along the trails near the power line. A little rough going in a few places plus had to wade across the stream, but that's all part of the adventure (i.e. fun). Except I could have done without the one fall, though it wasn't too bad.
Entertainment from Fresh Air, interview with Barbara Streisand. Ancient history to most on AP, I'd guess, but there was never any doubt that she had what used to be called a wonderful set of pipes. Finished up with an old duet with her and Judy Garland, quite lovely.
Wednesday Dec 19, 2012 #
1 PM
trail running 1:01:13 5.95 mi (10:17 / mi) +1047ft 8:49 / mi
ahr:148 max:166 weight:141.5lbs shoes: mizuno
Around Mt. Toby from the gate, clockwise. Seemed like hard work, heart rate higher than I would have wished. Had to walk three times on the first long climb, and all the way seemed a struggle. But it's done.
Lots of water on the trails but no ice. And no snow in the forecast for the next ten days, excellent. :-)
Lots of water on the trails but no ice. And no snow in the forecast for the next ten days, excellent. :-)
Tuesday Dec 18, 2012 #
3 PM
trail running 28:53 2.93 mi (9:52 / mi) +148ft 9:25 / mi
ahr:137 max:153 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
Pretty feeble effort. Heading up to Atkins reservoir from Mill River, got part way, stopped for a while, and then headed back. No zip, probably also had too much on, sweating a lot. Whatever, just not a good day.
Sunday Dec 16, 2012 #
12 PM
trail running 1:03:28 5.76 mi (11:01 / mi) +896ft 9:37 / mi
ahr:144 max:166 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
Dry Brook trail then to Lithia Springs, with Phil. Extremely pleasant run, though the hill coming back took a little bit of gumption to run up. Low 30s, overcast, just a hint of snow. The skiers would not be happy but suits me just fine.
Hadn't run with Phil for a while, and missed it. Excellent company. Right now we are both on the mend, so hopefully getting together will be a regular thing again.
Hadn't run with Phil for a while, and missed it. Excellent company. Right now we are both on the mend, so hopefully getting together will be a regular thing again.
Saturday Dec 15, 2012 #
Note
Damn, these things are getting closer. Yesterday, I have a cousin who lives in Newtown, but his youngest kid is in the high school. And last night was less than half a mile up the road.
Life is short, maybe shorter than you think. Best try and enjoy it while you can.
Life is short, maybe shorter than you think. Best try and enjoy it while you can.
C • Grim 15
Note
A lot of snow in the mountains around Las Vegas, looks absolutely gorgeous. But very glad we are heading home.
The casino was hopping last night (not us, just taking in the scene). The guys in the next room were having a loud party, but we have excellent earplugs so no problem. This morning, on the way to breakfast, there was a very large guy sprawled in the corridor just a few feet from our room. Seemed to be out cold. One security guard there, said the guy had just had too much to drink. He was waiting for reinforcements before trying to move him. When we came back from breakfast, everything was gone.
Seems like we missed the true Vegas experience, at least as far as participating and not just observing. I can live with that.
The casino was hopping last night (not us, just taking in the scene). The guys in the next room were having a loud party, but we have excellent earplugs so no problem. This morning, on the way to breakfast, there was a very large guy sprawled in the corridor just a few feet from our room. Seemed to be out cold. One security guard there, said the guy had just had too much to drink. He was waiting for reinforcements before trying to move him. When we came back from breakfast, everything was gone.
Seems like we missed the true Vegas experience, at least as far as participating and not just observing. I can live with that.
Friday Dec 14, 2012 #
Note
Long, long stressful day, but a very successful conclusion. Meaning, I don't have to come back to LV again unless I really want to. Only thing I'll miss is the bike/running trails at Bootleg Canyon. And also, in a way, the interior decoration at the Venetian, which is really spectacular. They don't have places like this in Sunderland.
