Training Log Archive: Linear Ice

On terrain/paths

Trying to find features in ASP.
Beautiful day and numerous people out, including some groups (Boy Scouts, CrossX skiers apparently getting ready for snow, couples, gaggles of geese on the river). Also saw a squirrel with a bright white fluffy tipped tail- (used to be a number of albino squirrels in Afton, but they must be easy prey 'cause I haven't seen any lately)
I must be avoiding talking about my terraining, because although mostly I could find the features I was looking for on my 2K course, in the order I wanted..... and even though I was going slow... this is still just not always easy for me. So, I had a major loop around a feature that took me a very long time to be sure I found. (I wasn't quite lost, didn't need to use my whistle, but was not where I thoughtI was.) Have I made all the possible mistakes yet? Probably a few more to go. Ah well. Still entertaining.

Short exercise to get a little stress on thighs and heart.
Cycled HR up 170 and back down to 140 six times.

Speed up jog
2 Miles at 6:31
1 Mile at 7:30
Jog down

Not sure why, but calves starting tightening up after about 1/2 mile. Luckily, didn't cause problems.

Nightime run in woods behind my house. I had a very hard time finding the deer trails, let Alice (dog) lead the way. She mostly did a pretty nice job and I was grateful to let her do the thinking while I just picked my way across the fallen trees, branches, creek crossings, etc.
Although this run is 100% in the woods with no homes, there's one part of the run that crosses a driveway, I ducked down and turned off my light when a car crossed over (I was only 15 feet away-and was probably on their property although who knows?), and then just as I had my light back on, ready to go... saw more lights.... a fire engine, EMT vehicle, another car... all coming back from the same driveway. Since there were no flashing lights or fast speed, I don't think anyone was hurt.... luckily. I ducked down again, hid my dog's eyes so they wouldn't give us away. Felt a little like a fugitive... running through the woods, hiding in the ditch.
Other than that, just raccoon, birds, rodent or two..sharing the woods. Fun run. Total distance was 2.5 miles, but it probably took me 6 miles, running zig zag along the route the whole time.

iPod was out of batteries, so I just got to watch Dr. Phil without sound, and read some lame magazine.
At least I had shorts!!
It's a little slow getting this winter routine going.....

I was hoping to work out at work today, got to the gym and realized I had no shorts. Oops. So, had to wait until I got home and just did my standard route with big steep evil-ish uphill and 1 mile downhill and some flats and wavies in-between. I did try to pick up the pace a bit.
Nice cool night and very dark. I was running fast down the hill, marveling at all the stars, until I almost tripped over my dog at full speed. Ruined the moment.
Afton Alps had its BIG ski lift all lit up at the top... winter is almost here. Or at least the (fake) snow.

Nice walk through Afton SP with Leslie and our three dogs. Alice's second time out today, but fat little RIta (the Border Terrier) hasn't been out in weeks. Sunny weather. Fun to catch up.

Ran through the woods by the Afton Creek, an area that the UMN has told me is "virgin woods" and so old growth, not too much underbrush, good deer paths, good practice for some uneven running. At creek source (underground spring- nice little dry marsh), cut up to top of hill, back around and home.