Thursday Dec 13, 2012 #
1 PM
hike 38:11 [0] 0.97 mi (39:22 / mi) +121ft 35:12 / mi
shoes: Brooks something-or-others
A short outing with Gail NW of Lake Mead, very pleasant, also very windy.
3 PM
trail running 38:54 3.76 mi (10:21 / mi) +433ft 9:20 / mi
ahr:140 max:151 shoes: Brooks something-or-others
Very excellent trail run, just wish it could have been longer, but I said I'd be back at a certain time.
Bike trails in Bootleg Canyon just outside Boulder City, ran here back in September but lower on the hillside. Trails would be awesome for biking, also are awesome for running, can pick them out from the aerial photo.
Plus felt better today, maybe because this was about 3,000' so more oxygen. Certainly felt easier.
And then off to a tour of Hoover Dam, quite spectacular. And then, safely back in the car (barely), the rains came.
Bike trails in Bootleg Canyon just outside Boulder City, ran here back in September but lower on the hillside. Trails would be awesome for biking, also are awesome for running, can pick them out from the aerial photo.
Plus felt better today, maybe because this was about 3,000' so more oxygen. Certainly felt easier.
And then off to a tour of Hoover Dam, quite spectacular. And then, safely back in the car (barely), the rains came.
Wednesday Dec 12, 2012 #
Note
There are, in fact, a lot of weddings going on today, something like three or four times the normal. We passed at least a dozen "wedding chapels" and they were all hopping, as was the one in our hotel.
Checked out the downtown area. Boy is there a lot of sleaze in this place. Or maybe it's no more than anyplace else, just right out in the open.
I'm pretty sure I will not be retiring here.
Checked out the downtown area. Boy is there a lot of sleaze in this place. Or maybe it's no more than anyplace else, just right out in the open.
I'm pretty sure I will not be retiring here.
1 PM
hike 1:40:46 [0] 2.49 mi (40:28 / mi) +469ft 34:21 / mi
ahr:85 max:107 shoes: Brooks something-or-others
Nice hike with Gail in Red Rocks Canyon, trail up to Calico tanks.
trail running 47:10 4.35 mi (10:51 / mi) +686ft 9:26 / mi
ahr:145 max:160 shoes: Brooks something-or-others
And then a run, working a little harder than I cared just to keep from walking, though perhaps the slightly less oxygen at 4,500' had a little something to do with it. No snakes.
Tuesday Dec 11, 2012 #
Note
To Las Vegas. Easy trip, no hassles, though perhaps one of the reasons the plane was full was people going there to get married (straights only, sadly). Tomorrow is a big day for weddings in LV, so what if it's a Wednesday, the main thing is it's 12-12-12, so many years from now they will still be able to remember when they got married. And the next such opportunity will be 01-01-01.
Doing things properly this time, staying on the Strip at a place called the Venetian, yup, making my contribution to Sheldon Adelson's fortune so he can give a little more to the right wing. Oh, well.
Doing things properly this time, staying on the Strip at a place called the Venetian, yup, making my contribution to Sheldon Adelson's fortune so he can give a little more to the right wing. Oh, well.
Monday Dec 10, 2012 #
4 PM
road running 22:03 2.54 mi (8:41 / mi) +79ft 8:26 / mi
ahr:139 max:152 weight:142lbs shoes: Brooks something-or-others
Short loop in town, managed OK, a couple of sore spots from Saturday are mending.
Sunday Dec 9, 2012 #
Note
My route from yesterday (click maps for larger versions) --
Overall:
QR.jpg)
Bigger version of the first map, which was actually a pretty good map:
QR.jpg)
Overall:
Bigger version of the first map, which was actually a pretty good map:
9 AM
Note
Here's Ben Gallup's merging of the four maps from yesterday. I'll get my routes done when I get home.
Meanwhile, before I forgot, a few details on what, after further reflection, is some of the worst orienteering I have done in a long time.... :-)
1. It started roughly a hour and twenty minutes in, at control #30. Spiked it nicely, and then lost 4 minutes on it? How is that possible? Well, the first two minutes were at the control looking for the punch. Looked all over, couldn't find, finally moved on, which meant carefully and slowly crossing the stream on a fallen log and climbing the steep bank on the other side.
At which point another team arrived at the control. I called back that there was no punch. About 5 seconds later they called back, yes, there is.
Back down the bank, across the log. There was the punch, right at the top of the control stand, just where they always are. I had been looking for one attached by a string....
4 minutes gone.
2. Leaving #37 (just south of the ball field, by km 13), heading for 34 (by km 14.75), obviously forgot to look at my compass, headed north instead of east. Fortunately the map had road names on it, so I eventually discover my error.
So picked up 35 (by km 14) on the way, though it would have been much easier to get that after 38.
A couple more minutes.
3. Route from 36 (by km point 15.75) to 44 (up by the ball fields), should have take the right route (like Ben), roads all the way, took a "trail" marked on the map, lots of new buildings, got screwed up royally, another 3 or 4 minutes.
4. Ah, control 44. By the left-field fence of the northeastern baseball field. Went to the northeastern field, no control, looked all around both fields, finally moved on, 6 minutes gone.
5. Missed the next control some, but there were terrible briers.... But saw a team there and they had found 44. WTF. No way I wanted to go back through the briers.
Got to 45 and 43, saw another team, they'd also found 44, said there were more than two baseball fields. So I went back, as it was a 3-point control (most were just 1-point). Yup, two more fields, the control was on the northeastern of those two fields (which were SE of the other two fields). Bad luck? Stupid? Some of both?
Another 10 minutes gone.
6. Next control, in the middle of town. misread the streets, another two minutes.
Now 3 hours in. Just about 30 minutes shot in the last hour and forty. Unreal.
And then perfect the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, before I forgot, a few details on what, after further reflection, is some of the worst orienteering I have done in a long time.... :-)
1. It started roughly a hour and twenty minutes in, at control #30. Spiked it nicely, and then lost 4 minutes on it? How is that possible? Well, the first two minutes were at the control looking for the punch. Looked all over, couldn't find, finally moved on, which meant carefully and slowly crossing the stream on a fallen log and climbing the steep bank on the other side.
At which point another team arrived at the control. I called back that there was no punch. About 5 seconds later they called back, yes, there is.
Back down the bank, across the log. There was the punch, right at the top of the control stand, just where they always are. I had been looking for one attached by a string....
4 minutes gone.
2. Leaving #37 (just south of the ball field, by km 13), heading for 34 (by km 14.75), obviously forgot to look at my compass, headed north instead of east. Fortunately the map had road names on it, so I eventually discover my error.
So picked up 35 (by km 14) on the way, though it would have been much easier to get that after 38.
A couple more minutes.
3. Route from 36 (by km point 15.75) to 44 (up by the ball fields), should have take the right route (like Ben), roads all the way, took a "trail" marked on the map, lots of new buildings, got screwed up royally, another 3 or 4 minutes.
4. Ah, control 44. By the left-field fence of the northeastern baseball field. Went to the northeastern field, no control, looked all around both fields, finally moved on, 6 minutes gone.
5. Missed the next control some, but there were terrible briers.... But saw a team there and they had found 44. WTF. No way I wanted to go back through the briers.
Got to 45 and 43, saw another team, they'd also found 44, said there were more than two baseball fields. So I went back, as it was a 3-point control (most were just 1-point). Yup, two more fields, the control was on the northeastern of those two fields (which were SE of the other two fields). Bad luck? Stupid? Some of both?
Another 10 minutes gone.
6. Next control, in the middle of town. misread the streets, another two minutes.
Now 3 hours in. Just about 30 minutes shot in the last hour and forty. Unreal.
And then perfect the rest of the way.
C • 2
C • #46 1
Saturday Dec 8, 2012 #
Event: RHINO 5
Event: Dover Raid Adventure Race
11 AM
orienteering 4:46:16 20.9 mi (13:42 / mi) +1319ft 12:55 / mi
ahr:140 max:177 shoes: mizuno
Dover 5.5 Hour Score O'. Rainy and about 40F. Quit early on purpose, got 38 out of 45 controls. Totally delighted with the outing, other than a couple of dumb-ass moves that cost me the better part of 30 minutes Legs felt good pretty much the whole way.. And even managed to get the tent erected, though not without some extra advice from the girl.
Now at Charlie's. Odds of doing the RHINO are between 0 and 10%, closer to the former...:-)
Now at Charlie's. Odds of doing the RHINO are between 0 and 10%, closer to the former...:-)
Friday Dec 7, 2012 #
Note
I seem to be doing this tomorrow, plus this.
Who knows what the first one will be like, what sort of fun and games will be involved aside from normal orienteering. And what the maps will be like. Need to get things figured out tonight as far as what to take, especially what to carry in the way of food and drink. I tend to prefer going light. Maybe just take some money?
And a way to deal with a punch card of unknown size. And a writing instrument that works when it's wet, and that I won't lose. And some cold rain. And who knows what else.
Ambitions? The only thing I can think of is distance, would be nice to go at least 15 miles. I'm not planning on staying the whole time, 3 or 4 hours at the most. So also no need for a light. But that makes it hard to feel too ambitious/serious if you're already planning to quit early.
Whatever. Hope there's some adventure.
As far as RHINO, would be really cool to not be so battered by Dover that I actually felt like a little night-O.
Who knows what the first one will be like, what sort of fun and games will be involved aside from normal orienteering. And what the maps will be like. Need to get things figured out tonight as far as what to take, especially what to carry in the way of food and drink. I tend to prefer going light. Maybe just take some money?
And a way to deal with a punch card of unknown size. And a writing instrument that works when it's wet, and that I won't lose. And some cold rain. And who knows what else.
Ambitions? The only thing I can think of is distance, would be nice to go at least 15 miles. I'm not planning on staying the whole time, 3 or 4 hours at the most. So also no need for a light. But that makes it hard to feel too ambitious/serious if you're already planning to quit early.
Whatever. Hope there's some adventure.
As far as RHINO, would be really cool to not be so battered by Dover that I actually felt like a little night-O.
Wednesday Dec 5, 2012 #
2 PM
trail running 32:52 3.09 mi (10:39 / mi) +413ft 9:27 / mi
ahr:129 max:146 weight:142lbs shoes: mizuno
Zero energy. Started to head up Mt. Toby, but it clearly wasn't going to happen. I think it's time for a day r two off.
Tuesday Dec 4, 2012 #
Note
The IRS is cracking down. You now have to pass an exam to be a tax preparer. So I took it today and passed. :-)
3 PM
road running 53:20 6.28 mi (8:30 / mi) +23ft 8:28 / mi
ahr:133 max:145 weight:142.5lbs shoes: mizuno
At the Holyoke reservoirs, just putting in a few miles (6 miles seems like a long ways these days).
Entertainment from This American Life about the Indian wars (i.e. the white newly-arrived Americans trying to get the land occupied by the native Americans) in southern Minnesota in 1862. I always though Minnesotans were reasonably peaceful (with the exception of the folks in "Fargo"), but I guess that wasn't always so.
Trouble hanging with the show for the first 30 minutes, but then it got better and better. Including a bit about how the Minnesota state flag showing an indian riding a horse is really representing the Indians being chased out of the star. And also quite a bit about our propensity to forget many inconvenient facts in our history.
Entertainment from This American Life about the Indian wars (i.e. the white newly-arrived Americans trying to get the land occupied by the native Americans) in southern Minnesota in 1862. I always though Minnesotans were reasonably peaceful (with the exception of the folks in "Fargo"), but I guess that wasn't always so.
Trouble hanging with the show for the first 30 minutes, but then it got better and better. Including a bit about how the Minnesota state flag showing an indian riding a horse is really representing the Indians being chased out of the star. And also quite a bit about our propensity to forget many inconvenient facts in our history.
Monday Dec 3, 2012 #
Note
Much too close to the eye for comfort, but not nearly as bad this time as when I did the full Cyclops treatment seven years ago.
Note
Routes and a few comments from last weekend's courses (click on maps for larger version) --
Night-O (Brown course)
#2. Took a short trail detour because I was worried that going straight would be hard to know if I was right or left if I missed.
#4. Thought about going around to the left, might well have been better.
#5. Seems like a lot of extra distance, but I was moving a lot faster on the roads and fields so I think it was better.
#7. Quite confused when I got to the last field, just uncertain, probably an extra 30 seconds trying to be sure.
#10. Scary point, felt like I was too low and I was.
#11. Thought I was being careful with the direction, but I wasn't.
But overall, for night-O, good for me, ran quite a bit and no big errors.
QR.jpg)
Relay (Yellow course)
#6. Route shown is a little off. Ran road along fence, then along yellow and last bit through thicker woods. Never saw that the trail went right to it, should have hopped on it up top.
#10. Through the tunnel and along the trail would have been much quicker.
Overall OK, main thing was not to do anything stupid, like mispunch or skip a control or take them in the wrong order, all easy to do. I was quite careful to be sure I was getting them all in the correct order.
QR.jpg)
Ultralong (Green course)
#1. Shaky start. Didn't really know where I was. Route shown is a little off, got to the trail before the bends, saw the reentrant to my right and finally knew where I was. And then ran right past my reentrant, following a couple others to the red control further along.
#3. Not sure about route, I crossed reentrant partway and another before the control, maybe around to the right was better both times?
#4. Way off. But there is no good way to attack, so plan was to just head over and if I didn't happen to see it, then relocate on the various detail near or beyond the point. Way to the right, so when I hit a nice reentrent misidentified it and went east, very lucky to hit the trail. Control was then easy, in the back door.
#6. Scary control. Trying to go due south and see if I could identify anything. Thought I saw the patch of yellow, never saw the blue, but did see a fence post along a line of trees heading SE and figured that was the fence just before the control. Looked like a little thicker vegetation NE of the "fence." Lucky, but also good at picking up what clues there were.
#7. Another scary one. Had the feeling I was too far left at the end, so trying to correct to the right, did it just enough to see the control ahead of me.
#8. Sloppy on compass again leaving 7. And then the last bit, I think it was better to go around the whole reentrant, though it never occurred to me at the time.
#10. Not bad, missed all but one reentrant. It looks minimal, but it was nasty.
#11. Should have gone around to the left. Lots of greenbrier in the vertical green area, got my face there.
#12. Better compass, both leaving 11 to the trail, and approaching 12.
#13. Just trying to get to the road, nasty at the end.
Overall, better after #4. Some questionable routes and bearing, but reading the terrain well and avoiding any big misses. Very glad to be done.
QR.jpg)
Night-O (Brown course)
#2. Took a short trail detour because I was worried that going straight would be hard to know if I was right or left if I missed.
#4. Thought about going around to the left, might well have been better.
#5. Seems like a lot of extra distance, but I was moving a lot faster on the roads and fields so I think it was better.
#7. Quite confused when I got to the last field, just uncertain, probably an extra 30 seconds trying to be sure.
#10. Scary point, felt like I was too low and I was.
#11. Thought I was being careful with the direction, but I wasn't.
But overall, for night-O, good for me, ran quite a bit and no big errors.
Relay (Yellow course)
#6. Route shown is a little off. Ran road along fence, then along yellow and last bit through thicker woods. Never saw that the trail went right to it, should have hopped on it up top.
#10. Through the tunnel and along the trail would have been much quicker.
Overall OK, main thing was not to do anything stupid, like mispunch or skip a control or take them in the wrong order, all easy to do. I was quite careful to be sure I was getting them all in the correct order.
Ultralong (Green course)
#1. Shaky start. Didn't really know where I was. Route shown is a little off, got to the trail before the bends, saw the reentrant to my right and finally knew where I was. And then ran right past my reentrant, following a couple others to the red control further along.
#3. Not sure about route, I crossed reentrant partway and another before the control, maybe around to the right was better both times?
#4. Way off. But there is no good way to attack, so plan was to just head over and if I didn't happen to see it, then relocate on the various detail near or beyond the point. Way to the right, so when I hit a nice reentrent misidentified it and went east, very lucky to hit the trail. Control was then easy, in the back door.
#6. Scary control. Trying to go due south and see if I could identify anything. Thought I saw the patch of yellow, never saw the blue, but did see a fence post along a line of trees heading SE and figured that was the fence just before the control. Looked like a little thicker vegetation NE of the "fence." Lucky, but also good at picking up what clues there were.
#7. Another scary one. Had the feeling I was too far left at the end, so trying to correct to the right, did it just enough to see the control ahead of me.
#8. Sloppy on compass again leaving 7. And then the last bit, I think it was better to go around the whole reentrant, though it never occurred to me at the time.
#10. Not bad, missed all but one reentrant. It looks minimal, but it was nasty.
#11. Should have gone around to the left. Lots of greenbrier in the vertical green area, got my face there.
#12. Better compass, both leaving 11 to the trail, and approaching 12.
#13. Just trying to get to the road, nasty at the end.
Overall, better after #4. Some questionable routes and bearing, but reading the terrain well and avoiding any big misses. Very glad to be done.
12 PM
trail running 33:44 3.75 mi (9:00 / mi) +187ft 8:35 / mi
ahr:134 max:149 shoes: mizuno
Stopped in Holyoke on the way home for a loop around the Mountain Street reservoir. Felt like a struggle, but legs were at least able to do it without any pain.
Sunday Dec 2, 2012 #
9 AM
orienteering 1:43:06 7.32 mi (14:05 / mi) +377ft 13:26 / mi
ahr:143 max:175 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Ultralong at East Fork on the north side, Green Course (M60), 9.5 km beeline.
Pouring rain at the start, felt cold so I wore a long-sleeve shirt, seemed to work out just about right. Mass start, took me a while to get with the program, overshot the first, a couple minutes gone, missed the fourth, another three minutes gone, so was very surprised to have someone say I was third at #5.
Together with Rick Breseman approaching #6, 500 meters through flat amorphous terrain to a rootstock, I nailed it, he didn't. Meanwhile Bill Pullman, in the lead at #5, had gone on a walkabout east of #6, so I was in the lead. Not that I knew it.... :-)
Didn't last long, Dave Kostansek came cruising by just before 7, never to be seen again. He is way faster, had been in for 7 minutes when I finished, but I got second, just ahead of Bill, not so bad.
Fell down twice, the first snagged a strand of wire ankle high while going down a steepish hill, hard landing but not painful, the second also a hard landing but not painful. But I got lucky on the third incident, a healthy strand of greenbrier that raked me in the face, just missing my right eye by maybe a quarter inch. Have a nice laceration on the eyelid and will probably be black and blue for a few days. But very lucky it wasn't worse.
Legs a bit weary towards the end, glad no one was there to contest the finish.
And then a meet-up with the CSU crowd at Panera and a ride to the airport from Ken about three hours before our flight.
And WiFi for the first time in a couple of days. How have I managed without it? Just fine -- spent more time socializing with a fine bunch of people. :-)
Pouring rain at the start, felt cold so I wore a long-sleeve shirt, seemed to work out just about right. Mass start, took me a while to get with the program, overshot the first, a couple minutes gone, missed the fourth, another three minutes gone, so was very surprised to have someone say I was third at #5.
Together with Rick Breseman approaching #6, 500 meters through flat amorphous terrain to a rootstock, I nailed it, he didn't. Meanwhile Bill Pullman, in the lead at #5, had gone on a walkabout east of #6, so I was in the lead. Not that I knew it.... :-)
Didn't last long, Dave Kostansek came cruising by just before 7, never to be seen again. He is way faster, had been in for 7 minutes when I finished, but I got second, just ahead of Bill, not so bad.
Fell down twice, the first snagged a strand of wire ankle high while going down a steepish hill, hard landing but not painful, the second also a hard landing but not painful. But I got lucky on the third incident, a healthy strand of greenbrier that raked me in the face, just missing my right eye by maybe a quarter inch. Have a nice laceration on the eyelid and will probably be black and blue for a few days. But very lucky it wasn't worse.
Legs a bit weary towards the end, glad no one was there to contest the finish.
And then a meet-up with the CSU crowd at Panera and a ride to the airport from Ken about three hours before our flight.
And WiFi for the first time in a couple of days. How have I managed without it? Just fine -- spent more time socializing with a fine bunch of people. :-)
Saturday Dec 1, 2012 #
Note
How nice it would be if the WiFi at the Holiday Inn actually worked, or even if they seemed a little more concerned. I think getting a smart phone may be in my future, although typing this on Bill Pullman's iPad is an exercise in patience/frustration.
trail running 10:00 [3] 1.0 mi (10:00 / mi)
shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Getting the heart going before the relay.
11 AM
orienteering 16:46 1.57 mi (10:41 / mi) +220ft 9:26 / mi
ahr:155 max:165 shoes: x-talon 212 #2
Relay Champs, leg 2 for CSU 8-point team, so yellow course.... :-)
Team won, excellent.
Another nice day, 50s, some sun, some clouds, very benign weather.
We had a challenge putting together the CSU teams as we had 14 people, 24 points, could have done a 4-8-12 and gone for the trifecta, but it didn't really mesh with who wanted to run which legs. I think we ended up with the best possible solution, I think everyone happy with the team they were on, plus hooking Bill Pullman and Dave Yee up with Balter and Jon Marsden (a Brit friend of Ali's) under the team name of "Water Dragon" -- name suggested by Balter so of course it was immediately accepted.
Anyway, the vibes were good, we ran well. Probably pissed off some others, I heard a couple of anti-CSU comments along the lines of stuff I might say or think about the Yankees. But there was still a good effort made by the club to get people there, and that is worth something. Similar efforts by a bunch of other clubs too -- Minnesota and Chicago among others -- which was cool, got more teams there than I was expecting.
My yellow course seemed just fine, certainly not trivial, and I certainly got a workout. And didn't get beat by Izzy, though if she had been on Yellow instead of Orange that might not have been the case.
Then hanging out will Bill the rest of the afternoon, very very pleasant. Then the team social, also a lot of fun, met several new people. And hopefully also helped a few more people feel connected to the team.
Team won, excellent.
Another nice day, 50s, some sun, some clouds, very benign weather.
We had a challenge putting together the CSU teams as we had 14 people, 24 points, could have done a 4-8-12 and gone for the trifecta, but it didn't really mesh with who wanted to run which legs. I think we ended up with the best possible solution, I think everyone happy with the team they were on, plus hooking Bill Pullman and Dave Yee up with Balter and Jon Marsden (a Brit friend of Ali's) under the team name of "Water Dragon" -- name suggested by Balter so of course it was immediately accepted.
Anyway, the vibes were good, we ran well. Probably pissed off some others, I heard a couple of anti-CSU comments along the lines of stuff I might say or think about the Yankees. But there was still a good effort made by the club to get people there, and that is worth something. Similar efforts by a bunch of other clubs too -- Minnesota and Chicago among others -- which was cool, got more teams there than I was expecting.
My yellow course seemed just fine, certainly not trivial, and I certainly got a workout. And didn't get beat by Izzy, though if she had been on Yellow instead of Orange that might not have been the case.
Then hanging out will Bill the rest of the afternoon, very very pleasant. Then the team social, also a lot of fun, met several new people. And hopefully also helped a few more people feel connected to the team.